Whatever one’s views are on fixing our broken immigration system, no child – especially a child with Down syndrome – should be mocked. This response does not align with our values as Americans and does not contribute to our efforts to end the current circumstances. https://t.co/re0CP713yo

— Senator Jerry Moran (@JerryMoran) June 20, 2018

The situation at the border is unacceptable and it needs to be resolved. Yesterday, I cosponsored the Protect Kids and Parents Act, which would keep families together, expedite the asylum process, and increase the number of federal immigration judges.

— Senator Roy Blunt (@RoyBlunt) June 20, 2018

A federal judge ruled Monday that Kansas cannot require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, finding such laws violate the constitutional right to vote in a ruling with national implications for voting rights. Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach defended the law.

Developments:

Witchita Eagle:

Having already found Kobach in contempt at trial, Robinson offered a parting gift: an order for six hours of continuing legal education beyond what’s required to keep up his law license.

Topeka Capital-Journal reports Kobach’s office instructed clerks to not change practices at this time.

Danedri Herbert, a spokeswoman for Kobach, said the office needs time to fully review the court’s 118-page ruling before understanding it completely.

U.S. District Judge Julie Robinson made clear in her Monday ruling the documentary proof of citizenship requirement can’t be enforced.

 

Washington Post:

Kobach promised to appeal Robinson’s ruling (though the last time he challenged her, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit took Robinson’s side). But the real prize he covets is political, not legal. Kobach will wear this defeat, in a Trumpian cause, like a badge of honor in his GOP primary against incumbent Gov. Jeff Colyer. Polls taken before the ruling, but after Kobach was held in contempt of court, found the race to be highly competitive, with plenty of voters undecided.

 

Nugent is expected to sing a few songs while accompanying himself on guitar before a sit-down chat with Kobach, a discussion likely to revolve around the joy of firearms, defects inherent in liberals and attributes of the host.

“I am who I am regardless of whether President Trump had ever become president,” Kobach said in an interview.

The Brief is a daily roundup from St. Joe Post and around the web. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Lawmakers react to separation of migrant families. Below is a compilation of statements via tweet, press release, and media report.

“I agree with Mrs. Bush and Mrs. Trump that separating families does not meet the standard of who we are as a country. Strengthening our border security and upholding our laws in a manner consistent with our values will help facilitate progress toward addressing all aspects of our broken immigration system.”

-Senator Roy Blunt, as quoted by St. Louis Post-Dispatch

While I firmly support enforcing our immigration laws, I am against using parental separation as a deterrent to illegal immigration. My concern, first and foremost, is the protection of the children.

— Pat Roberts (@SenPatRoberts) June 18, 2018

“Separating children from their families at the border is a policy many of my constituents and the American people in both political parties oppose. As Congress pursues legislation to address this issue this week, an interim solution is needed. I ask that you take immediate action to end the practice of separating children from families at the border.”

-Representative Kevin Yoder in a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Wichita Eagle:

Among Kansas lawmakers, Yoder wields the most power over immigration policy. He chairs the House Appropriations subcommittee on Homeland Security, an appointment announced just last month.

“The outrageous notion that children must be ripped from their families to secure the border is as false as it is cruel. As the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee, I will be working to stop the Administration’s misguided policy. The idea that this policy is being used for deterrence and Congressional leverage is offensive. I need answers from DHS concerning the care of these children and their failure to even reunite children before they fly their parents out of the country.”

-Senator Claire McCaskill, in a press release.

“Our immigration system is broken. This has become more evident in the last week when children are being forcibly separated from their parents. I oppose this policy and am working with my Senate colleagues and administration officials to bring the current circumstances to an end. Our country must make the well-being of these children a priority. We can find appropriate ways to secure our borders and deter illegal immigration in a moral way that honors our values as Americans.”

-Senator Jerry Moran, in a press release.

“What is causing children to be taken from parents is this very deliberate choice, and it is this choice to criminally prosecute all asylum seekers and I just don’t understand why we are doing this to parents. We are separating families from their mothers and fathers. History is going to judge us terribly for this, and this is going to match what we did in World War II with the internment camps.”

-Representative Emanuel Cleaver to KCUR.

St. Joe Post on ruling against Kansas voting law.

A federal judge ruled Monday that Kansas cannot require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, finding such laws violate the constitutional right to vote in a ruling with national implications for voting rights.

…

In the first three years after the Kansas law went into effect in 2013, about one in seven voter registration applications in Kansas were blocked for lack of proof of citizenship — with nearly half of them under the age of 30, according to court documents. Between 2013 and 2016, more than 35,000 Kansas residents were unable to register to vote.

The Brief is a daily roundup from St. Joe Post and around the web. The Associated Press contributed to this report.