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Friday, November 7, 2025
10 hours ago
Immigration
News

ICE Launching Dedicated Call Center to Help Track Down Missing Minors.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to open a call center to assist law enforcement in locating unaccompanied migrant children.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, private contractors, law enforcement agencies, and unaccompanied migrant children.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The call center is planned to open in Nashville, Tennessee, by March, reaching full capacity by June.

🎯IMPACT: The center will handle up to 7,000 calls daily, with technology integration to streamline operations.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is launching a new call center to support law enforcement in locating unaccompanied migrant children. This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Request for Information (RFI) emphasizing the “immediate need” for a center equipped with cutting-edge, data-driven tools.

Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the center will run around the clock and manage 6,000 to 7,000 calls each day. The site is slated to launch by March and hit full operations by June. ICE is consulting contractors on potential tech integrations that could merge partner and migrant data to boost performance.

This development unfolds against the backdrop of wider conversations on immigration enforcement. Nashville hosts CoreCivic Inc., a for-profit prison company that’s seen strong financial growth lately. Companies such as Palantir have also landed ICE deals for tech support, like a $30 million database to speed up detentions and removals.

The initiative fits into the Trump administration’s push to tackle illegal immigration and its consequences. The former Biden-Harris government lost huge numbers of unaccompanied minors, who were often placed with dubious sponsors, with fears that many have been trafficked or otherwise exploited. The Trump administration has made tracking them down a priority, with thousands already found.

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11 hours ago
Lawfare
News

Appeals Court Revives Trump’s Bid to Overturn NY Conviction.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. appeals court revived President Donald J. Trump’s bid to dismiss his business records criminal conviction, allowing him to move his case out of a New York state court.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge Juan Merchan, and U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was made on Thursday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, addressing a New York state court conviction.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We leave it to the able and experienced District Judge to decide whether to solicit further briefing from the parties or hold a hearing to help it resolve these issues,” the appeals court judges wrote.

🎯IMPACT: The decision allows Trump to pursue dismissal of his criminal conviction in a federal court.

IN FULL

A U.S. appeals court on Thursday revived President Donald J. Trump’s attempt to dismiss his business records conviction, ruling that he can seek to move the case from New York state court to federal court. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a previous ruling by a lower court judge, saying that the judge had “bypassed what we consider to be important issues bearing on the ultimate issue of good cause.”

The three-judge panel did not take a position on the merits of Trump’s argument for dismissal but said the lower court must reconsider the request. “We leave it to the able and experienced District Judge to decide whether to solicit further briefing from the parties or hold a hearing to help it resolve these issues,” the ruling stated. The appeals court also directed the judge to reevaluate Trump’s motion to file a second removal notice, considering the new opinion.

Earlier this year, Trump’s legal team sought to move the case to federal court, arguing that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on presidential immunity might require the Manhattan jury’s conviction to be dismissed. In May 2024, that jury found Trump guilty on 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with reimbursements to his disgraced former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who had paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 during the 2016 campaign. Prosecutors said the payments were improperly recorded as legal expenses to conceal their true purpose.

Trump pleaded not guilty and maintained that the case was politically motivated. Following his election victory in 2024, he received an unconditional discharge, meaning no additional penalties were imposed, but the conviction remains on his record. His lawyers have filed a separate appeal with the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, arguing the charges relied on a “convoluted legal theory” and should never have resulted in a conviction.

Trump has repeatedly called the Manhattan prosecution a “witch hunt” designed to interfere with his 2024 presidential campaign. Other criminal cases against him, in Washington, Florida, and Georgia, have since been dismissed or dropped.

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11 hours ago
Crime
News

Chinese Researchers Charged Over Plot to Smuggle ‘Biological Materials’ Into America.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Three Chinese researchers were charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the U.S., according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang, all researchers at the University of Michigan, along with Chengxuan Han, a deported Chinese national.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The arrests were announced November 5. The alleged smuggling activities occurred in 2024 and 2025, involving the University of Michigan and shipments from China.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

🎯IMPACT: The case highlights vulnerabilities in foreign student programs and the need for enhanced security measures at educational institutions.

IN FULL

Three Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan have been charged with conspiring to smuggle biological materials into the United States, the Department of Justice announced Wednesday. The defendants, 28-year-old Xu Bai, 27-year-old Fengfan Zhang, and 30-year-old Zhiyong Zhang, were all working in the university’s Shawn Xu (Xianzhong Xu) laboratory, which specializes in sensory biology. Federal officials described the case as part of a “long string of cases” involving Chinese nationals linked to the university.

“Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “We will remain vigilant to threats like these from foreign nationals who would take advantage of America’s generosity to advance a malicious agenda.”

According to court documents, the researchers, all J-1 visa holders, received concealed shipments of roundworm-related biological materials from a Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, who was previously deported after pleading no contest to smuggling and making false statements. The defendants were dismissed from their university positions after refusing to attend a mandatory meeting regarding the investigation. They were later apprehended by federal law enforcement while attempting to leave the country through Detroit and New York City. “At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr.

The investigation involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons praised the agencies’ cooperation, stating, “This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs. Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security, as demonstrated in this instance.”

The case follows several other recent incidents involving Chinese researchers and biological materials in the United States. Earlier this year, federal authorities charged another University of Michigan postdoctoral researcher and her partner with smuggling the toxic fungus Fusarium graminearum, which officials described as a potential agroterrorism weapon because of its ability to devastate crops such as wheat and corn.

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12 hours ago
Corruption
News

Federal Corruption Probe Targets DC Mayor Bowser Over Qatar-Funded Trip.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) is under federal investigation for a trip funded by Qatar.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mayor Muriel Bowser, her staff, and Qatar.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation has been ongoing for months, centered in Washington, DC.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This was a business trip. D.C. representatives regularly travel to promote Washington as a destination for investment and growth.” – Bowser’s office

🎯IMPACT: The investigation may involve potential bribery or campaign finance law violations.

IN FULL

Democrat Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington, D.C., is reportedly under investigation by federal investigators over a trip financed by Qatar. The investigation is said to focus on potential violations related to bribery or campaign finance laws.

The inquiry, which has been ongoing for several months, is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington. Sources familiar with the matter disclosed these details to the New York Times.

Bowser’s office issued a statement asserting that the trip was a legitimate business endeavor aimed at promoting the U.S. capital as a hub for investment and growth. The statement emphasized that such trips are a regular part of the city’s efforts to attract business.

“All proper paperwork for this standard donation is on file,” the statement from Bowser’s office insisted.

The outcome of this investigation could have significant implications for Mayor Bowser and her administration, depending on the findings related to the alleged financial misconduct.

Image by Lorie Shaull.

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12 hours ago
Lawfare
SCOTUS

Supreme Court Rules Trump Can Scrap Gender ‘X’ on Passports.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to enforce its policy requiring passports to reflect the holder’s biological sex at birth, freezing a lower court’s injunction.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Supreme Court, transgender and nonbinary plaintiffs, and U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Supreme Court decision was issued on Thursday, with the case originating in Massachusetts.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment,” the Supreme Court stated in its decision.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling allows the Trump administration to enforce its passport policy while legal challenges continue, reversing the Biden-era policy of self-selecting gender markers.

IN FULL

The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to implement its rule mandating that American passports list the bearer’s biological sex at birth, overriding any alternative gender identity. The ruling halts a lower court federal judge’s earlier order that had paused the policy’s rollout.

In a 6-3 decision, with the court’s conservative majority prevailing over the liberal justices’ dissent, the unsigned order noted, “Displaying passport holders’ sex at birth no more offends equal protection principles than displaying their country of birth—in both cases, the Government is merely attesting to a historical fact without subjecting anyone to differential treatment.”

Dissenting Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, appointed by Joe Biden, complained, “Without relief, transgender Americans are forced to make a difficult choice that no other Americans face: use gender-incongruent passports and risk harassment and bodily invasions, on the one hand, or avoid all activities… that may require a passport, on the other.”

The move reverses the Biden government’s approach of permitting passport applicants to choose their gender marker, including an “X” option for those identifying as nonbinary. Trump officials maintained that such documents should align with biological facts rather than individual choices. Solicitor General D. John Sauer put it bluntly during arguments: “The question is whether the Constitution requires the government to adopt respondents’ preferred definition of sex. It does not.”

The case stemmed from a lawsuit filed by seven transgender and nonbinary plaintiffs, who contended the policy violated constitutional protections and stemmed from bias against their community. U.S. District Judge Julia Kobick, a Biden appointee, had initially ruled in their favor, citing evidence of discriminatory intent. With this latest development, the administration can now apply the rule as the broader court battle unfolds.

Image by Photo Phiend.

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13 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Implements Global Visa Crackdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A State Department cable has directed U.S. embassies worldwide to enforce expanded visa screening rules under the “public charge” immigration provision, reviving a standard from the first Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. embassies, consular officers, the State Department, and visa applicants worldwide.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The cable was sent to U.S. posts globally on November 5.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Self-sufficiency has been a longstanding principle of U.S. immigration policy.” – State Department Cable

🎯IMPACT: Consular officers are instructed to deny visas to applicants likely to rely on public benefits, with a broad range of factors now under scrutiny.

IN FULL

A new State Department cable instructs U.S. embassies worldwide to implement stricter visa screening rules under the “public charge” provision of immigration law, reviving and expanding a Trump-era policy that was scaled back under former President Joe Biden.

The directive orders consular officers to deny visas to applicants who are deemed likely to rely on public benefits, with evaluations based on factors such as health, age, English proficiency, financial status, and potential long-term medical needs. “Self-sufficiency has been a longstanding principle of U.S. immigration policy,” the cable states, emphasizing that the public charge rule has been part of immigration law for more than a century.

Older applicants approaching retirement age are to face particular scrutiny over their employment prospects and financial means after retiring. The cable notes that “Long-term institutionalization (e.g., at a nursing facility) can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per year and should be considered.”

The guidance follows an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump titled “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders,” which seeks to ensure that “no taxpayer-funded benefits go to unqualified aliens.” It reminds officers that determining whether an applicant is a public charge is “in the opinion of the consular officer” and requires a “comprehensive and thorough vetting” of each case, taking into account the “totality of the applicant’s circumstances.”

The policy grants U.S. consular officials abroad broad discretion to deny visas on public charge grounds. Under the Biden regime, the rule’s scope was narrowed to consider only limited benefits such as cash assistance, but the new guidance represents a return to the broader interpretation used during Trump’s presidency. Embassies are instructed to verify all supporting financial documents and closely evaluate applicants’ ability to support themselves without public aid.

The move is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to tighten visa controls and emphasize economic self-sufficiency among immigrants. In recent months, the administration introduced a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, arguing the program has been “deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers.” Trump officials also launched a comprehensive review of the approximately 55 million visa holders currently in the United States, aimed at identifying potential security risks and overstays.

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13 hours ago
Economy
News

Thanksgiving Costs Are Down Under Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Thanksgiving meal prices have dropped approximately three percent compared to last year, with significant reductions in the cost of holiday staples such as turkeys, stuffing, and vegetables.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump and major retailers like Walmart, Lidl, Aldi, Target, and Schnucks.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Nationwide, in time for Thanksgiving 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s proof that under President Trump’s leadership, America is winning the war on high prices.” – White House statement

🎯IMPACT: Retailers are offering the most affordable Thanksgiving meals in years, with costs per person as low as $3.60.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is making good on his pledge to drive down costs for American families this holiday season, with the traditional Thanksgiving dinner running about three percent less expensive than in 2024. The savings span a range of essential items, with notable drops including a 22 percent reduction for dinner rolls and a 15 percent decrease for frozen vegetables.

Other staples, such as turkeys, stuffing, gravy mixes, fresh cranberries, and pumpkin pies, are also seeing lower price tags across the board. Major retailers are amplifying the affordability, rolling out some of their most competitive Thanksgiving bundles in years. At Walmart, for instance, a full meal for 10 people is now 25 percent cheaper than last year, featuring the chain’s lowest turkey pricing since 2019 and totaling just under $4 per serving.

Lidl’s equivalent spread for 10 has reduced its 2024 cost by $10, now landing at $3.60 per person. Aldi reports a $7 drop for its 10-person meal—the cheapest since 2019—at $4 per head.

Target has hit a milestone with its lowest-ever price for a four-person Thanksgiving kit, coming in below $5 per person. Schnucks, one of the country’s biggest privately owned supermarket operators, is offering frozen turkeys at their lowest rates in more than 15 years.

“It’s proof that under President Trump’s leadership, America is winning the war on high prices—even as Democrats grind the country to a halt with their deranged, reckless government shutdown,” the White House said in a statement, referring to the Senate Democrats’ ongoing efforts to block Republican efforts to reopen the federal government.

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14 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump IRS Eases Paperwork Burden Related to Tips, Overtime.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury announced penalty relief for employers regarding new reporting requirements on cash tips and qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) for the 2025 tax year.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The IRS, the Department of the Treasury, and employers, particularly in tipped industries such as hospitality.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement applies to the 2025 tax year and was made following the signing of the OBBB into law in July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tax year 2025 will be treated as a transition period for IRS enforcement and administration of the new information reporting requirements for cash tips and qualified overtime compensation under the OBBB.” – IRS Official Release

🎯IMPACT: Employers will not face penalties for failing to meet the new requirements in 2025, but full enforcement will begin in 2026.

IN FULL

In a move to ease burdens on businesses, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of the Treasury have granted penalty relief for the 2025 tax year for employers regarding new reporting requirements on cash tips and qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). Signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in July 2025, the OBBB mandates that employers report specifics on cash tips and qualified overtime pay using forms like the W-2 and 1099.

With many companies—especially in service sectors reliant on tips—still scrambling to update their processes and paperwork, the IRS has labeled 2025 a grace period. During this time, no fines will be imposed for shortcomings in compliance.

Specifically, employers won’t be penalized for not isolating cash tips in reports, failing to note the occupations of tip earners, or leaving out aggregate qualified overtime figures for staff. To support workers’ deduction claims, the IRS urges businesses to share details like job codes and itemized tips or overtime through digital platforms or simple written notices.

In an official statement, the IRS explained: “Forms W-2 and 1099 for tax year 2025 will not be updated to account for the OBBB-related changes. Therefore, tax year 2025 will be treated as a transition period for IRS enforcement and administration of the new information reporting requirements for cash tips and qualified overtime compensation under the OBBB.”

This waiver is limited to 2025. From 2026 onward, full penalties will apply for non-adherence to the reporting rules. The IRS also plans to release further instructions to assist filers in deducting eligible tips and overtime when submitting their 2025 returns next year.

Image by Alpha Photo.

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15 hours ago
Immigration
Lawfare

Obama Judge Orders Immigration Agents to Wear Bodycams, Restricts Use of Tear Gas.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Barack Obama-appointed federal judge has issued a ban on immigration authorities using tear gas and other riot weapons during protests in Chicago, Illinois.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: District Judge Sara Ellis, Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, and protesters, reporters, and faith leaders in Chicago.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued during a hearing on Thursday, affecting protests across Chicago neighborhoods.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The use of force shocks the conscience,” Judge Ellis said during the hearing.

🎯IMPACT: Federal agents are prohibited from using riot control weapons without warnings and must wear body cameras, as per the court’s injunction.

IN FULL

A federal judge has prohibited immigration officials from using tear gas or other riot control tools at protests in Chicago, Illinois. Presiding Judge Sara Ellis, appointed by Barack Obama, rebuked Greg Bovino, a senior Border Patrol executive, claiming his testimony that a protester had hit him with a rock was “simply not credible.”

“Describing neighborhood moms as professional agitators shows just how out of touch these agents are,” Ellis claimed, glossing over the many far more aggressive demonstrators that attend such events. The lawsuit, brought by activists, news organizations, and clergy, alleged that federal personnel unleashed tear gas and pepper balls on crowds without prior alerts.

Witnesses described agents, directed by Bovino, launching tear gas from unmarked cars and aiming guns at people while issuing menacing statements. The plaintiffs contended these moves were designed to provoke unrest and provide a pretext for escalating federal intervention in the city.

Under Ellis’s order, such weapons are now banned unless agents deliver two clear warnings and face an immediate danger to safety. Immigration personnel are also required to activate body cameras going forward. The restriction remains in effect until a definitive decision or a successful challenge from the Trump administration.

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16 hours ago
News
UK

King Charles Officially Strips Andrew of Titles.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: King Charles formally stripped his brother Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles and HRH (His Royal Highness) status through a rare Letters Patent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: King Charles, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, deceased Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre, and the Royal Family.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on November 6, 2025, with the Letters Patent dated November 3, 2025, in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince’.” – The Crown Office

🎯IMPACT: Andrew has been officially removed from royal duties and will live on a private property; the Royal Family website has erased references to him.

IN FULL

Britain’s King Charles III has officially removed the titles of his younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, marking a historic and rare royal action. A Letters Patent dated November 3, 2025, and published by the Crown Office in The Gazette, states “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince.’

The document follows months of growing pressure on the King to address ongoing controversies surrounding Andrew’s connections with deceased child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein and allegations made by deceased Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.

Buckingham Palace said the decision was “necessary” to protect the integrity of the monarchy after renewed public scrutiny sparked by Giuffre’s posthumous memoir earlier this year. The book, released following her death, refocused global attention on the allegations she made against Andrew, which he continues to deny.

Although he reached a £12 million settlement with Giuffre in 2022, the now-former Duke of York has repeatedly insisted he “never met” her. Giuffre’s family described her as “an ordinary American girl” whose “truth and extraordinary courage” had “brought down a British prince.”

The King’s action coincides with Buckingham Palace’s announcement that Andrew, now 65, will vacate the 30-room Royal Lodge at Windsor Castle and move to a smaller residence on Charles’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk. The move signals a further step back from public life for the disgraced ex-royal, who has already withdrawn from official duties.

In a statement issued in mid-October, Andrew said he had decided to renounce his remaining royal titles and honours “after discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family.” He added: “We have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family. I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first.” He also reiterated his denial of the accusations, stating, “I vigorously deny the allegations against me.”

Andrew’s ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, reportedly blames herself for the scandal and is said to be considering leaving Britain, with one source claiming she is “more on edge” than Andrew as invitations and opportunities have “dried up overnight.” His daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, will retain their HRH titles, but their father’s downfall could still affect their public standing and income.

Despite losing his titles, Andrew will retain his military service medals, including those earned during the Falklands War, which veterans have defended as legitimately won. The latest developments follow a series of scandals in recent years, including Andrew’s withdrawal from a 2024 royal Christmas event amid a separate controversy linked to alleged Chinese espionage ties.

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