Immigration freeze, Fed cutbacks, and an albino alligator
Welcome to our press review of events in the United States. Every Wednesday we look at how the Swiss media have reported and reacted to three major stories in the US – in politics, finance and science. “We don’t want them in our country” said US President Donald Trump on Tuesday. Who was he talking about? I’ll give you a clue: it’s not albino alligators. Trump’s views on melanin-challenged reptiles are unknown, at least to me, but Claude, who lived in San Francisco, was hugely popular – as seen in the countless news reports around the world following his death. The Trump administration has suspended all immigration applications from 19 countries deemed to be high-risk a few days after a fatal shooting involving an Afghan national, the US Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday. The Tribune de Genève reported on Wednesday how the suspension applies to people from the 12 countries whose nationals have not been allowed to travel to the United States since June and to nationals ...
President Trump’s stance on immigration has once again ignited debate. On Tuesday, the President declared, "We don’t want them in our country," a statement that has reverberated through international media. This declaration comes on the heels of the Department of Homeland Security's announcement of a suspension of all immigration applications from 19 countries deemed "high-risk." The decision, made just days after a fatal shooting involving an Afghan national, has sparked concerns about its potential impact on individuals seeking refuge or opportunity in the US.
The Tribune de Genève highlighted the breadth of the immigration freeze, noting that it extends to individuals from the 12 countries already subject to travel restrictions since June. Swiss media are closely watching the unfolding situation, analyzing the potential legal challenges and humanitarian implications of the policy. The exact list of the 19 affected countries and the specific criteria used to designate them as "high-risk" are under intense scrutiny.
While political tensions rise, the passing of Claude, San Francisco's famed albino alligator, has captured hearts worldwide. Despite President Trump's (unknown) views on reptiles with a melanin deficiency, Claude's popularity transcended political divides. The numerous news reports chronicling his life and the outpouring of grief following his death underscore the unique connection people felt with the rare creature. His passing serves as a stark contrast to the often divisive political climate, reminding us of the shared human capacity for empathy and appreciation of the natural world.