Immigration
Trump wants even looser AI guardrails. Why California, despite passing over 20 AI bills this year, might not push back
President-elect Trump has vowed to rescind an executive order that imposed AI safeguards, and could use tech to enable mass deportations. How far will California go in the other direction?
Haitian immigrants find new footholds, and familiar backlash, in the Midwest, South
Jobs are drawing Haitians from traditional communities in Florida and New York.
Mayors rally to support Springfield amid 'unprecedented' situation
Local leaders have experience responding to crises that attract national attention, from natural disasters to shootings, but the politics and threats of violence in the central Ohio town make this situation different.
An experiment to help newly arrived migrants and asylum-seekers find work isn’t cheap—but doing nothing might cost more
COMMENTARY | A Denver pilot program aims to increase the odds that migrants will secure employment as soon as they’re allowed to work.
Illegal border crossings have cooled, but the rhetoric is heating up
As national politicians spar over immigration, the reality in cities and states is rapidly changing.
New anti-immigration laws' real focus is the U.S. Supreme Court, report says
A liberal group warns that laws in Iowa, Oklahoma and Texas that criminalize illegal entry into the country could give the conservative high court a chance to overturn a 2012 decision limiting state and local power over immigration.
Spending package cuts grants to cities to help with influx of migrants
The six spending bills also fail to fund internet subsidies and security for places of worship.
Border deal dies in the U.S. Senate, despite pleas from mayors
State and local leaders called for Congress to pass the proposal, but Republican Senators acknowledged it did not have enough support after House Speaker Mike Johnson declared it “DEAD on arrival.”
Senate proposal commits billions to cities for migrant crisis
The proposal would speed up the process of determining if a person qualifies for asylum in an effort to put an end to “migrants who can't work sleeping on the streets or crowding homeless shelters.”
Mayors, feds bemoan immigration ‘paralysis’
City leaders overwhelmed by the influx of migrants joined federal officials in strongly urging Congress to address the crisis at the southern border.
Some cities see migrants as a ‘lifeline.’ Policy could follow, experts say.
Feds should help new arrivals settle in the places that would welcome them, a new report says.
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Mayors push for Congress to address the migrant crisis
But could the partisan debate over the border derail funding to cities and efforts to avert a government shutdown?
Migrant fight expands to suburbs, could force federal shutdown
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s actions are drawing more state and local leaders into debates over caring for migrants, while House Republicans target the Biden administration on border security. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
States and localities in 2023: A look at the top stories of the year
The first half of the year was marked by the end of pandemic-era benefits. The second half was dominated by the shutdown. All the while, leaders were preoccupied with infrastructure, technology and flags.
In new year, all immigrants in California may qualify for Medicaid regardless of legal status
New enrollees will join more than 655,000 children, young adults through age 25, and adults 50 or over who have already signed up for Medi-Cal through previous expansions to residents lacking legal authorization.
Governors press Biden to help with migrant surge
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the latest state leader to outline changes in federal policy the Biden administration could make to alleviate some of the strain on states and cities.
As cities struggle to shelter migrants, calls for federal action grow
State and local leaders have resorted to desperate measures—sometimes circumventing the federal government—to find housing and support for the influx of asylum seekers. Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
Why some Wisconsin lawmakers and local officials have changed their minds about letting undocumented immigrants drive
“If we suddenly kicked out all of the people here, the undocumented, our dairy farms would collapse,” one lawmaker said. “We have to come up with a solution.”
New Florida Law Invalidates Out-of-State Licenses for 'Undocumented Immigrants’
It is not clear how the state will roll out the requirement, or which out-of-state licenses it will declare invalid.
GOP Governors Respond to Texas' Call for Troops at Border
Four more governors have joined a growing list of Republican-led states sending personnel to the U.S.-Mexico border. But is it effective? Plus, more news to use from around the country in this week's State and Local Roundup.
As Title 42 Comes to an End, El Paso Declares State of Emergency
El Paso Mayor Oscar Leeser said asylum-seekers are camping out on the sidewalks and staying at shelters in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, under the false notion that they will be allowed to enter the U.S. once Title 42 expires.
