Two members of the Olympic team from the Republic of Congo have disappeared following the closing ceremony of the Paris Games, fueling speculation they may have decided to claim asylum somewhere in Europe.
It was initially believed three of the six Congolese athletes had gone missing after swimmer Aristote Impelenga, judoka Daso Kisoka, and sprinter Dominique Lasconi all failed to appear for the closing ceremonies. However, Kisoka later resurfaced just before the Congolese Olympic team’s flight back to their native country.
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Aristotle Impelenga, who remains missing, is the only Congolese athlete who came close to medaling. He finished in 7th place in the first round of the men’s 100-metre race. Following the race, he failed a doping test.
It is not rare for athletes from African countries and other impoverished nations to abscond and disappear following or even during athletic events in Western countries. Last year, several handball players from Burundi disappeared while attending a tournament in Croatia. Weeks later, they were discovered applying for asylum in Belgium.
Belgian authorities stated that while the athletes were welcome to apply for asylum if they wished, they would have to return to Croatia and apply there as it was their first point of entry to the European Union. At least 82 athletes sought asylum in the United Kingdom following the 2012 Olympic games in London.
Countries in Europe continue to cope with large numbers of asylum seekers and the negative effects mass migration has had, including surging violent crime in countries like Germany. Asylum seekers and other migrants are also vastly overrepresented in welfare usage, as well as welfare fraud in countries like Sweden.
By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: Sarah Pochin, representing Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, has won a by-election (special election) in the Runcorn and Helsby constituency (electoral district), ousting the governing Labour Party by six votes.
👥 Who’s Involved: Sarah Pochin of Reform UK, Karen Shore of Labour, Nigel Farage.
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📍 Where & When: Runcorn and Helsby, northwest England; results overnight on May 2, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: Nigel Farage described the victory as a “huge night for Reform.”
⚠️ Impact: The victory highlights Reform’s growing influence in British politics, despite Labour’s substantial parliamentary majority.
IN FULL:
The Reform Party’s Sarah Pochin clinched victory in the Runcorn and Helsby by-election (special election) in England by a margin of just six votes, unseating the governing Labour Party in what was previously a “safe” seat. The election, which took place in northwest England, saw Pochin defeat Labour candidate Karen Shore after a recount. The win marks a significant gain for Nigel Farage’s party and signals a shift in the political landscape.
The by-election was initiated after the previous Labour Member of Parliament (MP) resigned following a criminal conviction. “Victory in Runcorn & Helsby proves we are now the opposition party to this Labour government,” said Reform leader Nigel Farage. “With this and other results tonight, it’s clear that if you vote Conservative you will get Labour. But if you vote Reform, you get Reform.”
The Brexit champion was referring to the broader municipal and mayoral elections across England taking place at the same time as the Runcorn by-election. Results are still coming in, but those declared so far indicate massive gains by Reform, huge losses for the Conservative Party, which governed from 2010 to mid-2024, and comparatively small but still significant losses for Labour.
In the House of Commons, Labour retains a substantial majority, holding 403 MPs compared to Reform’s five, while the Conservatives are the primary opposition, with 121 seats. However, the parties’ relative popularity is not as far apart as this would indicate, and national polls now regularly show Reform equalling and in many cases leading the two establishment parties.
In the Runcorn contest, the Conservative candidate managed only a little over seven percent of the vote, while Reform secured 38.72 percent against Labour’s 38.70 percent. The electoral system in the United Kingdom, which follows a first-past-the-post model, tends to favor larger parties. The Conservatives, in particular, have often pressured right-leaning voters dissatisfied with their left-leaning governance into backing them instead of Farage-led parties to keep Labour out.
The Runcorn results suggest this line of argument is no longer effective, with voters ready to vote for Reform in large numbers regardless of the scare tactics employed by the establishment parties.
❓What Happened: The new Ukraine-U.S. minerals deal creates a joint investment fund aimed at rebuilding Ukraine and expanding its ability to mine and extract critical resources like rare earth minerals. Notably, the U.S. contribution to the fund will partially come in the form of future military aid, though the agreement does not provide Ukraine with any military security guarantees.
👥 Who’s Involved: The agreement involves the United States and Ukraine, with significant involvement from national leaders Donald J. Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
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📍 Where & When: The deal was signed late on Wednesday.
💬 Key Quote: “I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery. Economic security is national security.” — Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.
⚠️ Impact: The deal could increase America’s stake in the Ukrainian economy, potentially paving the way for security guarantees to preserve American interests.
IN FULL:
Ukraine’s new minerals deal with the United States does not include security guarantees but does outline the creation of a joint investment fund between the two nations. According to the agreement text, the U.S. will manage the fund, and its income will be derived from Ukraine’s mineral resources.
The deal covers several strategic resources, such as titanium, used in construction and aircraft, uranium for nuclear power and weapons, and lithium, a vital component of electric vehicles and consumer electronic batteries.
“I am glad to announce the signing of today’s historic economic partnership agreement between the United States and Ukraine establishing the United States-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund to help accelerate Ukraine’s economic recovery. Economic security is national security,” Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said.
Ukraine has succeeded in removing a condition that would have labeled previous U.S. aid as debt requiring repayment via mineral wealth. This aspect of the agreement is seen as a compromise to avoid embarrassment for the Ukrainian government.
Key to the deal is its potential to foster U.S. interests in Ukraine, aligning the U.S. government’s strategic goals with the fate of the Ukrainian state.
The finalized deal also maintains the opportunity for Ukraine to join the European Union (EU), keeping an essential future pathway to Western integration open. Potential NATO membership for Ukraine remains more elusive and is not supported by President Trump.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: Mercedes-Benz announced on Thursday, May 1, that it will shift additional production to the United States, with the aim of localizing the assembly of a new “core segment” vehicle at its facility in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
👥 Who’s Involved: Mercedes-Benz, President Donald J. Trump, BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan, Stellantis, Toyota.
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📍 Where & When: The announcement was made on May 1, 2025, with plans to have production of the “core segment” vehicle entirely moved to Alabama by 2027.
💬 Key Quote: In a statement announcing the move, Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff said: “We are getting even closer to the U.S. customer by localizing a core segment model in Tuscaloosa, strengthening our ties to the North American market where a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles including the GLE and GLS models have their roots.”
⚠️ Impact: The move by Mercedes-Benz is the latest announcement by a major global corporation that it intends to increase its production base in the United States following President Trump’s imposition of a global 10 percent tariff on all foreign imports and additional trade duties on foreign steel and automobiles last month.
IN FULL:
Mercedes-Benz is set to expand its manufacturing operations in the United States, as the company plans to produce an additional vehicle at its Tuscaloosa, Alabama, facility. This move comes amid the Trump administration’s emphasis on bolstering American manufacturing, urging automakers to enhance their domestic production efforts to avoid tariffs imposed on foreign auto and steel imports earlier this year.
“We are getting even closer to the U.S. customer by localizing a core segment model in Tuscaloosa, strengthening our ties to the North American market where a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles including the GLE and GLS models have their roots,” Mercedes-Benz North America CEO Jason Hoff said in a statement announcing the move on Thursday.
The decision aligns with other shifts in the automotive industry toward onshoring production. BMW is contemplating increasing its workforce in South Carolina with additional shifts. Honda intends to transfer production of its Civic model from Japan to U.S. facilities. Additionally, Hyundai has announced a significant $20 billion investment aimed at strengthening its American production capabilities. This includes a new $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana, aiding in Hyundai’s goal of localizing production in the United States.
Kia, in collaboration with Hyundai, plans to manufacture hybrid vehicles in Georgia. Nissan is evaluating the possibility of moving production from Mexico to the U.S. Additionally, Stellantis is set to restart its Belvidere, Illinois plant to produce a midsize pickup truck, while Toyota intends to increase hybrid vehicle production at its West Virginia facility.
The National Pulse reported earlier on Thursday that satellite radio provider SiriusXM told investors on its quarterly earnings call that it does not anticipate tariffs to significantly impact the company’s revenue. Notably, SiriusXM is heavily reliant on new car sales to build its subscriber base, holding installation agreements with most U.S. automakers.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order to establish a Religious Liberty Commission to safeguard and promote religious freedom in America.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Commission will include TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw as chairman, ex officio government officials, clergy, legal experts, academics, and public advocates.
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📍 Where & When: Announced on Thursday in the United States.
💬 Key Quote: “I can’t tell you how proud I am to see religion coming back to the White House. God bless you for doing this.” — Dr. Phil McGraw.
⚠️ Impact: The initiative aims to address threats to religious liberty, enhance protections for future generations, and advise on relevant policies.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on May 1 to form the Religious Liberty Commission, a move aimed at reinforcing and protecting the principle of religious freedom in the United States. This newly established Commission plans to delve into issues affecting religious liberty and propose strategies to safeguard and enhance these rights for future generations.
The Commission will be chaired by TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw. It will see additional participation from government officials, clergy, legal experts, and public advocates. Its mission encompasses producing a thorough report on the historical foundations of religious liberty, strategies to maintain a peaceful religious pluralism, and identification of threats to religious freedom. It is also tasked with recommending policies to uphold these liberties.
“I can’t tell you how proud I am to see religion coming back to the White House. God bless you for doing this,” McGraw said on May 1. “This is a man that wants this country to have a heart and have religion,” he added.
Among the key focus areas are parental rights in religious education, school choice, and protections of religious expressions and institutions. Furthermore, the Commission is expected to collaborate with the White House Faith Office and the Domestic Policy Council to offer guidance on related policies.
Joe Biden-era federal measures and state-level measures in Democrat-led states have undermined religious freedoms, particularly for Christians, targeting conscience protections and threatening funding for faith-based entities.
The Trump administration’s efforts to correct this include ongoing federal initiatives against anti-Semitism and establishing a White House Faith Office. Additionally, a “Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias” has been created at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: Federal charges have been brought against two Ukrainians for allegedly voting illegally in the 2024 U.S. presidential election as noncitizens.
👥 Who’s Involved: The individuals are Svitlana Demydenko, 53, and her daughter, Yelyzaveta Demydenko, 22, both Ukrainian nationals. The prosecution involves the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
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📍 Where & When: The charges were filed in federal court in Palm Beach, Florida. The women appeared before a federal judge in West Palm Beach on April 29, 2024. The voting in question occurred on October 31, 2024.
💬 Key Quote: The Department of Justice stated that the women “voted from Palm Beach in the federal 2024 General Election, which included election of a United States President.”
⚠️ Impact: This case highlights the Trump administration’s focus on election integrity, particularly its push to ensure only citizens participate in voting following concerns about noncitizen voter registration.
IN FULL:
Federal prosecutors are charging two Ukrainian nationals with unlawfully casting ballots in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Svitlana Demydenko, 53, and her daughter Yelyzaveta, 22, were brought before a federal court on April 29 to face charges related to voting as noncitizens.
The Demydenkos, who entered the United States on nonimmigrant visas in April 2021, successfully registered to vote in August 2024. This registration was conducted through a system requiring prospective voters to affirm their U.S. citizenship. Despite this requirement, they allegedly cast ballots during early voting on October 31, in Palm Beach, within the federal general elections, which included the presidential race.
U.S. Attorney Hayden P. O’Byrne for the Southern District of Florida, Acting Special Agent in Charge Jose R. Figueroa of Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, and Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass announced the charges. Additionally, the DOJ says the investigation was supported by various entities, including the Florida Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections, the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service, and the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Meanwhile, Assistant U.S. Attorney John McMillan is spearheading the ongoing prosecution. Notably, the incident arrives amidst efforts, particularly championed by Republican lawmakers, to ensure only citizens engage in federal voting following historical concerns regarding voter registration by noncitizens during former President Joe Biden’s term in office.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: Failed Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris addressed a gathering of fellow Democrats, expressing her disapproval of changes in America under Donald J. Trump’s presidency.
👥 Who’s Involved: Former Vice President Kamala Harris; Democratic donors, candidates, and elected officials, including California’s lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis.
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📍 Where & When: Palace Hotel in San Francisco, during a 15-minute speech on April 30.
💬 Key Quote: Harris criticized the swift implementation of the America First agenda, calling it, “A narrow, self-serving vision of America where they punish truth-tellers, favor loyalists, cash in on their power, and leave everyone to fend for themselves.”
⚠️ Impact: Her speech highlighted ongoing distress within Democratic ranks over Trump’s energetic presidency.
IN FULL:
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has bemoaned President Donald J. Trump’s whirlwind implementation of his agenda in his first 100 days. Speaking at an exclusive event at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California, she delivered her first major public address post-election.
“What we are, in fact, witnessing is a high velocity event, where a vessel is being used for the swift implementation of an agenda that has been decades in the making,” Harris said, complaining that, among other things, President Trump is looking to downsize the government.
Her remarks were made in front of an audience that included prominent Democratic figures such as California’s lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis. Like Harris, Kounalakis is a potential gubernatorial candidate, and part of a broader group within the Democratic Party reassessing why Harris faced widespread rejection at the polls.
Harris remarked on what she viewed as a “narrow, self-serving vision of America” under President Trump, which she claimed penalizes those speaking against it.
Speculation that Harris may consider a bid for California’s governorship in 2026 comes alongside speculation she may have hopes for another presidential run in 2028. Polls suggest that while Harris leads other potential gubernatorial candidates in polls, many voters are actually split on whether she should run at all. Just 50 percent of California voters think Harris should enter the race for state governor.
❓What Happened: A former judge from New Mexico and his spouse were released on bond after being arrested for allegedly sheltering a Venezuelan gang member and tampering with evidence.
👥 Who’s Involved: Former Doña Ana County Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, his wife Nancy Cano, and Cristhian Ortega-Lopez, an alleged member of the Tren de Aragua gang.
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📍 Where & When: Las Cruces, New Mexico; arrested in April and released on bond this past Tuesday.
💬 Key Quote: “Jose Cano stated that he destroyed [a] cellphone and further admitted that he believed the cellphone contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively on Ortega,” a federal criminal complaint states.
⚠️ Impact: Joel and Nancy Cano face potential prison sentences of up to 15 years if convicted; Joel Cano has resigned from his judicial position and is permanently barred from holding any judicial office in New Mexico.
IN FULL:
A former judge from New Mexico, Joel Cano, along with his wife, Nancy Cano, has been released on $10,000 bonds after facing charges of tampering with evidence and allegedly harboring a Venezuelan gang member, following a federal raid on their residence. The couple was apprehended in Las Cruces, New Mexico, after Homeland Security Investigations got a tip-off in January 2025 concerning Cristhian Ortega-Lopez. Ortega-Lopez is an alleged member of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).
Court records detail that Nancy Cano initially hired Ortega for projects around the house, later offering him accommodation in a guesthouse. Ortega reportedly entered the United States in 2023, climbing over a barbed wire fence. He now faces charges related to illegal firearm possession.
Federal agents searched the Canos’ home on April 24, aiming to locate a missing cellphone belonging to Ortega. During an inquiry, Joel Cano admitted to destroying the device with a hammer and disposing of it. “Specifically, Jose Cano stated that he destroyed the cellphone and further admitted that he believed the cellphone contained photos or videos that would reflect negatively on Ortega,” a federal criminal complaint states. “Through further questioning, agents ascertained that Jose Cano destroyed the cellphone, believing that it contained photographs of Ortega holding firearms that Ortega had uploaded onto social media platforms which would be additional incriminating evidence against him.”
Other devices retrieved from Ortega allegedly suggest affiliations with Tren de Aragua and depict him with weaponry.
Joel Cano resigned from his role as a magistrate judge in March. Subsequently, the New Mexico Supreme Court barred him from holding any judicial office within the state. The charges against the Canos could result in 15-year prison sentences if they are found guilty.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: SiriusXM reported a decrease in first-quarter revenue and subscribers. Despite this, CFO Tom Barry indicated that the company is not significantly impacted by tariff-related pressures on car sales. Notably, in 2024, an estimated 92.7 percent of SiriusXM’s revenue came from subscriptions to its satellite radio service, a large portion of which is tied to installation deals with much of the American automobile industry.
👥 Who’s Involved: SiriusXM, CFO Tom Barry, CEO Jennifer Wirtz, and the Trump White House.
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📍 Where & When: The quarterly revenue numbers and comments regarding tariff impacts were revealed on May 1 during SiriusXM’s earnings call.
💬 Key Quote: “Big picture, we sleep well at night,” Barry said, noting the company had not seen a significant negative impact on auto sales stemming from President Donald J. Trump’s imposition of tariffs on foreign imports earlier this year.
⚠️ Impact: SiriusXM’s unique business model, heavily reliant on new car sales and installment contracts with automobile manufacturers, makes the company especially vulnerable to disruptions impacting the auto industry. The comments from company executives indicating that they see tariffs having only a minimal impact on revenue suggest negative economic forecasts pushed by Wall Street may be overblown.
IN FULL:
Executives with SiriusXM, the satellite radio provider, stated during a quarterly earnings call on Thursday that they do not believe the foreign import tariffs imposed by President Donald J. Trump will significantly impact the company’s revenue. The comments are notable as SiriusXM is heavily reliant on revenue derived from subscribers to its satellite radio service, which is pre-installed in many American automobiles.
During the Thursday morning earnings call, SiriusXM CFO Tom Barry stated that the company does not anticipate “that tariff-related pressure on new car sales will have a material impact on our subscriber or financial performance this year.” While Barry cautioned that “like every business, we’ll continue to closely monitor ongoing developments and broader consumer health,” he emphasized to investors, “Big picture, we sleep well at night.”
While SiriusXM did state that its revenue decreased in the first quarter of 2025 by four percent, to slightly over $2 billion, Barry and the company’s CEO, Jennifer Wirtz, stressed that lower-than-expected advertising profits drove the decline. The satellite radio provider’s business model is heavily reliant on new car sales and installment contracts with automakers to grow its subscriber base. In 2024, an estimated 92.7 percent of SiriusXM’s revenue came from subscriptions to its satellite radio service, a large portion of which is tied to the installation deals with much of the American automobile industry.
The confidence expressed by the SiriusXM executives that the Trump administration tariffs will have minimal impact on their future earnings contrasts with the narrative being pushed by economic analysis on Wall Street, which continues to forecast a high likelihood of a recession later this year. Notably, the outlook presented by Barry mirrors consumer data that suggests the U.S. economy remains steady despite a 0.3 percent contraction in GDP in the first quarter announced on Wednesday.
❓What Happened: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to “improve” its trade balance with the U.S., currently skewed in Mexico’s favor, in response to President Donald J. Trump’s imposition of tariffs to correct such imbalances.
👥 Who’s Involved: Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and U.S. President Donald Trump.
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📍 Where & When: The conversation was acknowledged on Thursday, details shared in Mexico.
💬 Key Quote: “We agreed that the secretaries of the Treasury, finance, economy and commerce will continue working in the coming days on options to improve our trade balance and advance outstanding issues for the benefit of both countries,” Sheinbaum wrote on X.
⚠️ Impact: U.S. tariffs remain in place for certain Mexican exports. Mexico aims to decrease its trade imbalance with the U.S. so the Trump administration feels less inclined to correct it through tariffs.
IN FULL:
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Thursday that she has held conversations with U.S. President Donald J. Trump on trade, revealing, “We agreed that the secretaries of the Treasury, finance, economy and commerce will continue working in the coming days on options to improve our trade balance and advance outstanding issues for the benefit of both countries.”
So far, no definitive plan has been reached to eliminate tariffs affecting certain Mexican exports. These were imposed by President Trump to address the trade imbalance between the two countries, with manufacturing jobs flowing to America’s comparatively low-wage neighbor at the expense of American businesses and workers.
While Mexico has avoided being hit with high reciprocal tariffs, trade duties imposed on specific sectors such as automobiles and steel pose ongoing challenges to the Mexican economy. The U.S. absorbs a significant portion of Mexican exports, with Mexico overtaking China as America’s biggest source of imports in 2023.
President Trump said in late April that he believes he will have secured 200 trade deals, increasing advantages for American producers and exporters, by roughly the end of May, possibly paving the way for a reduction in some tariffs.
❓What Happened: A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot use the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to detain or deport a group of Venezuelan illegal immigrants from a Texas facility.
👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez, the Trump administration, Venezuelan illegal immigrants alleged to be part of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
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📍 Where & When: Southern Texas, with the ruling issued on Thursday, May 1.
💬 Key Quote: Judge Rodriguez claims the president’s invocation of the AEA through proclamation “exceeds the scope of the statute and is contrary to the plain, ordinary meaning of the statute’s terms.”
⚠️ Impact: The administration is barred from using the AEA and Trump’s proclamation to detain or remove the migrants, but removal proceedings can still proceed under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
IN FULL:
A federal judge has ruled that President Donald J. Trump‘s March 15 proclamation invoking the Alien Enemies Act (AEA) to expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants residing in the United States exceeds the statutory authority laid out in the law. U.S. District Court Judge Fernando Rodriguez—appointed to the bench in 2018 during Trump’s first term in office—issued the decision on Thursday, determining that the America First leader cannot use the AEA as a legal justification for holding or deporting illegal immigrants either residing or detained in the jurisdiction of the Southern District of Texas.
“The Proclamation makes no reference to and in no manner suggests that a threat exists of an organized, armed group of individuals entering the United States at the direction of Venezuela to conquer the country or assume control over a portion of the nation,” Rodriguez wrote in his ruling. He continued: “Thus, the Proclamation’s language cannot be read as describing conduct that falls within the meaning of ‘invasion’ for purposes of the AEA.”
“Neither the Court nor the parties question that the Executive Branch can direct the detention and removal of aliens who engage in criminal activity in the United States… The question that this lawsuit presents is whether the president can utilize a specific statute, the AEA, to detain and remove Venezuelan aliens who are members of TdA,” the judge continued, concluding: “As to that question, the historical record renders clear that the president’s invocation of the AEA through the proclamation exceeds the scope of the statute and is contrary to the plain, ordinary meaning of the statute’s terms.”
Notably, Tren de Aragua has been officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization, and the FBI reportedly has evidence that the Venezuelan government is aiding its infiltration of the U.S.
The lawsuit, initially filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), and the subsequent ruling come as a blow to the Trump White House’s push to swiftly deport dangerous, criminal illegal immigrants. Should the administration appeal Judge Rodriguez’s decision, the conservative-dominated 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, based in New Orleans, would hear the case. However, the 5th Circuit has shown a penchant in the past to rule against actions it sees as constitutional overreach by the Executive Branch, especially on the issue of immigration. Previously, the appellate court ruled against measures enacted by former Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama aimed at allowing illegal immigrants to remain in the country.
Notably, Judge Rodriguez took over the case from James Boasberg, who serves as the chief judge for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The change in venue and judge occurred after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that legal challenges to President Trump’s deportations can only be filed in the court district where the deported person resides or is detained. In addition, the Supreme Court determined that lower court rulings on the matter only apply to the judge’s respective judicial district.
While still presiding over the case earlier this year, Judge Boasberg issued a temporary halt to the deportation of illegal Venezuelan immigrants under the AEA in a bizarre order that demanded the Trump administration recall two planes that were over international waters carrying deportees to El Salvador.
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