Washington, March 30 (IANS) A prolonged funding standoff over the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has disrupted US airports, with officials warning of mounting strain as hundreds of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers quit and others call in sick during a partial government shutdown now in its 44th day. The White House on Sunday moved to ease the pressure by redirecting funds to pay TSA workers, but the political deadlock shows no sign of resolution, with US Congress away…
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Washington, March 29 (IANS) A funding standoff has disrupted US airports, with thousands of federal workers unpaid, as White House border czar Tom Homan said Transportation Security Administration (TSA) staff will only be paid “as soon as Congress opens up the government and funds the Department of Homeland Security”. Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Homan said efforts were underway to ensure TSA workers receive pay soon, but stressed that a broader resolution depends on the US Congress.”As soon as Co…
Washington, March 24 (IANS) US President Donald Trump urged Republicans to link voter identification and proof-of-citizenship requirements to a key Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, escalating a political standoff with Democrats over airport disruptions and border security.Speaking at a roundtable in Memphis, Trump said lawmakers should not approve any deal unless it includes what he called the “SAVE America Act”. “Don’t make any deal on anything unless you include vote…
Washington, March 23 (IANS) President Donald Trump Monday said negotiations with Iran could lead to long-term stability in the Middle East, a region vital to global energy supplies and home to millions of expatriates. Speaking to reporters during a tarmac exchange in Miami, Florida, Trump said the United States and Iran have held “very, very strong talks” and are close to a possible agreement. He said the discussions covered “almost all points of agreement” and could soon move toward …
Washington, March 23 (IANS) Long security lines and growing passenger frustration hit major US airports as the Trump administration moved to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to help ease pressure on the Transportation Security Administration during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.White House border czar Tom Homan told CNN that ICE agents would begin deploying to airports on Monday and would assist with security at entrances and exits to reduce TSA’s burden as staf…
Washington, March 22 (IANS) Air travel across the United States is facing growing disruption as a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has affected airport security operations, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy warning of worsening delays and staff shortages.In an interview on ABC News’ This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Duffy said the situation could deteriorate further in the coming days.“I do think it’s going to get much worse,” he said, pointing to …
Washington, March 4 (IANS) A top Republican senator raised concerns over alleged abuse of employment-based visa programmes, including the H-1B system and Optional Practical Training (OPT), prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to confirm that it is reviewing the student work programme.During a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing, Senator Eric Schmitt argued that the H-1B visa programme was increasingly being misused in ways that could disadvantage American workers.“For t…
Washington, March 3 (IANS) A US Senate oversight hearing on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) turned sharply confrontational on Tuesday, as Democrats accused the agency of excessive force and civil liberties violations, while DHS Secretary Kristi Noem rejected the claims and defended enforcement actions as lawful. Senator Richard Durbin, the committee’s top Democrat, said that under Noem’s leadership the department has been “devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law”.He …
Washington, Feb 13 (IANS) A sharp political fight erupted in the US Senate over federal immigration enforcement tactics and civil liberties, in a debate closely watched by immigrant communities, including Indian visa holders and green card applicants.The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee examined “Operation Metro Surge,” a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployment in Minnesota.The operation followed protests and clashes between federal agents …
Washington, Feb 9 (IANS) A sharp political standoff over immigration enforcement and election rules is intensifying in Washington, with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries warning that aggressive federal actions could undermine civil liberties and democratic norms as the United States heads toward the November elections.Appearing on CNN’s State of the Union, Jeffries said Democrats will not support funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless Republicans agree to sweeping reforms…