Up First from NPR: April 28, 2025

Hosts: Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Michel Martin, and A Martinez
Episode Title: Continued Crackdown on Illegal Immigration, Canada Votes, Measles Outbreak
Release Date: April 28, 2025

NPR's "Up First" delivers a comprehensive overview of today's top stories, delving into the Trump administration's ongoing immigration crackdown, the pivotal Canadian federal election, and the resurgence of measles in the United States. This summary captures the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode, enriched with notable quotes and structured into clear sections for ease of understanding.

1. Continued Crackdown on Illegal Immigration

As President Trump nears the 100-day mark of his administration, immigration remains a central focus, particularly his ambitious promise of mass deportations. Despite arrests increasing, the actual deportation rates have fallen short compared to the previous fiscal year under President Biden.

Colorado Nightclub Raid

A significant event highlighted is the federal raid on an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs, where authorities arrested 114 immigrants without legal status. This incident marks one of the largest enforcement actions since Trump's inauguration. Joel Rose from NPR provides an in-depth analysis:

Joel Rose [02:49]: "The DEA stated that the club was 'frequented by TDA and Ms. Thirteen terrorists,' referencing the Venezuelan gang recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization."

Additionally, authorities recovered drugs and firearms during the operation, although NPR could not immediately confirm the legal status of all arrested individuals or their affiliations with any gangs.

Deportation of a U.S. Citizen Child

Another controversial case involves the deportation of a two-year-old American citizen. The mother, lacking legal status, was detained along with her children during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The swift deportation led to legal scrutiny:

Joel Rose [03:53]: "The judge has expressed 'strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process,' setting a hearing to investigate the matter further."

This case is part of a series where three U.S. children were deported alongside their mothers without legal status in the past week, raising serious concerns about the administration's deportation practices.

Administration's Stance and Public Opinion

The administration defends its actions, asserting that having a U.S. citizen child does not exempt parents from immigration laws. Tom Homan, the White House border czar, emphasized:

Brad Burt [04:52]: "Having a US Citizen child after you enter this country legally is not a get out of jail free card. It doesn't make you immune from our laws."

However, critics argue that the administration is prioritizing deportation numbers over due process, particularly targeting individuals without criminal records. Public opinion polls present mixed sentiments:

• CBS YouGov Poll: 56% of Americans approve of Trump's immigration program.
• Washington Post ABC Ipsos Poll: Only 46% approve, while 53% disapprove of Trump's handling of immigration.

2. Canada Votes in Federal Election

Today's federal election in Canada has taken an unexpected turn, reshaping the political landscape. Initially, the Conservative Party, led by Pierre Poilievre, dominated the polls with a substantial lead over the Liberal Party. However, recent developments have shifted the momentum in favor of the Liberals under new Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Impact of President Trump's Policies

Mark Carney attributes the Liberal surge largely to President Trump's antagonistic policies towards Canada, which have galvanized Canadian voters against the Conservatives:

Mark Carney [06:23]: "The Conservatives were consistently running 20 plus points ahead, but President Trump's imposition of stiff tariffs and his remarks about making Canada the 51st state have angered Canadians and swayed the election."

The Conservative leader's rhetoric, perceived as an imitation of Trump’s "America First" stance, has backfired. Poilievre's policies such as "Canada first," "close the borders," and "erase wokeism" have led Canadians to label him as "Maple Maga," drawing unfavorable comparisons to Trump.

Brad Burt [07:07]: "Canadians are frightened right now. We're afraid we're under threat. [...] It is a threat. It is real. Yeah, we're feeling vulnerable."

Mark Carney's Leadership Advantage

Mark Carney, who succeeded the long-serving and now unpopular Justin Trudeau, brings a fresh and respected perspective to the Liberal Party. With a distinguished career in finance, including roles as the head of the Bank of England and the Bank of Canada, Carney is perceived as capable of managing the strained Canada-U.S. relations:

Mark Carney [07:56]: "He's seen as someone who can handle Trump. The president hasn't said much about annexing Canada since Carney took office. He calls him prime minister rather than governor like he called Trudeau."

This diplomatic approach has softened tensions, leading to Canada's exemption from the global 10% tariffs imposed by Trump earlier this year.

Election Tragedy and Response

The election day was marred by a tragic incident where a driver rammed into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver, resulting in 11 fatalities. Although authorities have ruled out terrorism, the incident deeply affected the nation:

Mark Carney [09:05]: "It is a tragedy, but it is not going to postpone today's election."

Prime Minister Carney attended a vigil for the victims and met with the Filipino community, demonstrating leadership and solidarity in the face of adversity.

3. Measles Outbreak in the United States

The resurgence of measles in the United States is a pressing public health concern, with 884 confirmed cases reported this year, tripling the numbers from the previous year. The outbreak is particularly severe in Texas, where vaccine hesitancy has hindered containment efforts.

Texas' Battle with Measles

Gaines County in Texas has become a hotspot, accounting for 393 measles cases. Despite visible efforts to vaccinate the population, such as setting up MMR vaccine clinics and multilingual public health campaigns, uptake remains low.

Brad Burt [10:08]: "The MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty. Vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak."

Factors Contributing to the Outbreak

Several factors contribute to the increased measles cases:

• Vaccine Hesitancy: Misinformation has led some parents to forgo the MMR vaccine in favor of unproven remedies like vitamin A.

  Brad Burt [12:08]: "That is our biggest nemesis, right, is misinformation, at least from, you know, healthcare perspective."

• Conscientious Exemptions: Approximately 18% of students in public schools in the affected county have conscientious exemptions, allowing them to opt out of required vaccinations.

• Misinformation from Public Figures: Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. previously endorsed vitamin A as a treatment before retracting his stance in favor of the MMR vaccine.

Efforts to Combat the Outbreak

Local health authorities have implemented several strategies to increase vaccination rates:

• Pop-Up Clinics: Utilizing venues like livestock show buildings to make vaccines more accessible.

  Brad Burt [10:22]: "We can provide the venue for people to either get tested, screened, or get the vaccine."

• Targeted Messaging: Campaigns in multiple languages, including low German for the local Mennonite community, aim to reach diverse populations.

• Engagement by Healthcare Professionals: Pediatricians like Dr. Anna Montanez are actively engaging with skeptical parents to address concerns and provide factual information about vaccine safety.

Dr. Anna Montanez [12:34]: "When I engage skeptics and answer their questions about alternative remedies like vitamin A, many have become more open to safer decisions."

Despite these efforts, the virus continues to spread, with schools and businesses remaining open, underscoring the challenge of overcoming vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion

Today's "Up First" episode from NPR provides a detailed exploration of significant current events shaping North America. The Trump administration's immigration policies face both operational challenges and public opinion divides, while Canada navigates a critical election influenced by U.S. political dynamics. Simultaneously, the resurgence of measles in the U.S. highlights ongoing public health challenges exacerbated by misinformation. These stories collectively underscore the complex interplay between politics, policy, and public health in the contemporary landscape.

Notable Quotes:

• Brad Burt [07:07]: "Canadians are frightened right now. We're afraid we're under threat. [...] It is a threat. It is real. Yeah, we're feeling vulnerable."

• Joel Rose [03:53]: "The judge has expressed 'strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process,' setting a hearing to investigate the matter further."

• Mark Carney [07:56]: "He's seen as someone who can handle Trump. The president hasn't said much about annexing Canada since Carney took office."

• Brad Burt [12:08]: "That is our biggest nemesis, right, is misinformation, at least from, you know, healthcare perspective."

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the day's top stories as presented in NPR's "Up First," ensuring listeners stay informed on critical national and international issues.