What's Happening

US News

Communities Brace for the Trump Administration's Immigration Crackdown

What's going on: Across the country, unauthorized immigrants are preparing for President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations — a pledge that extends far beyond the southern border. While the nature of the deportations remain unclear, immigration advocates in places like Painesville, Ohio, are also mobilizing. The Washington Post reports that foreign-born residents have been calling immigration lawyers, attending informational meetings put on by nonprofits, and taking whatever steps they can to try and protect themselves come January. Many have “mixed-status” families, meaning their households include US-born children, naturalized citizens, or legal immigrants. It’s not just Ohio, where an estimated 130,000 undocumented immigrants live, that’s bracing for new immigration policies — advocates in California and Florida are also organizing in anticipation of potential sweeping reforms.

What it means: During Trump’s first term, immigration policies led to the separation of thousands of children from their families. (Though separations also occurred during President Joe Biden’s administration.) Now, many migrants fear a repeat. While Trump has said he plans to deport 15 to 20 million migrants, the incoming president has recently placed more of an emphasis on removing criminals than carrying out a mass exodus. Trump has said his administration would be open to building detention camps and using the military to carry out deportations. However, Tom Homan, the incoming border czar, has said the exact number of removals will depend on the amount of available resources.

Related: Could Trump’s Immigration Policies Dwindle the Caregiving Workforce? (Axios)

International

South Korea Faces Post-Impeachment Limbo

What's going on: Over the weekend, South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, just weeks after his surprise move to impose martial law. The impeachment bill, which passed 204-85, claimed Yoon perpetrated an “insurrection.” Now, Yoon’s presidential powers have been suspended (though he vowed in a speech that he’d “never give up” his fight to return to office). Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president until a Constitutional Court reviews parliament’s impeachment decision, which could lead to a new election, but likely not for months. If the court upholds the impeachment, the election must take place within 60 days of the ruling.

What it means: South Koreans danced in the streets to celebrate Yoon’s removal. However, his impeachment doesn’t resolve the broader uncertainty gripping the country, especially as it moves forward without an elected leader. Lately, South Korea has struggled with a widening wealth gap, gender tensions (looking at you, 4B movement), and precarious international relations ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s presidency. (Trump has criticized the US’s alliance with South Korea and said he’d get along with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un.) South Korea isn’t alone in its political turmoil — two of America’s other close allies, Germany and France, saw their governments collapse in a single month.

Related: Democracies Around the World Have Had Some Wildcard Elections Lately (AP)

Lifestyle

All Some People Want for the Holidays Is To Be Alone

What's going on: If you could spend the holidays alone, would you? Well, a growing number of people are choosing to do just that. The energy is less “bah humbug” and more about exercising the power of free will. Some people want to skip the stress of travel, the pressure to find the perfect gifts, or want to escape from slightly (okay, very) judgmental relatives. For others, they just want to take the time to reset from their chaotic lives. Shannon Rosa, a neonatal intensive care unit nurse, told The Washington Post: “I’m in a career where I give a lot of myself mentally, emotionally, and physically, and I realized I need to give myself something this year.” That’s why she’s got solo plans for Christmas Day. No one told us this was an option. 

What it means: It’s no secret that the holidays can be a super stressful time. But the stigma around spending the holidays solo is fading, especially on social media, where some are proudly celebrating and fully embracing the luxury of their alone time. Those who have already spent the holidays on their own, say it has been extremely liberating and is the exact reset they need before going into the new year. Some studies have also shown that spending time alone has a number of benefits, including inspiring creativity and bringing a sense of tranquility. Sign us up. However, there is a difference between choosing to spend the holidays alone and being isolated. Experts say that is especially true at a time when so many Americans are struggling with feelings of loneliness — so much so that the surgeon general declared it an epidemic. 

Related: These Are Some Little Tips and Tricks to Make the Holidays Less Stressful (CNN)