Up First from NPR – March 17, 2025

NPR's Up First delivers the three most significant news stories of the day, offering in-depth reporting and analysis in a concise format. In the March 17, 2025 episode, hosts Layla Fadel and A. Martinez delve into three pressing issues: the controversial use of the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration, legal U.S. immigrants facing wrongful denials of entry, and a devastating storm system wreaking havoc across the Midwest and South.

1. Trump Administration's Use of the Alien Enemies Act

The episode opens with a critical examination of the Trump administration's recent actions deporting hundreds of individuals alleged to be Venezuelan gang members. This move has sparked significant concern among civil liberties advocates who argue that the administration is misusing a long-forgotten wartime law.

Key Points:

• Invocation of the Alien Enemies Act: President Trump employed the Alien Enemies Act, a statute dating back to 1798, to deport individuals without the typical due process. This law was historically reserved for wartime scenarios, making its application in peacetime and against alleged gang members unprecedented.

  "It has never in our country's history been used during peacetime, much less against the gang."
  — Adrian Florido, NPR

• Deportations and Legal Challenges: Approximately 300 individuals were deported to El Salvador instead of Venezuela. The deportations were intended to place these individuals behind bars, as stated by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. However, a federal judge issued an emergency order to halt these deportations, citing the misuse of the law.

  "The Alien Enemies act cannot be used during peacetime for regular immigration enforcement."
  — Carolyn Levitt, NPR

• Civil Liberties Concerns: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) swiftly sued to block the deportations, leading Judge James Boasberg to temporarily halt the actions. Despite this, some deportations proceeded, raising questions about compliance with judicial orders.

  "Congress was very clear in the statute that it can only be used against a foreign government or foreign nation."
  — Adrian Florido, NPR

• Lack of Transparency: The administration has not disclosed specific details or evidence to substantiate the claims that these individuals are affiliated with the Aragua Prison gang. Families of the deported individuals have voiced fears that their loved ones may have been wrongly targeted.

  "The ACLU acted fast because once the US has turned someone over to a foreign government, federal courts lose jurisdiction."
  — Carolyn Levitt, NPR

Conclusion: The episode underscores the alarming precedent set by the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, highlighting the potential for abuse of wartime powers in civilian contexts and the ongoing legal battles to safeguard civil liberties.

2. Legal U.S. Immigrants Denied Entry

The discussion shifts to troubling instances where legally residing immigrants in the U.S. have been wrongfully detained and deported, raising alarms about an intensified immigration crackdown.

Key Cases:

• Rasha Allaway – Doctor Sent Back to Lebanon: Rasha Allaway, a kidney transplant doctor on an H1B visa, was forcibly returned to Lebanon despite possessing valid legal status. Her detainment at Boston's Logan Airport lasted 36 hours, during which her phone was confiscated. Legal efforts to halt her deportation were reportedly ignored, leading to her removal.

  "Officials, quote, willfully disobeyed the judge's order and sent her back anyway."
  — Nayib Bukele, NPR

• Fabian Schmidt – German-Born Green Card Holder Detained: Fabian Schmidt faced detainment upon attempting to re-enter the U.S. after a trip to Europe. Despite holding a green card, Schmidt was detained due to past misdemeanor drug and DUI charges. His family contends that he never received court notices, leading to his unwarranted detention and mistreatment, including violent interrogation practices.

  "He had to go and be stripped naked and was showered by two officers."
  — Carolyn Levitt, NPR

Public Reaction and Administrative Stance:

The Trump administration maintains that stringent measures are necessary to prevent individuals with criminal backgrounds from re-entering the country. However, these cases have ignited protests and criticisms, particularly in Boston, where local sentiment opposes the administration's aggressive immigration policies.

"This is seen as Trump making good on one of his central campaign promises or threats."
— Nayib Bukele, NPR

Conclusion: These incidents reveal a troubling pattern of legal immigrants facing unjust deportations, exacerbating fears of an overreaching immigration enforcement agenda that disregards individual rights and due process.

3. Devastating Storm System Hits Midwest and South

The final segment covers a severe storm system that swept through the Midwest and South over the weekend, causing widespread destruction, fatalities, and ongoing recovery efforts.

Impact and Damage:

• Tornadoes and High Winds: The storm spawned deadly tornadoes across states like Mississippi, Missouri, and Arkansas. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves reported six fatalities due to tornadoes, while Missouri saw 12 deaths and extensive property damage.

  "Mississippians in times like these, step up and do what is necessary to take care of our friends and our neighbors."
  — Nayib Bukele, NPR

• Wildfires and Dust Storms: Concurrently, hurricane-force winds in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas ignited over 130 wildfires and triggered massive dust storms. These conditions led to hazardous driving situations, resulting in multi-vehicle pile-ups and additional fatalities.

  "Officials say there's more than 42,000 acres were burning from 36 different wildfires."
  — Adrian Florido, NPR

Recovery Efforts:

President Trump has pledged support for affected states, with National Guard troops deployed to the hardest-hit areas. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has been actively involved in assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts.

"Our goal is to help and aid the local folks on the ground, take care of people. We'll worry about the paperwork later."
— Nayib Bukele, NPR

Future Outlook:

As tornado season continues, forecasters warn of the potential for more severe weather events in the coming weeks, emphasizing the need for ongoing preparedness and resilience.

Conclusion: The storm system’s extensive impact underscores the vulnerability of the Midwest and South to extreme weather events, highlighting the critical importance of efficient disaster response and long-term recovery strategies.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Up First provides a comprehensive overview of significant national issues, from contentious immigration policies and their human impact to the challenges posed by natural disasters. Through expert interviews and firsthand accounts, NPR offers listeners a nuanced understanding of these complex topics, emphasizing the interplay between governmental actions, legal frameworks, and societal responses.

For more detailed coverage, listeners are encouraged to explore NPR’s Morning Edition, which offers expanded discussions and analyses on the day’s top stories.

Notable Quotes:

• "It has never in our country's history been used during peacetime, much less against the gang."
  — Adrian Florido, NPR [04:46]

• "The Alien Enemies act cannot be used during peacetime for regular immigration enforcement."
  — Carolyn Levitt, NPR [04:32]

• "Mississippians in times like these, step up and do what is necessary to take care of our friends and our neighbors."
  — Nayib Bukele, NPR [10:34]

Stay Informed:

Subscribe to Up First and support your local NPR station at donate.npr.org. For an ad-free experience, consider subscribing to Up First+ plus.npr.org/upfirst.