![The Groundbreaking Decision That Just Struck a Blow to Our Racist Immigration Laws](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AP21105849122226.jpg)
The Groundbreaking Decision That Just Struck a Blow to Our Racist Immigration Laws The Groundbreaking Decision That Just Struck a Blow to Our Racist Immigration Laws
Nearly 100 years ago, Congress passed a law making it a felony to reenter the US after being deported. Now a judge has found it too racist to be allowed.
Aug 20, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Why Are We Still Using Trump’s Broken Census?](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AP21216646309805.jpg)
Why Are We Still Using Trump’s Broken Census? Why Are We Still Using Trump’s Broken Census?
While the Census showed significant growth among communities of color, it was still, almost certainly, a vast and deliberate undercount.
Aug 19, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Cuomo close-up](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1227407524.jpg)
Andrew Cuomo, Donald Trump, and the Epidemic of New York Strongmen Andrew Cuomo, Donald Trump, and the Epidemic of New York Strongmen
It’s not an accident that a generation of tough guy pols emerged from New York in the 1970s and ’80s, amid the myth of an “ungovernable city” and an epic whitelash.
Aug 12, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Housing Rights sing](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GettyImages-1233761491.jpg)
Biden’s Eviction Moratorium Is a Rare Act of Presidential Civil Disobedience Biden’s Eviction Moratorium Is a Rare Act of Presidential Civil Disobedience
The Supreme Court will almost certainly strike down the moratorium, but the president’s decision to heed the call of Cori Bush was the right and righteous thing to do.
Aug 9, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Cheerleader Brandi Levy](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AP21174666161012.jpg)
From a High-School Cheerleader, a Lesson in Free Speech From a High-School Cheerleader, a Lesson in Free Speech
As school resumes, the Supreme Court’s decision in the most significant student free speech case in decades reverberates across the country.
Aug 5, 2021 / Column / Elie Mystal
![College student gets a Covid vaccine](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/AP21106460903690.jpg)
A Quick Reminder That Mandating Vaccines Is Totally Constitutional A Quick Reminder That Mandating Vaccines Is Totally Constitutional
No, the Bill of Rights does not block vaccine mandates. Neither does HIPAA. Just ask the three Republican judges who ruled that Indiana University can require students to be vaccin...
Aug 4, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Greene and Gaetz maskless](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AP21210786597445.jpg)
The Delta Variant Is Contagious as Hell—and People Are Selfish The Delta Variant Is Contagious as Hell—and People Are Selfish
As fierce as the variant is, we could slow its course. But first, Republicans would have to learn basic decency and wear a damn mask.
Jul 30, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Philando Castile protest](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/GettyImages-1327389678.jpg)
Why Are Public Defenders Backing a Major Assault on Gun Control? Why Are Public Defenders Backing a Major Assault on Gun Control?
In the name of Black gun owners, a coalition of progressive attorneys has thrown its weight behind an explosive attempt to eviscerate gun regulations.
Jul 26, 2021 / Elie Mystal
![Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AP21201639623540.jpg)
Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power Republicans Hate Voting Rights Because They Threaten White Power
It’s no accident that the current assault on voting rights started not with the failed reelection of Donald Trump but with the successful election of Barack Obama.
Jul 22, 2021 / Editorial / Elie Mystal for The Nation
![Rally-John-Lewis-Voting Rights Act](https://www.thenation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/AP21199297568580.jpg)
The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think The Democrats Are Bungling Voting Rights—but Not in the Way You Think
The John Lewis Voting Rights Act is a valuable piece of legislation. So is the For the People Act. Both are destined to fail in front of the Supreme Court.
Jul 21, 2021 / Elie Mystal