U.S. Justice Dept. Sues California for 'Sanctuary' Laws
Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. March 7, 2018 Daily News Brief TOP OF THE AGENDA U.S. Justice Dept. Sues California for 'Sanctuary' Laws The department filed a lawsuit in a Sacramento federal court against the state and two of its top officials, accusing them of impeding federal immigration enforcement (NPR) through local laws. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is expected to tell a law enforcement association in the state capital that the Trump administration is fighting to help officers "reduce crime in America" (LA Times). Federal officials say three laws passed in California last year are aimed at protecting undocumented immigrants. President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order shortly after taking office that moved to restrict federal funds to so-called sanctuary jurisdictions. ANALYSIS "California began battling the Trump administration even before Mr. Trump took office, standing in opposition on a number of issues, including marijuana, environmental regulations and taxes. But immigration has proved to be the most contentious fight," Katie Benner and Jennifer Medina write for the New York Times. "To make its case, the DOJ is in part pointing to a ruling on a very different state-level immigration law: Arizona's SB 1070, which was meant to expand local police efforts to find and arrest undocumented immigrants. The Supreme Court sided with the Obama administration by striking down major provisions of that law in 2012," Elise Foley writes for the Huffington Post. "Restrictionists want the public to believe that undocumented immigrants are criminals in order to justify harsh enforcement policies and crackdowns. But before America goes down this draconian path, it is vital that it gets the facts straight," Alex Nowrasteh writes for Reason. UNITED STATES Wall Street Jittery After Trump Economic Advisor Resigns U.S. stock futures dropped as traders feared volatility (Bloomberg) after President Trump's top economic advisor, former Goldman Sachs executive Gary Cohn, announced his resignation. Cohn reportedly sparred with Trump over new tariffs (NYT) on steel and aluminum imports proposed last week. In Foreign Affairs, Douglas A. Irwin writes that an America First trade policy will not create new manufacturing jobs. PACIFIC RIM U.S. Imposes New Sanctions on North Korea The U.S. State Department said Pyongyang used chemical agents in violation of international law, imposing sanctions that appear to be a symbolic addition to ones the regime already faces. The regime is suspected of ordering the use of a nerve agent to kill the half brother (Korea Times) of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un last year. This CFR Backgrounder lays out the international sanctions on North Korea. EAST TIMOR: East Timor and Australia signed a maritime border deal (FT) seen as favoring the Southeast Asian nation, which will receive up to 80 percent of revenues from an oil and gas field estimated to have reserves worth $40 billion. SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Mob Attacks Against Muslims Continue in Sri Lanka Following a nationwide state of emergency declaration on Tuesday over communal violence, mob attacks targeting mosques and Muslim-owned shops (AP) were reported in at least two towns in central Sri Lanka. KAZAKHSTAN: President Nursultan Nazarbayev, in power since 1990, countered speculation that he may be preparing for a political transition (RFE/RL) by telling lawmakers he "will continue to work" and suggesting he will lead the creation of new social programs. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA Dozens Dead in Russian Plane Crash in Syria All thirty-nine people aboard a Russian transport plane, including military personnel, died when the aircraft crashed during landing (TASS) at the Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Neil Hauer discusses Russia's use of mercenaries in Syria (Foreign Affairs). SAUDI ARABIA: Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called on the government to resolve an ongoing dispute with major banks (Reuters) that were ordered to pay years of back taxes. The banks have complained the additional taxes were calculated opaquely. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Tillerson Rebukes China's Economic Approach in Africa In a speech ahead of a five-country tour in Africa, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson condemned Chinese "predatory loan practices" (State Dept) and "corrupt deals" that he said leave African nations mired in debt. Tillerson also announced an additional $533 million in famine aid to conflict regions. SOUTH SUDAN: A new investigation by a UK-based advocacy group alleges that the state oil and gas company has come under the direct control of President Salva Kiir and his associates, who use it to channel funds to abusive security forces and militias (Global Witness). EUROPE Saudi Prince to Meet UK's May, Royal Family The Saudi crown prince began his first foreign tour as heir to the throne (Guardian) with stops in Cairo and London. He is expected to sign commercial agreements in the United Kingdom that would bring in $100 million over a decade. EU: The European Union is expected to remove Bahrain, the Marshall Islands, and Saint Lucia (Reuters) from a blacklist of tax havens, a move criticized by a Belgium-based transparency watchdog. AMERICAS Kushner to Meet Pena Nieto in Mexico White House advisor Jared Kushner begins a visit to the neighboring country (WSJ) today. A planned meeting between Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and President Trump was canceled last week following a call over funding for construction of a U.S. border wall. ARGENTINA: Dozens of lawmakers from several political parties put forth a bill to legalize elective abortion (AP) in the first fourteen weeks of pregnancy. Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org
Date: March 07, 2018 at 11:02PM
