Axios

Since the start of the Trump administration, immigration courts have faced an unprecedented wave of asylum applications from immigrants already caught up in deportation proceedings, according to new Justice Department data first given to Axios.

Why it matters: This surge has contributed to the record backlog in immigration courts, which in turn, creates long wait times for immigrants. It also slows down deportations and immigration law enforcement, Gary Mead, former Executive Associate Director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operation, told Axios.

Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) said Wednesday that he will vote to confirm President Trump's nominee for CIA director, Gina Haspel.

Why it matters: Several Republicans and outside groups were hoping they could get Manchin, a red-state Democrat, to fold on Haspel because, with his support, Haspel will go to the floor as a bipartisan nominee. They also hope that, similar to what happened with Mike Pompeo's confirmation as Secretary of State, now that one Democrat has supported her others will follow.

The U.S. deported 53,764 Mexican nationals during the first three months of 2018, the AP reports, up 40% from the same period in 2017.

Why it matters: As Axios' Stef Kight reported in December, there were 177,000 fewer deportations in 2017 than the year of lowest deportations under Obama (2009), despite Trump's tough-on-immigration rhetoric. However, this year's figures are now greater than those from the same period of 2016, Barack Obama's last year in office.

Reps. Carlos Curbelo, Will Hurd, Jeff Denham and David Valadao filed a petition on Wednesday that could force a vote to make DACA law, permanently protecting from deportation undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children.

What's next: The petition must first get 218 signatures, which means 20 Republicans must support the move as well as all House Democrats. At least 15 Republicans are on board, Politico reports.

The newly revamped bipartisan prison reform bill, which would send around 4,000 prisoners home, makes it easier to earn time in house arrest or halfway homes, and provide hygiene products for incarcerated women, was passed by the House Judiciary Committee, with a vote of 25-5.

What's next: A vote on the House floor is expected soon. While this appears to be the most promising bill yet, there are still concerns from some lawmakers that it does not address harsh federal sentencing guidelines. Even if it passes the House, the real battle will be in the Senate.

President Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel, whose highly anticipated confirmation hearing began Wednesday, said that, if confirmed, she will not follow any orders from her superiors that she believes to be immoral, "even if it was technically legal."

Why it matters: This is a primary concern for the Senate Intelligence Committee, given Haspel's record on the agency's prior use of torture . Haspel told the senators: “I support the higher moral standard... I would never, ever, take CIA back to the interrogation program.”

The newest House prison reform bill — which could send 4,000 prisoners home, make it easier to earn time in house arrest or halfway homes, and would provide hygiene products to incarcerated women — will be voted on in the House Judiciary Committee this morning.

Why it matters: Democrats scored several wins on this version of the bill, but it still might not be enough to secure approval without reforms to federal sentencing guidelines. And even if the bill manages to pass committee this morning — or even the full House — without those sentencing reforms, the bill is not likely to make it far in the Senate.

President Trump and the Republican Party scored big wins in all three Senate primaries last night: they avoided being stuck with the least electable guy in West Virginia, the "outsider" businessman won in Indiana, and Trump's pick came out on top in Ohio.

But, but, but: There were warning signs for Republicans elsewhere — in voter turnout, ideological fights and the defeat of Republican incumbents at the state and federal level.

He's making news on Twitter, building his social-media followers, teasing his announcements with reality-show theater, and is ubiquitous on cable TV.

The big picture: Using Trumpian tactics, Michael Avenatti, Stormy Daniels' lawyer, managed to push Iran and a big day of midterm primaries into prime time's background, with stunning charges in a "Project Sunlight" report he posted for reporters to feast on.