News
U.S. Supreme Court to hear argument on Biden immigration enforcement policy
U.S. Supreme Court to hear argument on Biden immigration enforcement policy
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday is set to consider whether President Joe Biden’s administration can implement guidelines challenged by two conservative-leaning states of shifting immigration enforcement toward public safety threats.
This the court said in a case testing executive branch power to set enforcement priorities.
The justices will hear the administration’s bid to overturn a judge’s ruling in favor of Texas and Louisiana that vacated U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) guidelines narrowing the scope of those who can be targeted by immigration agents for arrest and deportation.
The Democratic president’s policy departed from the hard-line approach of his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump, who sought to broaden the range of immigrants subject to arrest and removal.
Biden campaigned on a more humane approach to immigration but has been faced with large numbers of migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
The guidelines, announced by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in September 2021, prioritised apprehending and deporting non-U.S. citizens who pose a threat to national security, public safety or border security.
In a memo, Mayorkas called the guidelines necessary because his department lacks the resources to apprehend and seek the removal of every one of the estimated 11 million immigrants living in the United States illegally.
Mayorkas cited the longstanding practice of government officials exercising discretion to decide who should be subject to deportation and said that a majority of immigrants subject to deportation “have been contributing members of our communities for years.’’
Biden’s administration, saying fewer detentions and deportations have encouraged more illegal border crossings.
The top Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, earlier called on Mayorkas to step down and said the House may try to impeach him when Republicans formally take control of the chamber in January.
Republican state attorneys general in Texas and Louisiana sued to block the guidelines after Republican-led legal challenges successfully thwarted other Biden administration attempts to ease enforcement.
Their lawsuit, filed in Texas, argued that the guidelines ran counter to provisions in immigration laws that makes it mandatory to detain non-U.S. citizens who have been convicted of certain crimes or have final orders of removal.
U.S. District Judge Drew Tipton, a Trump appointee, ruled in favor of the challengers, finding that while immigration agents could on a case-by-case basis act with discretion the administration’s guidelines were a generalised policy that contravened the detention mandate set out by Congress.
“Whatever the outer limits of its authority, the executive branch does not have the authority to change the law,’’ Tipton wrote.
After the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in July declined to put that ruling on hold, Biden’s administration turned to the Supreme Court.
The justices on a 5-4 vote declined to stay Tipton’s ruling, with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson in dissent. The justices did not provide reasons for their disagreement.
Biden’s administration has told the Supreme Court that Texas and Louisiana lack the proper legal standing to challenge the guidelines because the states had not suffered any direct harm as a result of the policy.
The states countered that they would be harmed by having to spend more money on law enforcement and social services as a result of an increase in non-U.S. citizens present within their borders due to the guidelines.
The administration also told the justices that the guidelines do not violate federal immigration law and that the mandatory language of those statutes does not supersede the longstanding principle of law enforcement discretion.
A decision is expected by the end of June.
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
By: Yahaya Wakili
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has appealed to media practitioners in the state to continue to uphold professionalism while discharging their responsibilities.
He urges the journalists to abide by the ethics of the profession, remain united, and promote peace and harmony among themselves.
The governor made the appeal today while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents Chapel, led by its elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), at the Government House, Damaturu.
Ably represented by his deputy, Hon. Idi Barde Gubana (Wazirin Fune), he commends journalists in the state for their synergy and collaboration with the state government in projecting a positive image of the state.
Governor Buni commended the journalists for their professionalism and constructive engagement, acknowledging the critical role the media plays in democratic governance and national development.
He pledged the state government’s continued support and collaboration with the correspondents’ chapel to ensure the success of the present administration, particularly in promoting government policies, programs, and achievements.
Earlier, the newly elected chairman, Mr. Nabilu Balarabe, said the visit was to pay homage and formally present the new leadership of the chapel to the governor.
He said recently the chapel conducted an election of the leadership of the chapel, in which Nabilu Balarabe of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) emerged as chairman and Mr. Musa Buba Mingi of Channels Television as vice chairman.
Others include Malam Habibu Idris Gimba of Daily Trust, Secretary; Mr. Michael Oshoma of TVC, Treasurer; Sa’adatu Maina of Neptune Prime, Assistant Secretary; and Muhammed Mai Tela of People’s Daily, Auditor.
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
The Group Chairman Nigerian Exchange Group, Dr. Umaru Kwairanga has urged the Nigerian Police Force to consider listing other viable business entities of its organisation on the Exchange as it has done with its Microfinance Bank.
Kwairanga made the call on Wednesday in Lagos at the closing gong ceremony in honour of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was at the trading floor of the Nigerian Exchange.
Kwairanga gave the NGX’s assurance that such companies if listed would be given free publicity, easy access to greater ponds of capital, and greater transparency and efficiency in their operations.
He said that the Exchange, its operators and quoted companies would continue to provide environment conducive for NPF businesses, in view of the critical role that the police play in ensuring a stable environment for businesses to thrive.
“Our quoted companies have been key to the success of the Police Trust Fund and stand ready to cooperate with the Nigerian Police in other ways that you require logistical and other support to ensure that we have a secure nation and capital market.
“Apart from its core duties of ensuring Nigeria’s internal security, the Nigerian Police Force has over the years established and grown various thriving businesses for the welfare of its personnel.
“One of them, the Nigerian Police Microfinance Bank is in fact quoted on the main board of the Exchange and doing very well in terms of capital appreciation, dividends and corporate governance,” he said.
The NGX boss advised that the Pension Fund should consider increasing its allocations to eligible equity quoted on the Nigerian Exchange.
While commending Egbetokun for visiting the Exchange, Kwairanga pledged to strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship going forward.
Our Correspondent reports that the visit underscores the continued collaboration between key national institutions in promoting market confidence, investor trust and a transparent, well-functioning capital market.
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria and Turkey have reinforced their cultural partnership through a poetry exchange in Abuja designed to foster peace, dialogue, and mutual understanding between the two nations.
The literary gathering, hosted by the Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, brought together poets, cultural practitioners, diplomats, and arts administrators from both countries to explore shared human values through poetry and performance.
Speaking at the event, Director-General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, described poetry as a powerful medium for cultural diplomacy and peacebuilding. He noted that although Turkish poetry is deeply influenced by Anatolian mysticism, Nigerian poetry often reflects post-colonial experiences, identity, and nationhood.
“Despite their different historical contexts, both poetic traditions meet in their pursuit of justice, harmony, and human dignity,” Audu said.
The Abuja Coordinator of Yunus Emre Enstitüsü, Fatih Erkin Mahdum, said the institute has remained committed to promoting Turkish language, arts, and culture in Nigeria since its establishment in 2021. He added that collaborations with Nigerian artists are central to strengthening cultural ties and encouraging creative exchange.
Diplomatic presence at the event underscored its international significance. Mrs Florence Nzako, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo, alongside Solveig Andresen of the Norwegian Embassy, welcomed participants and commended the initiative for using art to advance peace and intercultural understanding.
Poets at the gathering presented works exploring themes of peace, love, displacement, and resilience, drawing poetic connections between the Bosphorus and the Niger River as symbols of unity and shared humanity.
Also speaking, Director-General and Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Kattumu Bulama Gana, said artistic collaborations provide unique opportunities to understand common histories and aspirations. He described the poetry exchange as a valuable contribution to cultural diplomacy between Nigeria and Turkey.
Turkish–Nigerian Poets Unite in Abuja to Promote Peace Through Art
Yobe: Buni urges journalists to uphold professionalism
IBUAM: For Aeronautics and Aviation Management
NGX woos NPF to list viable businesses
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News10 months agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
