The Headlines Trump Pauses All Asylum Applications, and China’s Fast-Food Brands Make a Play for the U.S.
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Dec 1, 2025 Trump pauses asylum applications and visa processes, raising eyebrows in the wake of a D.C. shooting. Lawmakers express concerns over potential war crimes linked to recent maritime strikes. Meanwhile, Trump plans to pardon a convicted drug trafficker, showcasing his contradictions. A study warns that smartphones before age 12 may lead to health issues like depression and obesity. Plus, Chinese food and drink chains are expanding into the U.S., adapting their menus to local tastes.
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Asylum Pause Includes Retrospective Reviews
- The administration paused all asylum decisions and halted visas for Afghans while reviewing past green-card approvals.
- Tracy Mumford and reporting suggest this retrospective review will trigger legal challenges over vetted immigrants.
Congress Questions Legality Of Boat Strikes
- Lawmakers say a follow-up strike after survivors clung to wreckage could violate laws of war and U.S. DOD rules.
- Congressional investigations are underway amid questions about legal justification for strikes that killed over 80 people.
Pardon Plan Contrasts Anti-Drug Rhetoric
- President Trump announced plans to pardon Honduras's former president despite his U.S. conviction for large-scale drug trafficking.
- The move contrasts Trump's rhetoric on cracking down on drug flows to the U.S.