标签： North America

The Trump administration has recently intensified its stance on immigration, targeting both illegal and legal pathways, including the H-1B visa program, which is crucial for the U.S. tech industry and academia. On September 19, President Trump issued an executive order imposing a $100,000 annual fee on employers hiring H-1B workers, a move that could effectively dismantle the program. This decision sparked immediate backlash, with critics arguing it would severely disrupt the tech sector and universities that rely on skilled foreign workers. The administration quickly backtracked, clarifying the fee would be a one-time charge and exempting existing visa holders. However, the order remains a significant blow to skilled immigration. Additionally, a recent ICE raid on a Hyundai battery factory in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of 475 South Korean workers, has further strained U.S.-South Korea relations and threatened foreign investment. These actions highlight the administration’s broader anti-immigration agenda, which experts warn could harm America’s economic competitiveness and global standing.

The U.S. Supreme Court is poised to make landmark decisions on two critical cases involving President Donald Trump’s economic policies: his global tariffs and his unprecedented attempt to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook. These cases, which could significantly reshape executive power, are set to be heard in the coming months, with arguments on the tariffs case scheduled for November 5.

In Washington D.C., heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities have sparked widespread fear and resistance within immigrant communities. Reports from the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network indicate a surge in detentions, often accompanied by allegations of racial profiling. Amy Fischer, an organizer with the network, emphasized that individuals perceived as Black or brown are disproportionately targeted, regardless of their immigration status. Recent incidents in neighborhoods like Mount Pleasant and Petworth, known for their Hispanic populations, have seen residents rallying against ICE operations, chanting slogans and documenting arrests on their phones. President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, initiated in January 2025, have intensified these raids, despite waning public support. The Supreme Court’s recent decision to lift restrictions on race-based immigration arrests has further emboldened ICE’s tactics. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson defended the operations, stating they target individuals with criminal records, though critics argue the approach fosters distrust and fear. Local businesses in immigrant-heavy areas report declining foot traffic as residents remain indoors, apprehensive of potential arrests. Community leaders and activists continue to organize, using chat groups to alert neighbors of ICE presence and advocating for immigrant rights. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that only undocumented individuals are at risk, urging others to comply with the law. However, the emotional toll on families and the economic impact on neighborhoods underscore the broader implications of these enforcement measures.

In a significant bipartisan move, U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) are set to introduce legislation aimed at exempting coffee products from tariffs starting January 19, 2025. The proposed bill, as reported by the Washington Post, would cover roasted and decaffeinated coffee, coffee husks, skins, and other coffee-based beverages or substitutes. The initiative seeks to alleviate the financial burden on American consumers by preventing additional costs on a daily essential. ‘Why are we tariffing American citizens on something that we don’t even grow? It doesn’t make sense,’ Bacon remarked in an interview with the newspaper. The move comes in response to the persistent high prices of coffee in the U.S., a situation exacerbated by the 50% tariff on Brazilian green coffee imports imposed during the Trump administration. Since the tariff’s implementation, arabica coffee prices have surged by approximately 50% on the Intercontinental Exchange in New York, and Brazil, which previously supplied a third of the U.S. coffee market, has significantly reduced its shipments. The proposed legislation highlights the ongoing efforts to address the economic impact of trade policies on everyday goods.

On September 18, 2025, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and a group of state and local officials were arrested during a protest at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operates detention facilities. The officials sought to inspect the conditions of the 10th-floor holding cells, which a federal judge had recently condemned as inhumane. The protest was organized to ensure compliance with a court order mandating improvements to the facility. Despite their efforts, the group was denied entry and subsequently detained by NYPD and federal agents. The incident marked the latest clash between federal authorities and Democratic politicians critical of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Earlier in the year, Lander had been arrested in the same building while assisting an individual targeted by ICE. The protest also included a separate demonstration led by New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, where dozens of activists blocked the building’s garage entrance, chanting in support of immigrants. Organizers reported that over 75 people were detained across both gatherings. A federal court order issued the previous day had detailed appalling conditions in the detention facility, including overcrowding, unsanitary environments, and a lack of basic hygiene supplies. ICE’s parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security, stated that the detainees included individuals facing deportation for criminal convictions. The building was later placed under lockdown due to a bomb threat. No charges were reported to have been filed against those arrested.