Reid urges quick return to immigration debate in Senate News
Reid urges quick return to immigration debate in Senate

[JURIST] US Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) [official website] has called for a quick return to the debate on immigration reform [JURIST news archive] when the Senate reconvenes on April 25. In a letter [text] to Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) [official website], Reid noted the large demonstrations [JURIST report] that have occurred throughout the US in recent weeks and called Frist's handling of a compromise amendment [JURIST report, PDF summary] that stalled last week "very confusing." The compromise would have allowed a portion of illegal immigrants to remain in the United States. Frist, speaking to reporters from a trip to Eastern Europe, blamed Senate Democrats for the deadlock. AP has more.

On Tuesday, Frist and House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) [official website] said they would reexamine two provisions [JURIST report] of a contentious immigration bill passed by the House of Representatives last year in order to move forward on reform legislation. The House version [HR 4437 summary] contains provisions which would make unlawful presence in the US a felony and could punish groups that provide humanitarian relief to immigrants.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.