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Category: News
January 19, 2026
Immigration
Politics

Walz Distances Himself from Anti-ICE Church Invasion, Claims He Only Supports ‘Peaceful’ Protests.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) is putting distance between himself and anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protestors who stormed a church service with Don Lemon in St Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday, amid a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the incident.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), anti-ICE protesters, and the DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sunday at Cities Church in St Paul, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Governor has repeatedly and unequivocally urged protesters to do so peacefully. While people have a right to speak out, he in no way supports interrupting a place of worship.” – Governor Walz’s office.

🎯IMPACT: A grand jury subpoena has been issued for Governor Walz and Mayor Frey, and the DOJ is investigating their potential involvement in obstructing federal immigration operations.

IN FULL

Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) is now claiming that he has “repeatedly” urged residents to protest “peacefully” following an incident in which anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agitators stormed a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Sunday. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the incident that occurred during a Christian worship service at Cities Church, as well as Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey’s involvement in violent anti-ICE demonstrations in recent weeks.

“The Governor has repeatedly and unequivocally urged protesters to do so peacefully. While people have a right to speak out, he in no way supports interrupting a place of worship,” Walz’s office claimed in a statement on Monday. The Walz administration, along with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Frey, and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, is suing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over ICE operations in the state.

During the church service at Cities Church, one agitator recorded himself harassing attendees, accusing them of living “comfortable lives” while children were detained in “concentration camps.” He added, “You’re living real nice lives with your lattes, doing absolutely nothing for your Latino and Somali brothers and sisters.”

Alina Habba, a senior advisor to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, confirmed on Monday that the DOJ is examining the involvement of Walz and other officials in inciting the incident. Subpoenas have also been issued for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who has been vocal in his opposition to federal immigration enforcement, previously telling ICE to “get the f**k out of Minneapolis.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 19, 2026
Religion
World

Over 160 Kidnapped in Attacks on Churches, Islamists Suspected.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Gunmen attacked two churches in Kaduna state, Nigeria, abducting dozens of Christians.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Armed assailants and churchgoers, with state police investigating the incident.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sunday in Kurmin Wali, Kaduna state, approximately 500 miles northeast of Lagos.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The gunmen used sophisticated weapons in the attack,” according to state police.

🎯IMPACT: Over 160 churchgoers may have been abducted, highlighting a growing trend of targeting Christians in Nigeria.

IN FULL

Armed gunmen in the Kaduna state in Nigeria attacked two churches on Sunday and are believed to have abducted dozens of Christians. While Kaduna police say they are still trying to determine just how many people were taken, senior leaders at the churches claim more than 160 people were taken during the attack.

The churches targeted were located in a remote forest community called Kurmin Wali. Local officials stated that the gunmen—likely members of a radical Islamist group—used “sophisticated weapons.”

Kidnappings and deadly attacks on Christians and churches in Nigeria have seen a concerning rise in recent years. The National Pulse previously reported that last year, Islamists killed an estimated 7,087 Nigerian Christians. In response to the massacres, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced the designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) on October 31, 2025.

While Nigerian President Bola Tinubu—who is Muslim—has consistently denied that his government has allowed Islamist groups to carry out a genocide against the country’s Christian population, the main opposition party has demanded that he resign if the attacks continue.

Late last year, President Trump announced the U.S. was considering economic sanctions against Nigeria’s government and air strikes against Islamist groups in the country in response to what the American leader termed a “genocide.” On Christmas Day, the U.S. military carried out strikes against Islamic State-linked groups in Nigeria’s Sokoto state.

Image by Dotun55.

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January 19, 2026
News
War

European Union Sparks Unease With Plan to Absorb Ukraine Through ‘Membership-Lite.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The European Union (EU) is considering a new two-tier EU accession system that could expedite Ukraine’s membership.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The European Commission, Ukraine, and EU member states.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Proposals are currently under discussion in Brussels, Belgium, which serves as the EU institutions’ main power center.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures… We’re enlarging the concept of enlargement.” – Senior EU diplomat.

🎯IMPACT: The plan could alter EU accession rules and affect the bloc’s stability.

IN FULL

The European Commission—the European Union’s unelected executive—is working on draft proposals that could significantly reshape the EU accession process, including the possibility of accelerating Ukraine’s entry as part of a negotiated settlement to end the war between Ukraine and Russia. Although the initiative remains at an early stage, it has already unsettled several EU capitals that fear the emergence of an “enlargement-lite” approach that could weaken long-standing standards.

Ukraine, which was granted official EU candidate status after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, regards EU membership as a cornerstone of its postwar recovery and its long-term strategic alignment with the West. Ukrainian leaders argue that joining the bloc is essential for economic reconstruction, political reform, and security guarantees beyond the battlefield. Nevertheless, even sympathetic EU officials privately acknowledge that Ukraine may need around a decade to fully satisfy accession requirements, despite a U.S.-backed peace framework that envisions membership by 2027.

Under the Commission’s preliminary thinking, Ukraine could enter the EU under a staged model that limits its initial influence. While the country would be formally admitted, it would not enjoy “normal voting rights at leaders’ summits” during the early phase. Instead, Kiev would gradually gain access to the Single Market, which includes the Free Movement migration regime, and EU funding as it meets a series of post-accession reform targets.

Such an approach would represent a significant departure from the 1993 accession rules, which require candidate states to fully align with EU laws and standards before joining. Supporters inside the bloc argue that exceptional circumstances demand flexibility, particularly given Ukraine’s wartime situation. Critics, however, warn that relaxing the rules risks damaging the already tenuous cohesion of the bloc and diminishing the perceived value of full membership.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures… We’re not undermining enlargement. We’re enlarging the concept of enlargement,” one EU official said.

The proposal has triggered debate among member states, with some governments concerned it could disadvantage other candidate countries such as Montenegro and Albania, which have spent years progressing through the traditional accession process. Others worry about the broader implications for the EU’s relationships with non-member partners like the United Kingdom and Norway, questioning whether a differentiated model for Ukraine could create new political and economic tensions.

Beyond institutional concerns, political resistance remains strong in parts of the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has repeatedly expressed skepticism about Ukraine joining the bloc, arguing that such a move should not proceed without public consent. He has suggested that European voters should decide whether Ukraine can join and has cautioned that fast-tracking accession could have serious consequences for the union’s economy and stability.

Notably, Ukraine is regularly accused of mistreating its Hungarian minority and of hurting farmers in countries like Poland by dumping their agricultural produce on the EU and driving down prices.

Image via European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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January 19, 2026
Health
News

RFK Jr. Instructs HHS to Probe Cellphone Radiation Risks.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is launching a new study into the potential health effects of cellphone radiation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: HHS, President Donald J. Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” Commission, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and various federal agencies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The study was recently announced, with older federal webpages on the topic being quietly removed.

🎯IMPACT: The study aims to address gaps in scientific knowledge, though it contrasts with positions held by many major scientific and regulatory bodies.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a study to examine possible health effects linked to cellphone radiation, signaling a shift from earlier federal messaging that emphasized the supposed safety of wireless devices. HHS said the research will focus on electromagnetic radiation and human health, with the goal of identifying gaps in scientific knowledge, particularly as it relates to “newer technologies.” Agency spokesman Andrew Nixon said older federal webpages asserting that cellphones are safe were removed because those conclusions are now considered “outdated.”

The effort was ordered by President Donald J. Trump’s “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission and reflects a broader policy direction under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. As part of that approach, HHS has pointed to actions taken at the state level, noting that 22 states have enacted restrictions on cellphone use in schools to support children’s health.

The move marks a departure from long-standing positions held by many federal agencies. While the Food and Drug Administration, which operates under HHS, has taken down webpages previously dismissing potential risks from cellphone use, other agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), continue to state that existing evidence does not demonstrate a causal link between cellphone radiation and cancer. However, those agencies do acknowledge that continued research is warranted.

Kennedy has long argued that wireless radiation poses serious health risks. Before joining the Trump administration, he represented plaintiffs who claimed cellphone use caused brain tumors and served as chairman of the advocacy group Children’s Health Defense. He has also been involved in legal challenges to FCC radiation exposure standards.

Since becoming HHS secretary, Kennedy has advanced a range of health policy changes aligned with the MAHA agenda. These include a sweeping reorganization of federal health agencies to create a new Administration for a Healthy America, efforts to ban synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply, and changes to federal vaccine policy. In late 2025, a reconstituted CDC advisory panel backed by Kennedy voted to end the long-standing recommendation that newborns receive the hepatitis B vaccine on the day of birth, shifting the decision to parents and physicians.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 19, 2026
Immigration
Politics

ICE Agent Confronts Protesters Disrupting Raid on Pedophile.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A video has surfaced showing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent confronting agitators interfering with an operation to detain a suspected child sex offender in St. Paul, Minnesota.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agents, anti-ICE protesters, individuals filming the scene, and federal officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The weekend of January 17, 2026, in St. Paul, Minnesota, during a federal enforcement operation.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re here to arrest a child sex offender, and you guys are out here honking… That vehicle right there is honking and impeding our investigations while we’re trying to arrest a child sex offender. That’s who you guys are protecting. Insane.” – ICE agent

🎯IMPACT: Protests against ICE enforcement actions have intensified in Minnesota, with some demonstrators violently clashing with federal and local law enforcement.

IN FULL

A video posted to social media shows leftists attempting to interfere in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation over the weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota, being warned that their actions could result in the escape of a child sex offender. Anti-ICE activists, according the federal immigration officer in the video, were honking car horns in effort to warn the enforcement action target.

“We’re here to arrest a child sex offender, and you guys are out here honking… That vehicle right there is honking and impeding our investigations while we’re trying to arrest a child sex offender. That’s who you guys are protecting. Insane,” the ICE agent states into the camera, while pointing to a vehicle he said was disrupting the operation. Another part of the footage captured continuous honking from a car.

The confrontation follows heightened tensions between federal agents and anti-ICE agitators in Minnesota, sparked by two recent high-profile shootings. Earlier this month, an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Nicole Good, an anti-ICE activist, when she hit a federal officer with her car. Seperately, a Venezuelan illegal was shot in the leg by an ICE agent in Minneapolis after he and several others attacked the agent with a shovel.

Demonstrators have organized marches, vigils, and “ICE Watch” patrols to monitor federal enforcement actions. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating protesters who disrupted services at a St. Paul church where a local ICE official, David Easterwood, also serves as a pastor.

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January 19, 2026
Immigration
Politics

Hotels Cancel ICE Bookings and Close Doors, Alleging Safety Concerns.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two Minnesota hotels canceled U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents’ reservations and temporarily closed due to “heightened public safety concerns.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agents, Doubletree St. Paul Downtown, Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront, and protesters opposing ICE operations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: St. Paul, Minnesota; closures began Sunday, with impacts continuing into the week.

🎯IMPACT: ICE agents faced challenges in securing accommodations amid ongoing protests and safety concerns.

IN FULL

Two hotels in St. Paul, Minnesota, have temporarily closed their doors in what is suspected to be a move to shield them from litigation for cancelling reservations made by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Doubletree St. Paul Downtown informed agents that their rooms were being canceled and the hotel would close for several days, while the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront said it was temporarily closing due to “elevated safety and security concerns.”

While both hotels claim they are assisting agents in finding new or alternate accommodations, the closure decisions are drawing scrutiny, as the move appears to be designed to avoid the backlash the now-former Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis received. The National Pulse reported in early January that Hilton announced it had cut ties with the hotel’s independent ownership after it refused to honor room reservations made by federal agents and was subsequently caught lying about the matter. Notably, the InterContinental St. Paul Riverfront stated that it may begin accepting reservations again on Wednesday.

The hotel closures do come amid an increase in civil unrest and violence by leftist agitators in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area in response to the fatal shooting of anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good earlier this month, when she attempted to run over a federal law enforcement officer. On Sunday, left-wing protestors and ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon stormed a Christian worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul. The demonstration was led by activist Nekima Levy-Armstrong and organized by the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota under the name “Operation Pullup.”  Lemon accompanied the group, embedded with the protesters, and conducted interviews during the disruption. Congregants were forced to flee as the unrest unfolded inside the church.

In response to the unrest and violence, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has surged federal law enforcement officers to Minnesota to protect both the public and ICE agents.

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January 19, 2026
Corruption
War

Top Ukrainian Lawmaker and Ex-PM Caught in Corruption Probe.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Anti-corruption investigators have accused Ukrainian lawmaker and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko of organizing a scheme to bribe MPs, including figures from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party, to undermine his government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Yulia Tymoshenko, her Fatherland party, members of the Ukrainian legislature, and Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Investigations and raids occurred on Tuesday night, with announcements made on Wednesday in Ukraine.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It seems the elections are much closer than they appeared and someone has decided to start clearing out the competition.” – Yulia Tymoshenko

🎯IMPACT: The allegations heighten political tensions in Ukraine, as expectations of elections increase amidst ongoing corruption probes and the war with Russia.

IN FULL

Ukrainian opposition lawmaker and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko is facing bribery charges from anti-corruption authorities, who allege she organized a scheme to pay lawmakers—including some from President Volodymyr Zelensky’s party—in exchange for their votes in parliament.

The accusations emerged following raids late Tuesday on the offices of her Batkivshchyna (Fatherland) party by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO). Investigators claim the operation involved a systematic, long-term arrangement with advance payments to secure loyal voting behavior, including instructions sent via the Signal messaging app. NABU has released audio recordings and video footage showing U.S. dollar cash seized during the searches, describing it as part of a broader effort to influence parliamentary decisions and potentially undermine Zelensky’s majority.

Tymoshenko, whose party holds about 25 seats in the 450-member Verkhovna Rada, as the Ukrainian legislature is known, denied the claims in a Facebook statement. She rejected any link to the published audio recordings and called the probe politically driven, stating: “It seems the elections are much closer than they appeared and someone has decided to start clearing out the competition.” She pledged to demonstrate in court that the accusations against her are false.

The case follows NABU’s exposure in December 2025 of several lawmakers accepting improper benefits for votes, and coincides with other high-profile corruption investigations, including those involving figures close to Zelensky and issues at the state nuclear energy company Energoatom.

Notably, Tymoshenko had earlier backed legislation that would have weakened or dismantled NABU and SAPO—the very bodies now pursuing her.

Image via the European People’s Party.

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January 19, 2026
News
Religion

DOJ Investigating Invasion of Church by Don Lemon and Anti-ICE Agitators.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A group of far-left extremist activists, accompanied by ex-CNN host Don Lemon, disrupted a church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of a protest called “Operation Pullup.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Activists led by Nekima Levy-Armstrong, Don Lemon, Cities Church congregants, and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sunday, January 18, at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The [Civil Rights Division] is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers” – Harmeet Dhillon

🎯IMPACT: The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into potential violations of the FACE Act, with Don Lemon possibly being a target.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened an investigation into a protest that disrupted a Sunday worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, after leftist extremist activists entered the sanctuary and halted the service for roughly 30 minutes. The demonstration was led by activist Nekima Levy-Armstrong and organized by the Racial Justice Network and Black Lives Matter Minnesota under the name “Operation Pullup.” Disgraced former CNN host Don Lemon accompanied the group, embedded with the protesters, and conducted interviews during the disruption. Congregants were forced to flee as the unrest unfolded inside the church.

Lemon defended the extremists by comparing their tactics to those used during the civil rights movement and argued that the First Amendment protects such actions. “There is nothing in the Constitution that tells you what time you can protest. You can protest at any time,” he said.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who heads the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, said the incident is being reviewed for potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also protects access to religious worship. Dhillon said, “The [Civil Rights Division] is investigating the potential violations of the federal FACE Act by these people desecrating a house of worship and interfering with Christian worshippers.”

The protest targeted Cities Church because activists allege that one of its pastors works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Levy-Armstrong said, “They cannot pretend to be a house of God while harboring someone who is directing ICE agents to wreak havoc upon our community.” The church’s lead pastor, Jonathan Parnell, who is not the pastor accused of working for ICE, confronted Lemon during the protest and condemned the disruption, saying, “It’s shameful to interrupt a public gathering of Christians in worship.”

The incident has drawn national attention. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned the protest and said President Donald J. Trump will not tolerate harassment of Christians in their places of worship.

The disruption comes amid a broader rise in hostility toward churches across the United States. Recent data has shown a sharp increase in attacks on American churches, including vandalism, arson, and intimidation, raising concerns among religious liberty advocates about the safety of worshippers.

Minnesota has also been the site of heightened unrest tied to immigration enforcement and law enforcement activity. Following a recent ICE-related shooting in Minneapolis, President Trump blamed the “radical left” for subsequent attacks on law enforcement and warned that continued instability could prompt extraordinary federal measures. Earlier this month, Trump said he was considering invoking the Insurrection Act in response to ongoing unrest in the state.

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January 19, 2026
Immigration
Politics

Trump Calls for Ilhan Omar’s Imprisonment or Deportation to Somalia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump criticized Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) in a Truth Social post, accusing her of having known about widespread social services fraud schemes linked to Minnesota’s Somali community and claiming she should face legal consequences or be sent back to Somalia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Rep. Omar, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump’s remarks were posted on Truth Social on Sunday night, January 18, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World,” Trump wrote.

🎯IMPACT: The remarks have sparked renewed controversy over Omar’s Somali background and her criticism of the U.S., especially amid the ongoing fraud investigations in Minnesota.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump, in a Truth Social post on Sunday night, accused Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) of being complicit in what he called “19 Billion Dollars in Minnesota Somalia Fraud.” Trump wrote, “Fake ‘Congresswoman’ Illhan Omar, a constant complainer who hates the USA, knows everything there is to know. She should be in jail, or even a worse punishment, sent back to Somalia, considered one of the absolutely worst countries in the World.”

Omar, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2019, was born in Somalia and became a U.S. citizen in 2000. Notably, her father served in the Somali military under the country’s former dictator, Siad Barre, whose government fell in 1991 after decades of rights abuses, corruption, and the infamous Isaaq genocide. Rep. Omar is also accused of having committed visa fraud by engaging in a sham marriage with her brother.

Trump also blasted Minnesota’s opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) offers in the state, writing, “ICE is removing some of the most violent criminals in the World from our Country, and bring them back home, where they belong. Why is Minnesota fighting this? Do they really want murderers and drug dealers to be ensconced in their community?”

The President further accused Omar and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) of using protests against ICE to distract from what he alleged was massive fraud in the state. “The crooked Governor and ‘Congresswoman’ Omar, who married her brother, don’t mind because it keeps the focus of attention off the 18 Billion Dollar, Plus, FRAUD, that has taken place in the State! Don’t worry, we’re on it!” he added.

The controversy follows Omar’s recent tirade against the U.S., where she referred to the country negatively as the “U.S. Goddamn States.” This comment drew sharp backlash from Republican lawmakers, including Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), who questioned, “What should be the consequence of saying that?” Billionaire space and technology mogul Elon Musk responded, “Whatever the penalty is for treason.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 19, 2026
Crime
Immigration

Students Gang Raped, Sexually Assaulted in Migrant ‘Integration’ Experiment.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Students living alongside asylum seekers at Stek Oost in the Netherlands reported years of sexual assaults, violence, and harassment, according to an investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Students, migrants, local authorities, and Stadgenoot, the housing association managing Stek Oost.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Stek Oost in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; attacks reported from its opening in 2018 to present.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We were completely overwhelmed. We no longer wanted to be responsible for the safety of the complex.” – Mariëlle Foppen, Stadgenoot representative.

🎯IMPACT: Stek Oost is set to close by 2028, with reports of ongoing safety issues continuing to affect students and staff.

IN FULL

An investigation has found that Dutch students living at the Stek Oost housing complex in Amsterdam endured years of sexual assault, intimidation, and violence while sharing accommodation with migrants under a government-backed integration initiative. Stek Oost opened in 2018 with 125 students and 125 asylum seekers living side by side. The project promoted a “buddy” system intended to help migrants integrate into Dutch society.

Former residents told the investigative television program Zembla that instead of fostering safety and cooperation, the arrangement exposed students to repeated harassment, stalking, and violent and sexual crime.

One former resident, identified as Amanda, said she was raped in 2019 by a Syrian migrant after he invited her to his room to watch a movie. She reported the incident to police, but the case was dropped due to insufficient evidence. The same man was arrested in 2022 and later convicted of raping two residents of the complex. He received a short three-year prison sentence in 2024. Students also reported other violent incidents, including a case in which a man said he was threatened with an eight-inch kitchen knife by a migrant.

Residents said they repeatedly raised concerns with authorities but felt their complaints were not taken seriously. Police confirmed receiving seven reports of sexual assault connected to Stek Oost, though they claim they have no record of a reported gang rape mentioned by students interviewed for a documentary about the site.

Stadgenoot, the housing association managing the complex, sought to close Stek Oost as early as 2023, citing ongoing safety risks. Local authorities initially opposed shutting it down, but the project is now scheduled to end in 2028 when its contract expires. Stadgenoot representative Mariëlle Foppen described the strain on staff, saying, “We were completely overwhelmed. We no longer wanted to be responsible for the safety of the complex.”

The revelations have renewed debate over migrant integration failures, coming amid wider scrutiny of migrant-linked sexual violence across Europe. Recent criminal cases and official statistics in several European countries have highlighted the disproportionate involvement of recently arrived migrants in serious sexual offences. However, in some instances, populist politicians have faced penalties for publicly citing government crime data related to migrant rape statistics.

Image by cottonbro studio.

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