Latest news with #Arab-Americans
The Guardian
12-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Pro-Palestinian protester's lawyer stopped and searched at US border: ‘They were going to take my device'
Amir Makled thought he was being racially profiled. A Lebanese American who was born and raised in Detroit, the attorney was returning home from a family vacation in the Dominican Republic when he said an immigration official at the Detroit Metro airport asked for a 'TTRT' agent after scanning his passport on Sunday. Makled said the expression on the agent's face changed. He felt something 'odd' was happening. 'So I Googled what TTRT meant. I didn't know,' Makled said. 'And what I found out was it meant Tactical Terrorism Response Team. So immediately I knew they're gonna take me in for questioning. And that's when I felt like I was being racially profiled or targeted because I am Arab.' But it quickly became apparent, Makled said, that the stop was different from the type of so-called random stop Muslims and Arab-Americans have become accustomed to at US airports. The plainclothes immigration officer said he knew who Makled was and what he did for a living, according to the lawyer; agents wanted to search his phone. 'They made it clear right off the top: 'We know that you're an attorney and we know that you're taking on some higher-profile cases.' I was like, 'OK, well, what do you want from me?'' Makled recalled. Among the high-profile cases Makled has taken on recently: a pro-Palestinian student protester who was arrested at a demonstration at the University of Michigan. 'To me, there's a clear correlation when you think about what's been happening with all the student protesters across the country and the very explicit direction from the current administration about looking into attorneys who are taking on cases for people seeking asylum or these major law firms in Washington that he issued executive orders on,' he said. In the past few months, the Trump administration has set its sights on people protesting against Israel's ongoing attacks on Gaza. The administration has detained and attempted to deport student protesters who are in the US on visas and revoked the visas of more than 600 students, some in explicit retaliation for activism. Donald Trump has simultaneously signed executive orders that take aim at major law firms that have previously represented clients who opposed some of the president's interests by stripping them of their access to federal buildings. On top of that, device searches at US ports of entry are legally permissible under existing case law in most places. Fourth amendment protections provided by the US constitution, which guard against 'unreasonable search and seizure', are weaker at the US border. The officers never explained to him what they were looking for or why he was being stopped, according to Makled. They told the lawyer that he could either unlock his phone voluntarily or that they would confiscate it and look through it themselves, he said. Makled, who has been an attorney since 2012, uses his phone to speak to his clients. He told the officer much of the information on his device was privileged and that he would not hand it over. Agents asked him to write down what was privileged so they could look at other information on his device, he said, and he refused. After consulting with a supervisor, the official returned and said that he planned to take away Makled's device unless the lawyer gave up the list of contacts on it. Makled felt he had no choice but to acquiesce. 'Because they kept telling me they were just going to take the device,' he said. 'And I didn't want that to happen. I needed my device.' After downloading and then browsing his contacts, the immigration official asked Makled about five or six specific names. He refused to divulge any more information. He was eventually allowed to go home. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) told the Guardian that Makled's account was 'blatantly false and sensationalized'. According to the agency, the attorney underwent a routine, 90-minute secondary inspection that any traveler might face. Makled provided written consent for 'a limited search' of his phone, which was 'conducted in accordance with established protocols', CBP assistant commissioner Hilton Beckham said. 'He was then promptly released. Claims that this was an attack on his profession or were politically motivated are baseless. Our officers are following the law, not agendas,' Beckham said. Sophia Cope, a senior staff attorney at the digital rights group Electronic Frontier Foundation, called the search of Makled's phone 'outrageous'. Sign up to TechScape A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives after newsletter promotion 'CBP or [the Department of Homeland Security] could not show up at this attorney's office and say: 'give me your contact list' without a warrant,' Cope said. 'That would be completely illegal. But because this guy is at the border, and they want it for potentially just domestic monitoring and enforcement, somehow now the fourth amendment goes away.' Both citizens and non-citizens entering the US are potentially subject to having their phones searched at the border. Fourth amendment protections, which guard against 'unreasonable search and seizure', have been weakened at US points of entry. CBP's role is to stop people or goods that could pose a threat to the US from entering the country. In the case of US citizens, CBP may pull a traveler whom agents have security concerns about – anything from drug or sex trafficking to espionage concerns – but must ultimately admit them into the country, Cope said. However, there have been many recent cases of CBP pulling a US citizen about whom they have no border security concerns into a secondary screening at the behest of other federal agencies, Cope said. The FBI, for example, has in the past asked CBP to put flags on people's travel profiles so that when they cross the border they are pulled into secondary inspection, she said. 'That may be because the person is under domestic investigation themselves or because the traveler is associated with somebody who's under investigation and the government's just trying to get around the warrant requirement,' Cope said. Cope said that, based on the existing information, it doesn't appear Makled's stop was routine. 'If they tell him: 'We know you're a lawyer,' and then this terrorism flag popped up, that's not routine, that's pre-planned,' Cope said. CBP has access to a vast array of databases through which agents can gain access to personal information about individuals who are traveling into or out of the US. One of these repositories may have contained a 'lookout' designation for Makled, a flag on his file that can lead to a secondary screening. Those 'lookouts' can remain on a person's file as long as CBP deems them 'pertinent', according to documents revealed in a 2019 case in Massachusetts federal court. When Makled was finally released around two hours after he was first detained, he asked the official if he should expect to be stopped every time he traveled abroad. 'He's like, 'You might be stopped next time,'' Makled said. 'You might not. It depends on the agent that's working.'
Express Tribune
25-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
The unpredictable 30 days
Biden administration left the house with a harsher take on China and Trump is yet to make it worse. One month into the office, Trump has made some highly unpredictable moves, forcing dramatic changes in the US government. The Trump effect has been double-edged; where some of the executive orders have been criticized domestically, others have been appreciated at home and abroad. Where on the one hand, his take on US's policies on diversity faced stark criticism after he declared the existence of only two genders in the USA on his very first day; on the other hand, he was applauded for his tough take on illegal immigrants and plummeting government spending. Other unpredictable moves included wiping off entire US agencies like the USAID, creating the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) headed by Elon Musk, his unrealistic take on Gaza, and his renewed camaraderie with Putin. Throughout the campaign, Trump laid emphasis on domestic issues and challenges that threaten USA. In multiple rallies, Trump referred to USA as an 'occupied' and a "crooked' state; hence, the quick executive orders to address the issues of immigration and government spending. On China, the Biden administration left the house with a harsher take on China and Trump is yet to make it worse. Despite his aggressive rhetoric on China, Trump not only paused the ban on TikTok for 75 days, but also started a little lighter with tariffs. In the first week of February, Trump started with 10% duties on Chinese goods which are expected to rise as Trump tries to find a delicate balance between containing China's rise and fighting inflation and other economic repercussions of tariffs at home. Considered to be an anti-war personality, Trump was applauded for his role in making Israel and Hamas reach a ceasefire deal before he took office on January 20th. However, his stance on the issue took various turns. Trump pressurized Netanyahu to accept the deal before he took office, and proudly took the credit for it as the latter rejected the same proposal when proposed by Biden months earlier. Later, he suggested Jordan and Egypt to take the Palestinians stating the 'we just clean out that whole thing and say: 'You know, it's over.'' On the 5th of February, Trump went on to state that USA should 'own Gaza' while suggesting the 2 million Palestinians should be relocated somewhere else. This statement sparked criticism within and outside the USA. Critics equated such statement to provoking 'ethnic cleansing' of Palestinians. The shift of Arab-Americans and Muslims away from Biden was a crucial factor in Trump's victory in Michigan. Their frustrations with the Biden administration regarding aiding Israel with military equipment used for the genocide of Palestinians manifested in their vote for Trump. However, Trumps's plan to own Gaza did not bode well with the Arab Americans. Trump's aim to settle the middle eastern conflict at his earliest stem from his ambitious foreign policy agenda aimed at easing ties between Israel and the Arab states. However, such statements did not only prompt global condemnation, but also weakened the Trump's credibility at national level. Furthermore, such statement could also undermine the Abraham Accords- which was a major foreign policy success of Trump's first presidency and can undo other major foreign policy achievements of USA in West Asia. On the issue of Russia-Ukraine war, Trump delivered less despite his assertion on ending the Ukraine war in 24 hours. On February 18th, Trump and Putin met in Riyadh raising alarm bells in Europe and Ukraine. It was the first ever face to face meeting between the officials of both the states since the war started in 2022. However, exclusion of Ukraine from the talks ignited a war of words between Ukrainian President and Trump where the former claimed the latter to be living in a 'Russian-disinformation space' while the latter went on to call the former a 'dictator'. However, with the enduring unpredictability in Trump's era, it is yet to see if Trump succeeds in making Ukraine give up or if he comes up with another better idea in the days ahead. As for Russia, it is a great opportunity to mend the bilateral ties that have been at their lowest point in history, and to counter the USA efforts aimed at isolating Moscow since 2022. One major characteristic of his first month has been the vocal attacks and threats to foes and allies alike, which led him welcome confrontation at multiple fronts. The EU has already started looking for trade partners other than the USA; the alternatives which will only hurt Trump administration economically and diplomatically. Furthermore, the trade war with China and the stringent sanctions have already backfired, with Chinese Deepseek proving that sanctions and tariffs have become a redundant foreign policy tool in contemporary times. Allies may also look for formation of blocs with China and Russia that does not include the USA. In conclusion, Trump's approach to dealing with major national and international issues has been a mix of pragmatism and lunacy. Trump's first 30 days have set the stage for a presidency unlike any other. Even though it is too soon to predict his full agenda, one thing is certain: his presidency will leave an indelible mark on history, for better or worse.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How a Tennessee woman turned surrogate for her former high school teacher
Duck River, Tennessee — For as long as they've been married, Ashley and Spencer Totty of Duck River, Tennessee, have dreamed of raising more than just the cows they have on their farm. The former high school teacher and her utility lineman husband, married since October 2014, both really wanted a family. "I've always wanted to be a mom," the 35-year-old Ashley told CBS News. "And we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. And we still don't know why." The couple had five miscarriages. In vitro fertilization treatments didn't work, and the dream faded. That is when Ashley received a message described by Spencer as "completely out of the blue." Now, she believes it was sent by God. But at the time it came in the form of a note through Facebook Messenger, sent by a former student from long ago who had heard what the couple was going through. "It's weighed heavy on my heart for several years now," the note from 27-year-old Hannah Dearman read. "Idk (I don't know) where you are with your journey to motherhood, or what your circumstances are. However, If you ever need a surrogate, I'd love to help you become a mom. I hope this isn't weird, but I love you and feel like you're a wonderful person and would be the best mom. I have prayed for you often." How did Ashley respond? "I was like, you know what, at this point, nothing is crazy to me," Ashley said. Dearman, a mother of three, remembers her old teacher vividly. "She was just so loving and kind," Dearman told CBS News. "And she's caring. She has a great personality." So even though she had hardly seen Ashley since graduation, Dearman offered to carry her baby for free. "I needed to fulfill this," Dearman said. Dearman gave birth to Sophie Leigh Totty on July 29, 2024. Sophie is now about 7 months old and as happy as they come. She is a bubbly bundle of proof that good begets good, and often, miracles come to those who deserve them most. "It reassures me that there's a tremendous amount of positivity in the world," Spencer said. "She is so selfless," Ashley said of Dearman. "She's an angel on earth." Arab-Americans who voted for Trump react to Gaza takeover plan Search for plane that went missing off Alaska with 10 people on board Netanyahu's response on U.S. soldiers in Gaza for Trump's plan
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
How a Tennessee woman turned surrogate for her former high school teacher
Duck River, Tennessee — For as long as they've been married, Ashley and Spencer Totty of Duck River, Tennessee, have dreamed of raising more than just the cows they have on their farm. The former high school teacher and her utility lineman husband, married since October 2014, both really wanted a family. "I've always wanted to be a mom," the 35-year-old Ashley told CBS News. "And we were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. And we still don't know why." The couple had five miscarriages. In vitro fertilization treatments didn't work, and the dream faded. That is when Ashley received a message described by Spencer as "completely out of the blue." Now, she believes it was sent by God. But at the time it came in the form of a note through Facebook Messenger, sent by a former student from long ago who had heard what the couple was going through. "It's weighed heavy on my heart for several years now," the note from 27-year-old Hannah Dearman read. "Idk (I don't know) where you are with your journey to motherhood, or what your circumstances are. However, If you ever need a surrogate, I'd love to help you become a mom. I hope this isn't weird, but I love you and feel like you're a wonderful person and would be the best mom. I have prayed for you often." How did Ashley respond? "I was like, you know what, at this point, nothing is crazy to me," Ashley said. Dearman, a mother of three, remembers her old teacher vividly. "She was just so loving and kind," Dearman told CBS News. "And she's caring. She has a great personality." So even though she had hardly seen Ashley since graduation, Dearman offered to carry her baby for free. "I needed to fulfill this," Dearman said. Dearman gave birth to Sophie Leigh Totty on July 29, 2024. Sophie is now about 7 months old and as happy as they come. She is a bubbly bundle of proof that good begets good, and often, miracles come to those who deserve them most. "It reassures me that there's a tremendous amount of positivity in the world," Spencer said. "She is so selfless," Ashley said of Dearman. "She's an angel on earth." Arab-Americans who voted for Trump react to Gaza takeover plan Search for plane that went missing off Alaska with 10 people on board Netanyahu's response on U.S. soldiers in Gaza for Trump's plan
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement checks will be disbursed soon
Blue Cross Blue Shield payments to about six million people are set to go out, more than two years after the health insurer reached a $2.67 million settlement with subscribers. Notices of payments to claimants are being emailed on a rolling basis, according to an update on the BCBS settlement website. The settlement stems from a class action lawsuit alleging that more than 35 BCBS health insurance plans violated antitrust laws by agreeing not to compete with one another, thereby limiting competition in the health insurance market. The defendants deny allegations of wrongdoing. "Instead, Plaintiffs and Settling Defendants have agreed to a Settlement to avoid the risk and cost of further litigation," the update on the settlement site reads. Who gets a check? Participants must have filed claims by Nov. 5 2021 to be eligible to receive a payment from the $2.67 billion settlement fund. Subscribers who were covered by certain Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance or administrative services plans between February 2008 and October 2020 are potential class members. The site does not indicate when notices of payments will be sent. How are individual payments determined? Individual payment amounts are determined based on the number of valid claims that are filed, the premiums paid to one or more of the defendants during one of two class periods, and whether one's insurance was fully insured or self-funded. "The Settlement Class Period for Individuals and Insured Groups is from Feb.7, 2008, through Oct. 16, 2020," according to the settlement website. "The Settlement Class Period for Self-Funded Accounts is from Sept. 1, 2015 through Oct. 16, 2020." If the total payment for any claimant is equal to or less than $5.00, the claimant won't receive a check. After deducting attorney's fees and administrative costs, the net settlement fund is worth approximately $1.9 billion, which will be distributed across roughly 6 million claimants. On average, claimants can expect checks of $333. Arab-Americans who voted for Trump react to Gaza takeover plan Search for plane that went missing off Alaska with 10 people on board Netanyahu's response on U.S. soldiers in Gaza for Trump's plan
