Continued Crackdown on Illegal Immigration, Canada Votes, Measles Outbreak

Summary

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.

Transcript

[Steve Inskeep]

Yes. I'm supposed to give a level. And Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree. Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary.

[Michelle Martin]

We haven't pulled that one out in a while.

[Steve Inskeep]

Those are things I've said for many, many years. Not every day.

[Michelle Martin]

You haven't pulled that one out in a while. I feel sort of honored. I don't know.

[Steve Inskeep]

It's for you, Michelle. Thank you. Little poem.

[Michelle Martin]

Feel special? Almost 100 days into the Trump administration, authorities arrested more than 100 people in a Colorado nightclub.

[Steve Inskeep]

The Trump administration, they lacked legal status. What does that say about the drive for mass deportation?

[Michelle Martin]

I'm Michelle Martin. That's Steve Inskeep. And this is up first from NPR News. President Trump won the U.S. election in 2024, and he's a big factor in another election in 2025.

[Brad Burt]

Canadians are frightened right now. We're afraid we're under threat.

[Michelle Martin]

Canada votes for a new parliament today and the winning party chooses a prime minister. How has a trade war altered the race?

[Steve Inskeep]

Also, how can pediatricians persuade parents to let their kids get a measles vaccine?

[Brad Burt]

That is our biggest nemesis, right, is misinformation, at least from, you know, healthcare perspective.

[Steve Inskeep]

Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

[Michelle Martin]

This message comes from Comedy Central's the.

[Steve Inskeep]

Daily show, covering the final week of.

[Michelle Martin]

President Trump's second first 100 days with.

[Steve Inskeep]

A different host every night.

[Michelle Martin]

New weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and next day on Paramount.

[Jackie Northam]

Plus, this message comes from NPR's sponsor, Odoo. Some describe Odoo's programs for manufacturing, accounting and more as building blocks for creating a custom software suite. Odoo, exactly what a business needs. Sign up today at odoo. That's O-O-O.com this message comes from the Nature Conservancy. Working together to create a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and and thriving nature. Explore ways to act during Earth Month and every [e-mail] NPR Almost 100 days.

[Steve Inskeep]

Into the Trump administration, we have a chance to check in on one of the president's signature goals.

[Michelle Martin]

Yes, the president promised mass deportations, as many as a million people per year. It's hard to judge how they're doing, but one outside analysis gives some perspective. The Migration Policy Institute estimates that the number of arrests is up, but the pace of deportations is so far down from the last fiscal year under President Biden.

[Steve Inskeep]

There have been some high profile cases, of course, including one over the Weekend federal authorities say they arrested more than 100 people at an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs, people authorities say lacked legal status. NPR's Joel Rose has been following all of this. Joel, good morning.

[Joel Rose]

Hi, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

What happened in the nightclub?

[Joel Rose]

The Drug Enforcement Administration shared video and details about this raid that took place at what the DEA called an underground nightclub in Colorado Springs in in the early morning hours of Sunday. The dea several hundred people were in the club at the time, including 114 immigrants without legal status who were arrested. And if true, this would be one of the largest single enforcement actions since President Trump took office. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a social media post on Sunday that the club was, quote, frequented by TDA and Ms. Thirteen terrorists, unquote, which is apparently a reference to Trend Aragua, the Venezuelan gang that the administration has recently designated as a foreign terrorist organization. NPR could not immediately verify the legal status of those who were arrested or whether there's any evidence of gang membership, though authorities also said that they recovered drugs and guns from this raid.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, so that is one case that has developed over the weekend. I want to ask you about another one in recent days. We're told that a two year old American citizen was deported last week. What happened?

[Joel Rose]

Yeah, this involves a family in New Orleans. The mother does not have legal status, but her two year old daughter, who was born in Louisiana, is a US Citizen. The mother was going to her regular check in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement last week, according to a lawsuit filed by her attorney, when she and her two children were detained. Her lawyer says immigration authorities held her and her children without allowing them to speak with anyone, even her partner. The children's father was only able to speak to her for less than a minute before the mother and two children were deported to Honduras. The judge in this case, who was appointed by President Trump, seems concerned about how this was handled and he has now set a hearing for next month with the goal of dispelling his, quote, strong suspicion that the government just deported a U.S. citizen with no meaningful process, unquote. According to the ACLU, this is one of three U.S. children deported from the U.S. along with mothers without legal status last week.

[Steve Inskeep]

What does the administration said?

[Joel Rose]

Tom Homan, the White House border czar, was asked about these cases yesterday on CBS's Face the Nation and here is some of what he said.

[Brad Burt]

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. American families get separated every day by.

[Joel Rose]

Law enforcement, but Critics say these families did not have a meaningful chance to make major decisions about their children's futures. They say the administration is in such a rush to drive up deportation numbers to make good on President Trump's promise that the administration is making mistakes and deporting people with no criminal records and in some cases deporting very young U.S. citizens.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, how popular is all of this?

[Joel Rose]

To some extent, that depends on the poll. There's a CBS YouGov poll that shows 56% of Americans approve of President Trump's program to deport immigrants in the country illegally. Another Washington Post ABC Ipsos poll, though, found that only 46% now approve of Trump's handling of immigration 53% disapprove.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR's Joel Rose with an update on almost 100 days of Trump's immigration policy. Thanks so much.

[Joel Rose]

You're welcome.

[Steve Inskeep]

Canadians are voting today in a federal election that's been turned on its head in a matter of months.

[Michelle Martin]

Yes, at the beginning of the year, the Conservative Party had a seemingly unassailable lead in the polls. The Liberal Party under then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was trailing a distant second. But not anymore. The Liberal Party under a new prime minister, Mark Carney, has surged ahead.

[Steve Inskeep]

NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam has been reporting on the campaign. Hi there, Jackie.

[Mark Carney]

Morning, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

So let's talk through how it is the Liberals recovered.

[Mark Carney]

Well, in large part, it's thanks to President Trump. For more than a year, the Conservatives under their leader, Pierre Poliev, were consistently running 20 plus points ahead in of the Liberals in the polls and look like they would win overwhelmingly in Canada's next election. But then President Trump began to target Canada, you know, imposing stiff tariffs on the country and saying he wanted to make it the 51st state. And Steve, this really angered Canadians and has had an impact on today's elections. NPR spoke to a number of voters, and one overriding concern, the threat of Trump, often came up. This is how Barbara Wilson from Milton near Toronto summed it up.

[Brad Burt]

Canadians are frightened right now. We're afraid we're under threat. I've heard some people say, oh, you know, he's just joking. He's just joking. No, this is not funny. This is not funny to us. It is a threat. It is real. Yeah, we're feeling vulnerable.

[Mark Carney]

And Steve, the problem for the Conservative leader, Poliev is that he's seen as copying much of Trump's rhetoric. Canada first, close the border, shrink the government, erase wokeism. And Canadians started to view him as Trump light, sometimes calling him Maple Maga and that association with Trump has really hurt him and the Conservatives in the polls.

[Steve Inskeep]

Okay, I'm amused by Mapled maga, but we should be clear looking at the polls, the Liberals are ahead, but this election is within range. We shouldn't be surprised by any result. But it seems that the Liberals also benefited from getting a new leader, didn't they?

[Mark Carney]

Yes, indeed. Mark Carney succeeded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after he resigned. You know, Trudeau was deeply unpopular after a decade in power and his resignation helped lift the Liberals chances. Mark Carney, popular even though he has never held political office. He's 60 years old and has a long career in finance on Wall street and is head of the bank of England and the bank of Canada. He's widely viewed as unflappable and most importantly, 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. And Trump exempted Canada from the global 10% tariffs that he imposed on much of the rest of the world earlier this. At the same time, Poliev's team says he too will be tough on Trump if he gets into office.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, just as everyone was settling down to vote, Jackie, there was this tragedy, to say the least, in Canada. 11 people killed when a driver rammed a vehicle into a crowd at a Filipino festival in Vancouver. I know the police have said it's not terrorism, but what do they think?

[Mark Carney]

Well, the suspect in the attack, a 30 year old man with a history of mental illness, has been charged with eight counts of second degree murder. All of the main candidates in the election paused their campaign on Sunday and Prime Minister Carney flew to Vancouver and attended a vigil for the victims and met with members of the Filipino community. It is a tragedy, but it is not going to postpone today's election.

[Steve Inskeep]

Well, we'll be listening for the results. NPR international affairs correspondent Jackie Northam. Thank you so much.

[Mark Carney]

Thanks so much.

[Steve Inskeep]

Next we meet some of the people affected by a number in the news.

[Michelle Martin]

That number is 884. That is the number of confirmed cases of measles in the United States this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. So it's April and we've already tripled the number of cases from last year. Years ago, officials thought measles had been eradicated. Officials also say vaccine hesitancy is a factor in the resurgence.

[Steve Inskeep]

Measles is in 30 US states now and we have a view of it this morning in One hard hit county in Texas. Brad Burt with member station KTTZ went there. Hi there, Brad.

[Brad Burt]

Hey, Steve. Thanks for having me.

[Steve Inskeep]

Glad you're with us. Where'd you go?

[Brad Burt]

So I was in Gaines county last week where a little less than half of all the measles cases in the country have been confirmed. 393 to be exact. What I saw was children playing out at a park in Seminole there, people coming in and out of a coffee shop on Main Street. But meanwhile, the MMR vaccine clinic set up by the South Plains Health District was empty. Zach Holbrook's director for the district says vaccine hesitancy has remained an obstacle to ending that outbreak. It's a lot of groups that are hesitant, so all we can do is.

[Mark Carney]

Provide the venue for people to either.

[Brad Burt]

Get tested, screened or get the vaccine. At the beginning of the year, the vaccination rate for this county was 82%. Centers for Disease Control says at least 95% vaccination rate is needed to prevent outbreaks.

[Steve Inskeep]

I appreciate that perspective. The vast majority of people in this vaccine hesitant county are actually not vaccine hesitant. They've taken the vaccine, but some are not. And that leads to this problem. So what's being done?

[Brad Burt]

Well, local health authorities set up a pop up clinic in a building where livestock shows are normally held, and billboards and local TV ads encourage people to get vaccinated. There's messaging in English, Spanish, and actually low German for the local Mennonite community. And yet many here still don't trust vaccines. Pediatrician Dr. Anna Montanez says some parents have chosen to forego the vaccine for other unproven remedies like vitamin A. That is our biggest nemesis, right, is misinformation, at least from, you know, healthcare perspective. I struggle with that every single day with almost every patient that I see now. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Previously endorsed vitamin A as a treatment for measles. He has since stepped back from that and is recommended the best treatment as the MMR vaccine.

[Steve Inskeep]

So you have a longtime vaccine skeptic, maybe the top vaccine skeptic in the country, saying the vaccine is good in this case. But I guess that comes too late for some people. So how has this affected, especially children?

[Brad Burt]

Yeah, most of the cases in Texas are children. The two deaths so far in West Texas were children. You have to ask why that would be. Here's an intriguing number. About 18% of students in public schools in this county claim conscientious exemption to require required vaccines. And that's provided by state law. Dr. Montanez insists that vaccination is the best prevention, but she says an ounce of protection is worth way more than a pound of cure. But she also says when she engages skeptics and answers their questions about alternative remedies like vitamin A, many have become more open to safer decisions. And when I was in Seminole, families continue to go about their daily lives. Schools were open, businesses were open, and the virus continues to spread.

[Steve Inskeep]

Brad Burt with KTTZ in Lubbock, Texas. Thanks so much.

[Brad Burt]

Thanks for having me, Steve.

[Steve Inskeep]

And that's up for us for this Monday, April 28th. I'm Steve Inskeep.

[Michelle Martin]

And I'm Michelle Martin. Remember, you can listen to this podcast sponsor free while financially supporting public media with Upverse Plus. Learn more at plus.NPR.org, the that's plus.NPR.org.

[Steve Inskeep]

Today'S up first was edited by Russell Lewis, Tara Neal, Alfredo Carvajal, Janaya Williams and Alice Wolfley. It was produced by Ziad Buch, Nia Dumas and Christopher Thomas. We get engineering support from David Greenberg, and our technical director today is Zach Coleman. Join us again tomorrow.

[Brad Burt]

Foreign.

[Jackie Northam]

This message is from Synchrony bank, who wants to remind you to stay flexible. Not the yoga bending circus performing kind of flexible, financially flexible, like with their high Yield savings account. Stay [e-mail] NPR Member FDIC this message comes from Mint Mobile. If you're tired of spending hundreds on big wireless bills, bogus fees and free perks, Mint Mobile might be right for you with plans starting from 15 bucks a month. Shop plans [e-mail] Switch upfront payment of $45 for 3 month 5GB plan required. New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. This message comes from Bombas. Socks, underwear and T shirts are the top three requested clothing items by people experiencing homelessness. Bombas makes all three and donates one item for every item purchased. Go to bombas.com NPR and use code NPR for 20% off.