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Lawmakers Draft Bill Classifying Birth Tourists as Invaders to Limit Citizenship
Texas Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX) and Indiana Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the Citizenship Act to declare that individuals who enter the United States without authorization or for birth tourism are invaders. The legislation would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exclude children of such individuals from birthright citizenship. It follows a Supreme Court ruling that struck down an executive order on the issue while noting Congress could adjust eligibility by statute. Banks described the measure as essential to American sovereignty after the court decision. The bill aims to address so-called anchor babies and birth tourism practices.
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Federal Judge Blocks New Hampshire Proof of Citizenship Voting Law
A Biden-appointed federal judge has blocked New Hampshire from enforcing a 2024 law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration. U.S. District Judge Samantha Elliott ruled the measure imposes an unjustifiable burden on the right to vote in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law was challenged by groups including the New Hampshire Youth Movement. Elliott denied a request to stay the ruling pending the stateâs appeal to the First Circuit. The decision comes as similar citizenship verification requirements face national debate.
Alaska Moves Over 3,000 Voters to Inactive Status Over Citizenship Checks
Alaska election officials sent 3,048 letters to registered voters asking them to verify their U.S. citizenship ahead of the Aug. 18 primary. The recipients were placed on inactive status but can still cast provisional ballots if they do not respond. Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher said the high number appears linked to outdated data from a comparison with Division of Motor Vehicles records. Normal maintenance typically flags about 200 names. Some lawmakers raised concerns that the list includes U.S. citizens.
Editorâs Note: I donât know of one US citizen who would be upset about having their citizenship checked for the purpose of voting.
Democrats View AOC as Party Leader After New Hampshire Poll Lead
Congressional Democrats say Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DS-NY) has emerged as an ideological leader in the party following a University of New Hampshire poll. The survey showed her with 22 percent support among likely Democrat primary voters for 2028, narrowly ahead of Pete Buttigieg at 21 percent. Lawmakers including Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) expressed openness to her as a viable candidate while others noted it remains early. Ocasio-Cortez declined to commit to a run and focused on the midterms. Sen. Bernie Sanders (S-VT) called her one of the great progressive leaders inspiring young people.
Democrats Select South Carolina for First 2028 Presidential Primary
The Democrat National Committeeâs Rules and Bylaws Committee voted Friday to place South Carolina first on the 2028 presidential nominating calendar. The state received 26 votes to secure the leadoff position over Nevada with 18 and New Hampshire with four. Party leaders cited the importance of Black voters and Southern engagement in the decision. The full Democrat National Committee must still approve the calendar later this summer. Other early window states are expected to include Michigan, Nevada, and New Hampshire. The move continues South Carolinaâs elevated role first established for the 2024 cycle.
Editorâs Note: Isnât using race as a determiner in and of itself racist?
Chicago Mayor Pushes Referendum for Federal Compensation Over ICE Operations
Chicago City Council approved a referendum for the November ballot asking voters if the city should seek financial compensation from the federal government for costs tied to ICE enforcement actions. Mayor Brandon Johnson proposed the measure, citing Operation Midway Blitz, which resulted in more than 800 arrests, including individuals with serious criminal records. Johnson described the operations as disruptive to businesses and families and referenced plans for reparations to affected residents. The nonbinding question focuses on recovering lost tax revenue, public safety costs, and related expenses. Chicago remains a sanctuary city that has opposed federal immigration policies.
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Minnesota Jury Finds Shiloh Hendrix Guilty of One Disorderly Conduct Charge
A Minnesota jury found Shiloh Hendrix guilty of one count of disorderly conduct related to a 2025 playground confrontation in Rochester. The panel acquitted her on the charge involving an autistic Somali child but convicted her on the count involving the man who filmed the incident after an older child attempted to take property from her young childâs diaper bag. Hendrixâs attorney argued the case involved protected free speech even if some found the language offensive and announced plans to appeal. Judge Christa M. Daily sentenced her to a stayed 90-day jail term, supervised probation, 200 hours of community service and a $1,000 fine. The case stemmed from a viral video of the April 2025 encounter.
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune, The Post Millennial
Jeffries Plays the Race Card, Alleges Voter Suppression After Louisiana Lawmaker Retires
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries alleged voter suppression following the retirement of Louisiana Rep. Cleo Fields. Fields announced he will not seek reelection after Republicans redrew his district following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a previous map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Jeffries said Republicans targeted the district to deny equal representation to Black Louisianans. Fields plans to run for a state Senate seat instead.
Massachusetts Nonprofit Discriminated Against White Children, Offers Higher Pay to BIPOC Youth for Photoshoot
A Framingham LGBTQ youth nonprofit listed among state resources under Gov. Maura Healey advertised race-based pay rates for an August marketing photoshoot. OUT MetroWest stated white youth would receive $20 while BIPOC youth would receive $25 as a commitment to racial equity. The event seeks 20 participants ages pre-K through 29 for images used in social media fundraising and campaigns. The group has received past video endorsement from Healey when she served as attorney general. Massachusetts and federal laws prohibit race-based pay discrimination for employers meeting certain thresholds, though the status of photoshoot participants remains a point of analysis.
Ilhan Omar Office Located in Somali Center That Received Fraud-Linked Donations
Rep. Ilhan Omarâs Minneapolis district office is housed inside the Sabathani Community Center. Omar redirected $5,400 in 2022 campaign contributions from two donors later convicted in the Feeding Our Future fraud scheme to the center and other food pantries. The donors, Ahmed Abdullahi Ghedi and Abdihakim Ali Ahmed, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after stealing millions in child nutrition funds. Omar has paid the center over $46,700 in rental fees since moving her office there in 2023.
Jewish Leaders Demand Hate Crime Charges After Upper West Side Stabbings
New York City Jewish leaders called for hate crime prosecution following the stabbing of two men on the Upper West Side. Suspect Raul Morales allegedly yelled âAllahu Akbarâ during attacks on an Asian man and a Jewish man wearing a yarmulke near Central Park. UJA-Federation of New York CEO Eric Goldstein urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to stop fanning the flames of hatred and division. Jewish Community Relations Council CEO Mark Treyger said the district attorney should prosecute the case fully. Police are investigating the incidents as potential hate crimes while noting mental health may have been a factor. Both victims were reported in stable condition.
đ International
US Conducts 13th Night of Strikes on Iran as Tehran Rejects Ceasefire
The U.S. military launched a 13th consecutive night of strikes on Iranian military targets, including headquarters, drone facilities, and naval sites. CENTCOM said the operations aimed to diminish threats to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran rejected a ceasefire proposal from President Donald Trump delivered by the Iraqi prime minister. Iranian officials warned of broader escalation, including potential attacks on Tel Aviv, if the U.S. expands strikes on vital infrastructure. Trump indicated he was considering a larger attack and stated Israeli forces could join if requested. Explosions were reported in several Iranian cities amid ongoing regional tensions.
Trump Imposes New Tariffs on 60 Countries Over Forced Labor Practices
President Donald Trump is implementing new Section 301 tariffs on imports from 60 countries after a temporary global tariff measure expires. The rates are set at 10 percent for nations with forced labor laws deemed insufficiently enforced and 12.5 percent for those without such laws. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer directed the action following investigations into trading partnersâ failure to ban goods produced with forced labor. Officials said the tariffs will not stack with existing duties on steel and aluminum. The administration is negotiating potential carve-outs for critical products while emphasizing protection of American workers and reduction of the trade deficit.
Haiti Gang Violence Displaces Millions as Children Recruited Into Crime
Armed gangs control approximately 85 percent of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and continue expanding into other regions of Haiti. The United Nations reports more than 1.47 million people displaced by violence, with over 2,300 killed since the start of 2026. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz briefed the Security Council after visiting the country and described brutal attacks, including the public execution of a volunteer and the grooming of children for violence. Children may comprise up to half of some gang memberships according to U.N. estimates. International forces have made limited gains in reclaiming territory, but officials stress that security operations alone cannot resolve the crisis.
Nicaraguaâs Puppet Parliament Moves to Abolish Elections After Ortega Declaration
Nicaraguaâs parliament is advancing plans to abolish elections following President Daniel Ortegaâs announcement that there will be no more votes in the country. Lawmakers said the step will ensure peace, security, and stability while keeping Ortega and co-President Rosario Murillo in power. Ortega made the declaration during a speech commemorating the Sandinista revolution, targeting opposition he linked to foreign influence. The National Assembly has previously expanded presidential authority through constitutional changes. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the U.N. high commissioner for human rights condemned the move as authoritarian.
Wildfires Force 20,000 to Evacuate in Southwest France Near Bordeaux
Fast-moving wildfires in southwest France have forced more than 20,000 residents and holidaymakers to flee areas west of Bordeaux. Around 800 firefighters, along with gendarmes and soldiers, are battling flames that have scorched 3,400 hectares of pine forest. The blaze began near Saumos and spread toward Lege-Cap-Ferret, with flames reaching 10 meters high. Officials said a brush-clearing machine may have started the fire. Three houses were damaged and a caravan destroyed, but no casualties were reported. The European Union deployed water-bombing aircraft to assist as high temperatures and winds complicated efforts.
