Globalization, Disintegration Archives

ICE Detentions Hit Record Levels as Deaths and Medical Failures Mount

2Sep

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Human rights, Immigration, Migration, Types of News: Analysis

ICE Detentions Hit Record Levels as Deaths and Medical Failures Mount

Private Firms Profit, Prisoners Beg for Medical Help, and DHS Investigates Deaths Aug. 26, 2026 ICE announced its agents detained 1,328 people in Virginia and Maryland over a two-week period. September 2, 2026—As the number of people taken and held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement soared this Summer amid reports of “abysmal” conditions at the detention centers. Since President Donald Trump started his second term in office in January 2025, 57 people have died in ICE custody. Last week, a Chinese national by the name of Lianyong Wei died hours after ICE arrested him in Saipan, a U.S. commonwealth in the Western Pacific. Meanwhile, thousands of others have suffered medical emergencies, such as head injuries, dehydration, strokes, and malnutrition, while in ICE custody, ac...

The Human Rights Case Against Nicolás Maduro

2Jun

By Ernesto RodriguezNo Comments

Human rights, Immigration, Migration, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Analysis

The Human Rights Case Against Nicolás Maduro

A Venezuelan Expat Makes A Case for Justice That Can Bring About Real Democratic Change Editor’s Note: Venezuelan expat Ernesto Rodriguez reflects on the U.S. military’s Jan. 3, 2026 capture of Nicolás Maduro, recounts the authoritarian leader’s grip on power from 2013-2026, makes a case against the years of torture and political corruption, and calls for justice. Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, are facing U.S. federal charges in New York for narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. Let's picture the scene. I'm sleeping back home in Madrid, and I get woken up by a call from Caracas, where the time is around 3 o'clock in the morning. As anyone knows, calls at those hours are usually some form of bad—or at the very least urgent—news. This wasn't an except...

5Feb

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Globalization, Disintegration, Types of News: Analysis

The COVID Leak and Political Coverup

Much remains a mystery about the COVID-19 virus. But there are some answers. Controversy, Conclusions and the Complicated Quest for Answers February 5, 2026—Six years after the worldwide outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic that killed over 7 million people, researchers are still asking how the virus started. Today, it is perhaps even more relevant to seek the truth about what happened. Given the breakdown in international law and the abandonment of foundations to punish war crimes, mass atrocities, and genocide, the public must ensure that scientific research is honorable. Snapshot of the Impact First, here is a brief overview of the virus's global impact: The World Health Organization estimates that 7,109,667 people have died from the virus since 2019. Some areas were hit har...

America on the Brink of Turmoil, Tyranny and Perhaps Even Civil Conflict

26Jan

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Domestic Politics: United States, Immigration, Migration, Types of News: Analysis

America on the Brink of Turmoil, Tyranny and Perhaps Even Civil Conflict

Photo pulled from YouTube video by NYT photographer David Guttenfelder about Jan. 24, 2026 the Minneapolis shooting. Federal Immigration Crackdown Incites Fear, Killings, and Civil Protests January 26, 2026—The United States is on the brink of a national crisis and a government shutdown after the second killing by gunfire of an American citizen by federal forces. Conflict over immigration in the United States is adding to the pressures of growing inequality, corruption, and a national debt above $38 trillion. Tensions are rising due to the deployment of federal forces in U.S. cities who are now targeting U.S. citizens as well as immigrants. ‘Under Siege and Occupation’ Citizens in some cities and states report across social media that they feel under siege or occupation by U.S...

Judge Orders ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Close on Environmental Concerns

29Aug

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Immigration, Migration, Types of News: Analysis

Judge Orders ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Close on Environmental Concerns

Florida Spent $245 Million on the Now-Closed Facility August 29, 2025—One of the most notorious migrant detention centers in the United States, located in the Florida Everglades, is closing over environmental concerns. The mass detention center, known as "Alligator Alcatraz," is the center of multiple lawsuits and widespread controversy due to its inhumane conditions and location. The roughly 336 detainees who had been held there have reportedly been moved. In June, President Donald Trump dubbed the massive facility “Alligator Alcatraz” because the surrounding swamp is “not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon.” “We’re surrounded by miles of treacherous swampland, and the only way out is really deportation,” Trump said in June at the announced opening. Deplorable Cond...

Exporting Criminals: U.S. Ships Noncitizen Inmates to Third Countries

20Jul

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Domestic Politics: United States, Foreign Aid, International Development, Human rights, Immigration, Migration, International Law, Legal Battles, Types of News: Analysis

Exporting Criminals: U.S. Ships Noncitizen Inmates to Third Countries

Eswatini Joins El Salvador and South Sudan for Importing Detainees U.S. ships noncitizens abroad, including convicted criminals July 20, 2025—In undisclosed deals with third countries, the U.S. government is shipping noncitizens abroad to be locked up in detention centers. The latest shipment to the Kingdom of Eswatini included five people who had been previously convicted in U.S. courts of murder, child rape, robbery, and homicide, according to the Department of Homeland Security. DHS released photos of the detainees, along with their convictions, but not their names. DHS says the home countries of Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Cuba, and Yemen “refused to take them back.” Notably, neither country disclosed details of the deal or revealed information about the financial ...

U.S. Removes Welcome for Students from China

29May

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Democracy, Domestic Politics: United States, Globalization, Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

U.S. Removes Welcome for Students from China

State Department Announces 'Aggressive Revocation' of Visas for Chinese Students May 29, 2025—In another move to assert control over U.S. universities, the Trump Administration announced an aggressive policy to revoke visas for students from China. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the department and the Department of Homeland Security would “aggressively revoke visas for Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields.” He said the government would also scrutinize future visa applications from China and Hong Kong. The change in policy impacts more than 270,000 students of the 1.1 million international students enrolled in U.S. universities. Moreover, the decision is expected to have a detrimental financial impact ...

Canada’s PM Promises to Never Forget the Lessons of the ‘American Betrayal’

29Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Diplomacy, Globalization, Disintegration, Political Systems, Domestic Politics, Types of News: Brief

Canada’s PM Promises to Never Forget the Lessons of the ‘American Betrayal’

Mark Carney Vows To Build New Economic And Security Relationships April 29, 2025—Canada elected Mark Carney to lead the country amid an atmosphere of tense relations with the United States under the presidency of Donald Trump. Carney is an economist and former central banker with extensive experience in managing financial turbulence. He led the Bank of England during Britain’s Brexit from the European Union and saw the Bank of Canada through the 2008-9 financial crisis. In March, he won the election to lead the Liberal Party with 85.9 percent of the party’s vote. He was sworn in as prime minister shortly thereafter, replacing Justin Trudeau. America Won’t ‘Break Us’ America played a central role in this year’s Canadian elections. In his second term, Trump has taken an ag...

1Apr

By Patti MohrNo Comments

Global Trade, Globalization, Disintegration, Types of News: Brief

USTR Releases Report on Trade Barriers

April 1, 2025--On the week the Trump Administration is expected to issue tariffs that could potentially impact most U.S. trading partners, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer released a report detailing barriers to global trade. The 397-page report includes input from several government agencies and public comments from October 2024. Organized by country, it will likely serve as a compass for bilateral negotiations going forward. What's helpful is a description of 14 types of trade barriers discussed. They include: Import policies such as tariffs, import charges, quantitative restrictions, and licensing requirements, customs barriers and shortcomings in trade facilitation, and other market access barriers; Technical barriers to trade, such as restrictive standards, conformity ...

Commentary: The Ironic Case of the ICE Agent Avenger Anti-Hero

24Mar

By Guest WriterNo Comments

Immigration, Migration, Type of Post: Essays & Travel Writing, Types of News: Analysis

Commentary: The Ironic Case of the ICE Agent Avenger Anti-Hero

Editor’s Note: On Saturday, March 8, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and a lead negotiator on behalf of student activists who protested during the 2023-2024 school year. The controversial detention of Khalil, a green card holder and legal resident, is at the center of attention in the United States as the Trump Administration challenges foreign students based on speech. The commentary below examines the incident from a more profound human-interest perspective. Writer Matt Mikalatos notes the irony that the lead ICE agent is wearing a T-shirt promoting superheroes from the Marvel Pictures Avengers series. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/hxC_LpyW4Gc By Matt Mikalatos One of the odd and ironic things about th...