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Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NYC Council passes $116B budget amid potential hits from Trump's ‘Big Beautiful Bill'
NEW YORK — The City Council approved the upcoming fiscal year's budget Monday in an unanimous vote, as the city faces funding threats and the likelihood of intensified immigration enforcement from President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' The election-year budget, at $115.9 billion, is the city's largest ever and was touted by councilmembers Monday as a way to 'Trump-proof' the city. 'This budget finally includes some things that we've been fighting for four years now, to make sure that New Yorkers are OK,' Speaker Adrienne Adams said at a press conference ahead of the vote. The NYC budget passage came as lawmakers in Washington, D.C., Monday debated Trump's proposed budget, which would increase spending on the president's immigration agenda, give tax breaks to wealthy households and corporations and make heavy cuts to health care and nutrition programs. 'We also made sure that, once again, we have been fiscally responsible to our communities, to our city, and making sure that we are Trump-proofing this city to the best of our ability,' Adams said. The city budget includes increased funding for immigration legal services, coming as Trump acts on his hard-line deportation agenda. 'On a day when Senate Republicans are passing a horrific budget bill that adds 10,000 ICE officers to the federal government, further criminalizing immigrants across America, we in New York City are protecting our immigrant communities," Councilmember Shekar Krishnan said at the meeting Monday afternoon. While budget negotiations hit a sticking point over programs for immigrant legal services, the budget allocates $74.7 million for immigration programs. Mayor Eric Adams and the Council have frequently been at odds during budget negotiations in years past. This year, coming in an election year as the mayor seeks a second term, went by more smoothly. Although the two sides of City Hall clashed on some topics, with legal services for recent immigrants a sticking point, the budget has added funding for many areas the mayor has cut in prior years, including libraries and child care. 'This is, in my opinion, the easiest budget we had to pass, because we knew what we expected from each other and what we needed to deliver, and we were able to accomplish that,' Adams said at the announcement of a handshake deal on the budget on Friday evening. Budget watchdogs have warned the city is overspending instead of setting aside money for the city's reserves to protect from potential headwinds out of Washington, D.C. 'Instead of putting aside $3 billion to soften the first blows of federal cuts and protect against a future recession, the budget increases spending more than twice the rate of inflation and leaves future budget gaps of more than $9 billion, after accounting for underbudgeted expenses,' Citizens Budget Commission President Andrew Rein said in a statement Friday. But Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan pointed out that the city's reserves are at a record-high $8.45 billion, and said that, because of the Trump administration's threats to further destabilize vulnerable populations, it made sense to allocate more money to them now. 'We made a conscious decision that right now it is more important to pour money into the communities that need most,' Brannan said. 'We can't run the city on reserves.' ______
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Foreign Harvard students were detained at Logan Airport, denied visas after Trump proclamation
Despite only being in effect for a single day last week, President Donald Trump's proclamation barring Harvard University's international students from entering the U.S. has had a serious, lasting negative impact on the university and its foreign students, according to a Friday court filing from Harvard. The June 4 proclamation led to the detainment of some of the university's international students and scholars at Boston Logan Airport last week, while others were wrongly denied visas, Maureen Martin, Harvard's Director of Immigration Services, wrote in the filing. In some cases, foreign students and scholars encountered barriers to entry into the U.S. even after a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that nullified the proclamation until a final ruling on it is decided, Martin wrote. Read more: President Trump moves to bar Harvard's international students from entering the U.S. 'At this time, Harvard cannot assure its international students and scholars that they will be able to travel to Cambridge to study at Harvard free from disruption caused by the federal government, which could occur without notice and have immediate effect,' she wrote. The proclamation was just one of the Trump administration's many attacks on Harvard's foreign student population, which has become a frequent target amid its ongoing feud with the university. On the night President Trump's proclamation was issued, Martin called Customs and Border Patrol at Logan Airport to ask how officers would handle international Harvard students who were already flying to the airport, she wrote. They 'did not seem to know the answer.' 'Making the Presidential Proclamation effective immediately — rather than setting an effective date in the future — caused significant confusion and disruption, given that visa holders were literally in the air on the way to Boston when the Proclamation issued," Martin wrote. The day after the proclamation was issued, an 'unknown number of individuals' affiliated with Harvard were sent to an enhanced security screening 'where they were detained for many hours with no ability to contact anyone,' Martin wrote. Read more: 'Government vendetta': Harvard fights back after Trump blocks its foreign students from US The next morning — despite the fact that the proclamation was no longer supposed to be in effect — Martin's office fielded calls from the families of international students and visiting scholars 'who had no idea where their loved ones were' following the arrival of their loved one's flight at Logan, she wrote. Martin herself called Customs and Border Patrol at the airport to inquire about the students and scholars several times, but officers would not tell her whether or not they were still being detained, she wrote. At one point, she offered to send the officers a copy of the temporary restraining order, but they told her 'they were waiting on guidance from 'HQ.'' U.S. Customs and Border Patrol could not be reached for comment Friday evening. One Chinese engineering student was detained by Logan Airport border patrol officers for six hours before being told he could not enter the U.S. due to the proclamation, Martin wrote. The officers then pressured him to withdraw his request for admission into the country. During his detainment, officers took the student's phone, preventing him from contacting his friends, family or legal counsel, Martin wrote. He was ultimately sent back to China before he even had a chance to contact Harvard. Read more: Judge blocks Trump admin from banning Harvard international students from entering US One international student from India was detained at the airport with her father for over eight hours, Martin wrote. The student's father was eventually granted a tourist visa, but she was pressured to withdraw her request for admission into the country or sign an expedited removal order. The student eventually agreed to withdraw her request, but a few hours before her return flight was set to depart, she was allowed to enter the U.S. in recognition of the temporary restraining order, Martin wrote. At least one U.S. consulate — the one located in Munich, Germany — continued denying visas to Harvard students and scholars in accordance with the proclamation the day after the temporary restraining order was issued, according to Martin. On June 6, a physics researcher and a business school student both had their visa applications rejected with the proclamation cited as the reason for the denial, she wrote. Both the researcher and student informed the consular officer in Munich of the restraining order, but the officer told one they received their orders 'from Washington,' and told the other that they were 'just following orders.' The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Germany could not be reached for comment Friday evening. Read more: Funding cuts, lawsuits, foreign students: The latest on Trump's war with Harvard University In her court filing, Martin calls attention to reporting from The Washington Post about a U.S. State Department directive sent to U.S. consulates less than an hour before the temporary restraining order was issued. The cable instructed consulate officers to allow visa applicants hoping to study or teach at Harvard to interview and pay application fees, but to ultimately reject them regardless, according to the newspaper. Officers were also directed to cancel visas that had been approved and printed but not yet received by the applicant. Though the temporary restraining order was issued Thursday night, the State Department didn't send a cable rescinding the prior directive until Friday evening, the Post reported. 'These visa issues are especially concerning because even with court-ordered relief, certain visa applicants may remain in a worse position than they were in before the government's actions, and they may be unable or unwilling to continue their efforts to secure a visa and join the Harvard community,' Martin wrote. Even now, Harvard international students and scholars continue to face hurdles when trying to acquire visas, she wrote. On June 8, an Israeli visiting scholar had his June 11 visa interview appointment cancelled, and he has been unable to schedule one since. On June 9, the CEO of an unnamed 'executive education program' was denied a U.S. visa because of the program's affiliation with Harvard Medical School, Martin wrote. This led to the CEO cancelling the program's partnership with the university 'due to concerns that similar visa barriers or travel disruptions could compromise student safety and program integrity.' Read more: Many foreign students already fleeing Harvard University due to Trump order Additionally, in the wake of the proclamation, Harvard was 'flooded' with inquiries from incoming international students about deferring enrollment, she wrote. Similarly, many current international students have expressed a desire to transfer to another college or university. One incoming public health student decided to withdraw from Harvard even though she already had a valid visa 'because of concerns about her ability to focus on her studies with all this uncertainty,' Martin wrote. 'The Presidential Proclamation has exacerbated the palpable sense of fear, confusion, and uncertainty on Harvard's campus about the future of its international students,' Martin wrote. Harvard deserves wide public support in fight with Trump| Paul Chiampa Harvard researcher released from custody after months in detention Ex-Harvard professor fired after refusing COVID shot named to CDC vaccine panel U.S. House committee demands Harvard send them hiring policies for review Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Nearly 180 new United States citizens naturalized in Peoria ceremony
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The United States gained around 180 new citizens on Friday through a ceremony across the street from the Federal courthouse at the downtown Peoria public library. In the auditorium situated in the lower level of the library, there sat around 90 people from Mexico, the Philippines, India and 30 other countries eagerly waiting to finally call themselves citizens. Marco Sanchez moved to the United States from Mexico in 1996, but the choice to become a citizen nearly 30 years later was simply a calling he felt. 'Your voice really counts,' Sanchez said. 'Especially for voting… It's time to help out, and maybe we can help with the future of the country.' Rosevita Muiruri moved to the U.S. in 2013 from Kenya, and to walk the stage after all of the hard work it took to get here, it's a proud moment for her. 'It was quite difficult. That's what I would say. But now and it's been a journey, quite a long journey, and now this is the end. This means I got it,' Muiruri said, waving a small American flag. Health care leaders featured at Eggs and Issues event In the back of the room, the families of those waiting to cross the stage sat, some with tears in their eyes. The mid-morning ceremony began with a loud hammering of the gavel from court clerk Shig Yasunaga. Yasunaga opened the ceremony by introducing the presiding Judge, the Honorable Ronald L. Hanna. A representative from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration Services officer Samantha Brewer granted the motion to move forward and approve citizenship for everyone present. After this, everyone in the room stood up, placed their right hand over their heart and said the Pledge of Allegiance in unison. Judge Hanna introduced the guests to his right, took off his glasses and gazed upon the 90 soon-to-be citizens with honor. He gave a brief speech about what it means to be an American. He talked about the long, arduous process that a lot of these people endured to get to where they were. After his speech, Hannah had the representatives from each country stand until all 89 total people from 33 countries were standing, as one. With all 89 people standing side by side with American flags in hand, Judge Hanna asked them to raise their right hand, and repeat the oath of allegiance. Another ceremony was held in the afternoon, which brought the total of new citizens naturalized in Peoria today to nearly 180. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
International Education Evaluations (IEE) Announces Establishment of Immigration Division to Expand Products and Solutions for the International Community
CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- International Education Evaluations (IEE), a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) and a leading provider of credential evaluation services for education, employment, and immigration, is proud to announce establishment of an Immigration Division that will be led by Brian Bosse, formerly of Horizon International Solutions, a respected firm specializing in immigration-focused expert opinion services. This strategic expansion strengthens IEE's capabilities in supporting immigration legal professionals and applicants with timely, accurate, and trusted evaluation services. Brian Bosse, who will serve as Director of Immigration Services brings with him a strong legacy in the immigration space and years of delivering high-quality evaluations, expert opinion letters and exceptional customer service. "This transition marks an exciting new chapter. Joining IEE allows me to support immigration attorneys and their clients with expanded tools, support and capabilities that are essential in today's fast-moving environment," said Brian Bosse, Director of Immigration Services. "IEE's investment in cutting-edge technology and process efficiency means we can deliver even faster evaluations, translations and expert opinion services—ultimately helping our legal clients navigate complex immigration challenges with greater confidence and ease." IEE's new Immigration Division combines Brian's longstanding services reputation with IEE's robust infrastructure to better serve both current and future clients. Together, the combined network of distinguished professors and industry professionals will offer academic credibility, expertise, faster and reliable turnaround times, and detail-driven letters tailored to USCIS criteria—making the IEE a powerful ally for immigration attorneys and the clients they represent. "Immigration has the power to change lives, open doors, and connect the world in meaningful ways," said David Haynes, CEO of IEE. "My passion has always been about making this complex process more accessible. When your clients' cases require credible, well-supported expert opinions, IEE is here to help—streamlining every step so our legal partners can efficiently support their clients and employees to pursue their dreams with fewer barriers. With Brian on board, we're accelerating solutions and empowering the process of global mobility like never before." In conjunction with this announcement, IEE will also be attending the 2025 American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Annual Conference, taking place June 18–21, 2025, in Denver, Colorado. Members of the IEE leadership team, including Brian Bosse, now Director of Immigration Services, will be available at the event to connect with legal professionals and showcase how IEE supports attorneys and their clients through fast, compliant, and affordable immigration services. For further questions or IEE's immigration products and solutions, please contact immigration@ About International Education Evaluations (IEE) Since 1981, International Education Evaluations (IEE) has been a trusted provider of credential evaluation services for individuals seeking education, employment, or immigration opportunities in the United States. As a proud member of NACES, IEE partners with higher education institutions, employers, attorneys, and government agencies to provide accurate, timely, and affordable evaluations, translations and expert opinion services. With a commitment to innovation and a people-centric approach, IEE is dedicated to accelerating solutions and empowering global mobility. For media inquiries, please contact media@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE International Education Evaluations, LLC 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
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump admin starts 30-day countdown on Harvard foreign students
The Trump administration began a 30-day countdown for Harvard to respond on Thursday as it filed a formal notice with federal courts to withdraw the prestigious institution from the federal program allowing the school to accept foreign students. The court filing included a letter sent to Harvard Director of Immigration Services Maureen Martin on Wednesday. 'This notice advises your school of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program's (SEVP) intent to withdraw you school's SEVP certification for failing to comply with the federal regulations detailed below,' the letter begins. The issues named in the letter are: that Harvard failed to comply with reporting requirements that Harvard failed to maintain a campus environment 'free from violence and antisemitism' that there were national security concerns related to Harvard's practices with foreign entities Harvard now has 30 days to provide evidence that it followed the law with respect to the above issues, according to the letter. The filing comes as Harvard and the Trump administration are set to appear in federal court in Boston on Thursday. It also took place the same day as Harvard's commencement ceremony. Read more: Shadow of Trump administration hangs over Harvard University commencement About 27% of Harvard's undergraduate and graduate students are international, according to 2024 to 2025 data. This filing follows letters both earlier this month and in April escalating the Trump administration's position on whether foreign students can be allowed at Harvard. In a statement accompanying last week's letter on the social media platform X, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem wrote that the administration was holding Harvard accountable 'for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.' Harvard responded immediately with a 72-page lawsuit against the Trump administration, leading to a federal judge blocking the administration from revoking the certification. 'For those international students and scholars affected by yesterday's action, know that you are vital members of our community,' Harvard President Alan Garber said at the time. 'You are our classmates and friends, our colleagues and mentors, our partners in the work of this great institution. Thanks to you, we know more and understand more, and our country and our world are more enlightened and more resilient. We will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world.' The Student and Exchange Visitor Program, also known as SEVP, allows higher education institutions to issue visa application forms to prospective international students after admitting them. The forms are used to apply for a visa to enter the United States. The certification requirements include that the school is operational and instructing students, has the necessary facilities and adequate finances to operate, provides instruction to a degree or objective and meets state requirements to operate, according to the Department of Homeland Security website. Read more: Trump is threatening to block international students from Harvard. Is that legal? Institutions are recertified every two years, but can be evaluated at other points in time if they have information suggesting that it isn't complying with regulations. If the certification is taken away, an institution isn't allowed to enroll international students. Current students would have to choose between transferring to another institution, leaving the U.S., or changing their immigration status, according to the ICE website. An example of the certification being stripped occurred at Herguan University in California in 2016 after its CEO pleaded guilty to providing fraudulent documents to the Department of Homeland Security, according to East Bay Times. Harvard has been in a battle with the federal government since April. There has been a wave of federal research grant terminations at Harvard University, in addition to a $60 million in multi-year grants,$450 million cut and a $2.2 billion freeze. U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has also told the institution that the federal government would be barring Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants while the university continues to refuse to comply with the administration's demands for change on its campus. Harvard President Alan Garber wrote in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that they share the same 'common ground,' but the university 'will not surrender its core, legally-protected principles out of fear.' Garber pushed back on the administration through a lawsuit in April. The institution argues that its constitutional rights had been violated by the government's threats to pull billions of dollars in funding if the school didn't comply with demands for an the $450 million announced cuts, the university amended its lawsuit. 'No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,' the suit reads. Due to the federal cuts, Harvard announced that it was committing $250 million of 'central funding' to support research impacted by suspended and canceled federal grants. MassLive reporter Juliet Schulman-Hall contributed to this article. Harvard commencement speaker says it's fitting to 'hear from an immigrant like me' Many foreign students already fleeing Harvard University due to Trump order Protesters pack outside Harvard commencement as families focus on their graduates Shadow of Trump administration hangs over Harvard University commencement Trump proposes a 15% cap on foreign students at Harvard Read the original article on MassLive.
