China human rights

Trump Fails to Secure Release of Wrongfully Imprisoned Salvadoran Man

Following a Supreme Court ruling, the Trump administration is obligated to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongfully deported to El Salvador. However, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, citing a lack of authority and accusing Garcia of terrorism, refuses to comply. The Trump administration contends its responsibility is limited to facilitating Garcia’s return, not ensuring it, leaving his fate in El Salvador’s hands. This situation stems from an “administrative error” by the U.S. government, which deported Garcia to a notorious prison despite a protective order allowing him to remain in the U.S.

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Trump Administration Plans to Deport US Citizens to El Salvador

The Trump administration is exploring the illegal deportation of U.S. citizens to El Salvador, potentially using denaturalization as a pretext. This follows previous actions such as deporting green card holders for pro-Palestinian views and sending migrants to a Salvadoran prison without due process. Legal experts overwhelmingly agree that such actions violate both U.S. and international law, characterizing them as shockingly authoritarian. Despite a Supreme Court order to return a wrongfully deported individual, the administration shows no signs of compliance, further highlighting its disregard for legal procedure.

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Jailed Ballerina Freed in Russia-US Prisoner Swap

A woman, a ballerina, was jailed in Russia for the seemingly insignificant act of donating just $50 to Ukraine. This seemingly minor contribution, a gesture of support for a nation under attack, led to her imprisonment, highlighting the harsh realities of Russia’s political climate. The irony is palpable; a small act of charity resulted in a significant loss of freedom.

Her release, however, wasn’t a pardon, a sign of goodwill, or an acknowledgement of a miscarriage of justice. Instead, she was freed as part of a prisoner exchange, a common tactic in international relations, particularly with Russia. This exchange underscores the transactional nature of such releases, highlighting the pragmatic, rather than humanitarian, considerations involved.… Continue reading

Trump Admin Seeks Power to Deport Anyone, Anywhere, Without Due Process

The Trump administration, in a Supreme Court brief, argues it can deport anyone—citizen or immigrant—to a foreign country without due process and deny them all constitutional rights. This claim, made in the case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador despite having protected status, asserts the government’s inability to retrieve individuals held in foreign prisons, even if the deportation was an error. The administration contends that federal courts lack jurisdiction over individuals held abroad at the government’s request, even though the US pays for their detention. This unprecedented assertion, if accepted, would effectively allow the government to create overseas black sites from which individuals could be permanently disappeared, undermining fundamental due process protections for all.

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Rubio’s Visa Revoking: Collective Punishment and a Descent into Authoritarianism

Founded in 1846, the Associated Press (AP) is a leading independent global news organization committed to delivering unbiased, factual reporting. AP’s news reaches over half the world’s population daily, solidifying its position as a trusted source for fast and accurate information across all media. The organization also provides essential technology and services to the news industry. This commitment to accuracy and global reach ensures AP remains a vital pillar of the modern news landscape.

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Trump Proposes Deporting US Citizens to El Salvador

Despite legal constraints, including the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment and the logistical challenges posed by U.S. Code 3621, Trump suggested expanding deportation beyond those who enter the country illegally. Deporting incarcerated U.S. citizens presents significant legal hurdles due to the need for court appearances and adherence to U.S. prison standards, which are not met in countries like El Salvador. The potential for human rights violations in countries like El Salvador further complicates such deportations.

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Lawyers Allege Illegal Detention of Lawfully Present Venezuelans in US

Federal authorities are unlawfully detaining Venezuelans with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) in violation of the law, which prohibits their detention based on immigration status alone. These arrests are occurring in various locations, including homes and immigration check-ins, despite the individuals possessing legal permission to live and work in the U.S. The Trump administration’s attempts to revoke TPS for Venezuelans, though temporarily blocked by a judge, appear to be motivating these actions, possibly as a prelude to mass deportations. Attorneys report a pattern of baseless accusations, including alleged ties to criminal organizations, being used to justify these detentions. This blatant disregard for the law underscores the need for community action and judicial oversight to hold the administration accountable.

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Russia Bans Elton John’s AIDS Foundation: Echoes of US Policy Concerns

Russia banned the Elton John Aids Foundation (EJAF), citing its advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and alleged promotion of “non-traditional sexual relationships” and “western family models” as justification. The designation of EJAF as an “undesirable organization” prohibits its operations in Russia and risks criminal prosecution for its staff and partners. This action follows a broader crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and human rights groups in Russia, coinciding with increased restrictions on HIV/AIDS medication access. The ban comes despite EJAF’s significant work providing HIV treatment programs within the country.

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Maryland Father Wrongfully Deported to Salvadoran Prison: An Administrative Error?

The Trump administration admitted to mistakenly deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man with protected legal status, to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center.” This deportation, resulting from an “administrative error,” occurred despite ICE’s awareness of his protected status. The administration argues that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction to compel his return, claiming its foreign affairs primacy supersedes Abrego Garcia’s interests. Abrego Garcia’s attorney disputes this, asserting that such actions render immigration laws meaningless. The deportation followed a 2019 incident where Abrego Garcia was falsely linked to MS-13, despite lacking a criminal record.

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GOP’s Anti-Trans Actions: A Call to Action Before It’s Too Late

The GOP’s actions against transgender individuals are escalating, and it’s causing immense fear and suffering. The sheer volume of anti-trans legislation sweeping the nation is alarming; bills are being introduced and passed at an unprecedented rate, targeting every aspect of transgender life.

These laws are not merely inconvenient; they are designed to systematically erase transgender people from public life. They criminalize gender-affirming care for both adults and minors, threatening healthcare providers with imprisonment for providing essential medical services. This is not a misunderstanding or an oversight—it’s a deliberate attack on the well-being of transgender individuals.

This systematic dismantling of access to healthcare is not accidental.… Continue reading