Latest news with #Nicaragua
New York Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Judge Extends Protections for Migrants From Nepal, Honduras and Nicaragua
A federal judge blocked the Trump administration on Thursday from ending deportation protections for more than 60,000 migrants from Nepal, Honduras and Nicaragua, writing in a withering order that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had perpetuated xenophobic stereotypes and racist conspiracy theories in her drive to suspend their legal status. The administration's actions have amounted to asking migrants 'to atone for their race, leave because of their names and purify their blood,' Judge Trina L. Thompson of the Northern District of California wrote. 'The court disagrees.' The administration is trying to end protections for Hondurans, Nicaraguans and Nepalis through a program known as Temporary Protected Status, which is intended to shield migrants from deportation if their home countries are facing natural disasters or conflict. The changes were set to go into effect in the coming weeks, but Judge Thompson blocked them at least until a hearing set for Nov. 18. 'By stereotyping the T.P.S. program and immigrants as invaders that are criminal, and by highlighting the need for migration management, Secretary Noem's statements perpetuate the discriminatory belief that certain immigrant populations will replace the white population,' she wrote. 'Color is neither a poison nor a crime,' she added. Among other comments, Judge Thompson cited Ms. Noem's reference to immigrants in a news interview as 'some of the most dangerous people in the world' and her remarks that other countries were emptying 'their prisons, their mental institutions' and sending those people to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment late Thursday night. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
CBS News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Judge delays termination of legal status for immigrants from Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua
A federal judge in California temporarily blocked the Trump administration from ending the legal status and deportation protections for tens of thousands of immigrants from Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua. While it could be suspended by a higher court, the ruling is a reprieve for more than 60,000 immigrants who had been previously allowed by the U.S. government to live and work in the country legally for years and in some cases, since the late 1990s, under the Temporary Protected Status program. Immigrants from Nepal enrolled in the TPS program were set to lose their legal status next week, on Aug. 5. TPS holders from Honduras and Nicaragua, meanwhile, were slated to see their work permits and deportation protections under the program expire in early September. U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ordered the planned TPS terminations for these countries to be postponed through at least Nov. 18, when she scheduled a hearing on the merits of a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's decision. Thompson said the delay could be extended beyond Nov. 18. Created by Congress in 1990, TPS allows the Department of Homeland Security to offer a temporary safe haven — in the form of deportation deferrals and work authorization — to immigrants from countries beset by armed conflict, an environmental disaster or other crises. Those enrolled in TPS are generally immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally or who arrived legally on temporary visas and then applied for the humanitarian program. The Trump administration has sought to severely curtail TPS programs, arguing that some of them are contrary to U.S. national interests and that they've been in place for too long, despite their temporary nature and improved conditions in the relevant countries. The administration, for example, has noted that the TPS programs for Honduras and Nicaragua were first created in 1999, after Hurricane Mitch caused catastrophic floods and killed thousands in Central America. The TPS program for Nepal was announced in 2015, after an earthquake hit the small Asian country. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has said all three countries have recovered from those environmental disasters. But Thompson, the San Francisco-based federal judge, said the TPS holders who sued the Trump administration were likely to succeed in their arguments that Noem's decisions were "preordained" actions that did not fully consider lingering conditions in Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua. Thompson, who was appointed by former President Biden, also found the plaintiffs were likely to prevail in arguing that Noem's decisions were "motivated by racial animus." Thompson cited statements by Noem that she said stereotyped the TPS program and associated immigrants with criminality. The judge also referenced a comment made by President Trump during the 2024 campaign in which he said migrants entering the U.S. illegally were "poisoning the blood of our country." "The freedom to live fearlessly, the opportunity of liberty, and the American dream. That is all Plaintiffs seek. Instead, they are told to atone for their race, leave because of their names, and purify their blood. The Court disagrees," Thompson wrote in her order. Representatives for DHS did not immediately respond to a request to comment on Thursday's court order, including on the judge's suggestion that the TPS terminations were linked to racial animus. According to official government statistics, there are 72,000 Hondurans, 12,700 Nepalis and 4,000 Nicaraguans enrolled in the TPS policy. Some of them, however, have been able to gain green cards, or lawful permanent U.S. residency, including 21,000 of the Honduran TPS holders. An estimated 5,500 and 1,100 TPS holders from Nepal and Nicaragua, respectively, have also become permanent residents, according to government data. Since Mr. Trump took office, his administration has announced plans to terminate TPS for hundreds of thousands of immigrants, including Afghans, Cameroonians, Haitians and Venezuelans. Federal courts have blocked some of those terminations, but the Supreme Court allowed the administration to revoke the TPS protections of more than 300,000 Venezuelans.
Washington Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
Judge extends migrant status protections for 60,000 people from Central America and Nepal
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge in California extended on Thursday temporary protected status for 60,000 people from Central America and Asia, including people from Nepal, Honduras and Nicaragua. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem determined that conditions in their home country no longer warranted protections. Temporary Protected Status designations for an estimated 7,000 from Nepal was scheduled to end Aug. 5. And protections allowing 51,000 Hondurans and nearly 3,000 Nicaraguans to reside and work lawfully in the U.S. for more than 25 years were set to expire Sept. 8. The secretary said both Honduras and Nicaragua had made 'significant progress' in recovering from 1998's Hurricane Mitch.
Al Jazeera
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Sandinista veteran, Ortega ally, arrested in Nicaragua corruption probe
Nicaraguan authorities have arrested Bayardo Arce, a senior Sandinista figure and longtime economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, amid an escalating internal purge within the country's ruling elite. According to Nicaraguan media, Arce, 76, was detained early Thursday morning following a raid by dozens of police officers on his home in Managua. He had been under house arrest since Sunday, reports said. The Attorney General's Office, controlled by the Ortega government, announced Wednesday it had launched a corruption probe against Arce, accusing him of 'illegal transactions and negotiations' related to properties and businesses allegedly tied to state interests. Prosecutors claim Arce refused to cooperate or present documentation when questioned. His aide, Ricardo Bonilla, was arrested a day earlier for allegedly refusing to 'render accounts', officials added. The Nicaraguan news outlet Confidencial reported that Arce's detention is part of a broader purge being directed by Vice President Rosario Murillo, Ortega's wife and co-ruler, with the president's full support. Sources close to the exiled opposition believe Murillo is consolidating power in preparation for succession, as Ortega's health visibly deteriorates. In recent public appearances, Ortega, now 79, has appeared frail and unsteady. He is reported to suffer from lupus and kidney failure, raising speculation about who may eventually replace him. Arce is the third prominent Sandinista veteran to be placed under house arrest this year. Henry Ruiz, another historic commander, was confined in March. Humberto Ortega, the president's brother and a former army chief, was under similar restrictions before his death in September 2024. Arce and Daniel Ortega were close comrades during the 1979 Sandinista revolution that toppled United States-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza. After decades in and out of power, Ortega returned to the presidency in 2007 and has remained in office through successive elections that many have criticised as undemocratic. The arrests have sent a chilling message across Nicaragua's political landscape, particularly among veteran revolutionaries who once stood alongside Ortega and are now facing marginalisation or detention.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Bahlam Capital Provides Mezzanine Loan to Doselva P.B.C.
GRANADA, Nicaragua, July 31, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bahlam Capital ("Bahlam"), a Central American-based private equity firm focused on transformational growth opportunities, announced that it provided growth capital in the form of a mezzanine loan to Doselva Public Benefit Corporation ("Doselva" or "the Company"). Since the investment, Doselva has continued to expand its operations across Nicaragua and Honduras, sourcing organic turmeric, ginger, cardamom, allspice, lemongrass, and vanilla from hundreds of smallholder farmers. The Company aggregates, processes, and exports these spices to leading U.S. brands. With a focus on traceability, quality, and sustainability, Doselva has earned a reputation as a trusted supplier to blue-chip buyers. In a region where agricultural value chains are often fragmented and opaque, Doselva's vertically-integrated model offers a rare combination of reliability, scale, and impact. Beyond its role as a reliable exporter, Doselva creates meaningful impact by helping farmers earn significantly higher incomes than they would with traditional crops. The Company also provides technical training and agronomic support, helping farmers adopt more sustainable and productive practices. "We look for companies that have demonstrated resilience in challenging environments, and Doselva is a great example of that," said Michael Barjum, Managing Partner at Bahlam Capital. "We know how difficult it can be to operate in Central America and backing entrepreneurs like Jefferson is one of the reasons we launched Bahlam." Jefferson Shriver, CEO of Doselva, commented, "Bahlam's operating experience and strong network in Central America made them an ideal partner. Having local fund managers who understand the region's challenges and opportunities is critical for businesses like ours." This is Bahlam's first investment in Nicaragua. The firm continues to deepen its footprint across the region through targeted investments that combine operational rigor with long-term development potential. "We remain deeply committed to Central America and firmly believe that private capital—applied strategically—is vital to the region's development," added Barjum. "Investors occasionally ask us whether Bahlam is impact-focused or return-driven. Bahlam is a commercial fund manager first, but our track record shows that generating strong returns and fostering positive impact are not mutually exclusive endeavors. Our investment in Doselva is proof of that." About Doselva Founded in 2017, Doselva is dedicated to producing and exporting high-quality organic spices from Central America. Working with over 300 smallholder farmers, the company promotes regenerative agroforestry practices by offering technical support, inputs, and guaranteed market access. Doselva's model improves rural livelihoods while advancing sustainable agriculture. For more: About Bahlam Capital Founded in 2023, Bahlam provides transformational capital to mid-sized companies across Central America. The firm identifies, funds, and executes on the most promising growth opportunities for companies in the region. Bahlam seeks businesses at an inflection point, eager to expand their commercial offering or move up the value-creation chain, focusing on four main sectors: business services, consumer, manufacturing, and agro-processing. The firm combines operational rigor with local insights to drive value. Bahlam has offices in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, and Boston, Massachusetts. For more: or follow us at View source version on Contacts mbarjum@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
