National Security

Razor wire stretches out in the morning fog near the U.S.-Mexico border in Donna, Texas, on November 5, 2018 .
Shani Saxon  Jan 8, 2019 5:06PM EST

Just 12 Non-U.S. Citizens on Terror Watchlist Apprehended at Southern Border

As the Trump administration struggles to justify the need for a border wall, Vice President Mike Pence makes misleading claims about the number of “known or suspected terrorists” trying to enter the United States.
A U.S. border wall tops a levee near Rio Grande at the U.S.-Mexico border on March 15, 2017, near La Grulla, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Oct 15, 2018 12:29PM EDT

Trump Administration to Suspend Dozens Of Environmental and Health Laws to Build Border Wall

Activists says residents and wildlife along the wall’s proposed route are in danger.
Trump Administration Proposes Longer Detention for Migrant Children
Alfonso Serrano  Sep 7, 2018 11:12AM EDT

Trump Administration Proposes Longer Detention for Migrant Children

A newly proposed rule would circumvent a long-established agreement that limits child detention to 20 days.
White sign with KKK hood with a no sign over it and brown text that reads, "No hoods in my woods."
Kenrya Rankin  Aug 13, 2018 1:59PM EDT

Failed White Supremacist Rally Actually Unites Anti-Racist Activists

With just two dozen supporters on the ground in Washington, D.C.—and thousands of counter-protesters in the streets—the Unite the Right 2 rally was basically over before it began.
Two people outside standing against a brown steel wall overlooking the construction of a concrete wall
catherine lizette gonzalez  Jul 16, 2018 12:21PM EDT

Book Q&A: How the Government Constructed An Anti-Immigrant Machine

In her new book, “We Built The Wall,” author Eileen Truax unravels how the United States’ economic and political interests stirred the violent conditions immigrants flee from and the policies that shut them out.
Asian woman holds sign that reads, "Deport racism."
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 26, 2018 12:09PM EDT

Supreme Court Upholds 'Muslim Ban'

Advocates pledge to continue fighting the discriminatory ban, which denies nationals from several majority Muslim countries from entering the United States.
White surveillance camera in the foreground, U.S. Capitol in the background
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 20, 2018 5:34PM EDT

Advocacy Groups Push FBI, DHS to Release Full Info on Its Surveillance of Black Activists

“Black communities know all too well how poisonous this kind of surveillance and intimidation is for social justice movements.”
A man waves down to rescue crew as he tries to leave the area after he was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.
Ayana Byrd  Jan 17, 2018 12:20PM EST

106 Members of Congress Urge Trump to Call Climate Change A National Security Risk

“It is imperative that the United States addresses this growing geopolitical threat.”
Alfonso Serrano  Dec 29, 2017 11:00AM EST

The New Normal: Setting Policy Via Twitter Fingers

President Donald Trump frequently used Twitter to govern in 2017. Can other leaders be far behind?
Back of a immigration enforcement officer wearing a black shirt and vest that say Police ICE in white letters.
Alfonso Serrano  Dec 6, 2017 12:33PM EST

'We're Looking For You': Spike in Arrests of Non-Criminals Fuels Trump Immigration Crackdown

Immigrant detentions spike, border arrest plunge in Trump’s first year, DHS figures show
Black man in grey sweater with brown headset microphone in front of grey and white screen
Sameer Rao  Nov 6, 2017 3:58PM EST

Ex-Employee Says Twitter Ignored His Reports on Fake Russian Accounts

“They were more concerned with growth numbers than fake and compromised accounts.”
Marines, heads bowed
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 25, 2017 9:29AM EDT

Troops Say White Nationalism is Greater Threat to Nation Than ISIS Conflicts

And nearly half of troops of color surveyed said White nationalism is thriving in the nation’s military.
Surveillance cameras stand above the US-Mexican border fence at on January 27, 2017, in Tijuana, Mexico.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 25, 2017 8:02AM EDT

Feds Will Skip Environmental Impact Study Before Building Border Wall Through Wildlife Refuge

Officials reveal the Trump Administration will invoke a 2005 anti-terror law to bypass the requirement.
TSA security checkpoint
Kenrya Rankin  Jul 21, 2017 12:35PM EDT

U.S. Lifts Electronics Ban on Flights From Middle East

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security has imposed new security measures for all international flights entering the United States.
Surveillance cameras stand above the U.S.-Mexican border fence at Playas de Tijuana on January 27, 2017, in Tijuana, Mexico.
Ayana Byrd  Jul 19, 2017 2:06PM EDT

Federal Government Begins Building the Border Wall

Engineers are drilling and taking soil samples in California, Texas and New Mexico. 
White man in black suit and white shirt stands in front of blurry brown background
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 13, 2017 9:53AM EDT

3 Things to Watch on C-Span

No, really. Vice President Mike Pence, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Sean Spicer just might be full of…information.
Representative Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump, Representative Sheila Jackson Lee
Kenrya Rankin  Apr 7, 2017 11:24AM EDT

Trump Launches Missiles at Syria, Legislators of Color Respond

Representative Tulsi Gabbard: “Trump’s military strikes in Syria are reckless and short-sighted.”
Plane with "Emirates" written on the side
Kenrya Rankin  Mar 21, 2017 11:26AM EDT

U.S. Bans Most Electronic Devices on Flights From 8 Muslim Countries

They are not the same nations targeted in the failed “Muslim Ban.”
Defense Secretary James Mattis attends a joint briefing with his South Korean counterpart Han Min-Koo at the headquarters of the Defense Ministry on February 3, 2017, in Seoul, South Korea.
Yessenia Funes  Mar 15, 2017 11:01AM EDT

Defense Secretary: 'Climate Change Can Be a Driver of Instability'

James Mattis says climate change poses a national security risk—in sharp contrast to the administration’s general stance on the issue.
Two White men
Colorlines Staff  Feb 1, 2017 1:31AM EST

SCOTUS Nominee Neil Gorsuch: Where He Stands on Civil Rights, Reproductive Justice, the Environment and More

Human Rights Campaign: “We cannot afford a justice who will roll back our rights, or who will be a rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s unconstitutional actions.”