Trump promised mass deportations. Cities are preparing.

Summary

Apple News Today: Episode Summary Title: Trump promised mass deportations. Cities are preparing. Host: Shemitah Basu Release Date: January 22, 2025

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1. Trump’s Immigration Policies and Mass Deportation Preparation

Overview: In the forefront of today's discussions, Shemitah Basu delves into President Donald Trump's fulfillment of his campaign promise regarding mass deportations. With Trump now in office, cities across the United States are bracing for significant changes in immigration enforcement.

Key Points:

• Executive Orders and Policy Changes: Since taking office, Trump has signed multiple orders aimed at overhauling the immigration system. However, details about the implementation of mass deportations remain sparse.

• Target Demographics: Administration officials have indicated a focus on individuals with criminal convictions, aligning with strategies of previous administrations. Trump has emphasized leveraging state and local law enforcement in executing deportations.

• Resistance from Local Authorities: Despite federal pressures, many local law enforcement officials are resisting participation. For instance, a Las Vegas sheriff stated, “I think it'll be an interesting conversation, but roundups out in the community and those kinds of things, that's not my job. I have too much to do.” [01:27]

• Legal Challenges Ahead: Basu anticipates significant court involvement as the policy unfolds, given the resistance from various local governments.

Notable Quotes:

• Nora Sandigo, Executive Director of the Haitian Community Help and Resource Center: “We told them that if it happens that they encounter with an ICE officer on the street, they have the right to remain silent. They have the right to ask her to speak to a lawyer.” [02:08]

• Valeria Reyes Paz’s Mom: “Somos Persona vochadoras. No somos malas Personas.” (“We are fighters. We are not bad people.”) [03:26]

Impact on Communities: The promise of mass deportations has incited fear and uncertainty among immigrant families. Advocates are actively preparing communities with legal resources to protect against potential ICE encounters. The situation is exacerbated by past immigration policies, such as the separation of families during Trump’s first term, raising concerns about future similar actions.

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2. Prince Harry’s Legal Victory Against Rupert Murdoch’s Tabloids

Overview: A significant legal triumph was achieved by Prince Harry as his long-standing battle against Rupert Murdoch's tabloids concluded with a settlement and a formal apology.

Key Points:

• Settlement Details: Rupert Murdoch’s Newsgroup Newspapers (NGN) admitted to severe invasions of Harry’s privacy, including phone hacking and surveillance, over a span of at least 16 years. They have agreed to pay substantial damages and issued a “full and unequivocal apology.” [05:45]

• Impact on Tabloid Practices: This settlement is part of a broader pattern, with Murdoch’s tabloids having paid over $1.5 billion in settlements across more than 1,300 complaints. British civil law's inclination towards settlements over trials has facilitated these outcomes.

• Personal Significance for Harry: NPR media correspondent David Folkenflick highlighted the deep personal ramifications for Harry, linking the case back to traumatic events such as the death of his mother, Princess Diana, which was extensively covered by paparazzi. [05:45]

• Cultural Context: The British tabloid culture, characterized by relentless pursuit of public figures, is under scrutiny. Folkenflick noted, “British tabloid culture is one where they like to think of famous people and powerful people as fair game as sport.” [07:32]

Notable Quotes:

• Prince Harry: “This case revealed NGN unlawfully engaged more than 100 private investigators on 35,000 occasions. It’s a monumental victory that represents vindication for others who’ve been similarly exploited by the news group.” [06:00]

• David Folkenflick: “It would be a little bit as though Hollywood, Wall Street, and Washington D.C. collapsed in the same city.” [07:32]

Conclusion: The settlement marks a pivotal moment in Prince Harry’s quest for justice and accountability from intrusive media practices. It also underscores the systemic issues within tabloids’ pursuit of personal stories, setting a precedent for future cases.

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3. Los Angeles Wildfires and the Escalating Homelessness Crisis

Overview: Shemitah Basu reports on the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, highlighting their devastating impact on the city’s vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless.

Key Points:

• Scale of the Disaster: At least 200,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with thousands of homes and businesses destroyed. The housing shortage in LA, already dire, is expected to worsen, leading to skyrocketing prices and diminished insurance availability.

• Homeless Population Impact: The destruction exacerbates the challenges faced by LA’s unhoused individuals. Washington Post reporter Daniel Wu emphasized, “Most of the people I spoke to, they said the homelessness problem is an affordable housing problem...” [09:17]

• Personal Stories: Thomas Hutchinson, a 66-year-old who recently moved into a subsidized apartment, was forced into an emergency shelter due to the fires. The shelter system is now overwhelmed, limiting options for those displaced. [09:48]

• Current Crisis in Shelters: With many evacuation sites closed, the most vulnerable remain exposed, often relying on precarious alternatives like staying with friends or in their vehicles.

Notable Quotes:

• Daniel Wu: “His excitement about moving to a subsidized apartment was short-lived as the fires forced him into an emergency shelter.” [09:48]

• Valeria Reyes Paz’s Mom: “I know so many families are alone. They don't have any relative. They don't know what to do in case that something happened to their children.” [02:54]

Conclusion: The intersection of natural disasters and systemic homelessness presents a critical challenge for Los Angeles. The immediate response efforts are strained, and the long-term implications threaten to deepen the homelessness crisis in the city.

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4. Elise Stefanik’s Ambassador Nomination and Middle East Policy

Overview: The episode touches upon President Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik, highlighting her recent testimony and stance on Middle East policies.

Key Points:

• Senate Testimony: During her appearance before the Committee for Foreign Relations, Stefanik reiterated that Israel is a top priority for her. She expressed skepticism towards a two-state solution in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. [11:06]

• Controversial Stance: Stefanik asserted her belief in Israel’s “biblical right to the West Bank,” a territory occupied by Israel for over five decades. Her statements coincided with Israeli forces launching an offensive in the West Bank, resulting in casualties among Palestinians. [11:20]

• Political Implications: Her positions have sparked debates and scrutiny, especially in light of the simultaneous military actions by Israeli forces.

Notable Quotes:

• Elise Stefanik: “Israel has a biblical right to the West Bank.” [11:20]

Conclusion: Stefanik’s nomination and her firm stance on Israel’s territorial claims underscore the administration’s commitment to strong alliances in the Middle East, though they also raise concerns about the prospects for peace in the region.

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5. Elon Musk’s Controversial Gesture at Trump’s Rally

Overview: A significant portion of the episode addresses Elon Musk’s hand gesture during President Trump’s inauguration day rally, which has sparked widespread controversy and comparisons to historical fascist symbols.

Key Points:

• The Gesture: Musk placed his hand over his heart before extending it outward with the palm down, repeating the motion for the crowd. Many observers noted its resemblance to the Nazi salute. [11:37]

• Public Reaction: While Musk dismissed the criticisms on social media platform X, labeling them as “the Hitler attack is so tired,” extremist groups have celebrated the gesture. A neo-Nazi leader remarked, “I don't care if this was a mistake. I'm going to enjoy the tears over it.” [12:05]

• Cultural Context: Wired highlights that such gestures are normalized within certain British media circles, though their adoption by public figures like Musk elevates the discourse on acceptable public behavior. [07:32]

Notable Quotes:

• Elon Musk (via X): “the Hitler attack is so tired.” [12:05]

• Neo-Nazi Leader on Telegram: “I don't care if this was a mistake. I'm going to enjoy the tears over it.” [12:24]

Conclusion: Musk’s gesture has ignited debates about symbolism, intent, and the responsibilities of influential figures in public spaces. The incident reflects broader societal tensions regarding historical references and their modern interpretations.

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6. Ichiro Suzuki’s Historic Induction into Baseball’s Hall of Fame

Overview: Celebrating a milestone in sports history, Ichiro Suzuki has been elected to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame, marking a significant achievement for Asian athletes in American sports.

Key Points:

• Historic Achievement: Ichiro is the first Asian player inducted into Cooperstown, recognizing his impactful career that began with the Seattle Mariners in 2001. [12:26]

• Challenges Faced: Despite encountering racist heckling and skepticism about Japanese players’ longevity in MLB, Ichiro’s performance and perseverance have paved the way for future stars like Shohei Ohtani. [12:42]

• Legacy: His induction not only honors his individual accomplishments but also symbolizes the growing diversity and international influence in American baseball.

Notable Quotes:

• Ichiro Suzuki to NBC News: “I faced racist heckling when I started playing and knew that other Japanese players might be judged based on how they performed in the league.” [12:45]

Conclusion: Ichiro’s Hall of Fame induction stands as a testament to his exceptional skills and resilience. It also highlights the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball, embracing talent from diverse backgrounds.

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Additional Stories Covered:

• Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Five Years in Los Angeles: A sneak peek into their experiences and challenges during their initial years in the city, as featured in Vanity Fair. [13:09]

• Upcoming Narratives: The Apple News app offers narrated articles expanding on these stories, providing listeners with in-depth coverage and analysis. [13:08]

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Final Thoughts: Shemitah Basu effectively navigates a diverse array of topics in this episode, from immigration policies and high-profile legal battles to environmental crises, political gestures, and historic achievements in sports. The episode provides listeners with comprehensive insights, enriched by direct quotes and firsthand accounts, ensuring a thorough understanding of each subject matter.

For more detailed stories and ongoing coverage, subscribers are encouraged to explore the Apple News app.

Transcript

[Host 1]

Good morning.

[Shemitah Basu]

It's Wednesday, January 22nd. I'm Shemitah Basu.

[Host 1]

This is Apple News today.

[Shemitah Basu]

On today's show, a major legal victory for Prince Harry in his battle against Rupert Murdoch's tabloids.

[Correspondent 1]

What the LA fires are like for some of the city's most vulnerable people. And Elon Musk's hand gesture sends a.

[Host 1]

Message, intentional or not.

[Shemitah Basu]

But first, immigrant advocates and families across.

[Host 1]

The country are preparing for mass deportations now that President Trump is in office. It's something Trump promised for months.

[Shemitah Basu]

On the campaign trail, Trump has already.

[Host 1]

Signed several orders that will impact immigration.

[Shemitah Basu]

But so far, we know few details.

[Host 1]

About how his proposed mass deportation program would work, including including who would be targeted. Administration officials have said they will prioritize people with criminal convictions similar to past administrations. And Trump has said that he wants to lean on state and local law enforcement to assist with the deportations. In fact, he's threatened hundreds of state and local officials with criminal prosecutions and lawsuits if they don't comply with his plan.

[Shemitah Basu]

The courts will almost certainly get involved.

[Host 1]

A number of local law enforcement officials have already said they would not participate in mass detentions. It here's what one sheriff told CBS in Las Vegas.

[Sheriff]

I think it'll be an interesting conversation, but roundups out in the community and those kinds of things, that's not my job. I have too much to do.

[Host 1]

But with Trump's threats looming, immigration advocates are trying to prepare families with the legal knowledge they might need to navigate an encounter with ice. Like in Springfield, Ohio, where Haitian migrants were placed in the national spotlight when Trump on the debate stage repeated false claims that migrants in Springfield were eating pets, a claim that Springfield police and officials have repeatedly said was not true.

[Shemitah Basu]

Here's Villa Storsonville, the executive director of.

[Host 1]

The Haitian Community Help and Resource center in Springfield, speaking with the Columbus Dispatch.

[Nora Sandigo]

We told them that if it happens that they encounter with an ICE officer on the street, they have the right to remain silent. They have the right to ask her to speak to a lawyer.

[Shemitah Basu]

And in Miami, Florida, the Associated Press.

[Host 1]

Spent time with Nora Sandigo, who runs a foundation for children and has been.

[Shemitah Basu]

Helping families there prepare.

[Valeria Reyes Paz's Mom]

Today, what we did is that we did a drill of how to protect the deportation knock at the door of your house. I know so many families are alone. They don't have any relative. They don't know what to do in case that something happened to their children.

[Shemitah Basu]

During Trump's first term, under his zero.

[Host 1]

Tolerance immigration policy, border officials separated thousands of parents and children at the southern.

[Shemitah Basu]

Border this time, we could see families.

[Host 1]

Of mixed status pulled apart.

[Shemitah Basu]

Al Jazeera spoke to a family in.

[Host 1]

New York who's preparing for the possibility of being separated. Valeria Reyes Paz came to the US Undocumented as a child when her mom pled violence in Honduras. Valeria now has permanent status, but that's not the case for all of her loved ones. Here's her mom speaking to Al Jazeera.

[Valeria Reyes Paz's Mom]

Somos Persona vochadoras. No somos malas Personas.

[Shemitah Basu]

The mom says we are fighters.

[Host 1]

We are not bad people. And Valeria says she's frustrated to see contributions of immigrants overlooked in all of these debates about their status in America.

[Valeria Reyes Paz]

I feel like right now there's a lot of like, anger inside of me. I don't understand how people don't see how much we immigrants do for this country. This country has been built by immigrants.

[Host 1]

Deportations came up yesterday when Trump attended the inaugural prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington, and he was asked.

[Shemitah Basu]

Directly by Bishop Marianne Buddy to show.

[Host 1]

Compassion toward immigrants living in the United States.

[Bishop Marianne Buddy]

The vast majority of immigrants are not criminals. They pay taxes and are good neighbors. They are faithful members of our churches and mosques, synagogues, wadara and temples. I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities.

[Shemitah Basu]

There are currently about 11 million people.

[Host 1]

Living in the United States without legal status. And it's estimated there are more than 3.5 million pending immigration cases slowly winding.

[Shemitah Basu]

Their way through our courts.

[Correspondent 1]

Now to the UK Where Prince Harry's years long legal battle against the British tabloids has come to an end with a settlement agreement and a rare apology. Rupert Murdoch's newsgroup newspapers NGN has admitted to serious intrusions on Harry's personal life and offered a, quote, full and unequivocal apology for things like phone hacking and surveillance. It has also agreed to pay substantial damages. A lawyer for Prince Harry says the case revealed NGN unlawfully engaged more than 100 private investigators on 35,000 occasions over at least 16 years. In a statement, the prince called it a monumental victory that represents vindication for others who've been similarly exploited by the news group. We caught up with NPR media correspondent David Folkenflick yesterday before news of the settlement broke. And he told us this case has been deeply personal for Harry.

[David Folkenflick]

It's really kind of the last big chapter, in some ways of a roiling scandal that stretches back in its origins decades to Prince Harry's youth and really to the time after his mother's death. Princess Diana.

[Correspondent 1]

The statement from NGN also apologizes to Harry for intruding on his mother's private life. Prince Harry has long blamed the tabloids for what happened to his mother, who died in a car crash while being chased by paparazzi. He has also blamed the British tabloids for their coverage of his wife, Meghan Markle, which he has described as ranging from invasive to racist, and for drumming up drama that's led to a rift between him and the rest of his family. And Harry wasn't alone in these kinds of complaints.

[David Folkenflick]

Hundreds of people allege that the Sunday News of the World tabloid and the sun tabloid hacked into their private voicemail messages, illegally obtained financial or medical records, and otherwise illegally acquired or obtained or got access to their private personal material.

[Correspondent 1]

Over the years, Murdoch's tabloids have paid more than $1.5 billion in settlements to settle more than 1300 complaints. British Civil law encourages settlements. That's because, as the BBC explains, the winner of a case could end up being on the hook to pay the legal cost of their opponent if the damages they're awarded in court are less than what they were offered in a settlement. This settlement was unusual in that it came with a detailed apology. Murdoch has tried desperately to avoid any public acknowledgment of wrongdoing in other cases. Folk n Flick told us, hacking phones, hacking personal records is all quite normal in British media culture.

[David Folkenflick]

British tabloid culture is one where they like to think of famous people and powerful people as fair game as sport. And they would go after the personal failings and the fallibilities of politicians, celebrities, actors, singers, sports stars, the like. To an American audience, it would be a little bit as though Hollywood, Wall street and Washington D.C. collapsed in the same city. Right in the same concentrated area. You have most of the celebrities of the nation and most of the big newspapers. In fact, all of the big newspapers are based in London. So there is a frenzy and a scrum of competition.

[Correspondent 1]

As the BBC points out, this outcome is a huge win for Prince Harry. But Murdoch's paper has managed to avoid its worst case scenario, which would have been a full blown trial, complete with highly watched court appearances by the Prince himself.

[Shemitah Basu]

Let's turn now to Los Angeles, where firefighters are still battling wildfires. Before this crisis, LA already had a.

[Host 1]

Serious housing shortage and now it's expected to get much worse. At least 200,000 Angelenos were ordered to evacuate and thousands of homes and businesses have been lost. It all means housing will be even more strained, prices will skyrocket and insurance will be far harder to come by. And that leaves One group even farther LA's unhoused population. Here's Washington Post reporter Daniel Wu.

[Daniel Wu]

Most of the people I spoke to, they said the homelessness problem is an affordable housing problem, just a simple lack of housing units where most of these folks can afford and can get off the street and begin to establish stability. So with the damage done by the fires and the displacement, there's going to be a lot more work to do.

[Host 1]

Wu told us about Thomas Hutchinson, a 66 year old who spent years navigating the LA Homeless Services system. He had just settled into a subsidized apartment in Altadena in December, weeks before the fire started.

[Daniel Wu]

He was really excited, he said, about the prospect of moving to somewhere that was going to give him his own clean space with his own bathroom and kitchen. And he had just moved in for barely a month by the time the fires started.

[Host 1]

He evacuated and was taken to an emergency shelter. But since the fires, the shelter system is in major crisis. Many housing sites were forced to evacuate and that's leaving Los Angeles most vulnerable population with few good options.

[Daniel Wu]

What I heard from some of the people I spoke to, if they were lucky, they had friends or family they could stay with. Some slept in their cars or some ended up back in just the emergency evacuation sites that were being used for everyone that had to flee the fires.

[Host 1]

Staff at LA's homeless services agencies told Wu that one of their greatest concerns right now is trying to locate people who are still unaccounted for, especially those who are on the streets being exposed to toxic air conditions. Before the fires, LA had the second worst homelessness crisis in the country. It'll be a while before we have a clear sense of how much worse it's about.

[Shemitah Basu]

Now to a few other stories we're following. Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United.

[Host 1]

Nations, Elise Stefanik, faced questions from senators on the Committee for Foreign Relations yesterday.

[Shemitah Basu]

She testified Israel would be a top priority for her and says she does.

[Host 1]

Not believe in a two state solution to the Israel Hamas war.

[Shemitah Basu]

She also says she believes Israel has.

[Host 1]

A biblical right to the west bank, which Israel has occupied for more than 50 years. On the same day as her testimony, Israeli forces launched an offensive in the.

[Shemitah Basu]

West bank that reportedly killed at least.

[Host 1]

Eight Palestinians and injured many more.

[Shemitah Basu]

There has been a lot of scrutiny.

[Host 1]

Over a hand gesture made by Elon Musk during his speech at President Trump's celebratory rally on Inauguration Day. Musk thanked the crowd for making Trump's.

[Shemitah Basu]

Victory happen, then placed his hand on.

[Host 1]

His heart before extending his arm straight out above his head, palm down. He then turned around and repeated the same motion to the people behind him. Plenty have pointed out how much it resembled the fascist salute adopted by the Nazis. Musk himself appeared to brush aside the.

[Shemitah Basu]

Criticisms on X, saying quote the everyone.

[Host 1]

Is Hitler attack is so tired. Meanwhile, Wired reports regardless of Musk's intentions, some right wing extremists are celebrating the gesture. One leader of a neo Nazi group posted on Telegram quote, I don't care if this was a mistake. I'm going to enjoy the tears over it.

[Shemitah Basu]

And finally, a little history made in.

[Host 1]

The world of baseball.

[Shemitah Basu]

Yesterday, Ichiro Suzuki was elected to baseball's hall of Fame, becoming the first Asian player to make it to Cooperstown.

[Host 1]

He made his debut with the Seattle.

[Shemitah Basu]

Mariners in 2001 and at the time.

[Host 1]

Was the first Japanese position player in Major League Baseball.

[Shemitah Basu]

Ichiro told NBC News that he faced.

[Host 1]

Racist heckling when he started playing and.

[Shemitah Basu]

Knew that other Japanese players might be.

[Host 1]

Judged based on how he preferred formed in the league.

[Shemitah Basu]

We now know how that turned out. His career paved the way for current greats like Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app. And if you're already listening in the News app right now, we've got a.

[Host 1]

Narrated article coming up next.

[Shemitah Basu]

We've got more for you on the Royals Vanity Fair has a story about.

[Host 1]

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's first five.

[Shemitah Basu]

Years in Los Angeles and why it.

[Host 1]

Hasn'T always been so smooth.

[Shemitah Basu]

If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.