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![Ariana Figueroa](https://stateline.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ariana-Figueroa-300x300.jpeg)
Ariana Figueroa
Ariana Figueroa covers the nation's capital for States Newsroom.
Federal judge pauses program that grants protections for some noncitizen spouses
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 27, 2024
WASHINGTON — A Texas federal judge late Monday sided with 16-Republican led states to temporarily block a Biden administration program that grants deportation protections and a potential pathway to citizenship for some noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens. The ruling by Judge J. Campbell Barker of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, […]
GOP states aim to halt Biden program protecting some noncitizen spouses from deportation
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 26, 2024
WASHINGTON — Texas and 15 states Friday filed a suit in federal court to block the Biden administration’s program that protects some people in the country without authorization who are married to U.S. citizens from deportation and grants them a pathway to citizenship. States in the suit, which was filed in United States District Court […]
US Supreme Court sides with Oregon city, allows ban on homeless people sleeping outdoors
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 28, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday sided with a local ordinance in Oregon that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, and local governments will be allowed to enforce those laws. In a 6-3 decision, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote in the opinion that the enforcement of those local laws that regulate camping on public property […]
US Supreme Court upholds law that prevents domestic abusers from owning guns
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 21, 2024
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday upheld a federal law that bars people subject to domestic violence restraining orders from owning a firearm. In an 8-1 decision on United States v. Rahimi, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote in the opinion that “our Nation’s firearm laws have included provisions preventing individuals who threaten physical harm […]
US Supreme Court appears to lean toward Oregon city in complex homelessness case
By: Ariana Figueroa - April 22, 2024
WASHINGTON — A majority of U.S. Supreme Court justices Monday seemed inclined to side with an Oregon town’s law that bans homeless people from sleeping outdoors, in a case that could have broad implications for local ordinances related to homelessness across the country. During oral arguments in City of Grants Pass, Oregon v. Johnson, conservative […]
Democratic governors ask Congress for immigration aid to reverse years of ‘inaction’
By: Ariana Figueroa - January 23, 2024
WASHINGTON — Nine Democratic governors sent a letter to President Joe Biden and congressional leaders Monday, requesting federal aid and urging changes to immigration law as their states take in an overwhelming number of asylum-seekers. “The sustained arrival of individuals seeking asylum and requiring shelter and assistance, due to lack of Congressional action on infrastructure […]
States seek to let teens as young as 14 serve booze in restaurants
By: Ariana Figueroa - August 8, 2023
WASHINGTON — As a former bartender and current tipped worker, Trupti Patel knows that customers tend to get grabby when there is alcohol involved. After working in the food service industry for more than a decade, she is accustomed to dealing with drunk customers who get out of hand, especially if they become belligerent or […]
US Supreme Court rules against Biden administration student loan debt relief plan
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 30, 2023
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Biden administration does not have the legal authority to enact a one-time student debt relief program, dealing a blow to the 40 million Americans who would have qualified for the program. Last year, the Biden administration rolled out a debt forgiveness plan for borrowers […]
US Supreme Court strikes down use of affirmative action in college admissions
By: Ariana Figueroa and Ashley Murray - June 29, 2023
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that two prominent universities’ consideration of race in acceptances violated the U.S. Constitution, effectively reshaping the role of affirmative action in the college admissions process throughout higher education. In a 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, wrote that the admissions processes at […]
US Supreme Court turns down push by states to challenge Biden deportation policy
By: Ariana Figueroa - June 23, 2023
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overwhelmingly ruled that Texas and Louisiana lacked the legal standing to challenge the Biden administration’s deportation guidelines, granting a win to the White House on immigration policy. The states objected to the White House’s directive to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prioritize arresting and deporting […]