As some of the 800-thousand federal workers were poised to lose their second paycheck amid the longest-ever government shutdown, bipartisan talks about a possible short-term compromise began late Thursday between Senate GOP and Democratic leaders.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported a surge in undocumented immigrants – primarily groups of families — compared to the same time last year. CBP said 2018 was a record year for border apprehensions and that 2019 is on track to surpass those numbers.
The Department of Homeland Security says asylum seekers crossing “illegally or without proper documentation” will be turned away at the San Ysidro port of entry starting Friday. DHS eventually plans to implement the policy across the entire southern border.
Still searching for a motive in Wednesday’s shooting at a Florida bank, the police chief of Sebring says “We believe that it is a random act. We do not believe anybody was specifically targeted.”
