DOJ asking secretive court to remove Afghan woman allegedly tied to terror plot
Source: Politics - CBSNews.com · Bias: Center
Summary
The DOJ is seeking to deport an Afghan woman who prosecutors allege is an "alien terrorist," in the first-ever test case before a secretive court that has never convened since it was created three decades ago.
DOJ asking secretive court to remove Afghan woman allegedly tied to terror plot
Center
The DOJ is seeking to deport an Afghan woman who prosecutors allege is an "alien terrorist," in the first-ever test case before a secretive court that has never convened since it was created three decades ago.
Virginia Democrats are welcoming criminals back to the ballot box.Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has restored voting rights to 66,085 felons in her first six months in office. That’s 56,000 more than former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) restored during his entire four-year tenure, according to the official annual reports filed by the secretary of the commonwealth.‘A shameful relic of our Jim Crow past.’“I’m proud that — after contending with my predecessor's efforts to deny Virginians their fundamental rights — we have restored the rights of more than 66,000 Virginians who have served their time,” Spanberger said in a Friday press release. “These Virginians deserve the right to use their vote, make their voices heard, and be recognized as contributing citizens to our Commonwealth and country.”Spanberger's office did not respond to requests for comment. Under Youngkin, applicants were required to submit a formal Restoration of Rights form detailing whether they had completed all terms of incarceration, were on probation or parole, or had been convicted of a violent offense. Felons were also asked if they had “paid all fines, fees, and restitution” or were currently paying them, according to court filings.Spanberger’s administration axed those safeguards.RELATED: Illegal immigrant allegedly attacks Virginia police — after dodging persecution for allegedly choking his wife JASON REDMOND/AFP/Getty Images The new team “re-established processes to both review applications and proactively identify — and restore the rights of — Virginians who have lost their right to vote” and is using “a streamlined, online system that removed unnecessary questions added during the Youngkin administration," according to the press release.The removed questions included the requirement to report probation status and fine repayment. The governor also instructed Secretary of the Commonwealth Candi Mundon King to expand “proactive identification” of eligible ex-convicts.Current eligibility is determined by whether a person has been convicted of a felony and is no longer incarcerated.“By giving these Virginians back their ability to make an impact at the local, state, and national levels, we are empowering our neighbors to take hold of their second chance,” Spanberger said. “This fall, voters can cast their ballots for Virginia to no longer strip so many of our neighbors of their fundamental rights — a shameful relic of our Jim Crow past.”Virginia voters will decide in November whether to pass a constitutional amendment automatic restoration of voting rights for released felon inmates. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
The Trump administration on Friday appealed a ruling from a federal judge in Florida who found the president effectively colluded with his own government in bringing a $10 billion suit against the IRS. That suit, which the Justice Department pointed to as the basis for creating its $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, was highly criticized by…
The Trump administration on Friday appealed a ruling from a federal judge in Florida who found the president effectively colluded with his own government in bringing a $10 billion suit against the IRS. That suit, which the Justice Department pointed to as the basis for creating its $1.776 billion "anti-weaponization" fund, was highly criticized by [...]
Fairfax County officials are facing heavy criticism after the suspect in a violent domestic dispute and an attack on a cop turned out to be an illegal immigrant who was never prosecuted despite allegedly attacking his wife in April.Officers responding to a domestic disturbance call attempted to arrest Nehemia Fuentes Banegas on Tuesday after he allegedly stabbed himself while threatening his wife. Fuentes Banegas then allegedly fled on foot, hid in a bush, and lunged for a police officer's service weapon in a frenzied ambush, according to police.'3 in 10 residents of the county are immigrants.'Fuentes Banegas was shot by officers in the ensuing struggle, though the bullet only grazed his shoulder. He is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.Fuentes Banegas was previously cited for reckless driving and driving without a license, according to court records. His race was recorded as white. Fuentes Banegas is a Honduran national who illegally entered the country in 2022, according to the Department of Homeland Security.“This criminal illegal alien from Honduras attacked a law enforcement officer and attempted to take the officer’s gun,” DHS spokesperson Lauren Bis said in a statement. “He has now been charged with attempted disarming of a law enforcement officer.” “ICE is calling on Governor Abigail Spanberger and her fellow sanctuary politicians to commit to not releasing this dangerous criminal from jail,” she continued.RELATED: DOJ goes to special court to send mother of terrorists back to Afghanistan Fairfax County J&DR Court DatabaseIn 2021, Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano signed a procedure memorandum barring cooperation with federal immigration authorities.“To improve community safety, restore trust, and ensure all have equal protection of the law, employees of the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office shall not assist federal agents with civil immigration enforcement,” the memo reads. The document also notes that “3 in 10 residents of the county are immigrants.”Descano Chief of Staff Laura Birnbaum acknowledged that Fuentes Banegas recently faced other criminal charges. A warrant reveals he was accused of "imped[ing] the blood circulation or respiration of another person by knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully blocking or obstructing the airway ... resulting in wounding or bodily injury."“Nehemia Fuentes faced charges earlier this year, but his wife, the victim in the case, indicated to prosecutors and other officials at a hearing in May that she did not want to prosecute at the time,” Birnbaum told Blaze News. “This kind of outcome is not uncommon in situations involving domestic violence, where prosecutors have little recourse if a case hinges on a victim’s testimony or cooperation.” Commonwealth of Virginia/Warrant of ArrestBirnbaum directed Blaze News to Sheriff Stacey Kincaid when asked if authorities notified ICE after Fuentes Banegas’ initial arrest.“As required by statute, whenever an undocumented person is booked into the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center, ICE is notified that person has been taken into custody,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson told Blaze News. The Fairfax County Police Department directed Blaze News to its press release when reached for comment.“As they were responding to the scene, they encountered both the husband, our suspect, running from the scene and the wife pointing out to our responding patrol officers that, ‘Yes, that is in fact my husband,’” Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said in a press conference.“Our suspect takes his right hand, he grabs the firearm that the police officer had in his hand,” Davis said. “The officer, obviously startled, discharged his firearm three times.”A trial date has yet to be set. ICE has lodged a detainer for Fuentes Banegas, a DHS spokesperson told Blaze News.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
MAGA Senate candidate Mike Collins fled his own press conference Thursday when faced with a question about his son-in-law’s social media posts promoting white nationalism. During the outdoor event, Collins was asked to respond to reports that David Alan Scheer II, his son-in-law, has shared Nazi and antisemitic material online, including posts from the white nationalist hate group Patriot Front.“You know, we’ve fully addressed that,” Collins said. “But Jon Ossoff refuses to disavow these Democrat socialist movements in our country—as a matter of fact he embraces them.”Collins launched into a rant about all the things he felt Ossoff needed to answer for, without holding himself to the same standard. The Republican representative indicated he would take another question, but then abruptly excused himself.“Listen, thank you. I appreciate y’all’s time. I appreciate you coming out this morning. Thank you very much,” Collins said, before he quickly departed. Mike Collins abruptly wrapped up a press conference instead of answering questions about his close ties with a prominent neo-Nazi propagandist pic.twitter.com/tYEGzxBnq3— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 30, 2026Although Collins claims to have “fully addressed” his son-in-law’s actions, his prior response was far from a condemnation. “Nobody speaks for me, and I don’t speak for anybody else,” Collins told reporters last week. He also removed a photograph featuring Scheer from his campaign’s website. Speaking of Collins’s website, the candidate found himself in hot water earlier this year after he published fake endorsements from several local officials.
