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Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Deaf Mongolian man faces deportation without due process
[Source] A deaf Mongolian man has spent over 80 days detained at California's Otay Mesa Detention Center without seeing an immigration judge or accessing a Mongolian Sign Language interpreter, raising due process concerns amid President Donald Trump's expanded deportation enforcement. About the man and his case: The detainee, identified only as Bay, reportedly entered the U.S. in February and surrendered immediately to Border Patrol agents while carrying a letter translated into English that requested asylum. Agents, however, rejected the document, refusing to accept it or even look at it, his attorney Andrea Montavon-McKillip told KPBS. Officials processed Bay through expedited removal, bypassing the credible fear screening that Trump administration executive orders have eliminated, leaving him able to only write 'Mongolia' on a piece of paper and 'use body language to indicate that he was afraid' during his assessment. Montavon-McKillip has filed a federal motion to prevent his client's deportation. 'Trapped in silence': Bay's sister, Bema, a U.S. citizen living in Virginia hoping to sponsor him, described her brother's situation as being 'trapped in silence.' 'He's completely cut off from understanding or participating in what's happening to him, that's what breaks my heart,' Bema told KPBS. Trending on NextShark: She emphasized that Bay has no criminal record in Mongolia and pleaded, 'Just give him a chance to tell his story. All we are asking for is fairness on his part.' The big picture: Bay's detention comes amid the Trump administration's sweeping deportation efforts, including nationwide expansion of expedited removal and termination of protections. Federal enforcement now focuses on individuals described as 'the worst of the worst' while authorizing 'collateral arrests' of others encountered during operations. The exact number of undocumented illegal migrants from Mongolia is unknown, but census data shows roughly 50,000 Americans identified as Mongolian in 2023, making them the 19th-largest Asian origin group and comprising about 0.2% of the nation's Asian population. Trending on NextShark: This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what we're building, consider becoming a paid member — your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today!
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Government takes drastic step to protect thousands of households threatened by poisoned air: 'We keep fighting'
In an effort to help residents breathe easier, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District is distributing 10,000 air purifiers to South Bay households. The distribution program aims to ease the impact of the ongoing Tijuana River Valley pollution crisis, which has sent noxious odors and pollution into nearby neighborhoods for years. "No one should have to breathe polluted air in their own home," said SDAPCD board member and county supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer in a KPBS news report. The free purifiers are part of the Air Improvement Relief Effort and are designed to filter out hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells like rotten eggs and is linked to sewage pollution from the Tijuana River. According to Lawson-Remer, the initiative will help "10,000 households protect their health, while we keep fighting for clean air and water in our community." Due to limited supply, families with children, seniors 65 and older, and homes closest to the Tijuana River will get priority for the air purifiers. Households can register on the SDAPCD website to receive a unit by mail. Local distribution events will also be held. Clean air is essential to healthy living, yet more than 83 million people in the United States are exposed to unhealthy air every year, according to First Street. That figure includes 10 million people who may have exposure to very unhealthy air quality and 1.5 million people who are at risk of experiencing hazardous air quality. For the communities around the Tijuana River, odor is just one concern. Experts have linked long-term exposure to air pollution to skin conditions such as eczema and increased risk of dementia and cognitive decline. If no meaningful action is taken, studies show that the number of Americans affected by poor air quality could increase by more than 50% by 2054. The air purifier distribution effort is just one piece of a larger puzzle. Local officials and the International Boundary and Water Commission are working on long-term solutions, including expanding a nearby wastewater treatment plant to help reduce pollution at the source. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In the meantime, residents can take small steps to protect their indoor air, including sealing windows and doors, using exhaust fans while cooking, and replacing old HVAC filters regularly. Another way you can make an impact is by using your voice and speaking up to your local representatives. Communities are stronger when people work together to make change happen. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
