Driven by the Trump administration’s policies, Canadian universities are experiencing a surge in applications from US students. UBC Vancouver reported a 27% increase in graduate applications from US citizens, prompting a fast-tracked admissions process for September. The University of Toronto and University of Waterloo also noted increased applications and interest from the US, attributed to visa revocations, funding cuts to US universities, and increased scrutiny of student social media. However, Canada’s cap on international student intake may limit the number of US students ultimately accepted.
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Federal Judge Paula Xinis sharply criticized the Trump administration for its inaction in returning Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national wrongly deported to El Salvador, giving officials two weeks to provide evidence of their efforts. The judge threatened contempt of court charges if the administration fails to demonstrate good faith, demanding sworn testimony from four Homeland Security officials. While the Supreme Court ordered the administration to facilitate Mr. Ábrego García’s return, the government’s actions, including conflicting statements about his potential re-entry, raise concerns about compliance. The case highlights a broader conflict between the judicial and executive branches regarding deportation policy and the Trump administration’s handling of the situation.
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Following the Trump administration’s refusal to comply with court orders to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to a dangerous El Salvadoran prison, Judge Paula Xinis ordered sworn testimony from relevant officials. This action follows the administration’s repeated defiance of a Supreme Court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, despite claims of lacking authority and assertions from El Salvador’s president that repatriation is impossible. The judge rejected these arguments, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s decision is binding. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers contend that the U.S. government possesses the means to secure his release and that contempt proceedings may be necessary.
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Former President Obama lauded Harvard University for its defiance of the Trump administration’s unlawful demands, which included eliminating diversity initiatives and suppressing pro-Palestine student groups. These demands, aimed at Harvard and other universities, threatened billions in federal funding. Harvard’s refusal to comply, according to Obama, sets a crucial precedent for academic freedom. The administration’s actions were deemed an attempt to stifle intellectual inquiry and debate on campus.
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The U.S. blocked a G7 statement condemning Russia’s deadly Sumy attack, citing concerns about disrupting peace efforts. This decision, following previous instances of U.S. divergence from G7 unity on Ukraine, came despite widespread condemnation of the attack as a war crime by other members. The U.S. stance, characterized by a softer tone and a lack of increased pressure on Russia, contrasts sharply with the positions of European leaders. This action underscores the Trump administration’s shift in foreign policy regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, prioritizing a negotiated ceasefire despite limited progress.
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Former Milwaukee police sergeant Charles Cross, despite a history of misconduct and inclusion on a Brady list, found employment with CoreCivic, a private ICE contractor. In his role as an “investigator,” Cross falsely claimed a Venezuelan asylum seeker was gang affiliated, leading to his deportation and imprisonment in El Salvador. This case highlights the broader issue of unlawful detention and human rights abuses within the U.S. immigration system under the Trump administration, facilitated by individuals like Cross who actively participate in such actions. The lack of accountability for these individuals raises concerns about the future and the need for justice.
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Harvard University, a prestigious institution with a massive endowment, found itself facing a $2.2 billion funding freeze after openly defying the Trump administration. This drastic measure, implemented by a government seemingly intent on punishing dissent, highlights a dangerous trend of targeting critical voices and institutions. The sheer scale of the funding cut is staggering, raising serious questions about the implications for research and the overall academic landscape.
This wasn’t just a small setback; it represented a significant blow to the university’s research capabilities. The frozen funds weren’t for general operating expenses; they supported crucial research projects deemed to be of high scientific merit and societal benefit.… Continue reading
The Trump administration, ordered by the Supreme Court to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador’s CECOT prison, instead feigned compliance. The administration, along with Salvadoran President Bukele, engaged in a disingenuous exchange, shifting responsibility for Garcia’s repatriation. This action, stemming from the mass deportation of individuals with negligible evidence of criminal activity, demonstrates blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s ruling. The administration’s assertion that this is a matter of foreign policy, not subject to judicial review, represents a dangerous expansion of executive power, potentially jeopardizing the rights of American citizens. This defiance of a Supreme Court order underscores a growing trend of presidential lawlessness, leaving the Court to determine whether to uphold the Constitution or condone such actions.
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The Trump administration and Salvadoran President Bukele are both feigning powerlessness regarding the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongly deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Despite a Supreme Court ruling stating the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release, both leaders claim inability to act, leaving his family separated and highlighting a potential constitutional crisis. This defiance extends to other cases, such as that of Merwil Gutiérrez, a Venezuelan immigrant deported without cause, further illustrating the disregard for legal processes and human rights. The situation exposes a troubling power dynamic where neither government takes responsibility for the individuals unjustly imprisoned.
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Stephen Miller, Deputy White House Chief of Staff, vehemently defended the Trump administration’s refusal to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported despite a Supreme Court order mandating his return. Miller’s aggressive Fox News interview contradicted the administration’s own acknowledgment of the wrongful deportation, claiming bringing Garcia back would constitute kidnapping and violate El Salvador’s sovereignty. This defiance follows a Sunday legal filing arguing against active repatriation, and El Salvador’s President Bukele’s refusal to release Garcia. Miller’s outburst, characterized by interruptions and accusations of media distortion, exemplifies a pattern of confrontational on-air behavior.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood