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Monday, March 16, 2026

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1 hour ago
Immigration

Border Chief Ousted After Minnesota Climbdown, Greg Bovino, Retires.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Gregory Bovino, a prominent Border Patrol official, announced his retirement after nearly 30 years of service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol agents, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and former White House Border Czar Tom Homan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bovino announced his retirement in March 2026, following his removal from Minnesota operations earlier in the year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced,” said Bovino.

🎯IMPACT: Bovino’s operations, including “Operation Trojan Horse” and “Operation Midway Blitz,” resulted in thousands of arrests and demonstrated innovative enforcement methods.

IN FULL

Former U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino is set to retire from the federal agency at the end of March 2026, capping a nearly 30-year career with the agency. Bovino expressed deep pride in his service, saying, “The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced.”

He added, “Watching these agents out there giving it their all in some of the most dangerous of environments we have ever faced was humbling.” Bovino had been a central figure in President Donald J. Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives, directing operations in major urban areas including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Orleans. In Los Angeles, the “Operation Trojan Horse” effort resulted in more than 5,000 arrests, while “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago led to over 3,000 arrests. Bovino often deployed alongside agents in person, tangling with pro-illegal immigrant agitators hand-to-hand.

His departure follows his removal earlier this year from leading immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota. There, he had been collaborating with then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on a major operation that faced stiff resistance from anti-ICE agitators, two of whom, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were fatally shot by federal agents during confrontations. Following these incidents, White House Border Czar Tom Homan replaced both Bovino and Noem in overseeing the Minnesota efforts, which were rapidly wound down, seemingly in deference to the demonstrators and state Democrats.

Bovino began his career in the El Centro Sector of California in 1996, and he currently holds the position of chief patrol agent there. He has not shared any details about his plans after leaving the agency.

Image by Chad Davis.

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24 minutes ago
News

Lake Mead Is In Real Trouble, Which Means So Are Phoenix and Las Vegas.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal forecasts predict Lake Mead could sink to a record low within the next two years, falling below its 2022 levels.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Sharon Megdal of the University of Arizona, and stakeholders in the Colorado River system.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Projections released Friday indicate Lake Mead’s November 2027 level will fall to 1,032.76 feet above sea level. Lake Mead and Lake Powell are part of the Colorado River system in the Southwestern U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Urgent, collective action is essential—we must move forward together, without further delay.” – Peter Soeth, USBR deputy chief of public affairs

🎯IMPACT: The Colorado River system faces critical strain, jeopardizing water supplies, irrigation, and hydropower generation for millions.

IN FULL

Water levels at Lake Mead in the Southwestern United States could hit an unprecedented low within the next two years, according to new federal forecasts. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) projects that the reservoir‘s November 2027 end-of-month level will reach 1,032.76 feet above sea level. This would be nearly eight feet below the previous record low set in 2022, when drought conditions exposed skeletal remains.

Lake Mead is a critical reservoir and part of the Colorado River system, which—along with Lake Powell—helps provide irrigation for over five million acres of farmland and drinking water to an estimated 40 million people across the Southwest. As of March 13, the lake was only 34 percent full, with 8.8 million acre-feet of water in storage—roughly 53 percent of the average level for the date.

Peter Soeth, USBR deputy chief of public affairs, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, stating, “Reclamation is closely monitoring hydrologic conditions and coordinating with stakeholders. The basin’s continued poor hydrologic outlook underscores the need for collaboration as we develop new operating guidelines for the Colorado River system. Urgent, collective action is essential—we must move forward together, without further delay.”

Concerningly, Lake Powell is also at risk, with earlier forecasts suggesting it could drop to minimum hydropower levels by this coming December. Such a scenario could threaten Glen Canyon Dam’s ability to generate electricity. Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, described the situation as dire, stating, “Currently, the water-in-storage situation for the Colorado River system is not good. [There is] less in storage than last year, and current snow conditions are not good. Even if early 2026 snowpack is robust, the system will remain highly stressed.”

Major population centers across the Southwest—including Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada—are heavily reliant on the Colorado River system and its reservoir lakes for water. Without the system, neither city would be able to adequately provide drinking water to sustain its population.

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2 hours ago
Media

The BBC Wants Trump’s Defamation Suit Dismissed on a Technicality.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The BBC has filed a motion in a U.S. court to dismiss President Donald J. Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over a documentary that edited his January 6, 2021, speech, claiming that because the film never aired in Florida, the court has no jurisdiction.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The BBC, President Donald J. Trump, and the Southern District of Florida federal court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in December 2025 in Florida, with a trial date set for February 2027.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Early dismissal is favored given the powerful interest in ensuring that free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive yet groundless litigation,” the BBC argued in its motion.

🎯IMPACT: The BBC has subsequently been exposed as having edited other remarks by President Trump and White House officials, raising concerns about editorial impartiality and the truthfulness of media portrayals of political leaders.

IN FULL

The BBC has asked a U.S. court to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald J. Trump, arguing that the case could have a “chilling effect” on reporting about public figures. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court in December 2025, centers on a BBC documentary that edited Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, splicing together clips of remarks Trump made to create a false narrative of him encouraging violence.

According to the filing, the British broadcaster contends that the Florida court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump failed to demonstrate that the BBC knowingly intended to misrepresent him.

In its 34-page filing, the BBC claims that Trump’s lawsuit “falls well short of the high bar of actual malice” required for a defamation case involving a public figure. The National Pulse reported earlier this month that the broadcaster was caught editing remarks by other Trump administration officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“Early dismissal is favored given the powerful interest in ensuring that free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive yet groundless litigation, which would constrict the breathing space needed to ensure robust reporting on public figures and events,” attorneys for the BBC state.

The documentary, titled Trump: A Second Chance?, aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It spliced together segments of Trump’s January 6 speech, omitting his call for peaceful demonstrations, and appeared to depict him encouraging supporters to storm the Capitol. Trump’s lawsuit accuses the BBC of defamation and unfair trade practices, seeking $5 billion in damages for each claim.

Last November, the BBC admitted its editing gave “the impression of a direct call for violent action,” leading to apologies from its chairman and the resignations of its top executive and head of news. However, the broadcaster denies defaming Trump and maintains that the lawsuit threatens freedom of speech. A federal judge has tentatively scheduled the trial for February 2027.

Image by Paul Harrop.

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2 hours ago
News

Trump Blasts Starmer Over UK Iran Response, But Ordinary Britons Don’t Want Involvement, Either.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Donald Trump criticized international allies, including the UK, Germany, and Australia, for their reluctance to support his proposal for a multinational naval force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Pistorius, Antonio Tajani, and Sanae Takaichi, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing discussions amidst the Iran war, with events occurring in the Middle East, the UK, and other global hubs.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I was very surprised with the United Kingdom because… two weeks ago I said, ‘Why don’t you send some ships over?’ And he really did not want to do it.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The lack of international support complicates efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbating tensions in the Middle East and fueling global energy market instability.

IN FULL

Donald Trump has criticized several key allies, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia, for their hesitation to join his proposed multinational naval force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has become a flashpoint amid the ongoing Iran war, with oil supply routes disrupted due to Iranian aggression.

The US president expressed disappointment in the UK’s response, singling out Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for failing to take decisive action. “I said ‘you don’t want to do it, we’ve been with you, you are our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on NATO… to protect you,’” Trump stated. He also criticized Starmer’s leadership approach, saying, “You don’t need to meet up with the team, you are the Prime Minister, you can make your own [decision].”

While Trump has called for greater international involvement, allies like Germany and Australia have declined to participate. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked, “This is not our war, we have not started it,” while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that his country’s naval efforts remain focused on the Red Sea.

Public opinion appears to reflect the sentiments of European leaders, many of whom view the conflict as Israeli-led and not in their interests.

Most Britons believe the UK should be “purely defensive,’ with 46 percent favoring shooting down drones and defending civilian and military sites. About 26 percent support a “retaliatory only’ role, attacking military targets that strike civilians or UK forces, but avoid wider involvement.

Only 8 percent of Britons want the UK to join the conflict, launching attacks in Iran.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil supplies pass, has driven up oil prices and heightened global market instability. Naval experts have warned of the risks involved in escorting oil tankers through the strait, citing potential Iranian drone attacks.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Health

RFK Jr. Orders Health Providers and Insurers to Disclose Rates, Publicly Post Prices.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that healthcare providers and insurers must publicly post their prices for services.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement follows a February 25 Executive Order reimplementing Trump’s healthcare pricing policy from his first administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: The policy aims to increase transparency and drive down healthcare costs through competition.

IN FULL

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that doctors, healthcare providers, and insurers will be required to publicly post the prices of their services. The HHS action comes after a February 25 Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump that mandates enforcement of a pricing transparency policy enacted during the first Trump administration but saw limited enforcement under former President Joe Biden.

“The insurance companies… the doctors and the hospitals are going to have to tell you, before you go in there, exactly what their price schedule is,” Secretary Kennedy said in a clip posted to X (formerly Twitter). “So, now, we’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.”

“If you want an MRI, and you wanted to shop around and find… the cheapest MRI, you wouldn’t have been able to do that, but now you’re going to be able to do that,” Kennedy explained, adding, “You’re going to be able to shop around, and that’s going to drive down prices.”

Notably, the pricing transparency policy also extends to insurance companies, which will now be required to post what they compensate providers. “We’re also forcing the insurance industries to post what they compensate the providers, and that is going to drive down health care prices,” he said, adding that forcing transparency from insurers will allow companies to better negotiate with insurance providers.

The move builds on the Trump administration’s “Great Healthcare Plan,” launched in January 2026, which requires healthcare providers and insurers accepting Medicare or Medicaid to prominently display pricing and fees in their places of business.

In 2023, the former Biden government was sued in federal court for failing to implement the 2021 price transparency policy and was subsequently forced to reverse course and begin enforcement.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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3 hours ago
War

Iran Claims to Be Receiving Military Support from China and Russia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran announced that Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Tehran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russia, China, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Araghchi revealed the Russian and Chinese cooperation in an interview over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well.” – Abbas Araghchi

🎯IMPACT: The cooperation is part of a broader strategic partnership challenging U.S. interests and affecting global oil markets.

IN FULL

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claims that both Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Iran amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic regime. The revelation came during an interview with Araghchi on MS NOW, where he emphasized the strategic partnership between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing.

“We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well,” Araghchi stated. He highlighted the comprehensive cooperation Iran maintains with these nations, spanning political, economic, and military realms.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump speculated on Friday about Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s involvement with Iran, suggesting, “I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” The United States has, since before Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, provided Kiev with lethal aid.

Meanwhile, Iran and Russia’s ties have grown stronger over the last decade. Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed drones, utilized in the Ukraine war, and has established drone factories within Russia. Both countries also previously supported the fallen Assad regime in Syria. China, meanwhile, has maintained a far more economically focused relationship with Iran, being the primary buyer of Iranian oil.

Araghchi also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil, gas, and fertilizer transport. He asserted that the Strait is closed to ships from nations attacking Iran, specifically American and Israeli vessels, yet remains open to others.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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4 hours ago
News

U.S. Mint Removes Olive Branch from Dime for America’s 250th Anniversary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Mint unveiled new coin designs for the nation’s 250th anniversary, omitting the olive branch from the newly designed dime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Mint, Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Designs reviewed in 2024, finalized in 2025, and released in 2026 to commemorate 250 years of American history.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty.” – Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally

🎯IMPACT: Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

IN FULL

The U.S. Mint has unveiled new designs for the country’s 250th anniversary, including a redesigned dime that notably omits the olive branch usually held in the talons of the bald eagle depicted on the coin. Instead, the reverse of the dime now features the eagle mid-flight holding arrows in its left talon, with the other talon empty, and the inscription “Liberty over Tyranny” beneath.

Historically, the olive branch has been a key element in American symbolism, representing peace. On the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, with its head turned toward the olive branch. This arrangement was meant to signify a preference for peace, though the nation is always prepared for war. Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

The redesign marks the first major overhaul of U.S. coinage since the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Authorized by Congress, the Semiquincentennial series includes changes to the dime, quarter, half dollar, penny, and dollar coin, each bearing the dates 1776–2026. Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally explained that the redesign’s goal was to allow Americans to “hold 250 years of history in their hands” and to celebrate the ideals of liberty.

“The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty,” McNally said, adding, “We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we Connect America through Coins.”

The coin designs underwent public review in 2024 and were finalized in 2025. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent approved the final designs, nixing some of the quarter concepts introduced under the former Biden government for focusing on “DEI and Critical Race Theory policies.”

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5 hours ago
News

Trump Says Chief of Staff Susie Wiles Has Breast Cancer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Susie Wiles and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made via Truth Social; Wiles to spend treatment period at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her.” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Wiles will continue her duties during treatment, maintaining her role as a key advisor.

IN FULL

Susie Wiles, a prominent figure in the White House, has been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She has chosen to tackle the challenge immediately, according to a post by President Donald J. Trump on Truth Social.

President Trump praised Wiles as an “incredible Chief of Staff” and highlighted her decision to continue her work during the treatment period, spending virtually full time at the White House.

“Her Strength and her Commitment to continue doing the job she loves, and does so well, while undergoing treatment, tells you everything you need to know about her,” Trump stated, emphasizing her dedication to serving the American people.

Wiles, described as one of Trump’s closest advisors, has a strong medical team and an excellent prognosis. Her decision to remain active in her role underscores her commitment to her duties.

President Trump, along with First Lady Melania Trump, expressed their support for Wiles, looking forward to working with her on future initiatives for the country. “She will soon be better than ever,” Trump assured.

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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News
UK

An Illegal Vape Store Burned Down a 175-Year-Old Landmark. Over a Dozen More Have Been Found Within a Mile of the Disaster.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thirteen unregistered vape stores have been found within a mile of Union Corner in Glasgow, Scotland, where another vape store caused a fire that burned down a 175-year-old city landmark.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vape store operators, historian Norry Wilson, Trading Standards, and Glasgow City Council.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Licensing and regulation of shops only works if it is enforced. And at the moment it feels a bit like the Wild West.” – Norry Wilson

🎯IMPACT: Vape stores, many of which are linked to organized crime and illegal immigration, pose a threat to many more historic buildings across Britain.

IN FULL

More illegal vape stores like the one that caused the fire that destroyed the 175-year-old Union Corner building in Glasgow, Scotland, last Sunday have been discovered within a short distance of the once-iconic landmark, leaving more historic buildings at risk. The shop at the centre of the Union Corner blaze had been under municipal government scrutiny, with repeated contacts over unpaid business rates and questions about its legal operation, but officials failed to act in time.

Local historian Norry Wilson has strongly criticised the unchecked explosion of vape stores across Britain, saying, “It is ridiculous vape shops have been allowed to spring up on almost every corner.”

“There are real concerns about the safety of other landmark buildings because of the fire risk posed to them… Trading Standards need to be proactive not reactive if we want to avoid another catastrophic loss to our built heritage,” he added.

Scotland currently has fewer than 250 Trading Standards officers, with a large proportion nearing retirement, leaving enforcement capacity badly stretched. There are 2,263 registered premises in Glasgow alone, and many more unregistered premises are feared to exist, with Scottish reporters finding 13 within a mile of the Union Corner disaster.

Many vape shops across Glasgow and the wider United Kingdom have been linked to organized crime, operating as fronts for money laundering, tax evasion, and the sale of illicit tobacco and counterfeit vapes. Multi-agency raids, involving Police Scotland, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and Immigration Enforcement, have found that these cash-heavy businesses are often tied to illegal immigration, too, using illegal workers and human trafficking victims to staff their operations.

Image by Clydiee.

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6 hours ago
War

Trump Warns U.S. Can Destroy Iran’s Critical Oil Island at Will.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump revealed that the United States is prepared to destroy Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub, but has opted not to act on it for now.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made on Sunday aboard Air Force One, following CENTCOM’s precision strikes on Kharg Island on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it.” — President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The destruction of Kharg Island would be crippling for both Iran and its strategic allies, like China, and would likely roil global energy markets.

IN FULL

The U.S. military is prepared to strike and destroy all of Iran‘s Kharg Island—the Islamic Republic’s key oil export hub—President Donald J. Trump warned on Sunday aboard Air Force One. President Trump added that he has thus far not chosen to act in such a decisive manner, but, notably, the U.S. military did take out radar and military infrastructure on the island on Friday.

“We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it,” Trump said of Kharg’s possible destruction, continuing, “We chose not to do it. I chose not to do it again. We’ll see what happens.”

Trump stated that Iranian leaders want to “negotiate badly” but that the Islamist regime is not yet ready to meet U.S. demands. The destruction of Kharg Island would be crippling to Iran and to its chief ally, China. The island allows Iran to utilize a single deep-water port and petroleum facility for the export of its oil. A bulk of Iranian oil is destined for markets in China.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has denied that regime has made any requests for a ceasefire or negotiations. “We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” Araghchi said, adding, “[T]his is what we have done so far, and we [will] continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

On Friday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out a precision strike on Kharg Island as part of Operation Epic Fury. The attack targeted over 90 military sites, including naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers, while sparing the island’s oil infrastructure, according to CENTCOM.

It is believed that President Trump has discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island outright with military leaders, a move that one U.S. official described as potentially delivering “an economic knockout of the regime” by cutting off a key source of Iran’s oil revenue. However, such action could necessitate deploying U.S. troops and provoke further Iranian retaliation against Gulf oil infrastructure, particularly in Saudi Arabia.

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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7 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Trump Admin Imports Migrants to Take Agricultural Jobs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has turned to migrant workers on temporary visas to address a farm labor shortage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Trump administration officials, farmers, migrant workers, and agricultural labor unions.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, changes announced in recent months.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful.” – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins

🎯IMPACT: The changes have sparked debate over foreign labor, with potential wage reductions for both migrant and domestic farmworkers.

IN FULL

Facing a labor shortage in the agricultural sector, the Trump administration has turned to the H-2A visa program to allow farmers to hire cheap immigrant workers on temporary visas. The move comes after extensive lobbying from farmers who blame immigration raids and border crackdowns for exacerbating the U.S. agricultural labor shortage.

Notably, the tension lies primarily between immigration hawks who argue the farm labor shortage will improve over time as wages rise, and large-scale farmers who say they’ve had difficulty hiring American workers. Immigration hawks warn that the Trump administration’s decision to reverse course by increasing the share of foreign workers will harm native workers and suppress wages.

“The farm economy is in a difficult situation, and President Trump is utilizing all the tools available to ensure farmers have what they need to be successful,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins contends, while arguing that the administration is pursuing “real reforms to ease regulatory burdens and lower labor costs.”

The Department of Labor echoed these concerns in a filing announcing changes to the H-2A program. “The near total cessation of the inflow of illegal aliens combined with the lack of an available legal work force results in significant disruptions to production costs and threatening the stability of domestic food production and prices for U.S. consumers,” the department said.

Allowing the agriculture sector access to cheap foreign migrant labor is already drawing the ire of a unique coalition. The United Farm Workers of America (UFWA) is suing the Trump administration, arguing that the lower compensation proposal—which would allow for housing to be included in the compensation package and effectively lower hourly wages by between $1 and $7—will directly harm native-born American workers.

Meanwhile, Mark Krikorian of the Center for Immigration Studies has concurred with the farm union, stating that the H-2A changes run counter to the Trump administration’s own stated goals of reducing reliance on foreign labor and increasing automation in the agricultural sector.

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