Transcript
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Ryland Barton. Immigration officers are demanding people show identification and questioning them about their citizenship during President Trump's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis. Department of Homeland security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin says law enforcement are using the proper procedures.
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We have incredibly targeted immigration enforcement operations. So what's happening there is there is reasonable suspicion if somebody is in the vicinity of this operation, of this target, then they could be asked for their identification.
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NPR has witnessed multiple instances where federal agents questioned people about their immigration status. Minnesota is suing the Trump administration over the crackdown, arguing agents are violating people's First Amendment rights, racial profiling and making unconstitutional stops and arrests. Six Senate Democrats are introducing a bill that would bar presidents from naming their own political appointees to serve as independent watchdogs. NPR's Kerry Johnson reports. The move follows the firing of several inspectors general last year.
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President Trump dismissed watchdogs at more than a dozen federal agencies shortly after he returned to the White House last year. Those inspectors general are responsible for policing waste, fraud and abuse and for investigating the claims of whistleblowers. They're only supposed to be fired for cause. But some lawmakers and nonprofit groups say Trump overrode that law and replaced the IG's with some of his own loyalists. Now Senator Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, and several others are backing a new bill that would prohibit any president from nominating their own political appointees to serve in those roles. So far, the bill has no Republican sponsors. Carrie Johnson, NPR News, Washington.
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The U.S. embassy in South Africa is criticizing the country for hosting Iranian vessels for a joint naval exercise. Kate Bartlett reports. The South African government is investigating Iran's continued participation after the president reportedly ordered they be excluded.
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Local media reported South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said Iran Iran must sit the exercises out over concern about antagonizing the U.S. however, Iran did take part in the drills and the government is now investigating why the president's orders were ignored. Iranian vessels have been in South Africa as part of a maritime exercise that also includes Russian and Chinese ships. The countries are all members of the BRICS group of developing economies. The US Embassy on Thursday accused South Africa of, quote, unquote, cozying up to a state sponsor of terrorism. It said Iran's participation in the exercises was especially egregious given Tehran's deadly crackdown on anti government protesters this week. South Africa's presidency also released a statement condemning the crackdown on protesters in Iran. Kate Bartlett, NPR News, Johannesburg.