U.S. citizen and Michigan-based attorney Amir Makled was detained by federal immigration agents upon returning from a family vacation, despite presenting his U.S. citizenship documentation. Agents demanded access to his phone, citing no specific reason for the detention, which lasted over 90 minutes. Makled refused, believing the request was intended to intimidate him due to his representation of a student charged in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest. He believes the incident is a chilling effect targeting attorneys who represent politically active clients.
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On March 31st, ICE agents, without a warrant, forcibly removed Elsy Noemi Berrios from her car in Westminster, Maryland, while her daughter filmed the incident. The arrest stemmed from allegations of MS-13 gang association, vehemently denied by Berrios and her daughter, Karen Cruz Berrios. Berrios, who is seeking asylum and has work authorization, is currently detained in Pennsylvania awaiting a bond hearing. The incident highlights concerns about ICE enforcement tactics and the potential for mistaken identity or false accusations in deportation cases.
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At a Border Security Expo, Trump administration officials, including acting ICE director Todd Lyons, advocated for a business-model approach to deportations, envisioning a system as efficient as Amazon Prime. Lyons praised the use of the Alien Enemies Act and proposed utilizing AI to expedite deportations. The administration plans to heavily rely on private sector contracts for this mass deportation agenda, echoing sentiments expressed by Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan. This initiative, however, has sparked significant concern and fear among immigrant communities and has even impacted travel between the US and Canada.
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Escalating US tariffs on Chinese goods triggered a dramatic sell-off of US Treasury bonds, indicating a loss of investor confidence in the US economy. Yields on 10-year and 30-year bonds surged to multi-year highs, though a large bond auction partially mitigated the decline. This turmoil spread globally, impacting UK bonds and causing significant drops in major stock markets, particularly in Asia. Analysts predict potential Federal Reserve intervention, foreshadowing a possible emergency interest rate cut.
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In response to record-high egg prices, the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division is investigating Cal-Maine Foods, the nation’s largest egg producer. Despite record sales of $1.42 billion in the third quarter—primarily driven by increased egg prices—Cal-Maine’s stock fell after hours following the announcement. The investigation follows a bird flu outbreak that decimated the egg-laying chicken population, contributing to soaring egg prices and increased scrutiny of the company. Cal-Maine is cooperating with the investigation.
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Ricky Wassenaar, a Tucson prison inmate serving 16 life sentences for a prior hostage situation, is the sole suspect in the deaths of three fellow inmates following a Friday altercation. The ADCRR investigation is underway, and while the cause of death remains undisclosed, preliminary reports suggest intentional harm. The deceased inmates, Alvarez, Harnage, and Lashley, were serving sentences for various violent crimes. Authorities have stated that there is no current threat to the prison.
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Asylum claims at the Lacolle, Quebec border crossing have surged since the start of 2025, reaching 557 in the first six days of April alone—a number nearly matching the total for all of January. This increase, coinciding with the impending expiration of temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands of migrants in the U.S., is largely attributed to stricter U.S. immigration policies under the Trump administration. While overall asylum applications are down compared to 2024, fears remain of a significant influx of migrants seeking refuge in Canada. The situation has prompted reactions from Canadian political leaders, with differing opinions on how to manage this potential influx.
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In response to new US tariffs on various imported goods, Canada has implemented reciprocal 25% tariffs on select US automobile imports and parts. These retaliatory measures, announced by Finance Minister Champagne, target vehicles and components non-compliant with the CUSMA agreement or containing non-Canadian/Mexican content. The action follows President Trump’s imposition of global tariffs and ongoing trade disputes with Canada. This tit-for-tat escalation comes amidst heightened tensions between the two North American neighbours.
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UnitedHealth successfully blocked a shareholder proposal, twice, that would have mandated an analysis of the healthcare access impacts of the company’s practices, such as prior authorization. The proposal, spearheaded by the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility, was withdrawn to preserve the possibility of resubmission next year. UnitedHealth utilized new SEC guidance to file a second challenge, preventing the proposal from reaching a shareholder vote. This action drew criticism for potentially disenfranchising investors and silencing concerns about material risks related to healthcare access and affordability.
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President Trump’s announcement of impending “major” tariffs on imported pharmaceuticals threatens to end decades of low-cost global medicine trade. This action follows recently implemented tariffs on other imports and aims to bolster domestic manufacturing. The tariffs, potentially exceeding previous levels, could significantly impact the US pharmaceutical market, especially given India’s substantial role as a supplier of generic drugs. The move is part of a broader trade war and is expected to be announced shortly. The high volume of imported medicines—$213 billion in 2024—makes the potential impact substantial.
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John Q. Hosedrinker