Federal govt. restores legal status of intl. students; The future of Piedmont Park

Summary

Georgia Today Podcast Summary: Federal Govt. Restores Legal Status of Intl. Students; The Future of Piedmont Park

Release Date: April 25, 2025
Host: Peter Biello | Georgia Public Broadcasting

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1. Restoration of Legal Status for International Students

Overview:
In a significant development, the federal government has reversed its decision to terminate the legal status of dozens of international students affected by previous immigration policies. This change follows extensive court challenges filed across the United States, highlighting the resilience and advocacy of affected students.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Charles Cook's Analysis:
  Immigration attorney Charles Cook provided an in-depth perspective on the restoration process. He detailed how the reversal appears to be a manual and random process, suggesting a possible shift in ICE's approach due to ongoing legal pressures.

  "This is 100% ICE realizing that they were wrong. I can only imagine the conversations with their lawyers." [03:57]

• Mechanics of Restoration:
  Cook explained that designated school officers (DSOs) are pivotal in communicating these changes. However, uncertainties remain regarding whether ICE will coordinate with the Department of State to unrevoke visas and offer further assistance to affected students.

  "We just don't know if they've done that. And frankly, I doubt they have." [03:12]

• Impact on Plaintiffs:
  The restoration has been a relief for existing plaintiffs, with new plaintiffs initially skeptical but now experiencing status reversals. Cook emphasized the class action's potential growth, indicating a positive shift for international students nationwide.

  "So, frankly, it's good that ICE did this." [03:54]

Conclusions:
While the restoration marks a legal victory, Cook cautions that this may only be the beginning of ongoing challenges for international students under the current administration.

"If we have learned nothing about this administration to date, is that this is the beginning, not the end." [04:26]

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2. Jon Ossoff Addresses CDC Funding Cuts

Overview:
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is actively combating the Trump administration's proposed budget cuts affecting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other critical programs based in Atlanta.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Senator Ossoff's Efforts:
  Speaking at a town hall in Marietta, Ossoff expressed frustration over the lack of immediate solutions to reverse the cuts.

  "There is no button that I can simply press that I'm not pressing or some tool of procedure that I can use that I'm not using that will reverse what they're doing." [04:43]

• Impact of Cuts:
  The proposed reductions include significant layoffs, approximately 2,400 positions, targeting programs that monitor and prevent public health issues such as asthma, smoking, gun violence, and climate change. Ossoff's actions are seen as crucial, especially with his re-election campaign looming and potential gubernatorial challenges.

Conclusions:
Ossoff's proactive stance underscores the importance of maintaining robust public health infrastructure in Georgia, especially amidst political uncertainties.

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3. Savannah Implements New Zoning for Affordable Housing

Overview:
Savannah City Council has approved a new zoning map to bolster affordable housing initiatives, addressing the city's significant housing affordability challenges.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Zoning Changes:
  The new affordable housing overlay district spans over 400 acres, predominantly south of Forsyth Park. The relaxed zoning laws permit higher-density developments, including duplexes and apartment complexes, to increase the housing inventory.

  "To get started with increasing our inventory for housing. This is real in this city. It's real all over this country." – Alderwoman Estella Edwards Shabazz [05:51]

• Housing Affordability:
  Benjamin Payne highlighted that nearly half of Savannah's renters are "cost burdened," spending over 30% of their income on housing. The zoning adjustments aim to alleviate this pressure by creating more affordable living options.

Conclusions:
The initiative represents a strategic effort by Savannah to enhance housing accessibility and affordability, aligning with broader national trends addressing housing crises.

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4. VA Medical Center Faces Protests Over Layoffs

Overview:
Nurses and union members at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Decatur are organizing protests against impending layoffs, which they argue will negatively impact patient care.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Protest Organization:
  The National Nurses United and the American Federation of Government Employees Local 518 are leading the efforts to spotlight the issue, particularly criticizing former Georgia Representative Doug Collins, now VA Secretary, for supporting workforce reductions.

• Impact on Veterans:
  The VA serves over 125,000 veterans annually, with existing concerns over long wait times for critical services. For instance, gastroenterology appointments face a 109-day wait, and neuro appointments have a 67-day wait, underscoring the urgency of maintaining adequate staffing levels.

Conclusions:
The planned protests reflect the broader tensions between workforce management and quality of care within federal agencies dedicated to veteran services.

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5. Delta Airlines Partners with Uber to Enhance Rewards

Overview:
Delta Airlines has announced a new partnership with Uber, allowing travelers to earn SkyMiles through Uber and Uber Eats transactions, enhancing the ways members can accumulate rewards.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Earning SkyMiles:
  Beginning this week, users can earn 1 mile per dollar spent on UberX rides to and from airports, as well as on qualifying restaurant and grocery store orders through Uber Eats, provided the order exceeds $40.

  "To me growing up, I've always seen Dallas Austin as someone who has helped elevate our city through music. There is an Atlanta sound that I hear. It sounds kind of Southern, a little country. You hear some jazz and I thought we gotta bring that sound out." – Christy York Wooten [12:02]

Conclusions:
The collaboration between Delta and Uber aims to offer more diverse avenues for SkyMiles members to earn rewards, potentially increasing customer loyalty and engagement.

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6. Future Vision for Piedmont Park Unveiled

Overview:
Piedmont Park Conservancy has released its first master plan in 25 years, outlining a comprehensive vision for the park’s future to accommodate its growing visitor base and evolving community needs.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Master Plan Details:
  The plan addresses community priorities such as recreation, maintenance, and ecological restoration, with a focus on enhancing existing features and introducing new amenities tailored for the 21st-century park user.

  "What we've tried to do is enhance the beautiful existing conditions, but also add new amenities and facilities that meet the 21st century needs of today's park user." – Benjamin Payne [07:56]

• Design and Implementation:
  Thomas Woltz, chief designer of the Beltline plan, emphasized that some new amenities are designed to disperse crowds to maintain a pleasant experience for all visitors. The full implementation of the master plan is expected to require ongoing fundraising and a decade of development.

Conclusions:
The master plan represents a strategic effort to ensure Piedmont Park remains a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive space for millions of visitors annually.

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7. Documentary "The Games in Black and White" Premieres

Overview:
A new documentary, "The Games in Black and White," explores the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, focusing on the pivotal friendship between Andrew Young and Billy Payne that played a crucial role in bringing the Olympics to Atlanta.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Themes and Relevance:
  The film delves into themes of civil rights and unity, highlighting how the collaboration between Young, a prominent civil rights leader, and Payne, a real estate attorney, exemplifies Atlanta's dedication to diversity and progress.

  "Who would have thought that this story from 30 years, 35 years ago would have the kind of social relevance and meaning and importance, as Bob said, a critical message for our time." – Charles Cook [10:07]

• Community Impact:
  The documentary emphasizes the lasting legacy of the Olympics on Atlanta's global reputation and its ongoing influence on community initiatives like Centennial Park.

  "This is Atlanta. You know, we're the world's best demonstration of different races working together, not perfectly, as Andy would say, but in harmony." – Estella Edwards Shabazz [11:39]

• Soundtrack and Premiere:
  Complemented by a homegrown soundtrack featuring Dallas Austin and Champ I'm In, the film premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival and will be available on GPB.

Conclusions:
"The Games in Black and White" offers a nuanced portrayal of the Atlanta Olympics, underscoring the city's role as a beacon of diversity and unity.

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8. Atlanta Falcons and Sports Updates

Overview:
The Atlanta Falcons have made strategic selections in the recent draft to strengthen their defense, while local sports teams prepare for upcoming competitions.

Key Insights & Discussions:

• Falcons' Draft Picks:

  • Jalen Walker: Selected 15th overall, Walker is recognized for his versatility as both a linebacker and edge rusher, having won the 2024 Butkus Award.

    "Viewsed as a player with the potential to play a hybrid role in the NFL as a linebacker and edge rusher." [12:16]

  • Michael Williams: Drafted 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers, Williams hails from Columbus and is anticipated to make significant contributions to his new team.

• Other Sports News:

  • Baseball: The Atlanta Braves are set to face the Arizona Diamondbacks, with pitcher Chris Sale starting against Zach Gallen.
  • Soccer: Atlanta United will compete against Orlando City in Florida, marking their first meeting of the season.

Conclusions:
These developments highlight the Falcons' commitment to enhancing their defensive lineup, while local teams gear up for competitive seasons across various sports.

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Closing Remarks

Peter Biello wrapped up the episode by summarizing the diverse range of topics covered, from immigration policies and housing initiatives to sports and cultural documentaries. He encouraged listeners to subscribe and stay engaged with Georgia Today for ongoing updates and in-depth reporting.

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For more information and to provide feedback, listeners are encouraged to contact Georgia Today at [e-mail].

Transcript

[Charles Cook]

DBHDD is reminding Georgians that the 988 lifeline can help those worried about opioid and stimulant misuse. The three digit number is free and confidential. Help is available 24. 7 more [e-mail].

[Peter Biello]

Welcome to Georgia Today. Here we bring you the latest from the GPB newsroom. On today's episode, Savannah city officials draw up a new zoning district for affordable housing. A nonprofit unveils its future vision for Atlanta's Piedmont park. And after a brief court battle, the federal government restores the legal status of dozens of international students.

[Charles Cook]

Oh, this is 100% ICE realizing that they were wrong. I can only imagine the conversations with their lawyers.

[Peter Biello]

Today is Friday, April 25th. I'm Peter Biello and this is Georgia Today. The federal government is reversing the termination of legal status for international students after many filed court challenges around the U.S. gPB's Chase McGee spoke with immigration attorney Charles Cook to learn more on what that means for students in Georgia.

[Charles Cook]

When did you hear about these developments?

We heard officially this morning after hearing in Oakland around It was about 11:00 or so this morning, 11:30. But we noticed last night that we were starting getting phone calls from some of the new plaintiffs that were bringing on to the class action that they had been notified by the DSO around 6 o'clock that their status had been restored. I called a DSO friend of mine at a school and she confirmed that one of her 15 students had been revoked, had in fact just been restored and she was checking every five minutes. And these reports came in from around the United States. By the time I went to bed last night, I knew of at least 50 cases. So it became clear a couple things. One, they were clearly reversing course. These were people that had not sued. Two, they were doing it randomly. Three, they were doing it manually. And that was all confirmed this morning that you're manually restoring all the students. What we do not yet know, however, is why is it losing 50 times? I would suspect that might have something to do with it in federal court. Is it similar policy change? We also don't know the consequences of this. Are they now talking to the Department of State to unrevoke the visas that they revoked? Will they be talking to the individuals and apologizing? Will they be finding out if they need assistance with change of status or change of schools, all things that were interrupted by this action by ice? We don't know those answers yet because ICE has not officially said anything.

First Thing you mentioned there a dso, that's a designated school officer, the person in charge of dealing with international students on campus. And you mentioned a possibility that they would go to the State Department. Would that be for different removal proceedings?

The State Department revoked the visas, and anybody with revoke visa can be ordered deported. That's. That's the ground of deportation. That was clearly created by ICE's actions. We would expect, at a minimum, that ICE would contact Department of State and say, hey, we made a mistake. Can you unrevoke the visas? Which they can do. We just don't know if they've done that. And frankly, I doubt they have.

Have you heard anything from the plaintiffs in your lawsuit in response?

Well, our plaintiffs in our original lawsuit were already restored, so they're relieved that it's happening for everybody else, the new plaintiffs we were onboarding, first of all, didn't believe it. Second, they saw their friends happening to their friends, but didn't think it was gonna happen to them. And now most of them have actually received the restoration as well. Keep in mind, there are thousands of cases, and they must have been working all night at ICE doing this, because we woke up to hundreds of instead of just 50 this morning receiving that notification. But we had been prepared to move forward on class action early next week with hundreds of people. So, frankly, it's good that ICE did this.

So are you chalking this up to a win?

Oh, this is 100%. ICE realizing that they were wrong. I can only imagine the conversations with their lawyers saying, why are you making us go to court, say these ridiculous things which don't make any sense, in which we're losing every single time At a certain point, I think the lawyers do get a little bit of say so in this administration.

One more thing before you go. Do you think this is the end of these legal troubles for students in.

The US if we have learned nothing about this administration to date, is that this is the beginning, not the end.

Thanks so much. That's Charles Cook, founding partner at Cook Baxter.

[Estella Edwards Shabazz]

Thanks.

[Charles Cook]

Bye. Bye.

[Peter Biello]

U.S. senator Jon Ossoff says he's doing what he can to push back on the Trump administration's cuts to the Atlanta based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other programs.

[Charles Cook]

There is no button that I can simply press that I'm not pressing or some tool of procedure that I can use that I'm not using that will reverse what they're doing.

[Peter Biello]

He was speaking at a town hall in marietta today. Around 2,400 layoffs at the CDC included people working on programs that track and prevent asthma, smoking gun violence and climate change. The center that researches and protects worker health was largely decimated, people at the agency said. Ossoff is up for re election next year. No serious challengers have declared their candidacy for his seat yet, but Republican governor Brian Kemp is rumored to be considering a run. Officials in Savannah have drawn up a map outlining the city's new zoning district for affordable housing. GPB's Benjamin Payne reports.

[Benjamin Payne]

City Council members met on Thursday to define the boundaries of Savannah's new affordable housing overlay district. They agreed upon a map encompassing over 400 acres of property, the bulk of it lying just south of Savannah's popular Forsythe Park. Within this area, the city's predominantly single family zoning code will be relaxed, allowing property owners to build more high density housing like duplexes and apartment buildings. Alderwoman Estella Edwards Shabazz we have got.

[Charles Cook]

To get started with increasing our inventory for housing. This is real in this city. It's real all over this country.

[Benjamin Payne]

Nearly half of all renters in Savannah are considered what the city calls cost burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. For GPB news, I'm Benjamin Payne in Savannah.

[Peter Biello]

Nurses at the Veterans Affairs Medical center in Decatur plan to protest tomorrow layoffs say will impact patient care. Two VA employee unions are organizing the protest, National Nurses United and the American Federation of Government Employees Local 518. The protest aims to put a spotlight on former Georgia Representative Doug Collins, who is now VA secretary and supports President Trump's efforts to pare down the VA's workforce. The VA indicator serves more than 125,000 veterans annually, and veterans often experience long wait times. For example, new patients face waits of 109 days for gastroenterology and 67 days for neuro. A VA spokesperson says the VA is working to fix this. Atlanta based Delta Airlines is partnering with Uber to help travelers earn sky miles while using Uber and Uber Eats. Starting this week, some users could earn 1 mile per dollar spent on restaurant and grocery store orders of $40 or more and 1 mile per dollar on UberX rides to and from airports. A Delta spokesperson says this makes it easier to reward Delta SkyMiles members.

[Charles Cook]

The.

[Peter Biello]

Non profit organization that works to conserve and improve Atlanta's central gathering space. Piedmont park has unveiled a future vision for the park. GPB's Orlando Montoya reports. It's the attraction's first master plan in 25 years.

[Thomas Woltz]

More than 6 million visitors come to the park each year, and the Piedmont Park Conservancy expects that number to grow with new connections to the city's popular bike and pedestrian trail. The Beltline plan's chief designer, Thomas Woltz, says the master plan addresses community priorities, from recreation and maintenance to ecological restoration.

[Benjamin Payne]

What we've tried to do is enhance the beautiful existing conditions, but also add new amenities and facilities that meet the 21st century needs of today's park user.

[Thomas Woltz]

Some of those amenities are designed to spread people out to avoid crowding. It's expected to take ongoing fundraising and a decade to implement fully. For GPB News, I'm Orlando Montoya.

[Tonya Moseley]

This is Tonya Moseley, co host of Fresh Air. You'll see your favorite actors, directors and comedians on late night TV shows or YouTube, but what you get with Fresh Air is a deep dive. Spend some quality time with people like Billie Eilish, Questlove, Ariana Grande, Stephen Colbert and so many more. We ask questions you won't hear asked anywhere else. Listen to the Fresh Air podcast from NPR and WHYY.

[Peter Biello]

A new documentary reframes the 1996 Olympic Games, going beyond the headlines to focus on a legendary friendship between two Georgia icons who built bridges between Atlanta and the world. GPB's Christy York Wooten has more.

[Christy York Wooten]

What image comes to mind when you think of the Olympics in Atlanta? A parade of pickup trucks in the stadium? Gymnast Carrie Strugg vaulting the US Women's team to gold? The terrible bombing that killed two people? Or the triumph of Muhammad Ali carrying the torch as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra played Beethoven's Night? With the Games in black and white, filmmakers Bob Judson and George Hertler forget surface perceptions and dig deep into the unlikely pairing of Andrew Young, a black civil rights leader, pastor, mayor of Atlanta and ambassador to the United nations, and Billy Payne, a white real estate attorney, former college football star and future chairman of Augusta National Golf Club who came together to win the bid. Herdler says that example of persistence and unity resonates today.

[Charles Cook]

Despite the fact that nobody thinks we've.

[Peter Biello]

Got a chance, we might actually pull this thing off.

[Charles Cook]

Who would have thought that this story from 30 years, 35 years ago would have the kind of social relevance and meaning and importance, as Bob said, a critical message for our time.

[Christy York Wooten]

The Games in Black and White follows the journey from the seed of a crazy idea of bringing the Olympics to Atlanta to to years of planning and America's largest TV viewing audience ever for a summer games and how those moments shaped the city's reputation as a hub for diversity and progress. Here's Billy Payne from a key scene.

[Estella Edwards Shabazz]

In the film, never ever did I even entertain the thought that we would look as an Olympic organization any different than we looked as a community. I mean, that was out of the question. This is Atlanta. You know, we're the world's best demonstration of different races working together, not perfectly, as Andy would say, but in harmony. And I wanted the world to see that.

[Christy York Wooten]

Although the civil rights movement is one of the through lines for the film, Atlanta's global reach is its byproduct. Here's Bob Judson.

[Peter Biello]

We also wanted to focus obviously on the two big stories that most people didn't know, which was the equal opportunity initiative that Andy pushed for and Olympic aid that, you know, with UNICEF managed to help over 15 million African children.

[Christy York Wooten]

In a scene from Centennial park after the Olympic Games, Andrew Young spoke to his hopes for Atlanta's future.

[Estella Edwards Shabazz]

And so we say to those who suffered here that we assure you that your suffering is not in vain. And we're sure that the 21st century will remember the joy, the wonderful, the celebration, the vitality of the people of the earth gathered in this park.

[Christy York Wooten]

The Games in Black and White has its world premiere April 26 at the Atlanta Film Festival and will be shown on GPB in the future. None of it would be complete without a homegrown soundtrack and a theme song by Dallas Austin and Champ I'm in.

[Charles Cook]

The city Too Busy to hate, as.

[Christy York Wooten]

Well as a school from fourth generation Atlantan and jazz musician Joe Alterman, who was just eight years old when the Olympics came to town.

[Peter Biello]

To me growing up, I've always seen Dallas Austin as someone who has helped elevate our city through music. There is an Atlanta sound that I hear. It sounds kind of Southern, a little country. You hear some jazz and I thought we gotta bring that sound out.

[Christy York Wooten]

For GPB News, I'm Christy York Wooten.

[Peter Biello]

The Atlanta Falcons doubled down on their commitment to boosting their pass rush by selecting Georgia linebacker Jalen Walker with the number 15 overall pick last night. Walker won the 2024 Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker. He's viewed as a player with the potential to play a hybrid role in the NFL as a linebacker and edge rusher. Walk. Also taken in the draft was Columbus native Michael Williams, who was selected in the first round and 11th overall by the San Francisco 49ers. In baseball, the Braves take on the Diamondbacks in Arizona tonight to begin a three game series. Chris Sale will start for the Braves against Zach Gallen. Atlanta has gone 2 and 11 in road games and is 10 and 14 overall and in soccer. Atlanta United faces Orlando City in Florida tomorrow in the first meeting between the two teams this season. And that is a wrap on a busy week of news. Thank you so much for choosing Georgia Today. We'll be back on Monday with more of what's been going on in Georgia. Subscribe to this podcast now so you won't miss a thing. And you can always find updates and news [e-mail] news. Your feedback powers this podcast. Send your tips for improvement and story tips to Georgia [e-mail] I'm Peter Biello. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you on Monday.