Judge Blocks End to Deportation Protections for Haitians; Government Shutdown Looms; Clintons Agree to Testify
Washington — A federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending deportation protections for approximately 350,000 Haitians enrolled in the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program, just one day before the protections were set to expire, according to CBS News. Meanwhile, in Congress, the House began considering a revised funding package to end the partial government shutdown that started over the weekend, and Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee.
U.S. District Court Judge Ana Reyes issued an order indefinitely pausing the planned termination of Haiti's TPS program. The order bars the federal government from invalidating the legal status and work permits of active enrollees and from arresting and deporting them. Reyes strongly criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's decision to end the TPS policy for Haitians, concluding that the decision was "arbitrary and capricious" and violated the Administrative Procedures Act.
On Capitol Hill, the House of Representatives began considering a five-bill package to fund the departments of Defense, State, Treasury, and other agencies. The package also includes a two-week extension of funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funding for DHS has been a central point of contention, with Democrats demanding reforms to immigration enforcement agencies like ICE. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a challenge in uniting the GOP conference to pass the plan. Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries reportedly told Johnson that Democrats would not provide the votes needed to fast-track the package.
In other news, Bill and Hillary Clinton agreed to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons' legal team informed the committee on Monday that the former president and former secretary of state "accept the terms of your letter and will appear for depositions on mutually agreeable dates," according to an email obtained by CBS News. The agreement came ahead of expected votes in the House on holding the Clintons in contempt of Congress. Republican Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who chairs the oversight panel, stated that the Clintons' counsel indicated they would testify.
In Florida, NASA encountered a hydrogen leak during a fueling test for the Artemis II moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center. The leak occurred at the base of the rocket during a "wet dress" rehearsal. Engineers managed a workaround, and the test proceeded toward a simulated launch. The hydrogen leak has put the launch date in question. NASA has three days Feb. 8, 10 and 11 to get the mission off this month or the flight will slip to March.
In Arizona, authorities are searching for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, who is missing. Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told CBS News that he believes Nancy Guthrie was abducted from her home while she slept. "I believe she was abducted, yes," Nanos said. "She didn't walk from there. She didn't go willingly." Nanos confirmed that her disappearance is being treated as a crime and urged neighbors to review home video camera footage. "We saw some things at the home that were concerning to us," Nanos told reporters. "We believe now after we've processed that crime scene that we do in fact have a crime, and we're asking the community's help."
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