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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Advocates Call Trump Legal Immigration Proposal Racist, Inhumane

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Thursday, August 3, 2017   

LOS ANGELES -- Immigrant-rights groups are calling President Trump's proposal to cut legal immigration by half racist and mean-spirited.

On Wednesday, the president endorsed the Reforming American Immigration for a Strong Economy Act, or RAISE Act, which would favor English-speaking, high-skill immigrants and limit the ability of American citizens and legal permanent residents to bring certain relatives - such as parents, siblings and grandparents - to the U.S.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles, called the proposal inhumane.

"Families have always made our country strong,” Salas said. "And I'm appalled that Republicans, who say that they're the party of family values, are destroying the family unity system in the immigration law."

The RAISE Act also would eliminate the green card lottery diversity program that brings in migrants from underrepresented countries, mostly in Africa and Asia. Wealthy investors still would be granted visas, but the number of refugees allowed in would be slashed, including those from countries where the United States is at war.

Trump has said the bill would protect American jobs and lessen the welfare burden. Salas noted that California, with its booming economy, absorbs more legal immigrants than any other state - almost 210,000 in 2015.

"Immigrants and their children make up half of the population of California, and we are the sixth largest economy of the world,” she said. "So if we are thriving, it's because of immigrant families, immigrant labor and immigrant contribution, and immigrant know-how."

Federal statistics show that more than 1 million people immigrated to the U.S. legally in 2015, which is higher than the year before, but lower than in 2005 and 2001.


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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

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Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

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Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

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Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

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Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

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New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

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Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

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Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

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