Latest news with #DepartmentforHomelandSecurity
Boston Globe
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
French lawmaker says he was denied entry into US
He was set to meet with progressive lawmakers, he said, including Senator Peter Welch, a Vermont Democrat, and Representative Maxine Dexter, an Oregon Democrat. But, he said, on Tuesday he was told that his visa application had been rejected. Advertisement 'The door was shut in a rather abrupt and unexpected manner,' Amirshahi said in a telephone interview. 'This is a decision that we consider to be both hostile and unfriendly.' A member of his team said later Thursday that the embassy was 'reconsidering the reasons for the refusal.' A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Paris declined to comment and referred the matter to US Customs and Border Protection, which did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Increasing numbers of travelers to the United States have reported being denied entry and being subjected to tougher scrutiny, or 'enhanced vetting.' The Trump administration says it is enforcing immigration laws and protecting Americans. Critics argue that officials are targeting foreigners who have criticized President Trump's policies. In March, the French government accused the United States of denying entry to a French scientist after the scientist expressed opposition to Trump. The Department for Homeland Security said it was because the academic had confidential information from a US laboratory on his phone. Amirshahi said he applied for a visa on May 19 after his request for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization form, which foreign travelers to the United States are required to obtain before visiting the United States, was denied. The US Embassy in Paris asked for the reason for his trip and a referral letter from the French Foreign Ministry, which was supplied on June 4. Almost two weeks later, his application was denied. Amirshahi said he hoped the administration would reverse its decision in the coming days. He had initially planned to travel to the United States on June 11. 'We are primarily concerned with promoting parliamentary diplomacy, and the right of lawmakers to travel abroad, in order to be better informed in their actions,' he said in the news conference. 'We do not live in a vacuum today; interconnection is a reality.' Amirshahi, who was born in Iran in 1972 and whose family fled to France in 1976, said he did not believe his background was the cause of the refusal. Advertisement He became a French citizen in 1996, he said, and has publicly opposed the Iranian regime. 'My relationship with this theocratic regime is quite tenuous, since I hate them,' he said. 'I have fought them and will continue to fight them.' This article originally appeared in
See - Sada Elbalad
11-06-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Social and Political Divisions in the United States over Immigration Policies
Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelwahab The media is following the widespread protests that have erupted in Los Angeles since the end of last week, following raids carried out by Federal immigration authorities against undocumented immigrants, which resulted in the arrest of dozens. The protests were concentrated in predominantly Latino neighborhoods and, in some areas, turned into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. This prompted Donald Trump to order the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to the city, with Marines placed on alert. The mayor of Los Angeles and the governor of California considered this an "Unjustified" escalation, given that Los Angeles is home to one of the largest Latino and immigrant communities in America. The arrests and escalation are part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten immigration policies and target what are known as "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal authorities. Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the U.S.-Mexico border. The White House has set a goal for immigration authorities to detain at least 3,000 migrants per day. This has made California and Los Angeles a constant flashpoint for tension between federal and local authorities over immigration issues. California is a Democratic stronghold, and Trump has repeatedly criticized its policies. The state embraces liberal policies on immigration, environmental, and civil rights issues, while the US president promotes conservative and hardline policies, particularly on immigration. It can be argued that the protests and popular anger witnessed in some cities reflect the extent of the societal and political division in the United States over immigration policies and also highlight the confrontation between the federal government, state authorities, and major cities. As everyone awaits the repercussions of relations between Washington and the California authorities, and the future of immigration policies, the protests spread from Los Angeles to other cities in California, such as San Francisco, where police arrested 60 demonstrators during violent confrontations. Houston and San Antonio, Texas, also witnessed mass demonstrations demanding an end to forced deportations. California Governor Gavin Newsom also criticized President Trump's decision to deploy the National Guard troops to Los Angeles and called for its revocation, while Department for Homeland Security spokesperson Trisha McLaughlin described the stance of both the governor and the mayor as "Disgusting," and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem Los Angeles protests are "professionally done," with demonstrators being "paid," adding that the mayor had protected criminals for years. The media debate resulted in sharp partisan polarization, which was reflected in the speech of Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, who stated that Trump seeks to transform America into an "authoritarian state that silences the opposition." On the other hand, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas praised the deployment of the National Guard, considering that what is happening in Los Angeles is "Just the tip of the iceberg," noting in this context what candidate Trump said in November 2024 and his criticism of the previous administration by saying that the current administration - Biden - is obstructing the construction of a border wall with Mexico. The Guardian published a report titled " Trump Uses LA Protests to Redirect Dissent from Policy Failures ". The report focuses on Trump's use of the Los Angeles protests as a tool to direct public anger away from "the enemy from within," his opponents on the radical left. This is the first time in six decades that a US president has activated the National Guard without a request from the state governor. Political circles view this as an authoritarian move and a dangerous escalation of the undermining of democratic norms, amid threats to use the military and the Insurrection Act against protesters. Trump has been criticized for rewriting the history of political violence and inciting his base through right-wing media, with no dissenting voices within the new administration, which is different from Trump's first term, as the current staff does not review his decisions and directions. CNN reported in mid-November that Trump's plans to implement strict border measures were already underway and that the Trump team had laid the groundwork for plans to expand detention centers on the border and had developed plans to deport undocumented immigrants from all over America. It is also worth noting an opinion poll conducted by Reuters in April 2025, which showed that Donald Trump's popularity had declined to its lowest level since his return to the White House. The results of the poll, which was conducted over 6 days, were as follows: * Trump's job approval rating fell to 42%, compared to 43% three weeks ago and 47% after his inauguration. * Despite the decline, Trump's popularity remains higher than during most of Joe Biden's presidency. * 83% of respondents agreed that the president should comply with federal court rulings, even if he was against his wishes. * 57%, including one-third of Republicans, disagreed with the statement that "it's okay for a U.S. president to withhold funding from universities if the president doesn't agree with how the university is run,'. * 66% said the president should not run prestigious cultural institutions such as museums and theaters. * On issues such as inflation, immigration, taxes, and the rule of law, those who disapproved of Trump's performance outnumbered those who supported him. * On immigration, 45% approved of his performance, while 46% disapproved. Notable, Donald Trump declared at the end of last April that he had achieved in the first 100 days of his presidency, which began last January, "What no previous administration in the history of the United States had achieved,' defending his policies since taking office last January, especially about imposing tariffs on all countries of the world, deporting immigrants, and heralded that this was the country's golden age. read more Analysis- Turkey Has 0 Regional Allies... Why? Analysis: Russia, Turkey... Libya in Return For Syria? Analysis: Who Will Gain Trump's Peace Plan Fruits? Analysis: Will Turkey's Erdogan Resort to Snap Election? Analysis: What Are Turkey's Aspirations in Iraq? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Mercenaries In Libya... Who Should Be Blamed? Opinion & Analysis Analysis- How 'Libya Nightmare' Takes Erdogan to Algiers Opinion & Analysis Analysis: What Happens After Brexit? Opinion & Analysis Analysis: Strategic Significance of Libya's Sirte, Jufra! 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NZ Herald
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
TV show where migrants compete for US citizenship considered by Homeland Security
The winner would obtain fast-tracked citizenship and would be sworn in on the steps of the US Capitol in Washington DC. Show celebrates immigration process 'Along the way, we will be reminded what it means to be American – through the eyes of the people who want it most,' reads Worsoff's pitch, which was seen by 'As an immigrant myself, I am merely trying to make a show that celebrates the immigration process, celebrate what it means to be American and have a national conversation about what it means to be American, through the eyes of the people who want it most,' the Canadian-born Worsoff, 49, said. He insisted the show was not a 'hunger game' for immigrants, with losers facing deportation. 'This is not, 'Hey, if you lose, we are shipping you out on a boat out of the country'.' This is not the first time Worsoff has floated the plans, having first pitched the show during the Obama administration, but Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's appetite for publicity will likely have encouraged him about the viability of the show under the current administration. In late March, Noem, nicknamed 'ICE Barbie', posed in front of caged prisoners in El Salvador's notorious mega-prison Cecot, with perfectly coiffured hair and in full make-up. Standing in front of the barred prison cells, with tattooed, shaven-headed deportees as a backdrop, she said: 'I also want everybody to know, if you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you could face.' The Department for Homeland Security confirmed the proposals were 'under consideration' but had not been seen by Noem. It is 'in the very beginning stages of that vetting process', a spokeswoman said, adding: 'Each proposal undergoes a thorough vetting process prior to denial or approval.' However, suggestions that Noem had backed the plans were 'completely false', the department's spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said. American Immigration Lawyers president Kelli Stump told the Telegraph: 'From what I've read about this 'idea', my legal thought is 'how?' Congress sets the laws for who can become a citizen and the process on how to become one. Not the President.' Stump said she was horrified by allowing people to compete for citizenship. 'I just feel like making them compete in a Hunger Games / Squid Game reality show really undermines the sacred process… all for what? Ratings? America isn't a TikTok reel.' Already, up to 55,000 US immigrants participate in the Green Card Lottery. Known officially as the Diversity Immigrant Visa, the programme was introduced under the 1990 Immigration Act, which was passed with bipartisan support.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fema officials sacked over alleged $59m payments for migrant hotels
Four Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) officials have been sacked after allegedly spending millions of dollars on hotels for illegal migrants. The individuals, including the agency's chief financial officer, are accused of 'gross insubordination' by breaching Donald Trump's executive order to spend $59 million on housing migrants in New York City. The Department for Homeland Security (DHS) labelled the group 'deep state activists' and said they had been sacked as of Tuesday morning. 'Effective immediately, Fema is terminating the employment of four individuals for circumventing leadership to unilaterally make egregious payments for luxury NYC hotels for migrants,' it said in a statement. 'Firings include Fema's Chief Financial Officer, two programme analysts and a grant specialist.' Elon Musk, the US government's efficiency tsar, said on social media: 'Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the president's executive order.' 'That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high end hotels for illegals! A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds.' Mr Trump ordered the creation of a council to review 'serious concerns of political bias' at Fema just days after taking office. In November, a Fema official was suspended after allegedly ordering disaster relief workers to avoid homes owned by Mr Trump's supporters as they worked to clear devastation wreaked on Florida by Hurricane Milton. 'Fema… has lost mission focus, diverting limited staff and resources to support missions beyond its scope and authority, spending well over a billion dollars to welcome illegal aliens,' the executive order reads. It does not appear to make any explicit directions about the agency's spending or day-to-day operations. New York City Hall confirmed to Fox News that it had received funds 'through the past week' that had been allocated to house illegal migrants. It said that $19 million had been used to pay directly for hotels, while the remainder was directed to services such as food or security. None of the money was taken from a disaster relief grant, it added. Cameron Hamilton, who was appointed Fema's acting head by Mr Trump last month, said payments being sent to New York migrant hotels had been suspended as of Sunday. Ahead of November's presidential election, Mr Trump repeatedly claimed that 'billions of dollars' intended for disaster relief efforts in states hit by Hurricane Milton had been diverted to pay for illegal migrants. Although Fema has a role in migrant resettlement, it cannot move money to or from these schemes because this is decided by an Act of Congress. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince Harry criticises 'weak moral character in the world' in Invictus Games opening speech
Prince Harry criticised the 'weak moral character in the world' just hours after Donald Trump called his wife 'terrible'. The Duke of Sussex, 40, made the remark during his speech at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for wounded, injured, and sick military personnel, including both active service members and veterans. He delivered his speech to a crowd of 40,000 at the BC Stadium in Vancouver, Canada, where artists including Katy Perry and Chris Martin performed. 'At this moment, when there is no shortage of crises, no absence of uncertainty, no lack of weak moral character in the world, the values you embody, the way you carry yourselves – not only at the Invictus Games, but each and every day – your courage, your resilience, your humanity, illuminate a path forward for us all,' Prince Harry said. It comes after Donald Trump said he had no plans to deport Prince Harry from the US adding the royal has 'enough problems' with his wife. The US President took a swipe at Meghan Markle amid the Duke of Sussex's legal battle over his immigration status. On Friday, Trump said: 'I don't want to do that. 'I'll leave him alone. He's got enough problems with his wife. She's terrible.' In Spare, his 2023 memoir, Harry admitted taking cocaine several times as a teenager and experimented with cannabis and mushrooms. It prompted the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing US think tank, to suggest he had lied on his documentation or could have been given special treatment by Joe Biden's administration when he stepped back from royal duties and relocated to California after 'Megxit'. The group launched a legal battle against Department for Homeland Security, but in September 2024, the case was closed when a judge ruled that Harry's application would remain private. Prince Harry also paid tribute to the indigenous people of Canada during his speech, saying: 'I would like to begin by honouring the First Nations, who are hosting this year's Games. Lílwat, Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh.' Addressing the hundreds of competitors, he added: 'We need you. And we'll always need you.'The Games were born more than a decade ago, from a promise I made to myself. 'A promise to uphold my obligation – a sacred obligation after my own decade and privilege of military service – to do whatever I could to help my fellow brothers and sisters heal, and to champion everything we stand for. 'Over the past decade I've lost count of the times we've heard you tell us that the Invictus Games saved you. 'Respectfully, I disagree. Invictus didn't save you. You saved yourself.' The 2025 Invictus Games are currently underway in Vancouver and Whistler, Canada, from February 8 to 16, 2025. This marks the first time the event features winter adaptive sports, including alpine skiing, Nordic skiing and wheelchair curling, alongside traditional sports.
