US to test expedited asylum screenings at Mexico border
April 7, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — Migrants who enter the United States illegally will be screened by asylum officers while in custody under a limited experiment that provides them access to legal counsel, the Department of Homeland Security said Friday.
Born after 9/11, Homeland Security turns 20 facing new tasks
March 1, 2023 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal agency born in the aftermath of Sept. 11 when the primary concern was stopping terrorists from entering the U.S. is changing to meet new challenges, said the secretary of homeland security as he marked its 20-year anniversary during a ceremony Wednesday.
US plans for more migrant releases when asylum limits end
December 15, 2022 GMTWASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security said more migrants may be released into the United States to pursue immigration cases when Trump-era asylum restrictions end next week, when a Texas congressman says some border officials estimate about 50,000 migrants could be waiting to cross into the U.S.
Immigrants, DHS settle case seeking activist targeting info
November 22, 2022 GMTBURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has agreed to pay a Vermont-based immigrant advocacy organization $74,000 in legal fees to settle a lawsuit seeking information about whether advocates were being targeted by immigration agents because of their political activism.
Ex-Homeland Security agent sentenced for bribery
November 22, 2022 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) —
A former special agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security who was bribed to feed information to an organized crime figure was sentenced Monday to more than 10 years in prison.
US gathered intel on Oregon protesters, report shows
October 29, 2022 GMTSALEM, Ore. (AP) — U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials in the Trump administration compiled extensive intelligence dossiers on people who were arrested, even for minor offenses, during Black Lives Matter protests in Oregon.
Feds: Theft of frozen beef in Nebraska uncovers crime ring
October 26, 2022 GMTLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — An investigation into the theft this summer of several semitrailers loaded with frozen beef from Nebraska has led to arrests and uncovered a multimillion-dollar theft ring targeting meatpacking plants in six Midwestern states, federal authorities said.
Preliminary OK given to settlement over meat plant raid
October 20, 2022 GMTKNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A federal judge gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a settlement that would provide more than $1 million to workers at a meat processing plant in Tennessee that was the subject of an immigration raid in 2018.
Groups: Retaliation after migrants report detention center
September 30, 2022 GMTESTANCIA, N.M. (AP) — Migrants held by U.S. authorities at a detention center in rural New Mexico have endured retaliation rather than aid after reporting unsanitary conditions at the government-contracted jail, a coalition of civil rights advocacy groups said Wednesday.
1st civil trial over Portland cops’ use of force begins
September 29, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The first civil suit alleging Portland police used excessive violence against a 2020 racial justice demonstrator opened Tuesday before a jury in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Feds deny Burgum’s request to restore border crossing hours
July 11, 2022 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection won’t restore hours of operation to pre-pandemic levels at some ports of entry in North Dakota, despite pressure from Gov. Doug Burgum.
Federal appeals court greenlights federal deportation policy
July 5, 2022 GMTCOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Federal guidance prioritizing the deportation of people in the country illegally who pose the greatest public safety risk can be implemented, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday.
Federal lawmakers seek review of New England asylum cases
May 31, 2022 GMTBOSTON (AP) — Congressional leaders in New England are calling for a federal investigation into the low rate of approvals by the region's asylum office.
U.S. Sen. Edward Markey, a Massachusetts Democrat, and seven other Democratic lawmakers from Massachusetts and Maine issued a letter Thursday seeking a formal review of the U.S.
Ohio-Michigan homeland security chief placed on leave
February 3, 2022 GMTROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — A federal official overseeing homeland security investigations in Michigan and Ohio has been suspended after agents searched his Detroit-area home, a lawyer said.
Authorities haven't disclosed the reason for the search, which occurred last Friday at Vance Callender's home in Royal Oak.
US expels Venezuelan migrants to Colombia under COVID powers
January 31, 2022 GMTBOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The Biden administration said Monday that it has begun expelling Venezuelan migrants to Colombia without a chance to seek asylum after entering the United States from Mexico, its latest use of pandemic-related authority.
Harvard immigration clinic sues for records on ICE detention
January 18, 2022 GMTCAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A Harvard Law School clinic has sued federal immigration officials for failing to release records about the use of solitary confinement in immigration detention facilities.
Fed review sought of jail’s immigrant detainee conditions
January 8, 2022 GMTPLYMOUTH, Mass. (AP) — Massachusetts' two U.S. senators are calling for a review of conditions at the Plymouth County jail for federal immigration detainees.
Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey said this week that they've heard from the families of detainees and their attorneys and advocates about poor treatment and care at the jail.
Burgum to visit ND soldiers at southern border
December 8, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Gov. Doug Burgum is set to travel to the southern border to visit North Dakota National Guard troops.
The Bismarck Tribune reported Wednesday that Burgum will travel to Texas next week to visit with soldiers from the Bismarck-based 957th Engineer Company.
Haitian group files complaint over treatment of migrants
October 18, 2021 GMTBOSTON (AP) — A civil rights group filed a federal complaint Monday on behalf of a Haitian American group in Boston over the treatment of nearly 50 Haitians who recently arrived in Massachusetts as part of a wave of migrants from the struggling Caribbean nation.
Dozens of Afghan refugees will resettle in North Dakota
September 17, 2021 GMTBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota will help settle dozens of Afghan refugees who will begin arriving later this month.
The state Department of Human Services said Friday it has been notified by the U.S.
NH reps push for border to reopen to vaccinated Canadians
August 28, 2021 GMTCONCORD, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire's congressional delegation is pressing the Biden administration to reopen the U.S.-Canada border to vaccinated Canadians, saying businesses in the state are hurting from a ban on nonessential travel.
FBI joins criminal probe in Colorado voting equipment breach
August 18, 2021 GMTDENVER (AP) — The FBI said Wednesday its agents are joining a criminal investigation into an alleged security breach of a rural Colorado county's voting equipment.
The agents are working with Mesa County prosecutors to determine if there was a criminal violation, FBI spokeswoman Courtney Bernal said in a statement.
Florida boaters could risk fines, prison by going to Cuba
July 16, 2021 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Federal authorities are warning organizers planning to launch a flotilla next week from South Florida to waters near Cuba that they could risk breaking the law.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in an advisory Thursday that boaters intending to enter Cuban territorial waters must get permission from the U.S.
Religious artifacts returned to Thailand after decades
May 26, 2021 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — Two stolen hand-carved religious artifacts, sandstone lintels dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries, were returned to the Thai government on Tuesday in a ceremony more than 50 years overdue.
Complaint: Mississippi ICE center is violating COVID rules
May 19, 2021 GMTNATCHEZ, Miss. (AP) — Several immigrants’ rights groups filed a complaint against those running a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Mississippi, saying it’s experiencing the largest COVID-19 outbreak at any ICE facility in the country because safety policies aren’t being followed.
Agreement would allow HPD to work with ICE
May 21, 2019 GMTHUNTINGTON — Huntington Police Chief Hank Dial is asking City Council to approve a memorandum of understanding allowing officers to be reimbursed for drug trafficking investigations with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
More immigrants sue US over end to protected status
February 11, 2019 GMTImmigrants from Honduras and Nepal have filed a lawsuit alleging the Trump administration unfairly ended a program that lets them live and work in the United States...
Eritrean US detainee kills himself at Egyptian airport
June 9, 2018 GMTCAIRO (AP) — An Eritrean national who was denied asylum in the United States and was being sent back to his homeland has died in an apparent suicide in a holding area at Cairo International Airport, airport officials said on Saturday...
Polk gets emergency food funds from FEMA
May 11, 2018 GMTPolk County has been selected to receive $19,801 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county under Phase 35.
According to Troy Bolt, local board chair, Polk County has been awarded these federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.
Sessions: Zero-tolerance policy may split families at border
May 8, 2018 GMTSAN DIEGO (AP) — A "zero-tolerance" policy toward people who enter the United States illegally may cause families to be separated while parents are prosecuted, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions said Monday.
DHS has no evidence of Russia hacking 2018 midterm elections, assistant secretary tells Senate
April 24, 2018 GMTThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security has failed so far to find any evidence of foreign hackers attacking American voting systems ahead of the 2018 midterm elections, a top DHS official said Tuesday.
US, UK say Russia targets internet hardware for espionage
April 17, 2018 GMTWashington and London on Monday jointly accused the Russian government of maliciously targeting global internet equipment for political and economic espionage...
County sheriff, DHS make three arrests
January 12, 2018 GMTThe Cameron County Sheriff’s Office assisted the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in the arrest of three individuals in the Brownsville Country Club area.
Tribes oppose planned bioterror tests near Oklahoma graves
December 16, 2017 GMTTULSA, Okla. (AP) — Five Native American tribes that own an Oklahoma site where the U.S. Department of Homeland Security intends to conduct bioterrorism drills next year now oppose the government's plan, saying the agency didn't inform them about chemicals it plans to release on grounds the tribes consider sacred because more than 100 children are buried there...
Federal government notifies 21 states of election hacking
September 23, 2017 GMTThe federal government on Friday told election officials in 21 states that hackers targeted their systems before last year's presidential election...
Abu Dhabi airport now exempt from US laptop ban
July 2, 2017 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The capital of the United Arab Emirates became the first city to be exempt from a U.S. ban on laptop computers being in the cabins of airplanes coming from the Mideast, the country's flag carrier said Sunday...
Talks on airplane laptop ban end with no ban, more talks
May 17, 2017 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Talks on a proposed U.S. ban on laptops and tablets in flights from Europe ended Wednesday with no ban — and a promise of more talks and better intelligence sharing...
Old tech, passwords galore hurt US tracking of visa holders
May 5, 2017 GMTLOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. immigration agents waste their time logging in and out of archaic computer systems while trying to track down foreigners suspected of overstaying their visas only to find out later that many visa holders have left the country, said a government watchdog report released Thursday...
Feds halt reports on local jurisdictions not aiding ICE
April 12, 2017 GMTThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security has stopped issuing a weekly report scrutinizing local jurisdictions that have declined to help federal agents identify undocumented immigrants held in county jails after a few cities and counties decried the reports as flawed.
Feds seize computers from once elite task force
April 7, 2017 GMTFederal agents have seized two laptop computers from the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and intend to search them for evidence showing that the former chief of what was once an elite state urban search-and-rescue team, along with another worker, completed an online training program for several response team members so they could achieve federal certification, a U.S.
Former RGC cop pleads guilty to federal drug charges
April 7, 2017 GMTRamon De La Cruz, Jr., the former investigator with the Rio Grande City Police Department, pleaded guilty to charges of conspiring to distribute more than 2,000 lbs. of marijuana during a re-arraignment hearing on Tuesday, according to court documents.
The Latest: Royal Jordanian to enforce ban starting Friday
March 21, 2017 GMTCAIRO (AP) — The Latest developments related to the U.S. government move to bar passengers in eight Muslim-majority countries from bringing laptops and other electronics onboard direct flights to the United States (all times local):...
Mexicans weigh the daunting prospect of deportee camps
February 22, 2017 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexicans fear deportee and refugee camps could be popping up along their northern border under the Trump administration's plan to start deporting to Mexico all Latin Americans and others who entered the U...