Stories

Browse major news stories and see what officials have said.

Jun 30, 2026

Supreme Court Upholds Birthright Citizenship 6-3, Strikes Down Trump Order (Trump v. Barbara, June 2026)

On June 30, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Trump v. Barbara that the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship, striking down President Trump's Day-1 executive order that sought to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of undocumented or temporary-status parents. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote for the majority, joined by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, Barrett, and Jackson, holding that such children are "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States and are citizens at birth; Justice Kavanaugh concurred in the judgment on statutory grounds, while Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissented. Trump called the decision "too bad for our Country" and urged Congress to pass legislation restricting birthright citizenship, promising his "Complete and Total Support." The ruling drew celebration from Democrats and calls from Republicans, including Sen. Lindsey Graham, for legislation or a constitutional amendment.

scotus

birthright-citizenship

immigration

8 statements

Jun 27, 2026

Trump Nominates Former Oklahoma Trooper Lance Schroyer as ICE Director

On June 27, 2026, President Donald Trump announced he intends to nominate Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma state trooper and U.S. Marine with roughly 29 years of law enforcement experience, to serve as Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Schroyer currently serves as a senior adviser to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and previously led large-scale enforcement operations in Oklahoma under the 287(g) program. If confirmed by the Senate, he would become the first Senate-confirmed ICE director since 2017, ending a stretch in which the agency has operated under acting leadership. The pick, which followed the May resignation of former director Todd Lyons, drew immediate praise from Oklahoma and Republican officials, while analysts noted his relative lack of federal-agency experience is likely to be scrutinized at a confirmation hearing.

House Passes $70 Billion ICE and Border Patrol Funding Bill 214-212, Sending It to Trump's Desk

The House narrowly passed the Secure America Act (S.2) 214-212 on June 9, 2026, sending the $70 billion immigration enforcement package to Trump's desk. Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-CA), who caucuses with Republicans, was the only non-Democrat to vote against it, citing concerns about bypassing the bipartisan appropriations process. The bill funds ICE ($38.6B) and CBP ($26B) through fiscal year 2029, locking in immigration enforcement funding through the remainder of the Trump term. The Senate had passed the bill 52-47 on June 5.

Federal Judge Strikes Down Trump's $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee as Unlawful Tax

U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston struck down Trump's $100,000 H-1B visa fee on June 8, 2026, ruling it an unlawful tax that only Congress has the power to impose. The fee — announced in September 2025 and raising costs from roughly $2,000–$5,000 to $100,000 per application — was challenged by 20 Democratic state attorneys general. The ruling drew bipartisan praise from lawmakers citing impacts on healthcare and education staffing; the White House vowed to appeal.

Senate Passes $70 Billion ICE and Border Patrol Funding Bill 52-47

The Senate voted 52-47 early on June 5, 2026 to pass a $70 billion immigration enforcement package funding ICE ($38.6B) and Customs and Border Protection ($26B) through the end of the Trump administration. The bill also includes a $5 billion DHS enforcement allocation and a $1.776 billion DOJ "anti-weaponization" settlement fund that had sparked weeks of internal Republican backlash. Sen. Lisa Murkowski was the only Republican to vote against the bill, which all Democrats opposed. The final vote came just before 5 a.m. after a 19-hour session that saw Republicans defeat multiple Democratic and GOP amendments to eliminate the settlement fund. The bill now heads to the House, where Majority Leader Steve Scalise indicated he wants quick passage.

ICE Pepper-Sprays Senator at Delaney Hall as NJ Governor Denied Entry Amid Detainee Hunger Strike

Over Memorial Day weekend 2026, more than 300 detainees at Delaney Hall — a 1,000-bed private ICE detention facility in Newark, NJ operated by GEO Group — launched a hunger and labor strike protesting spoiled food, inadequate medical care, and lack of due process. New Jersey lawmakers attempted oversight visits and were blocked from entering; on May 26, Sen. Andy Kim was pepper-sprayed by ICE agents in riot gear as he tried to de-escalate clashes between protesters and officers outside the facility. Governor Mikie Sherrill was formally denied entry when she attempted to inspect the facility on May 25. Sen. Cory Booker, Rep. Rob Menendez, Rep. LaMonica McIver, and Rep. Frank Pallone also visited and condemned conditions. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin flatly denied a hunger strike was occurring and accused the lawmakers of staging a "political stunt" for "fundraising clicks."

Senate Republicans Advance $72 Billion ICE and CBP Reconciliation Bill

Senate Republicans advanced a nearly $72 billion budget reconciliation package to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement ($38.2B) and Customs and Border Protection ($26B) through FY2029, plus $1 billion for White House security upgrades. The Senate Homeland Security Committee approved its portion 8-7 on May 19, 2026, followed by the Budget Committee advancing the bill 11-10 on May 20, clearing it for a Senate floor vote before the planned June 2 recess. The package — the largest immigration enforcement funding proposal in U.S. history — advances via reconciliation, requiring only 51 votes and bypassing a Democratic filibuster.

Senate Adopts $70 Billion Budget Resolution to Fund ICE and Border Patrol

In the predawn hours of April 23, 2026, the Senate voted 50-48 to adopt a non-binding budget resolution that unlocks up to $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol, a key step toward ending the partial Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began in mid-February. Republicans Rand Paul of Kentucky and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only members of their party to vote against the resolution. The measure authorizes the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees to draft reconciliation legislation funding the two agencies for three years, through the end of President Trump's term. The resolution now moves to the House, which has not yet voted. Speaker Mike Johnson said he expects the House to pass it. President Trump has set a June 1 deadline for final passage of the reconciliation bill.

Trump Feuds With Pope Leo XIV Over Iran War and Immigration

An escalating clash between President Trump and Pope Leo XIV — the first American-born pope — has emerged as one of the defining conflicts of 2026. The feud spans two fronts: Leo's condemnation of the Iran war (calling Trump's threats "truly unacceptable" and denouncing a "delusion of omnipotence") and his criticism of mass deportation policies as "extremely disrespectful." Trump responded with an extraordinary broadside, calling Leo "very liberal," "weak on crime," and "terrible for foreign policy," and claiming "If I wasn't in the White House, Leo wouldn't be in the Vatican." The Vatican canceled a planned 250th anniversary visit over foreign policy disagreements.

2026 DHS Government Shutdown

The Department of Homeland Security entered a partial shutdown on February 14, 2026 after Congress failed to agree on DHS funding, with Democrats demanding reforms to ICE and CBP operations following the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal agents. The shutdown — the longest in US history — left over 100,000 DHS employees working without pay, caused TSA staffing crises, and triggered competing House and Senate funding bills.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments on Trump Birthright Citizenship Order

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 1, 2026 in Trump v. Barbara, challenging President Trump's executive order to end birthright citizenship. Trump became the first sitting president to attend oral arguments. A majority of justices, including Trump appointees Barrett and Gorsuch, expressed strong skepticism. A decision is expected by the end of June 2026.

supreme-court

birthright-citizenship

14th-amendment

7 statements

Jan 20, 2026

Government Shutdown Showdown Over Immigration

With six appropriations bills unfunded and a January 30 deadline looming, Senate Democrats are blocking the $1.2 trillion spending package unless restrictions are placed on ICE enforcement operations. The standoff follows the longest shutdown in US history (43 days) that ended in November 2025 and centers on immigration policy disagreements amplified by the Minneapolis killings.

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