A federal appeals court has upheld sweeping asylum restrictions to prevent spread of COVID-19 but restored protections to keep migrant families from being expelled to their home countries without a chance to plead their cases.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is honoring a missing firefighter with a memorial and paddle out.

FILE - In this May 6, 2020 file photo, nominee Justin Walker to be U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Following the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, judges and their perceived ideological purity are facing even greater scrutiny. The declaration dropped as lower-court judges, like Richardson, face greater scrutiny over their perceived ideological purity. And one of Richardson's colleagues in Nashville, another Trump appointee, took a political pounding from conservatives over an abortion ruling in July. U.S. District Judge William “Chip” Campbell blocked an effort by Tennessee Republicans to bar abortions as early as six weeks into pregnancy.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. On Friday, loved ones will gather to remember two firefighters who went on a fishing trip one year ago and didnt return. Engineer Brian McCluney with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Virginia firefighter Justin Walker launched from Cape Canaveral. She wants the memorial service to be a celebration of his life. McCluneys wife is planning a paddle out memorial for her husband at the same dock he Walker launched from. The memorial will begin at 5 p.m. Friday at Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral.

(Jonathan Ernst/Pool Photo via AP)WASHINGTON A divided Senate has approved the nomination of a 38-year-old judge and ally of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to serve on a top federal appeals court, despite Democrats objections that hes inexperienced and biased against the Obama-era health care law. Walker, a protege of both McConnell and Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, will join the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in September. In the middle of a national public health crisis, the Republican Senate majority is poised to confirm a judge who opposes our countrys health care law.'' Walker, who was confirmed as a federal judge last fall, declined a request by Senate Democrats to recuse himself on matters related to the health care law if confirmed to the appeals court. McConnell, a longtime family friend who employed Walker as an intern in his Senate office, said that in his short time as a federal judge, Walker has shown his intelligence and legal acumen.

The court is widely considered the second-most powerful in the nation and frequently serves as a launching pad for a seat on the Supreme Court. 2 Senate Democrat, called Walker's nomination a travesty and an affront to other, more qualified conservative judges. Democrats also complained that the committee was advancing Walkers nomination during the coronavirus crisis and nationwide upheaval over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Walker clerked for Kavanaugh when he was on the D.C. appeals court. The group changed its rating just before the May 6 hearing, calling Walker "Well Qualified to serve on the appeals court.

Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing on the nomination of Judge Justin Walker to be a U.S. Circuit Court judge for the District of Columbia Circuit on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, May 6, 2020. So if youre a circuit judge in your mid-60s, late 60s, you can take senior status. If confirmed, Walker would take an appeals court seat being vacated by Judge Thomas Griffith, who intends to retire in September. The vacancy creates an election-year slot on the influential appeals court, where four of the nine current Supreme Court justices served, including Roberts and Brett Kavanaugh.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Red Lobster location in Jacksonville will be donating 15% of all sales from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday to the families of two missing firefighters. The community was invited to the restaurant’s location at 8720 Baymeadows Road in Jacksonville during that time to dine in, get takeout or just stop by to donate. The general manager said the event aims to make this holiday season a little easier for the families of Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer Brian McCluney and Justin Walker, a firefighter from Virginia. The two men went fishing out of Port Canaveral on Aug. 16 and never returned.​​​​​​​ A search of more than 100,000 square miles of ocean came up empty.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Brian McCluney was a humble servant who was reserved about his faith but loud in his day-to-day contact with everyone he met, his pastor said Friday. McCluney's family held a celebration of life Friday morning for the 38-year-old Jacksonville firefighter who disappeared while out at sea 10 weeks ago. WATCH: Video from JFRD gives look inside celebration of life |GALLERY: Family photos of Brian McCluney, Justin WalkerMcCluney's brother described him as a humble and brave man who loved God and his family. "Every single thing on that boat should be labeled because we've gotten pictures of a life vest and there are a million orange life vests. Walker's family drove from Virginia to take part in McCluney's celebration of life service.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Three weeks since Jacksonville Fire and Rescue firefighter Brian McCluney and Virginia Firefighter Justin Walker were reported missing during a fishing trip out of Port Canaveral, their families are organizing a beach walk to search for debris. The two were first reported missing Aug. 16. Now, in the wake of Hurricane Dorian, the families of the firefighters are continuing to look for answers. A flyer was posted to Facebook calling on volunteers to walk the shoreline in search of any items from McLuney's 24-foot center console fishing boat. Volunteers who find any of the items listed are asked to send a picture of the item to 904-599-6062.

Surveillance photo as Brian McCluney and Justin Walker launched their 24-foot fishing boat and headed off the coast of Port Canaveral. Now, loved ones are making a renewed push for people to stay on the lookout. UNCUT: Watch entire McCluney family news conference |GALLERY: Family photos of Brian McCluney, Justin WalkerThe wives of the firefighters continue to post on Facebook, as well. "I think those guys were well-equipped to survive if the boat didn't sink," Anderson said. On Monday, the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters closed one account and opened two different accounts to help out the families of McCluney and Walker.

Brian McCluney, a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department engineer, and Justin Walker, a Virginia firefighter, have not been found. On Saturday, a fundraiser took place to help collect money for private searches that will continue until the two firemen are found. I can't explain what's going on, but it's just a really special thing." Berndt Ends BBQ is sponsoring a benefit from Thursday through Sunday and naming McCluney's favorite plate, "The McCluney Special." All Proceeds from each purchase of "The McCluney Special" will go to the families.

"I will never have the words to say thank you to the thousands of people who searched for my son and the millions of prayers," Brian's mother, Carla McCluney, said. UNCUT: Watch entire McCluney family news conferenceMcCluney, a Jacksonville Fire and Rescue engineer, went out fishing with Justin Walker, a Fairfax, Virginia, firefighter, Aug. 16, from a Port Canaveral boat dock. Stephanie and Carla McCluney said they have felt embraced by the JFRD family. GALLERY: Family photos of Brian McCluney and Justin WalkerCarla McCluney lost her husband six weeks ago and is now dealing with the fact that her son may never be found. Carla McCluney said Brian's two children, Brynn and Conner, haven't asked too many questions about their father, but she knows they will.

After six days of looking for them, Coast Guard suspended its active search Thursday evening. The two met at fire school in Indian River County, Miller said. According to the Coast Guard, the search covered 146,000 square miles, an area the size of the state of Montana. He said Coast Guard resources are still in the water and the air on patrol, ready to react if anything develops. RELATED: Coast Guard suspends search for missing firefighters | Missing firefighter is also a talented dancer | Financial reward offered for return of firefighters lost at seaRon Kuley, president of the Fairfax County Professional Firefighters, spent the week working alongside his local counterparts, like Jacksonville Association of Firefighters President Randy Wyse.

Twenty-four hours after the U.S. Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the active search for the two firefighters, emotions were raw at Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Station 31, where firefighters and paramedics worked alongside McCluney. JFRD brought in a Central Florida counselor to assist McCluney's fellow firefighters. "We have people here at this station who are having a really hard time with this," Chief Patrick Gouin said. Gouin, who was one of McCluney's supervisors, said support from the community has helped. GALLERY: Family photos of Brian McCluney and Justin WalkerGouin said he and McCluney shared a passion for fishing.

Friday was a sobering day for friends and fellow firefighters. It marked one week after firefighters Brian McCluney and Justin Walker were last seen. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Four rewards totalling $70,000 rewards are now being offered in the search for two missing firefighters lost at sea. The latest $10,000 reward comes from a business that has a close relationship with JFRD firefighter Brian McCluney's family. On Thursday, Fire Station 31, where McCluney was stationed, also offered a $10,000 reward. Late Wednesday, International Marine announced it was also offering a $10,000 reward to any pilot or boat that locates either or both of the missing firefighters. The fire $10,000 reward was offered by 1-800-BOARDUP, which is headquartered in Jacksonville Beach.

Brian McCluney and Justin Walker have not been seen since they left for a fishing trip last Friday. This is a difficult time for all involved especially the families of the two men.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - For almost a week we've known of Justin Walker as a Fairfax, Virginia, firefighter who went out fishing last Friday with his friend and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department paramedic Brian McCluney. For the last six days, authorities and volunteers have scoured coastal waters from Central Florida to North Carolina looking for them. News4Jax has learned that Walker was also a professional contemporary dancer with the Demetrius Klein Dance Company and obtained video of one of his performances in 2016. Father won't you carry meFor the oceans wideFather won't you carry meFor my boat is so small. "Its a way to also connect.McCluneys wife, Stephanie, previously danced for the same company in West Palm Beach.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Emotions are high now that the Coast Guard has suspended the active search for two firefighters lost at sea. There is so much happening in the way of the search and so much emotion around it that numbness would be a really appropriate and normal reaction," Weinstein said. With so many unanswered questions, Weinstein said it's best to stay present. "When it comes to, literally, how to cope, try the best that you can to be in the present moment," she said. "Whether its your faith, whether its friends or other family members, get those kinds of support wherever you can find them, and try to stay present in the moment."

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Six days after two firefighters went to sea for a day of fishing and never returned, the U.S. Coast Guard decided Thursday would be the last of active searching. More than 146,368 square miles, an area about the size of Montana, were searched over 281 hours, the Coast Guard said. Mark Vlaun called the decision "extremely difficult" and said Coast Guard assets will continue to work off the coast. The search team outlined everything the Coast Guard and others had done to find their loved ones and answered any questions they had. "When you're talking about search suspension, it is the hardest decision any Coast Guard leader makes, unquestionably," Vlaun said.

The command center at Mayport will be taken down after that last boat searching for brian McCluney and Justin Walker comes in

Virginia firefighter Justin Walker was also a professional contemporary dancer with the Demetrius Klein Dance Company. A dance routine posted on Facebook had poignant lyrics.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Navy and Customers and Border Protection aircraft will continue their massive search operation for the rest of the day. The focal point of Thursday's search was nearly 400 miles north of where the two men put out to sea. The Coast Guard said after getting first reports Thursday morning, they will have a conversation about what the future of the rescue effort will look like. Volunteers along with JFRD and the Coast Guard say this search is a personal one. Lenny Curry (@lennycurry) August 22, 2019Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is calling for volunteers to leave from Savannah and Charleston Thursday morning. "Were in some critical times right now," Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said early Wednesday evening. Coast Guard Capt. The Coast Guard said it will have a first light search Thursday morning. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is calling for volunteers to leave from Savannah and Charleston Thursday morning. "We're in some critical times right now," Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said early Wednesday evening. Coast Guard Capt. The Coast Guard said it will have a first light search Thursday morning. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

Coast Guard Capt. Mark Vlaun said the search area has become "astronomically large," extending north as far as Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and up to 120 miles offshore. The Coast Guard will continue to search overnight. The Coast Guard said it will have a first light search Thursday morning. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

On Wednesday, News4Jax spent the day on a boat off the coast of Brunswick with volunteers out of Glynn County who said the search is personal for them, as many of them are firefighters and paramedics. You never go out with somebody," said Glynn County firefighter Edward Anderson. "We got two out here right now that we want to get and we want to bring them home." Anderson and other firefighters who volunteered to search said they're not giving up hope for their brothers -- Brian McCluney, who works for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and Justin Walker, a firefighter from Fairfax, Virginia. "So general courtesy when a boater is in distress, you stop and help them, and that goes beyond the water."

Stephanie McCluney and Nastsha Walker both praise their families, friends and volunteers for their support. And since day one, Stephanie McCluney has been leaning on her faith. UNCUT: Wife of missing Jacksonville firefighter speaksREAD: Search for missing firemen hits close to home |Missing firefighter's wife on search: 'It's not manpower, it's God power' |Missing boater's wife posts 'miracles happen' hours before tackle bag foundStephanie McCluney married her high school sweetheart. "She has a strong, strong relationship with her Heavenly Father and its getting her through these tough days and I cant imagine," said Jason Cullum, the lead pastor at Christ's Church in Mandarin. "That is the faith we are seeing right now in a wife whose husband is missing at sea right now.

The search for two firefighters lost at sea has gripped our News4Jax audience since the pair failed to return Friday night from a fishing trip out of Port Canaveral. When I saw Stephanie walk in, my heart ached for her. Then Sunday rolled around, and we covered a prayer walk as the worries grew. After she made an appearance at the command center in Mayport, she came to that private prayer vigil put on by the Fire Wives group, where we met up. As we have every day since Brian and Justin went missing, we are praying and hoping for an answer today.

The networks and America's largest newspapers are following the search for Brian McCluney, who works for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and Justin Walker, a firefighter from Fairfax, Virginia. Hide Caption

A massive search is underway for two firefighters who vanished during a Florida boating trip. McCluneys fishing bag was found 50 miles from St. Augustine Monday, but there was no sign of the boat they left in, authorities said. On Tuesday, helicopters were added to the search, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Weve finally started zeroing a little bit today, Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Chief Keith Powers said in an update on Monday. I still could see that my messages hadnt even been delivered yet, Stephanie told the station.

The networks and America's largest newspapers are following the search for Brian McCluney, who works for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and Justin Walker, a firefighter from Fairfax, Virginia. Hide Caption

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A Florida fire official says his department is ramping up its search for two firefighters who've been missing since going boating in the Atlantic Ocean last week. The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies have been searching a wide area of ocean between Cape Canaveral and Jacksonville. The Coast Guard said when they arrived to the search area, the debris found was not related to the boaters. Following the discovery of McCluney's tackle bag by a Good Samaritan, the Coast Guard said it will be focusing on the area where that bag was found. Anyone with information is asked to contact the United States Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center at 904-714-7558.

MAYPORT, Fla. - News4Jax went out on a boat with Jacksonville firefighters as they searched for their fellow firefighter and his friend, both of whom are lost at sea. The boat that News4Jax went on Tuesday afternoon with JFRD firefighters left from the Mayport boat ramp and went about 6 miles offshore. This is Day 4 of the search for missing Jacksonville Firefighter, Brian McCluney and Virginia Firefighter, Justin Walker. The Coast Guard said it was not clear if the cooler top belongs to the two missing firefighters. Hell be found.RELATED: Searchers remain optimistic but 'next 24 hours are critical'WHAT WE KNOW & DON'T KNOW: Firefighters missing at seaWATCH: Volunteers aid in search for missing firefighters by boatIn addition to fellow firefighters, the search is also impacting loved ones.

Stephanie McCluney, the wife of the missing Jacksonville firefighter, took time to thank everyone involved in the search before she entered a private vigil Tuesday evening at the fire union hall off Stockton Street in Jacksonville. We cannot express the gratitude from the bottom of our hearts that these operations, that these agencies have given. And the manpower behind it -- it's not manpower, it's God power. 'Praise be to God, and the things he is doing right now amongst all of these people.'" UNCUT: Wife of missing Jacksonville firefighter speaksRELATED: Wife of missing Virginia firefighter joins aerial search for boaters lost at seaWHAT WE KNOW & DON'T KNOW: Firefighters missing at seaSince both firefighters set out from Port Canaveral Friday for a day of fishing and never returned, search crews have covered 69,000 square miles from Brevard County to South Carolina looking for them, according to the Coast Guard.

"We're now in the fifth day of what has become an extraordinarily large and complex search and rescue operation," U.S. Coast Guard Capt. According to the Coast Guard, as of Tuesday evening, the search had covered 69,000 square miles, with an estimated 182 hours of searches. The Coast Guard was alerted at 8 p.m. Friday when they never returned to shore and weren't receiving texts or calls. Natasha was joined by several other private planes as well as Coast Guard planes from Sarasota, helicopters from Savannah and a Customs and Border Protection planes from Jacksonville. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

The best-case scenario is that they are still drifting out to sea in the boat. Even if that's the case, Dr. Andrew Schmidt with UF Health Jacksonville said there are serious medical concerns. If that's the case, they could be wearing life vests or clinging to something to stay afloat. He said an ordeal like this can also take a toll on mental health. "It can really do a number on someones mental health for a couple reasons," he said.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - A volunteer searcher who pulled a glimmer of hope out of the ocean Monday when he spotted a missing fisherman's tackle bag told News4Jax he felt called to join the search. The pair have been missing since they left Friday on a fishing trip out of Port Canaveral. On Monday, hours after McCluney's wife, Stephanie, posted on Facebook that Miracles happen on Day 3! Shurling's group spotted a tackle bag on the ocean about 50 nautical miles off the coast of St. Augustine. The bag turned out to be McCluney's. He said he was at church Sunday in Savannah when he felt compelled to help look for the missing firefighters.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - Family and friends continued to hold on to hope on the third day of searching for two firefighters lost at sea. Loved ones gathered Monday evening at Micker's Landing in northern St. Johns County for a prayer and beach walk. They held hands and stood in a circle as they flooded the ocean and beach with prayers. Then they walked along the beach, looking for any clues offshore that might be linked to the missing boaters. Theyre going to be together.

Hours later, Stephanie McCluney announced that her husband's tackle bag was found 50 nautical miles off the coast of St. Augustine. The Coast Guard confirmed a volunteer who was assisting in the search discovered the bag. JFRD will start gridding the area and giving assignments again at 7 a.m. Tuesday from Mayport boat ramp. The Coast Guard was alerted at 8 p.m. Friday when they never returned to shore and weren't receiving texts or calls. Anyone with information about the boaters or who can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. - Family and friends continued to hold on to hope on the third day of searching for two firefighters lost at sea. Loved ones gathered Monday evening at Micker's Landing in northern St. Johns County for a prayer and beach walk. They held hands and stood in a circle as they flooded the ocean and beach with prayers. Then the walked along the beach, looking for any clues offshore that might be linked to the missing boaters. Theyre going to be together.

McCluneys brother alerted the Coast Guard when the pair did not return. These PFDs must meet requirements outlined by the Coast Guard, they should fit their wearers and be handy in the event of an emergency. Visual distress signalsAny boat that measures 16 feet or longer must have visual distress signals on board, according to the Coast Guard. Give a copy of the float plan to a loved one and keep them updated on your progress throughout the trip. If you're not sure you've covered all your bases, the Coast Guard has put together a complete guide to boating safety.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The search for two missing firefighters at sea, one from Jacksonville intensifies on day three. Due to the amount of people wanting to help in the search efforts for Firefighters Brian McCluney and Justin Walker. Interim Director Fire Chief Keith Powers said firefighters in Jacksonville will continue the search until their fellow firefighters are found. The Coast Guard was alerted at 8 p.m. Friday when they never returned to shore and weren't receiving texts or calls. Anyone with information about the boaters or can help in the search is asked to call the Coast Guard at 904-714-7565.

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images(CNN) - Authorities say they have searched almost 5,000 square miles of ocean for two firefighters who disappeared after setting out from Port Canaveral, Florida, on a fishing trip. Their destination was 8A Reef, an offshore fishing spot, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard, along with multiple local and county agencies, started searching by boat and air on Friday night. "I hoped that by daylight it would bring us something," McCluney's wife, Stephanie, told CNN affiliate WFTV on Saturday. As the search continues, the Coast Guard is asking for anyone with information to call 904-714-7558.

When they hadn't returned or contacted anyone by 8 p.m., McCluney's brother called the Coast Guard. "Coast Guard said they haven't seen any debris fields. Stephanie McCluney said she is impressed by the efforts of both the Coast Guard and JFRD. Stephanie McCluney said the two men know each other from fire school in South Florida. At about 8 p.m. Saturday, the 7th District U.S. Coast Guard tweeted that the search will continue throughout the night.