Trump Administration Faces Scrutiny Over Immigration Policies, Gaza Plans, and Government Shutdown
The Trump administration faced scrutiny on multiple fronts Monday, including immigration policies, plans for Gaza, and a partial government shutdown.
On the immigration front, the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt was slated to reopen, according to NPR Politics, marking a potential step forward in a ceasefire agreement. The border had been sealed for nearly a year. However, details regarding the exact timing and conditions of the reopening remained unclear.
Meanwhile, a group of civil rights organizations and U.S. citizens sued the State Department over its suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, NPR News reported. The lawsuit argues that the policy, which went into effect on January 21, attempted to "eviscerate decades of settled immigration law." The visa ban affected countries including Afghanistan, Somalia, Brazil, Colombia, Thailand, Russia, and Canada.
In a related development, Time reported that federal immigration agents in Minneapolis were being issued body-worn cameras, with plans to expand the program nationwide as funding becomes available. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the initiative on X, stating, "Effective immediately we are deploying body cameras to every officer in the field in Minneapolis... We will rapidly acquire and deploy body cameras to DHS law enforcement across the country." Noem added that she had spoken with White House border czar Tom Homan, who is overseeing federal immigration operations.
Beyond immigration, Jared Kushner, former President Trump's son-in-law, presented a "New Gaza" vision in Davos, Switzerland, according to NPR Politics. The plan includes modern apartments, industrial zones, and park-lined neighborhoods following the removal of rubble from the war-torn territory. This vision, contingent on a Trump-brokered ceasefire and Hamas disarmament, aims to create a thriving destination with ample employment opportunities. However, Palestinians have expressed concerns that the plan erases their existing homes and history.
Domestically, President Trump urged House lawmakers to end the partial government shutdown that began over the weekend, Time reported. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he was working with Speaker Mike Johnson to send legislation the Senate had already passed to his desk, where he promised to sign it immediately. "There can be NO CHANGES at this time," he wrote, warning that another prolonged shutdown would be pointless and destructive. He called on lawmakers in both parties to vote yes and reopen the government "WITHOUT DELAY." The plea underscored the precarious position Johnson finds himself in as the House returned from a weeklong recess.
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