Latest news with #immigrantRights
Washington Post
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Supreme Court keeps hold on Florida immigration law aimed at people in the US illegally
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to allow Florida to enforce an immigration law making it a crime for people who are living in the U.S. illegally to enter the state. The high court's action will keep the law on hold while a legal challenge continues. The court did not explain its decision and no justice noted a dissent.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Student loan cancellation program could become Trump retribution tool, some advocates fear
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is reshaping a student loan cancellation program into what some fear will become a tool for political retribution, taking aim at organizations that serve immigrants and transgender youth. The Education Department is preparing an overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that would strip the benefit from organizations involved in 'illegal activities" and allow the U.S. education secretary to decide which should lose eligibility. A draft proposal released by the department includes definitions of illegal activity that center on immigration, terrorism and transgender issues. Several advocates invited to weigh in on the draft proposal raised concerns it would give the department subjective authority to decide if an organization is engaged in anything illegal — a power that could be used to remove entire hospital systems or state governments from the program. 'That's definitely an indicator for me that this is politically motivated and perhaps will be used as a tool for political punishment,' said Betsy Mayotte, president of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors and one of the advocates asked to review the policy as part of a rulemaking process. Plan could block many from loan relief More than 1 million Americans have had loans canceled through the program, including teachers, nurses, firefighters and others. Congress created the program in 2007 to encourage college graduates to work in the public sector. It promises to cancel all remaining debt after borrowers make 120 monthly loan payments while working for any level of government. Currently, nonprofits also are eligible if they focus on certain areas including public interest law, public health or education. A federal database of eligible employers currently includes some that provide grants to transgender youth and their families so they can travel to states that permit gender-affirming care for minors. It also includes some that provide legal services to immigrants regardless of their legal status. Trump ordered changes to the program in March, declaring it had 'misdirected tax dollars into activist organizations' that harm national security. He directed the Education Department to remove organizations tied to illegal activities, singling out those that work with immigrants or transgender youth or those that support terrorism — a label he often applies to pro-Palestinian activists. His plan has the potential to block huge numbers of student loan borrowers from cancellation. Those who work for an ineligible employer would no longer be able to make progress toward cancellation, effectively forcing them to find a new job or forgo loan relief. Hospitals, schools, and nonprofits could be at risk The proposal's definitions of illegal activity largely mirror those laid out by Trump. They include 'aiding or abetting" in the violation of federal immigration law, and supporting any group designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Also on the list are violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law Trump officials have invoked to root out diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Also considered illegal is 'engaging in the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children in violation of Federal or State law.' It says that includes the use of hormone therapy or drugs that delay puberty. It defines children as those under 19. It raises concerns that entire hospital systems could become ineligible if a single department provides certain care to transgender youth. Likewise, the federal government could potentially strip the benefit from entire cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. 'I could see entire cities and entire civil structures being targeted," said Alyssa Dobson, financial aid director at Slippery Rock University and a member of the rulemaking panel. It could also give the administration another tool in its campaign against universities that run afoul of the president's politics, she said. 'This unfortunately may allow them to further chase the undesirable institutions, in their view,' she said. When determining if an employer should be deemed ineligible, the department's proposal would take into account court judgments and other legal findings. But it leaves room for at least some degree of subjectivity, giving the education secretary the authority to exclude organizations without proof of a conviction or settlement. Advocates see ambiguity in the definition of illegal activity If used widely, the policy could worsen shortages of doctors and nurses, said Emeka Oguh, CEO of PeopleJoy, a company that helps employers provide student loan relief. A member of the panel, he encouraged the department to use the power surgically, going after individual hospital divisions rather than systems as a whole. Oguh said department officials were unable to provide examples of organizations that might be found to be involved in illegal activities. When pressed for detail, officials said it would not be considered illegal for a hospital to treat an immigrant in the country illegally, he said. Less certain was how the department would handle teachers or schools teaching lessons considered DEI. 'There was a lot of ambiguity there,' Oguh said. Some others raised concerns with a provision that requires employers to certify they do not engage in illegal activities. Failure to certify could also render an organization ineligible, raising the risk that paperwork problems could jeopardize cancellation for huge numbers of borrowers. The department said it's open to making changes based on the panel's concerns. Ultimately, it's free to shape the proposal as it pleases. The agency is now preparing a formal proposal that will undergo a public comment period before it's finalized. It would be expected to take effect in July 2026. Last week, the Education Department thanked the experts and said they 'helped fulfill one of President Trump's promises to ensure that PSLF does not subsidize organizations that are breaking the law.' ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Student loan cancellation program could become Trump retribution tool, some advocates fear
President Donald Trump is reshaping a student loan cancellation program into what some fear will become a tool for political retribution, taking aim at organizations that serve immigrants and transgender youth. The Education Department is preparing an overhaul of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program that would strip the benefit from organizations involved in 'illegal activities" and allow the U.S. education secretary to decide which should lose eligibility. A draft proposal released by the department includes definitions of illegal activity that center on immigration, terrorism and transgender issues. Several advocates invited to weigh in on the draft proposal raised concerns it would give the department subjective authority to decide if an organization is engaged in anything illegal — a power that could be used to remove entire hospital systems or state governments from the program. 'That's definitely an indicator for me that this is politically motivated and perhaps will be used as a tool for political punishment,' said Betsy Mayotte, president of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors and one of the advocates asked to review the policy as part of a rulemaking process. Plan could block many from loan relief More than 1 million Americans have had loans canceled through the program, including teachers, nurses, firefighters and others. Congress created the program in 2007 to encourage college graduates to work in the public sector. It promises to cancel all remaining debt after borrowers make 120 monthly loan payments while working for any level of government. Currently, nonprofits also are eligible if they focus on certain areas including public interest law, public health or education. A federal database of eligible employers currently includes some that provide grants to transgender youth and their families so they can travel to states that permit gender-affirming care for minors. It also includes some that provide legal services to immigrants regardless of their legal status. Trump ordered changes to the program in March, declaring it had 'misdirected tax dollars into activist organizations' that harm national security. He directed the Education Department to remove organizations tied to illegal activities, singling out those that work with immigrants or transgender youth or those that support terrorism — a label he often applies to pro-Palestinian activists. His plan has the potential to block huge numbers of student loan borrowers from cancellation. Those who work for an ineligible employer would no longer be able to make progress toward cancellation, effectively forcing them to find a new job or forgo loan relief. Hospitals, schools, and nonprofits could be at risk The proposal's definitions of illegal activity largely mirror those laid out by Trump. They include 'aiding or abetting" in the violation of federal immigration law, and supporting any group designated as a foreign terrorist organization. Also on the list are violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a law Trump officials have invoked to root out diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Also considered illegal is 'engaging in the chemical and surgical castration or mutilation of children in violation of Federal or State law.' It says that includes the use of hormone therapy or drugs that delay puberty. It defines children as those under 19. It raises concerns that entire hospital systems could become ineligible if a single department provides certain care to transgender youth. Likewise, the federal government could potentially strip the benefit from entire cities that limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. 'I could see entire cities and entire civil structures being targeted," said Alyssa Dobson, financial aid director at Slippery Rock University and a member of the rulemaking panel. It could also give the administration another tool in its campaign against universities that run afoul of the president's politics, she said. 'This unfortunately may allow them to further chase the undesirable institutions, in their view,' she said. When determining if an employer should be deemed ineligible, the department's proposal would take into account court judgments and other legal findings. But it leaves room for at least some degree of subjectivity, giving the education secretary the authority to exclude organizations without proof of a conviction or settlement. Advocates see ambiguity in the definition of illegal activity If used widely, the policy could worsen shortages of doctors and nurses, said Emeka Oguh, CEO of PeopleJoy, a company that helps employers provide student loan relief. A member of the panel, he encouraged the department to use the power surgically, going after individual hospital divisions rather than systems as a whole. Oguh said department officials were unable to provide examples of organizations that might be found to be involved in illegal activities. When pressed for detail, officials said it would not be considered illegal for a hospital to treat an immigrant in the country illegally, he said. Less certain was how the department would handle teachers or schools teaching lessons considered DEI. 'There was a lot of ambiguity there,' Oguh said. Some others raised concerns with a provision that requires employers to certify they do not engage in illegal activities. Failure to certify could also render an organization ineligible, raising the risk that paperwork problems could jeopardize cancellation for huge numbers of borrowers. The department said it's open to making changes based on the panel's concerns. Ultimately, it's free to shape the proposal as it pleases. The agency is now preparing a formal proposal that will undergo a public comment period before it's finalized. It would be expected to take effect in July 2026. Last week, the Education Department thanked the experts and said they 'helped fulfill one of President Trump's promises to ensure that PSLF does not subsidize organizations that are breaking the law.' ___ The Associated Press' education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
Russia Today
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
US deports ‘barbaric criminals' to African state
The United States has deported eight people it labeled 'barbaric criminal illegal aliens' to South Sudan, a country the US State Department warns against visiting due to rampant crime, kidnappings, and armed conflict. The Department of Homeland Security announced the move on Saturday in a press release that included photos and details of the men – one South Sudanese national and the others from Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam. All had been convicted of crimes including murder, sexual assault, and robbery, and were either nearing the end of their prison sentences or had already completed them. 'These sickos were finally deported to South Sudan on Independence Day,' Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, adding that they are 'so heinous even their own countries will not accept them.' The US Supreme Court allowed President Donald Trump's administration to proceed with the removal of the men, who were initially held at a military base in Djibouti for weeks after a district court judge in Massachusetts blocked the deportations. Since returning to office in January, Trump has reinstated a series of hardline immigration measures, following through on campaign promises to reverse what he described as the 'open border' policies of his predecessor, Joe Biden. In February, the Homeland Security moved to expand rapid deportations to third countries, prompting immigrant rights groups to file a class-action lawsuit on behalf of migrants facing removal without notice or a chance to plead their case. In April, US District Judge Brian Murphy ruled that deporting immigrants to nations other than their home countries without due process 'unquestionably' violated constitutional protections. However, late last month, the Supreme Court's conservative majority ruled that the White House could proceed with the fast-track deportations, effectively overturning Judge Murphy's earlier order. On Saturday, McLaughlin hailed the South Sudan removal as a 'win for the rule of law, safety and security of the American people,' while also accusing 'activist judges' of putting US law enforcement in 'danger' by delaying the move for weeks. South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 but has remained unstable since a five-year civil war ended in 2018. Renewed political tensions had sparked fears of another civil war, prompting the US to withdraw non-emergency personnel from its embassy in Africa's newest nation in March. In April, Washington revoked all visas issued to South Sudanese passport holders, stating that no new ones would be granted, thus barring the country's nationals from the US. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed the landlocked nation had refused to accept deported nationals and said the US would consider reviewing the measure once the East African country fully cooperates.
Fox News
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Providence City Council approves mailers teaching residents how to resist ICE operations
The city council in Rhode Island's capital is backing the distribution of "Know Your Rights" mailers to residents instructing them on how to deal with law enforcement amid the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. Households in Providence will receive a card in English and Spanish advising them of their constitutional rights if confronted by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). It instructs residents not to open the door unless officers present a valid warrant signed by a judge. The lower portion of the card can be cut, kept in a wallet, and presented to immigration enforcement, a news release announcing the campaign states. "The Providence City Council is partnering with organizations that represent our diverse community to promote safety and inclusion in the face of fear and uncertainty that pervades our city's immigrant communities due to the reckless cruelty of the Trump administration," Council President Rachel Miller said in a statement. "For nearly 400 years, immigrants have been and continue to be vital to Providence," she added. "The Council stands together to say immigrants are welcome here and to encourage every member of our community to educate themselves about their constitutional rights and where to find help if they need it." The council worked with more than a dozen local immigrant rights and advocacy groups on the mailer. The city has spent $17,000 on the mailers, a spokesperson for the council told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Rhode Island Republican Party for comment. The mailers are in response to the Trump administration's illegal immigrant operations targeting those living in the United States illegally. Democrats have denounced the operations, arguing they separate families and put communities at risk. Los Angeles saw multiple days of riots earlier this month after ICE agents arrested multiple illegal immigrants, many with criminal records, during several operations in and around the city.
