GRIF MAG

The Department of Homeland Security is seeking to gain access to a trove of federal information that is intended to support the collection of child support payments but could potentially be used forimmigration enforcementpurposes, according to three sources familiar with the talks who describe the move as unprecedented.

The data — which includes both information on people who pay child support and employment information for a much wider universe of people — is stored within the Health and Human Services Department and is used to collect child support payments. The request has prompted concerns among current and former HHS officials over whether Homeland Security would use legally restricted information that has historically been legally restricted for the administration's immigration crackdown — and, in turn, sow distrust in a critical program.

It's only the latest in a series of attempts by the Trump administration to use data stored in various federal agencies to potentially find undocumented immigrants residing in the United States.

Last year, for example, the Internal Revenue Service began sharing sensitive taxpayer data with immigration authorities to assist the search for undocumented immigrants. A federal judgeblockedthat information sharing late last year, ruling that it violated taxpayer privacy laws, but the administration is appealing.

Sources told CNN that DHS has requested access to the Federal Parent Locator Service, which is a set of databases at HHS that includes sensitive information on millions of Americans for the purpose of child support payment collection. One of those databases is the National Directory of New Hires, which contains employment details even for people with no nexus to child support though their information is eventually wiped.

"For the (National Directory of New Hires), it's a general population database of all US workers in the country whether or not they have anything to do with child support," said Vicki Turetsky, who served as commissioner of HHS' child support enforcement from 2009 to 2016. "All American workers would have their data exposed through the NDNH should DHS get ahold of it."

While immigration status is not included in the data collection, it could be inferred by who does or doesn't have a social security number. Undocumented immigrants can receive child support because it's not a public benefit, nor paid by the taxpayer.

The White House referred CNN to DHS and HHS for comment.

"ACF has not received a request by DHS to access the Federal Parent Locator Service. We remain committed to look for ways to take a whole of government approach and break down information silos within the bounds of existing law," an HHS spokesperson told CNN in a statement, referring to an internal agency within the department.

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Attempts by DHS to access information from multiple federal agencies have come in a variety of forms, including discussions with officials and through documents known as memorandums of understanding.

DHS has not responded to requests for comment. ProPublicaearlier reportedon the request by DHS.

Multiple sources told CNN that the DHS request would likely be in violation of federal law, which explicitly states how the information is handled and who is authorized to do so. DHS is not an authorized user and immigration enforcement is not an authorized use, according to former HHS officials.

It's unclear whether DHS will succeed in accessing the databases.

The IRS-ICEcollaboration,meanwhile, was troubled from the start. ICE requested address information last year for nearly 1.3 million suspected undocumented immigrants but only got data from the IRS for about 47,000 taxpayers. And the IRSacknowledgedin court last month that it made a mistake and shouldn't have turned over data for approximately 2,000 of those taxpayers.

Last year, Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Sheldon Whitehouse alsoraised alarmover Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency attempting to access the national child support database, noting that it contains identifying information of Americans. It's unclear whether DOGE ultimately accessed the data.

This article has been updated with additional developments.

CNN's Marshall Cohen contributed to this report.

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WASHINGTON – A fiery debate broke out in the Senate on Wednesday, March 11, as lawmakers faced intensifying pressure amidthe Iran warandgrowing airport security linestoend the monthlong partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Senate once more opted against even partially reopening the agency after Democrats tried to unanimously pass a bill to fully fund most of its contents except for (crucially)Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protectionand the Office of the Secretary.

Republicans blocked the measure, saying they couldn't support a bill that disregards immigration enforcement.

"We're not going back to the era of defund the police," said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama, akey figure in the talks to end the shutdown. "We're not doing it."

ICE, Border Patrol leaders face Congress over deadly Minnesota raids

Republicans and Democrats shouted at each other on the Senate floor against an increasingly dire political backdrop.

As thewar in Iran rapidly escalates, lawmakers have warned that critical antiterrorism divisions within the 9/11-era Cabinet agency are facing staff and resource shortages. At the same time, security lineshave begun to snake longer at airportsacross the country, as workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of Homeland Security, continue to go unpaid.

As is always the case with shutdowns, the pain has started to grow in more visible ways, pulling focus from the reason it started in the first place.

Read more:A blind woman, a 'dream job,' and the toll of the government shutdown

In this case, Democrats, horrified by the killings ofAlex Prettiand Renee Nicole Good by federal agents in Minneapolis, dug their feet in last month and refused to fund the agency that houses ICE and Border Patrol.

Since then, they've been negotiating with congressional Republicans and the White House over potential reforms to federal immigration enforcement. Among other things,they want a ban on masks for agents, more requirements for officers to wear body-worn cameras and a commitment to no raids without warrants from a judge.

Republicans have said some of those asks, including the mask ban, are nonstarters. They've been more amenable to other requests, though, like the body-worn cameras demand.President Donald Trump ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem last weekin a move many Democrats were happy to see, but it didn't immediately change their minds on funding the department.

Speaking on the Senate floor, a visibly upset Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, accused Democrats of allowing the latest counterproposal from the Trump administration, which he said "went further" than many Democrats expected, to languish for two weeks.

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"This is a one-sided negotiation," he said.

Washington's Patty Murray, the top Democratic appropriator in the Senate, shot back that her party doesn't want to negotiate with Republicans if they'll just be overruled by the White House.

"I am willing to talk to people," she said. "But I'm not willing to sit in a room, have coffee, give away a few things, and then have (Trump adviser) Stephen Miller override whatever we all agree to."

Read more:White House says Trump's SAVE Act threat not applicable to DHS funding

Terrorism risks, TSA lines growing

The stakes of the DHS shutdown are only getting higher.

Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said that Coast Guard men and women, including those in harm's way in Bahrain because of the war,"are completing missions without full resources behind them."

Lawmakers and federal officials have also said the Iran conflict has increased the risks of terrorism in the United States. In just the nearly two weeks since the war began, two separate incidents underscored that reality.

On March 1,three people were killed outside a bar in Austin, Texas. The suspect was wearing a "Property of Allah" sweatshirt, and reports indicate he was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the Iranian flag. On March 9, two teenagers were accused of igniting bombs outside the home of New York City's mayor in an attack motivated by the Islamic State,according to a federal complaint.

Simultaneously, travelers are facing TSA lines of up to nearly three hours long at some major airports, causing missed flights and massive delays during peak travel,the TSA told USA TODAYin a statement. Workers only received partial paychecks earlier this month and now face their first full missed paycheck, raising the risk of "crippling staff shortages," according to the agency.

For those reasons, Democrats have continued to push Republicans to pass funding for most of DHS while they work out an immigration enforcement deal with the Trump administration.

"Republicans claim they're worried about TSA and FEMA," said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-New York. "They can't be too worried, because they're blocking it right now."

Zachary Schermele is a congressional reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach him by email at zschermele@usatoday.com. Follow him on X at @ZachSchermele and Bluesky at @zachschermele.bsky.social.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Iran war clouds ICE concerns as DHS shutdown talks remain stalled

Powerfulstorms swept across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana,spawning multiple tornadoes and causing widespread damage.

Extreme Weather Illinois

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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

With the loss ofAnderson Cooper, CBS'60 Minutesmay be courting a popular, yet controversial, podcaster. Sources say there is a possibility thatJoe Rogancould be in line as his replacement.

His podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, has a wide reach, with 11 million listeners daily. It recently became more accessible on Apple and other streaming platforms.

CBS is reportedly hoping to bring Joe Rogan onboard

RadarOnlinereports that the news Joe may landon the network'slegacy news program has set off alarm bells at CBS. According to an insider, "This isn't stunt casting. It's strategy. Rogan opens a direct pipeline to the massive MAGA audience CBS has struggled to reach for years."

Last month, Anderson announced he's leaving the show after 20 years, as he seeks to spend more time with his two sons.

"You bring in Rogan and you immediately gain a core connection to over 50 percent of the country," according to a media executive. "He speaks to viewers who feel ignored or mocked by legacy media. That could solve the ratings and credibility problems of CBS overnight."

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Yet there is speculation on whether Joe joining 60 Minutes will help or hurt the show. "It's a gamble. Rogan isn't traditional broadcast talent – he's raw, unscripted, and polarizing. That could either electrify 60 Minutes or blow it up," says a source.

According to a Radaronline branding expert source, "This gives him mainstream legitimacy in a way podcasting alone never could. It's a whole new platform – primetime, institutional credibility, historic prestige. It elevates his brand from disruptor to establishment power player."

"It would be the biggest reinvention in the show's history. The question is – are they brave enough to do it?" a source questioned. Bringing his followers and possibly new viewers to the network could be a win-win, especially for Joe.

Says a source, "Rogan doesn't need 60 Minutes. But 60 Minutes might need Rogan."

TELL US – SHOULD CBS CHOOSE JOE TO REPLACE ANDERSON ON 60 MINUTES?

The postIs Joe Rogan Moving to CBS' 60 Minutes?appeared first onReality Tea.

Nicole Kidmanhas opened up about her split fromKeith Urbanmonths after their divorce was made public.

TheBig Little Liesstar said she was doing alright after the high-profile separation. She said she wanted to ensure her family continued to operate "as is" despite the breakup.

"I'm always going to be moving toward what's good," thePractical Magicactress said in arecent interviewwithVariety."What I'm grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward. That's that. Everything else I don't discuss out of respect. I'm staying in a place of, 'We are a family,' and that's what we'll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women."

Kidman, 58,filed for divorcefrom Urban, 58, last September after 19 years of marriage. The couple married in June 2006 and moved to Nashville the following year. They share teen daughters Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15, who will live primarily with Kidman but spend weekends with Urban.

The divorce wasfinalizedin January. As part of the separation agreement, each party agreed they "will not speak badly of each other or the members of the family of the other parent" to their children.

"They will encourage each child to continue to love the other parent and be comfortable in both families," the agreement continued.

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Kidman toldVarietythat she would continue to live in Nashville, where she often spends time with her friend and former costar, Reese Witherspoon.

"We have our life here," Kidman said. "I'm part of the city and community for 20 years. It's my home. "

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While their divorce was announced on Sept. 30 of last year, Kidman had hinted at their split weeks before. She had shared how she had been "lean[ing] on a close circle of girlfriends" in Nashville during an interview withVoguethat took place before the announcement.

"How many times do you have to be taught that you think you know where your life is going and then it isn't going in that direction?" she said at the time.

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly