Latest news with #borderpolicy
The Independent
02-06-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Fetterman blasts Democrats for Biden ‘chaos' at the border
Senator John Fetterman had some sharp words for his fellow Democrats on Monday, accusing their recent border policy under the Biden administration of being a colossal 'mistake,' the latest sign of his growing tension with his party. 'I thought the border was really important and our party did not handle the border appropriately. Look at the numbers — 260,000, 300,000 people showing up our borders,' Fetterman told the audience at a debate with his Republican colleague Senator Dave McCormick. 'We can't pretend we can take care of 300,000 people showing up every month,' Fetterman added, referencing the December 2023 peak level of immigrant encounters at the border under Biden. 'That's roughly the size of Pittsburgh,' he continued. 'Now, that's unacceptable, and that's a national security issue, and that's chaos.' The most recent data shows there were about 29,000 such encounters nationwide in April 2025. As The Independent has reported, the Biden administration in fact preserved many parts of the first Trump administration's big-picture border strategy, including fast-track entry denials using emergency Covid powers, asylum restrictions, and continuing to construct parts of the border wall. During the debate, Fetterman went on that his views, which include both supporting immigrants and investments like the Trump administration's proposed $12 billion border spending package, 'puts me at odds with my party and my base.' Elsewhere during the debate at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate in Boston, Fetterman spoke about other tension areas with his fellow Democrats, arguing 'parts' of the base had turned their backs on Israel during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and widespread U.S. pro-Palestine protests. 'That's not free speech, building tent cities on a campus and terrorizing and intimidating Jewish students, that's not free speech,' he said. 'And now we really lost, we've lost the argument in parts of my party, and for me, that moral clarity, it's really firmly on Israel.' Since Trump took office, Fetterman has repeatedly clashed with parts of the leftward wing of his party over issues like co-sponsoring the Laken Riley Act, which calls requires federal detention of undocumented immigrants accused of a variety of crimes, as well as voting to confirm Trump officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi. More than just one-off disagreements, Fetterman has called on the party to get its 's*** together' soon and reorient, lest it become a 'permanent minority.' 'We really got our a**** kicked in, and especially in the Senate, we could have been left a gigantic, smoking hole in the ground,' Fetterman told Politico. 'We could have easily lost Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin, and we could be staring down, 56-44.' The criticisms have prompted speculation he's planning to change party, which he dismisses. 'I've been on record ... saying I am not going to become a Republican, you know, although maybe some people might be happy on one side,' Fetterman said earlier this year. 'But I would make a pretty terrible Republican, because, you know, [I'm] pro-choice, pro really strong immigration, pro-LGBTQ … I don't think I'd be a good fit.' Others in the party have expressed concern over Fetterman's fitness for office, after a damning May profile in New York Magazine quoted current and former staffers claiming Fetterman was in poor mental health. The piece described Fetterman, who had a stroke in 2022 and was hospitalized for depression a year later, as continuing to struggle with the demands of office. In one alleged incident, amid the contentious confirmation process for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Fetterman reportedly 'spent part of the day locked in his office, fighting with [his wife] Gisele and crying while FaceTiming with staff.' The piece also claimed Fetterman was involved in a 2024 car wreck that injured his wife, despite alleged concerns from staffers he shouldn't get behind the wheel of a car. 'This hit piece came from best friends – Adam Jentleson and Ben Terris – who sourced anonymous, disgruntled staffers with lies or distorted half-truths. My ACTUAL doctors and my family affirmed that I'm very well,' Fetterman told The Independent in a statement. Despite the dismissals, some fellow Democrats continue to show concern about Fetterman's health. 'Every time I see him, I'm worried about him,' one anonymous Democrat told The Hill. 'I know we're all in touch with each other, having conversations about how to intervene. I haven't heard anybody say they're not worried about it,' the senator added. 'People are trying to figure out what to do. People are worried about his safety.'
The National
21-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Toronto instead of New York City: Top alternatives to US destinations
The number of visitors to the US has dropped in recent months, with tighter border policies under US President Donald Trump impacting tourism. In February, the number of overnight visitors from Arab countries fell by 9.5 per cent compared to the same month last year, according to the US International Trade Administration. With the US losing its appeal, other cities around the world with similar cultural, dining and other tourism attractions are becoming more popular. Here are a few options. Edinburgh makes a strong case as an alternative to Boston, offering a similar blend of academic prestige, historic charm and a walkable city centre. It's a city deeply rooted in history, with centuries-old architecture, literary landmarks and top-tier universities. Edinburgh has a vibrant arts festivals and a slightly slower, more romantic pace. For big-city buzz, Toronto is a solid alternative to New York City. It has skyscrapers, diverse neighbourhoods, a vibrant food scene, a passionate sports fan base and a laid-back vibe. Toronto has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with a mix of cultures and languages that reflects its global character. Tokyo Disney Resort has its own distinct charm. The Japanese attraction is often praised for its exceptional attention to detail, cleanliness, outstanding customer service and variety of food and shopping options. Tokyo Disneyland has classic attractions, while Tokyo DisneySea is known for its elaborate storytelling and appeals to an older audience. Lisbon can be a compelling alternative to San Francisco because it offers many of the same scenic and cultural draws, such as hilly streets, waterfront views and a strong creative arts scene. Both cities have trams, vibrant neighbourhoods and a blend of old-world charm with modern innovation. Lisbon is more affordable and has a Mediterranean climate that's generally milder year-round. Panama City is a good alternative to Miami, offering a similar tropical climate, coastal lifestyle and vibrant skyline. It's a city known for international business and finance, with a mix of modern high-rises and lively nightlife. Panama City also adds a unique blend of cultures, a growing culinary scene and access to natural wonders like rainforests and the Panama Canal. Macau is often seen as the 'Las Vegas of the East,' but has a different take on the gaming and entertainment experience. It has massive resorts, luxury shopping and nightlife, a fascinating blend of Portuguese-Chinese heritage and Unesco-listed architecture. The city also offers historic sites and top-notch dining options. Jeju Island in South Korea is a great alternative to Hawaii, with volcanic landscapes and beautiful beaches. Like Hawaii, Jeju is known for its natural beauty, with features such as lava tubes, waterfalls and Hallasan, a dormant volcano that's the highest peak in South Korea. There's a slower, laid-back pace and a unique local culture.
Times
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Enoch Powell's shadow is troubling Labour
There's an old quote that gets an airing whenever Labour leaders talk tough on immigration. This week it has been the ugly wallpaper of social media: 'What Enoch Powell says today, the Conservative Party says tomorrow, and the Labour Party legislates on the day after.' Ambalavaner Sivanandan, the campaigning director of the Institute of Race Relations, said that in the early 1970s. Coverage of Sir Keir Starmer's speech on immigration this week suggested that there could be nothing so violently against the grain of British politics as a Labour government that seeks to harden borders rather than throw them open. Try telling that to Harold Wilson, Roy Jenkins, Jim Callaghan and Ed Miliband's stonemason. In that respect Sivanandan was right. The border policies of every
The Guardian
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Pope Leo shares predecessor's concerns over US immigration policy, brother says
Very few people seem to know exactly where Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost – now known as Pope Leo XIV – stands on the big issues of the day, despite the recent flurry of profiles and the raking over of old pronouncements. But one person who has a better idea than most is the new pontiff's elder brother, John Prevost. In a recent interview with the New York Times, the 71-year-old retired teacher noted his brother's emotional and ideological proximity to his friend, Pope Francis, and said he shared his predecessor's concerns about the US's immigration policy. Provost described his brother as middle of the road, adding: 'I don't think we'll see extremes either way.' He also said the new pope would not hesitate to speak out against injustices. 'I don't think he'll stay quiet for too long if he has something to say. 'I know he's not happy with what's going on with immigration. I know that for a fact. How far he'll go with it is only one's guess, but he won't just sit back. I don't think he'll be the silent one.' Francis made no secret of his opposition to Donald Trump's border and mass deportations plans, and also took issue with JD Vance's interpretation of the church's teaching on our responsibilities to others. During a visit to Mexico in February 2016, Francis criticised Trump's plan for a border wall between the US and its southern neighbour. 'A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not of building bridges, is not Christian,' he said. 'This is not the gospel.' Although his intervention angered Trump – who said it was disgraceful for a religious leader to question someone's faith – Francis refused to hold his tongue. In a letter to Catholic bishops in the US three months ago, the late pope described Trump's mass deportations as a major crisis that was damaging 'the dignity of many men and women'. Francis also sought to correct claims by the vice-president, JD Vance, that the US government's actions were justified by a concept from medieval Catholic theology known as ordo amoris, or rightly ordered love. Vance had invoked the concept to suggest there was a clear hierarchy of care and that compassion should be focused on one's community and fellow citizens before it was extended to the rest of the world. 'Christian love is not a concentric expansion of interests that little by little extend to other persons and groups,' the pope said in his letter to the bishops. 'The true ordo amoris that must be promoted is that which we discover by meditating constantly on the parable of the Good Samaritan, that is, by meditating on the love that builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.' Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, acknowledged the pontiff's criticism, but said he would continue to defend his views. During an appearance at the national Catholic prayer breakfast in Washington DC in February, he called himself a 'baby Catholic' and acknowledged there were 'things about the faith that I don't know'. Hours after Prevost was elected pope, many seized on posts from an X account apparently belonging to the cardinal which criticised Trump and Vance's positions. One post shared an article from the National Catholic Reporter, headlined 'JD Vance is wrong: Jesus doesn't ask us to rank our love for others'. Another reposted a report on California catholic bishops complaining that Trump's use of the phrase 'bad hombres' to describe some Mexicans fuelled 'racism and nativism'. Trump was among the first world leaders to hail Pope Leo's appointment. 'It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American,' he wrote on Truth Social. 'What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!' Some of the US president's supporters, however, were less thrilled by the news. The far-right political influencer Laura Loomer wrote on X: 'He is anti-Trump, anti-MAGA, pro-open Borders, and a total Marxist like Pope Francis. Catholics don't have anything good to look forward to. Just another Marxist puppet in the Vatican.' Last week Steve Bannon, one of Trump's most outspoken Catholic allies, highlighted Prevost's ideological closeness to Francis, noting that he was one of the most progressive candidates and 'one of the dark horses' of the conclave. The Maga faithful will have found little comfort in John Prevost's effort to sum up his brother and his stances. 'The best way I could describe him right now is that he will be following in Francis's footsteps,' he told the NYT. 'They were very good friends. They knew each other before he was pope, before my brother even was bishop.'
Times
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
Germany will turn away migrants without papers at the border
On its first day in office the government of the chancellor, Friedrich Merz, scrapped Angela Merkel's open border policy and issued orders to reject undocumented migrants arriving at its borders. Alexander Dobrindt, the interior minister, lifted an order issued in 2015, when Merkel was chancellor, that had allowed entry to hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers, many fleeing war in Syria. He has also ordered a major increase in the border force, and media reports say that up to a further 3,000 federal police officers are to be deployed to bring the total to 14,000. The move honours a campaign pledge by Merz's conservative CDU/CSU alliance to crack down on migration. It followed a spate of knife and car attacks by immigrants that had fanned
