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Lynn Brezina's avatar

And taken a test ... Andrew, do not forget that new US citizens have to take an extensive test ... which I am sure, DJT could not pass. It is not JUST, provide the correct paperwork and swear an oath.

Trump is a despicable, misogynist, homophobic, racists, traitor.

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Nancy Becker's avatar

Agreed! And may I add that the so-called Americans who are trying with all their might to shove through the game plan that was set forth in Project 2025 are just as despicable, misogynist, homophobic, racist and treacherous.

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Lynn Brezina's avatar

I had no idea there were so many awful people in our country. I blame Reagan for opening the door for all of this. Yuck. Hopefully we will survive this.

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Sharon Herrick's avatar

And don't forget having to pay quite a lot of money in fees.

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laura oshea's avatar

And a rapist!!!

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Susan White's avatar

Here is something I've never quite understood. Even if the courts were to agree that the kind of "national emergency" under which the Administration is putting tariffs in place (not to mention instituting mass deportations), is lawful, does Congress still not need to affirm that such an emergency exists?

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David Smith's avatar

There are some things that Congress could and probably should do to limit some of the things that Trump is doing, but if Congress doesn't insist on performing its duties and demanding the powers that the constitution has given it, then it doesn't really matter what is "supposed to happen."

The Republican majority that controls Congress is allowing the President to do anything and everything that he wants to do, limited so far only by some court decisions deciding lawsuits that have been brought by people challenging what the President is doing or trying to do. There is no recent evidence that the majority that controls Congress is taking any of its responsibilities seriously.

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Kris Sullivan's avatar

Great summary of the important cases this week. It's hard for us non-lawyers to keep up but your explanations are so clear and very helpful! Both of you mentioned that it would be possible for a roll-back of the firings of thousands of people in the government. I'm curious how this would work? It's hard to believe that all those folks have gotten jobs so quickly so maybe they could go back to their jobs with the government sooner than later. The morale must be rock bottom but if many could come back, maybe they would feel invigorated to do good work again.

As a former high school history teacher, I think that the concept of re-migration is chilling and was something that was never part of the curriculum. I always taught what Andrew's anecdote of the judge's speeches to new citizens: Keep your culture and traditions. but also learn all about your new country's traditions and values. I avoided the term melting pot. Thanks for your great insights!

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Herman Jacobs's avatar

Marco Rubio’s role in this racist remigration effort is especially hideous, because—before Rubio was born—his parents probably would have been “remigrated” back to Cuba under the current regime’s policy.

His parent’s and granfather’s immigration status was still dubious when Rubio was born.

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Maurice K Lethbridge's avatar

Once again, another Legal Scholar of Jamaican descent ‘Clears the Way Forward’! Judge Chutkan! AG Letitia James is another member of the Judiciary that has Jamaican heritage. Irie! Yeah man! Cool running’s.

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debrianna mansini's avatar

That’s why they are gerrymandering the court in HR1 - I believe they want to stop the midterms and dare anyone to come after them

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Ang's avatar

Thank you for this video. I read about the re-migration plan and was shocked this wasn’t being talked about more, or that there is hardly any outrage.

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Janice Johnson's avatar

My question is what on earth am I supposed to do? I live in Montana. Both Senators and my Representative in Washington have no interest in standing up to Trump or doing their job with regard to the Constitution. I am staying informed, but how else do I stay engaged?

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Nancy Becker's avatar

Hi Janice. I lived in Montana for 10 years. It's a very beautiful State. But ... my oh my is it ever "red". Could it be that one "silver lining" regarding the rise of extremism is that an awareness of the atrocities, lies, greed, and cowardice that we see will get through to the voters in MT ? I hope so. It just broke my heart when Senator Jon Tester lost his Senate seat. He is a decent man. May you find people who share your views so that you don't feel so alone.

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Janice Johnson's avatar

Nancy..thanks for your kind words....yes, Jon Tester was a wonderful Senator..he was able to work across the aisle and get meaningful legislation passed...he cared about veterans, farmers, native americans, and regular folk...he is deeply missed...thanks again for your comments...Jan

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Phyllis Logan's avatar

My nephew, who lives in Bozeman, could have written these words as well. So glad you're staying engaged with fellow Substackers - it can be comforting to know you're not alone.

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Janice Johnson's avatar

Thanks Phyllis...it is good to have this group of like minded folks...it is a very frustrating time for many of us...thanks again..

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Peggy Camp's avatar

Thanks so much Ryan and Andrew for the update and great discussion! I can’t stop thinking about “re-migration “! What’s Trumps end game? It’s deeply disturbing!

Has the Trump admin or congress proposed any legislation to improve the legal process for immigration?

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blip's avatar

Where are these white African immigrants being housed? How much money are they getting to resettle in America? What kind of job positions are they being allowed to enter into? Are their children being enrolled in public schools?

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Lynn Brezina's avatar

Citizens United. Can we talk about that?

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Gayle Joseph's avatar

Thank goodness —we will acknowledge that Musk and DoGE were operating without a normal process either by election or congressional vote.

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Maureen's avatar

Andrew and Ryan, thank you for your enlightening and informative discussion and explanations of the daily assault on the practices and laws of our democracy. Re-migration is the latest abhorrent plan by Trump’s administration to expel nonwhite naturalized citizens and folks currently and lawfully applying for citizenship in this country. It is repugnant to have this be the next pillar of our democracy crushed. Donald Trump was elected by a slim majority of Americans, in spite of his declared and repeated hateful campaign speeches about nonwhite people. The idea of decency being a valued character trait for leadership is obsolete in the majority of voters, which should terrorize all of us. The trend lines lead me to believe that if we don’t add more compelling character traits for elected officials than simple decency, we will dig a hole deeper and wider away from the nuts and bolts of a functioning or aspirational democracy in 2026 let alone 2028. We are at the tipping point now. When a convicted felon is elected president of a democracy by the majority of voters, the message is clear and the descent into chaos and destruction is rapid. We are not yet at six months and look at what has been done, what is being planned and who’s in charge. We are engaged, we are informed, and we are watching the wheels of the bus falling off in break neck speed.

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Susan Ottignon's avatar

Kudos 👏for an excellent conversation. Truly appreciate your time in highlighting litigation 💥

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Michele McGurrin's avatar

Question… Adopted children who have been citizens for years here, are they at risk? Been worried about my grandson…🥹

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Lark Leonard's avatar

There is yet another chilling dimension to the use of the phrase "re-migration". It obliterates the recognition of the compelling need that brought those immigrants to leave their homes, their extended families, their established work lives, and with great courage to relocate. "Re-migrating" implies an equal value of meaning to what is happening - and nothing could be further from the truth. Thus the term silences the narratives that we would hear if these people could only tell us: they are being forced out. It is a deceitful phrase.

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