Category: ESTA News

A federal appeals court has ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is illegal, though it allowed for the renewal of existing DACA recipients’ applications. On the 17th, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that DACA violates the Immigration and Nationality Act, upholding the original ruling. This decision, which came just days before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, leaves ongoing uncertainty for DACA recipients.

In 2023, a federal court in Texas had already determined that DACA, which was implemented by President Barack Obama’s executive order in 2012, was illegal, stating that it exceeded the executive branch’s authority under the Constitution. The appeals court upheld this ruling but permitted renewals for current DACA recipients until further orders from the Supreme Court or other courts. This decision maintains the current situation where new DACA applications are suspended, but renewals are allowed for those enrolled in the program before July 2021.

While the ruling may not lead to immediate changes, it adds to the legal uncertainty surrounding DACA recipients. As of the fourth quarter of 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reported 537,730 DACA recipients, including about 4,700 from Korea. The number of DACA recipients, both total and Korean, continues to decline. The ongoing suspension of new DACA applications has also caused frustration among Dreamers—immigrants who came to the U.S. as children with their parents and grew up there.

DACA provides these individuals with opportunities to study and work while avoiding deportation. However, with new applications suspended for several years, the number of eligible individuals who are not benefiting from the program is growing. Legal experts predict that the future of DACA will ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court.

A significant factor in the situation is the position of the newly inaugurated President Trump. During his first term, Trump had pushed for the elimination of DACA, but he has expressed his intention to work on establishing relief measures for DACA recipients in his second term. This raises the possibility that Trump may collaborate with the Democratic Party to find a legal solution for DACA recipients, as he had suggested before taking office. However, it remains unclear whether Trump will follow through on these plans, and whether a bipartisan agreement between Republicans and Democrats in Congress can be reached to implement relief measures for DACA remains uncertain.

A second outbreak of avian influenza in Maryland is exacerbating the ongoing egg crisis, as supply disruptions caused by the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza continue to affect the state and beyond. According to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, the outbreak was first detected at a chicken farm in Caroline County on January 10th. More recently, avian influenza was confirmed in Queen Anne’s County, prompting the culling of all chickens at these farms to prevent further spread of the disease.

The avian influenza was discovered during routine poultry testing, as confirmed by a state agriculture official. This highly pathogenic strain of bird flu is spreading rapidly across the United States, with outbreaks reported in key egg-producing regions, including Iowa, Washington State, and Maryland. In total, over 125 million chickens have been culled nationwide due to the virus, with more than 20 million chickens being culled since October 15, 2024.

As a result of these widespread outbreaks, the price of eggs has surged. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic in February 2022, eggs were priced below $2 per dozen. By January 2023, the price had soared to $4.82, and it is now projected to reach $7.95 by the end of this year. These escalating prices signal that the egg crisis may persist for more than a year.

To manage the tight supply, some grocery stores in Washington, D.C., including Harris Teeter, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s, have begun limiting the number of eggs that customers can purchase per household.

The family of the informant is expressing regret, stating, “We don’t understand the police’s position,” after the reward for providing information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a deadly subway arson was denied. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) had been searching for Sebastian Zapeta immediately after he set a sleeping woman on fire on the F subway line on May 22, around 7:30 a.m.

Hours after the incident, three freshmen from Brooklyn High School, who were on the F train to Queens for a basketball game, spotted the suspect. They had seen the suspect’s image on the news and immediately recognized him. One of the students, identified only as “Kingson,” called 911 to report the sighting. Police responded to the call, arrested Zapeta, and brought the train to a stop at Herald Square.

Kingson and his friends were later commended by their local city council member for their quick action, and the three students were eager to split the $10,000 reward offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. However, the NYPD stated that the reward would not be paid because the students had called 911 rather than the Crime Stoppers hotline (800-577-8477), which is the designated number for reward-eligible tips.

The police explained, “The reward for providing information that leads to solving a case is only paid through cases reported to the hotline service operated with the support of the New York Police Foundation, and the final payment is determined through the foundation’s own review.” In response, the families of the students expressed their confusion and disappointment, saying, “If someone were to ask where to contact after an incident, everyone would think of 911,” and adding, “We do not understand the police’s position at all.”

Flu cases are sharply rising in New Jersey, while COVID-19 infections are on the decline. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, flu infections have surged this year, while COVID-19 cases have significantly decreased. Last week, 6% of individuals visiting hospital emergency rooms in New Jersey were diagnosed with the flu, whereas less than 1% were diagnosed with COVID-19. Daniel Varga, Chief Medical Officer of Hackensack Health Group, noted that this winter is witnessing the highest number of flu cases since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he emphasized that the level of COVID-19 infection is much lower compared to last winter.

As of March 3, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 42% of minors and 43% of adults in the United States have received a flu vaccine, with 68% of those aged 65 and older vaccinated. The medical community is urging individuals to get vaccinated as the flu season extends into March and April to help prevent further spread of the virus.

Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck has reported an increase in the number of patients suffering from pneumonia after contracting the flu. Additionally, due to the rise in flu infections, several medical facilities, including Englewood Hospital, have implemented mask mandates for visitors and patients within the hospital to reduce the risk of further transmission.

On January 10, the Biden administration announced a decision to exempt approximately 1 million illegal immigrants from Venezuela, El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and other countries from deportation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that it would extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for these individuals for an additional 18 months, beyond the previous expiration date. TPS allows nationals from countries experiencing natural disasters, armed conflicts, or other extraordinary conditions to remain in the U.S. temporarily, with protection from deportation and the ability to work.

This move comes just 10 days before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously signalled plans to launch one of the largest deportation operations in U.S. history. Trump has also expressed intentions to reduce the use of TPS and other temporary status policies as part of his broader deportation strategy. TPS, originally enacted by Congress in 1990, offers protection for individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries due to severe conditions such as civil wars or natural disasters.

The extension of TPS will benefit citizens from four countries: Venezuela, with approximately 600,000 people; El Salvador, with around 232,000; Ukraine, with about 103,700; and Sudan, with roughly 1,900. However, the DHS clarified that this extension applies only to those who are already enrolled in the TPS program. Non-citizens who cannot prove a legal basis for staying in the U.S. will still face deportation.

The arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol is set to expire, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials is still deliberating on whether to re-execute the warrant. As of the morning of January 6th (Korean time), the office has not yet decided on its course of action. The office is considering several possibilities, including a second attempt to execute the warrant before it expires, seeking an extension of the validity period by reapplying for the warrant, or requesting the arrest warrant without attempting to physically arrest President Yoon.

According to the legal community, the Corruption Investigation Office is still internally reviewing its options rather than moving forward with a second attempt at execution this morning. An official from the office stated, “It will probably be difficult to decide on a plan of action in the morning.” Discussions with the police, who are forming a joint investigation headquarters, took place the day before. At 6:30 AM today, there was no noticeable movement at the Government Complex-Gwacheon, and all official vehicles used during the initial arrest attempt on January 3rd remained parked.

If the Corruption Investigation Office decides to attempt a second execution of the arrest warrant, it must do so in the early afternoon today, as the warrant, issued on December 31st, is only valid until midnight. The office is expected to increase its personnel with the help of the police, as it is numerically outmatched by the Presidential Security Service, which is tasked with protecting the president. However, it remains uncertain whether the execution will be successful, as the Secret Service could refuse to allow a search on the grounds of security restrictions under the Presidential Security Act.

On January 4th, the Corruption Investigation Office sent a formal request for cooperation from the Presidential Security Service to Acting President Choi Sang-mok. However, as of now, no response has been received. If the office concludes that executing the warrant within the current timeframe is unfeasible, it could reapply to the court for an extension of the warrant’s validity. Given that the reasons for issuing the original arrest warrant—such as President Yoon’s failure to appear for questioning—have not changed, and the office’s authority to investigate remains intact, an extension is seen as a logical step.

However, unless the Presidential Security Service alters its stance, the likelihood of a successful execution remains uncertain. Critics may question the Corruption Investigation Office’s determination to proceed with the investigation if another execution attempt fails. Some speculate that the office may opt to bypass the physical arrest and directly request a new arrest warrant without a face-to-face investigation.

An official from the Corruption Investigation Office indicated that several options are under review, including the possibility of a pre-emptive arrest warrant, re-execution of the existing warrant, or seeking an extension. Under the current criminal procedure law, arrest warrants can be issued for both detained suspects and those who have not been arrested. However, securing a warrant requires prior examination by a judge, whether the suspect is already in custody.

Attorney Bae Bo-yoon, who previously represented President Yoon during the impeachment trial, emphasized that Yoon would comply with the arrest warrant procedure. He stated, “The court will fully review the warrant.” However, it remains unclear whether President Yoon will comply with the court’s pre-arrest suspect examination, or whether the execution of the warrant will be blocked again by the Presidential Security Service, as happened with the first attempt. If a new arrest warrant is issued, it would place further legal and logistical pressure on the investigation, as securing the suspect would elevate the process to a more complex level.

With the start of the 119th Congress on January 3rd, the Republican Party, which holds the majority in the House of Representatives, has outlined its legislative agenda focused on implementing major pledges made by President-elect Donald Trump. The House Republican leadership unveiled a set of bills they plan to prioritize, reflecting Trump’s campaign promises and their policy priorities.

Among the 12 bills highlighted by House Republican leaders is a measure requiring voters to prove U.S. citizenship when voting in federal elections. Another significant proposal is a bill aimed at deporting undocumented immigrants who commit serious crimes, including sex offenses or assaults on police officers. Additionally, Republicans are pushing for legislation that would ease restrictions on hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, a method used to extract shale gas.

Other notable bills include one that would mandate medical workers to provide care for babies who survive abortions, as well as legislation to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it investigates or prosecutes U.S. citizens or those of its allies. Another priority for Republicans is amending Title IX, the federal law prohibiting gender discrimination in educational programs, to prevent transgender women from competing in women’s sports. Republicans aim to define athletes’ gender based solely on reproductive organs and genetics, rather than gender identity.

These bills align with various campaign promises made by President-elect Trump, and House Republican leaders have emphasized their commitment to advancing his reform and policy agenda. In an op-ed for Fox News, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other GOP leaders stated, “Americans cannot afford to wait around for relief when their lives and livelihoods are at stake.” They further asserted that their aggressive legislative plan would remove obstacles to fulfilling Trump’s promises.

In addition to legislative priorities, House Republicans have proposed a new rule aimed at making it more difficult to remove the House speaker. Under the current system, any member of the House, regardless of party affiliation, can request a vote of no confidence in the speaker. The new rule would require nine Republican members to initiate such a vote. This change is intended to prevent a small group of hardliners, as seen in the 118th Congress, from using the no-confidence vote as leverage to advance their agenda.

House Republicans have already agreed to re-elect Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House during their general meeting in November. A vote on his re-election is set to take place on January 3rd during the House plenary session. While President-elect Trump has expressed his support for Speaker Johnson, it remains uncertain how hardline Republican members will vote, with some media outlets noting the potential for disagreement among the party’s more extreme factions.

The Christmas service and festival, hosted by the Northern California Southern Baptist Pastors’ Association, took place on December 17 at Saenuri Mission Church (Senior Pastor Taehoon Kim).

The event began with the first service, led by Pastor Seunghwan Choi of New Nation Church, followed by a prayer from Pastor Moonsoo Kang of Kingsway Korean Church. Pastor Dongjin Lee of New Hope Baptist Church delivered the sermon, using Luke 2:10-14 as the text. In his message, Pastor Lee encouraged the congregation to become “a church that enjoys and shares the great joy given by the Lord, which cannot be compared to any joy the world gives at Christmas.”

The second part of the event included a dinner and a time of fun games and fellowship, led by Pastor Sanghwan Ko of World Mission Baptist Church. Pastor Taehoon Kim, president of the Northern California Southern Baptist Association, reported that about 60 people attended the gathering, marking the largest attendance in the association’s history.

The driving force behind Virginia’s population growth is not births or out-of-state migration, but rather the influx of immigrants, a recent survey found. On December 23, Cardinal News published an article analysing newly released census data, which revealed that Virginia’s population has stopped declining and is now seeing an increase.

According to the report, Virginia’s population grew by 56,155 people as of July 1st of this year, with the primary factor being the inflow of immigrants. In particular, the number of immigrants arriving in Virginia has rapidly increased in recent years. In 2020, there were only 766 more immigrants to Virginia than those leaving for other countries. However, the number surged to 14,319 in 2021, 41,147 in 2022, and 46,416 in 2023.

This significant rise in immigration has led to a net population gain for Virginia, as more people are moving into the state than leaving or emigrating. This marks the first time since 2013 that the state has experienced this trend. The immigrant-led population growth in Virginia is part of a larger national trend, with 84% of the 3.3 million people added to the U.S. population between 2023 and 2024 attributed to immigration. Meanwhile, 18 states in the U.S. are experiencing population declines due to a lack of immigrant influx.

Traffic congestion is severe on the 495-Beltway Legion Bridge, which connects Virginia and Maryland. Drivers who need to cross the Potomac River and travel between the two states have no choice but to use this bridge despite the heavy traffic. The alternative routes, such as the Wilson Bridge on the other side or traveling through Washington, D.C., also lead to significant delays.

Due to the nature of the Washington area, there is a large floating population between Virginia and Maryland, making the 495-Beltway notorious for rush hour congestion. While Virginia is working to alleviate this issue by expanding toll lanes, Maryland has no current plans for improvement, making the efforts in Virginia effectively less impactful.

In response to the situation, Fairfax County Chairman Jeff McKay publicly expressed his frustration on the 18th, stating, “Montgomery County, Maryland, is wilfully ignoring this problem.” He argued that Maryland is hoping that if commuters are unable to cross the bridge, they will stay in Maryland and take jobs there instead of traveling to Virginia, which he called “the most ridiculous economic vision in history.”

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich countered, explaining that unlike Virginia, Maryland has not yet started any projects and that the Legion Bridge’s improvements heavily depend on federal funding, which has been delayed due to funding issues. Elrich expressed understanding of McKay’s frustration but emphasized that Maryland has no intention of intentionally delaying or obstructing the project. He also added, “If there’s a problem, they can call and discuss it, not in the press.”

Despite these discussions, Maryland still has no concrete plan to address the ongoing congestion at the Legion or Wilson Bridges.