US withdraws from key UN human rights report, draws criticism from rights advocates.
It’s not exactly a shocker, but the news still stings. The United States is pulling out of the process of submitting its report to the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the mechanism where countries’ human rights records are scrutinized. The US State Department confirmed this, citing an executive order from President Trump as the driving force. Apparently, the official rationale is that participating in the UPR somehow legitimizes the UN Human Rights Council, and that council is seen as failing to condemn serious human rights violations effectively. It’s worth noting the US is on course to be the first country not to deliver a report to the UPR.… Continue reading
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ruled that Russia is responsible for widespread human rights violations in Ukraine, marking the first time an international court has held Moscow accountable for the conflict. The ruling encompasses a range of abuses, including the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in 2014, along with murder, torture, and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war. Though the decisions are largely symbolic, as Russia has stated it will not abide by them, families of the victims view this as an important step. The ECHR’s findings are separate from other ongoing legal actions, but continue to pursue justice for the victims.
Read More
The Trump administration plans to transfer thousands of undocumented immigrants, including citizens of U.S. allies, to Guantánamo Bay. This action, driven by overcrowded domestic detention facilities and a push for mass deportations, involves medical screening of 9,000 individuals. While Guantánamo’s capacity is unclear, the administration asserts it is not at its limit, despite previous attempts to utilize the base for large-scale immigrant detention proving problematic. The plan is likely to face criticism from allied nations concerned about the treatment of their citizens at the controversial facility.
Read More
Under the Trump administration, numerous Venezuelan asylum seekers have been deported to El Salvador without due process, effectively disappearing from the U.S. system. These deportations, often based on unsubstantiated gang affiliations or seemingly arbitrary factors like tattoos, leave families unable to locate their loved ones, whose names vanish from official databases. Experts argue that these actions meet the UN definition of “enforced disappearances,” a tactic used by authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent and instill fear. The lack of transparency and denial of legal recourse surrounding these deportations raise serious human rights concerns.
Read More
Internal ICE emails reveal instructions from senior officials to significantly increase arrests, including those of undocumented individuals encountered incidentally (“collaterals”), even without warrants. These directives, urging officers to be more creative and “push the envelope,” represent a major escalation of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. The push for increased arrests follows pressure from high-level officials to reach daily apprehension targets of at least 3,000. This approach disregards previous court settlements requiring warrants for arrests and raises concerns about potential legal violations and abuses.
Read More
The White House is deporting individuals to countries other than their home countries, citing the unwillingness of their home countries to accept them due to criminal records. This practice, while not entirely new, has been expanded by the current administration, leading to legal challenges. A federal judge ruled that deportees to third countries must be given adequate time and notice to contest their removal, highlighting concerns about due process violations. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing an appeal of this ruling, leaving several deported men in limbo in Djibouti.
Read More
The Trump administration deported a gay man, identified only as O.C.G., to Guatemala, a country where he had previously faced violent anti-LGBTQ+ attacks. This decision, made despite a US immigration judge granting him withholding of removal, resulted in O.C.G. being subjected to further violence, specifically rape, upon his return. The sheer cruelty of this action is striking; sending someone back to a place where they are known to be in danger, knowing full well the risks involved, is unconscionable.
The administration’s actions were made even more reprehensible by their blatant disregard for the truth. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) twice provided false information to the court regarding O.C.G.’s… Continue reading
The 2026 World Cup, hosted in the US, Canada, and Mexico, poses significant safety risks for international visitors due to the Trump administration’s policies. Statements from President Trump and Vice President Vance, interpreted as veiled threats, suggest increased crackdowns on immigrants and potential harassment of visitors. Numerous countries have issued travel warnings, and a boycott movement, “Boycott USA 2026,” has formed due to concerns over the potential for human rights violations. Therefore, attending the World Cup in Canada or Mexico is strongly advised over the United States.
Read More
Over 80,000 naturalized migrants in Russia have failed to register for military service, with approximately 20,000 already deployed to Ukraine. Authorities are conducting widespread raids targeting migrant communities to identify and conscript draft dodgers, leveraging existing laws requiring registration within two weeks of citizenship acquisition. This initiative, framed as upholding Russian law, has resulted in some migrants leaving the country while others have reportedly served in combat. Failure to register now risks citizenship revocation.
Read More
Senator Rubio erroneously asserted a dichotomy between the federal and judicial branches, claiming immunity from judicial oversight regarding foreign policy conduct and communication. This statement reveals a disregard for the tripartite system of government, specifically the principle of separation of powers and checks and balances. His position reflects a belief in executive dominance, mirroring the Trump administration’s apparent view of unchecked presidential authority. This disregard for judicial review is particularly concerning given the Supreme Court’s recent rulings on presidential immunity and the current administration’s actions.
Read More
Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker