House Republicans are rushing ahead with legislation that would impose strict new voter ID requirements ahead of the midterm elections. The bill, coming to a vote on Wednesday, is a Trump administration priority aimed at scrutinizing ballot access. But it faces blowback in the Senate. Called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, the legislation requires Americans to present proof of citizenship when they register to vote and to show a valid photo identification before they cast ballots. Republicans say it's needed to prevent voter fraud. Democrats warn it will make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. Experts say voter fraud is extremely rare.
The Trump administration has sued California for providing in-state college tuition, scholarships, and subsidized loans to students who aren't legally in the United States. The lawsuit was filed Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California. It alleges the practice harms U.S. citizens and encourages illegal immigration. Similar lawsuits have been filed against other states. Backers of the state laws say the students generally were brought to the U.S. by their parents when they were children, and are as much a part of their communities as U.S. citizens. Gov. Gavin Newsom's office said in a statement: "The DOJ has now filed three meritless, politically motivated lawsuits against California in a single week."
A Gallup poll shows a substantial jump in the share of Americans who view immigration as positive for the U.S. since President Donald Trump took office. About 8 in 10 U.S. adults say immigration is a "good thing," marking a 25-year high. The poll finds the share of Americans wanting U.S. immigration reduced has dropped from 55% to 30% in the past year, largely driven by Republicans becoming more content with the country's immigration levels. Americans have grown less supportive of deporting immigrants in the country illegally and more supportive of pathways to citizenship for those brought to the U.S. illegally as children. These shifting attitudes could complicate Trump's push for sweeping deportations.
A federal judge in New Hampshire has issued a ruling pausing President Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship from taking effect anywhere in the United States. The judge issued a preliminary injunction Thursday blocking Trump's order and certified a class action lawsuit including all children who will be affected. The judge announced his decision, which includes a seven-day stay to allow for appeal, after an hourlong hearing. The ruling puts the birthright citizenship issue on a fast track to return to the Supreme Court.
