The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson: "SBA Granted Loans to Children plus It's Time to Self Deport"

Release Date: March 12, 2025

In this compelling episode of The 47 Morning Update, host Ben Ferguson delves into three significant and controversial topics shaping the political and social landscape of America. From fraud within federal loan programs to immigration policy shifts under the Trump administration, Ferguson provides insightful commentary and exclusive details that are essential for staying informed.

1. SBA Issues $312 Million in Loans to Children During COVID-19

Ben Ferguson opens the discussion with a startling revelation about the Small Business Administration (SBA) during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Ferguson, Doge—a watchdog organization led by Elon Musk—uncovered that the SBA granted approximately 5,600 loans totaling $312 million to individuals listed as children aged 11 and under between 2020 and 2021.

Ben Ferguson [02:20]: "Of the most shocking stories of waste, fraud, and abuse coming from Doge... thousands of loans worth $312 million were granted to children."

Further investigation by Doge revealed that these loans often included invalid Social Security numbers and incorrect names, casting doubt on their legitimacy. In one egregious case, a 157-year-old individual was recorded receiving a $36,000 loan—highlighting severe flaws in the SBA's verification processes.

Ben Ferguson [04:30]: "In one case, just so you know how egregious this is, there was a 157-year-old individual that received $36,000 in loans."

The SBA has pledged to collaborate with Doge to address and rectify these fraudulent activities. Ferguson emphasizes the potential for accountability, suggesting that individuals falsely claiming such loans will likely face prosecution.

Ben Ferguson [05:00]: "Should these people be prosecuted? There's a very good chance that if you took this money and you claimed you were 157 years old, you're going to find out the hard way."

This revelation raises critical questions about the oversight and management of federal loan programs, especially during emergency responses like the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Democrats Defend Arrest of Syrian Protester at NYU

Transitioning to immigration and national security, Ferguson discusses the controversial arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian national who led protests at New York University against Israel's actions post-October 7th counterattacks by Hamas. Despite Khalil's activities, Democrats and their media allies have rallied in his defense, characterizing his arrest as unjust.

Ben Ferguson [05:53]: "Democrats are now protesting the arrest of a Syrian radical in New York. You can't make it up."

In response, the White House, through Press Secretary Caroline Levitt, firmly stands by the administration's decision to revoke Khalil's visa, citing his alignment with terrorist organizations.

Caroline Levitt [07:01]: "We have a zero tolerance policy for siding with terrorists, period."

Ferguson highlights the legal grounds supporting the administration's actions, noting that Khalil holds a green card, which still permits the revocation of his residency if he engages in activities against national security interests.

Ben Ferguson [08:39]: "Donald Trump and his deputies are on solid legal ground... if you're a radical protester in this country on a green card and if you're causing problems, there's a very good chance you're going back to your home country."

Despite Democratic opposition, including claims of governmental overreach and characterizations of Khalil as an abduction target, Ferguson asserts that the administration's stance is legally justified and serves national security interests.

3. Trump Administration Launches "CBP Home" for Self-Deportation

The final segment addresses immigration policy, focusing on the Trump administration's repurposing of the CBP1 app—originally instituted by the Biden administration to facilitate migrant entry—into a tool for encouraging self-deportation.

Ben Ferguson [09:47]: "The Trump administration is now repurposing the controversial CBP1 app to encourage self-deportations."

Journalist Bill Malugan provides an exclusive overview of the newly launched CBP Home app, which allows migrants to voluntarily deport by submitting personal and biographical information. The app aims to offer illegal immigrants a pathway to legal re-entry in the future, contrasting sharply with the Biden era's facilitation of migration.

Bill Malugan [10:30]: "The app is now called CBP Home. It allows illegal aliens in the US to register to self deport... it also allows them to upload photos of themselves to confirm their identity."

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem emphasizes the administration's intent to restore integrity to the immigration system, warning that failure to self-deport will result in arrest, detention, and a permanent ban from re-entering the United States.

Kristi Noem [11:00]: "If they don't self deport, we will fine them deport them and they will never return."

Ferguson underscores the administration's stringent stance, framing the CBP Home app as a strategic move to reverse previous policies that facilitated migrant entry.

Ben Ferguson [12:40]: "Self deport or risk never being allowed back into this country. The Department of Homeland Security said it best when they said you will maybe be able to return legally in the future if you self deport now..."

This policy shift represents a significant change in immigration enforcement, reflecting the administration's broader objectives to control and reduce illegal immigration.

Conclusion

In this episode, Ben Ferguson effectively navigates through complex issues involving federal loan fraud, contentious immigration enforcement, and political polarization surrounding national security. By providing detailed accounts, exclusive reports, and direct quotes from key figures, Ferguson ensures that listeners are well-informed about the critical developments influencing America's current socio-political climate.

Notable Quotes:

• Donald Trump [01:02]: "What I have to do is I have to get the workers back. I have to get the factories open... Presidents before me gave it away. And we're taking it back."

• Caroline Levitt [07:01]: "We have a zero tolerance policy for siding with terrorists, period."

• Bill Malugan [10:30]: "The app is now called CBP Home... migrants who had that CBP1 app on their phone will see it automatically update to this new self deportation app starting today."

For more in-depth analysis and daily updates on the pressing issues facing America, subscribe to The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson on the iHeartRadio app or your preferred podcast platform.