THE WORLD READS WHITE PLAINS CITIZENETREPORTER — 8,324,077 VISITS IN ONE YEAR

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GILLIBRAND, DURBIN INTRODUCE TWO BILLS TO REFORM AMERICA’S BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) introduced two bills to reform America’s broken immigration system.

The Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention (PROKID) Act would provide a new, stronger layer of oversight to protect immigrant children in government custody. The Real Courts, Rule of Law Act would decrease political influence in the immigration system by transitioning the immigration court system into an independent judiciary.

“For far too long, cruelty, politicization, and a lack of transparency have defined our immigration system. It’s time to make commonsense reforms,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The PROKID Act would establish essential accountability measures to make sure that children seeking safety are treated with the compassion they deserve. At the same time, the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act would insulate our immigration courts from political influence, restoring integrity and due process to the system. These bills are meaningful, long-term solutions to complex challenges, and I will do everything I can to get them passed.”

“All Americans should agree that immigration judges need to be neutral and fair, not subject to the whims of the Administration in power. Our Real Courts, Rule of Law Act would transition the nation’s immigration court system into an independent judiciary, restoring due process in our deeply flawed immigration court system,” said Senator Durbin. “And as the Trump Administration continues their cruel treatment of immigrants—including children—we are also introducing the PROKID Act to protect immigrant children in government custody. I encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support these two common sense bills.”

Over the past several years, hundreds of thousands of migrant children fleeing violence, oppression, or persecution have arrived in the United States without a parent or legal guardian in pursuit of a safer future. Once apprehended at the border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) transfers these children to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in the Department of Health and Human Services. Children are then held in ORR’s congregate care shelters while they wait for ORR to identify a family member or sponsor to care for them, which can take months. Currently, the primary form of oversight of those shelters, as well as of CBP custody, is provided by independent lawyers.

To provide stronger oversight and protect children in custody, the PROKID Act would codify an office under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) responsible for ensuring that immigrant children are detained in the least restrictive setting, advocating for quick and safe release, and encouraging family reunification when possible. That office would also be responsible for investigating any claims of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of immigrant children while in either government custody or foster care.

The text of the PROKID Act can be found here, and a one-pager about the legislation can be found here.

Another persistent issue with America’s immigration system is the politicization of immigration judges. Currently, immigration judges are appointed by the U.S. attorney general and employed by the Department of Justice, meaning they are often charged with adjudicating cases in accordance with the policies and priorities of the governing administration. Since January 2025, the Trump administration has mounted an unprecedented attack on the rule of law by firing over 100 immigration judges for political reasons, severely worsening the strain on overburdened courts. By firing experienced judges, this administration has crippled court efficiency and compromised the public’s trust in judicial neutrality.

To solve these problems, the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act would establish an independent immigration court system, helping to ensure that immigration judges are free from political pressure and can deliver just decisions in accordance with the law.

The text of the Real Courts, Rule of Law Act can be found here. A one-pager about the legislation can be found here.

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TORNADO WATCH, FLASH FLOOD WARNING ISSUED FOR WESTCHESTER COUNTY

(White Plains, NY) – The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Westchester County through 9 p.m. tonight, July 21.

A Flash Flood Warning has also been issued through 6:45 p.m. tonight, July 21. During this period, Westchester County could see severe weather conditions including heavy winds and rain, severe thunderstorms and flooding.

Tornadoes are capable of destroying structures, uprooting trees and causing significant damage.

If you are in a Tornado Warning area:

• Know your safe location – ideally an interior room or a basement, unless it is susceptible to flooding.
• Stay away from windows.
• If you are outside, seek shelter inside of a sturdy building if a tornado is approaching. Sheds and storage containers are not considered safe structures.
• Know the signs of a tornado including dark or green skies, a rotating, funnel shaped cloud, and loud or roaring sounds. 
• Be ready to act quickly if the Tornado Watch is upgraded to a Tornado Warning, or you suspect a tornado is approaching. 

If you see a tornado and you are in a car, it is important to pull over and seek the nearest shelter immediately. If you cannot exit your car, pull over, lower your head as best as possible and try and stay away from car windows.

If you are in a Flash Flood Warning area:

• Remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
• Never attempt to drive through flooded streets or barricades.
• Avoid flood-prone areas, such as the Bronx River Parkway, Saw Mill River Parkway and Sprain Brook Parkway.
• Keep emergency alert notifications turned on at all times, and continue monitoring weather alerts as conditions can change quickly.

In a true emergency, dial 911.

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Stay informed. Sign up for email alerts about the Town of Greenburgh by clicking https://www.greenburghny.com/list.aspx There is a new “Public Hearings Alert” solely to notify you of all public hearings scheduled by the Greenburgh Town Board, Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals. Enter your email address and click on “Public Hearings Alert” on the list to get the public hearing alerts.

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ICYMI: GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S LETTER TO THE EDITOR IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: HOW NEW YORK WILL GET AI DATA CENTERS RIGHT

Today, The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Governor Kathy Hochul regarding her commitments to ensuring New York has a responsible framework for AI Data Centers. Text of the letter to the editor can be viewed online and is available below:

Your editorial criticizing New York’s approach to artificial intelligence data centers gets both our decision and rationale wrong (“New York’s Data Center Self-Sabotage,” July 15).

New York adopted a temporary, targeted pause on new hyperscale AI data centers that use 50 megawatts or more while we establish clear rules for an industry that will reshape our economy for generations.

Existing facilities will continue to operate. Smaller projects can move forward. The pause will be lifted when we have clearer rules in place to protect New Yorkers. What we’re pausing isn’t innovation. It’s the rush to build first and answer questions later.

I reject the false choice that New Yorkers must pick between leading the future of AI and protecting affordability, ratepayers, existing job creators and the communities where these facilities are built.

The notion that thoughtful regulation that protects American ratepayers somehow hands victory to China is absurd. America’s competitive advantage has never been the absence of rules. It has been our ability to attract the world’s best talent, develop breakthrough technologies and earn public confidence in them.

The majority of AI jobs aren’t tied to where servers are built; in fact, these data centers create few long-term jobs. Jobs are created where talent, groundbreaking research and innovative companies come together—all areas where New York is second to none.

Years ago, I launched Empire AI, a $500 million public-private partnership to make New York a global leader in AI research and innovation. I announced our state’s use of AI to modernize our outdated regulations.

I want AI companies to succeed here. But when they succeed because of New York, New Yorkers should succeed too. Success means communities reap economic benefits, ratepayers don’t foot the bill for massive new energy demand and infrastructure keeps pace with unprecedented growth.

I have confidence that New York has the ability to get this right. Within the next year, the world will see our model in action—government and industry building a responsible AI future, together.