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Immigrant advocacy organizations are urging the Trump administration to resume processing new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. On March 18th, the Korean American Service and Education Association (KASA), which represents five Korean community organizations across the U.S., held an online press conference to express concerns about the current state of the program. KASA pointed out that while a ruling by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on January 17th upheld the decision declaring DACA illegal, it limited the impact of the ruling to Texas. This decision, according to KASA, means that new DACA applications should be processed nationwide, yet the Trump administration has failed to take any action.

KASA emphasized that despite the appellate court’s decision taking effect on March 11th, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) continues to process only renewals for existing DACA recipients and has not resumed accepting new applications. The group is urging the administration to correct this discrepancy and begin processing new applications.

However, caution is advised for those considering reapplying for DACA. The Korean American Council (KOA) warned of the uncertainty surrounding the situation, noting that there is a risk of personal information being exposed due to the lack of clarity on the administration’s next steps. Immigration attorneys also advised caution, stating that while it may not be easy for the Trump administration to resume new applications immediately, individuals should stay informed and consult with legal experts if necessary.

Additionally, the KOA condemned a new immigrant registration system introduced by the Trump administration in February. Set to take effect on April 11, this system would require certain undocumented immigrants over the age of 14 to register with the government, and mandate that 18-year-old immigrants possess a registration certificate. The KOA criticized this move as another attempt to target and stigmatize immigrants, particularly those who entered the U.S. without going through immigration screening.

While this regulation is seen as primarily affecting individuals who entered the U.S. illegally through the southern border, Korean immigration attorneys note that it will not likely impact most Korean immigrants, who generally entered the country through proper immigration channels. They advise individuals to consult with immigration attorneys if they have concerns or need guidance.

For further assistance, the Korean American Council operates an immigrant assistance hotline available 24/7, providing support and resources for individuals facing immigration-related challenges.

Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, the pressure on Washington, D.C., a Democratic stronghold, has been mounting. During the first Trump administration, the city faced strong pushback, including pressure to remove the Black Lives Matter Plaza, a prominent symbol of the movement in front of the White House. Federal aid cuts were even used as a weapon to encourage compliance. In this charged political environment, Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) recently suggested, “In order to escape the ravages of the Trump administration, let’s annex D.C. to Maryland.” While the proposal may seem like an impossible joke, it is not the first time Raskin has raised the idea.

Washington, D.C. was created in 1790 when land was transferred from Virginia and Maryland to establish a federal district. The U.S. capital moved from Philadelphia to D.C. in 1800. Since its establishment, there have been various proposals to include the district in neighbouring Maryland for administrative convenience. In fact, a bill was proposed as early as 1803, but none of these efforts have succeeded.

While Raskin’s proposal garners attention, D.C. residents have been pushing for a different solution. Instead of being annexed by Maryland, they are advocating for statehood, which would provide them with full representation in Congress. According to the D.C. mayor’s office, 86% of residents supported statehood in a 2016 referendum. Residents expressed a clear desire to advance their rights as citizens, stating, “We do not want to go backwards. Our clear goal is to become a state.”

Tensions have further escalated with recent legislative actions. Last weekend, Republican members of the House of Representatives introduced a bill that would treat Washington, D.C. like a federal agency, slashing its funding to the 2024 level. If passed, this bill would cut approximately $1 billion in funding to the D.C. government over the next six months. This move has heightened the demand among D.C. residents for federal representation, as they continue to fight for greater political autonomy and recognition.

A recent study has found that long-term consumption of microplastics, commonly found in plastic bottled beverages such as water bottles, can negatively impact male reproductive development. Pukyung National University announced the findings of a research paper led by doctoral students Seungjin Jeong and Surye Park, along with professors Bomi Ryu and Seungjun Lee from the Department of Food and Nutrition. The study was published in the January issue of the prestigious academic journal Advanced Science.

The research team conducted an experiment where microplastics were ingested weekly by infant rat models for a period of 29 weeks. They then comprehensively analysed the microstructure of testicular and epididymal tissues, blood testosterone levels, sperm concentration and motility, and changes in ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcriptomes. The results showed a marked decrease in sperm concentration and motility, along with simultaneous inhibition of sperm production and maturation.

Through transcriptome analysis, the research team identified the molecular mechanisms by which the continuous ingestion of microplastics suppresses the expression of male hormones and genes related to meiosis, the process of cell division that leads to sperm production. These findings suggest that long-term exposure to microplastics could directly lead to a decline in reproductive function.

The research team highlighted the significance of their study, noting that it scientifically clarifies the potential long-term risks of commonly used PET bottle materials on human health. They called for further research to more precisely understand the effects of microplastics on reproductive health and to integrate these findings into improving environmental and health policies. The study was supported by the Ottogi Ham Tae-ho Foundation, the National Pukyong National University New Researcher Challenge Support Project, and the Korea Basic Science Institute Joint Research Project.

The long-standing teacher shortage in Fairfax County, Virginia, has improved considerably, with the number of vacancies now at an all-time low. According to ABC7 News, after four years of efforts by the county’s office of education to address the shortage, over 90% of current teachers remain in the district, and the vacancy rate has dropped to just 1%.

To address the issue, the county has implemented several measures aimed at boosting teacher morale and retention. These efforts include raising teacher salaries, investing in professional development, offering day contracts for special education teachers, and bringing in international teacher ambassadors. Additionally, the county has introduced a plan that allows individuals with bachelor’s degrees, but without teaching licenses, to receive certification if they are working as substitute teachers or educational assistants in schools.

Fairfax County currently employs between 4,500 to 5,000 substitute teachers across all levels of its school system. Furthermore, the county recently conducted a survey of school staff regarding their return for the next academic year. The results revealed that 96% of respondents indicated they plan to return to work in the coming year, further indicating the positive impact of these measures.

As legislation to build a casino in Tysons, Virginia, advances, allegations of backroom dealings have emerged. It is claimed that the casino developer, Comstock Holding Companies, funded research at George Mason University to commission a report that would support the casino bill. This issue was first reported last month by Virginia Politics Revealed, sparking a wave of criticism from various political figures.

Alex Badtani, an attorney for one of the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor, strongly criticized the situation, describing it as “a backroom deal suspected of collusion, a fraud not policy, and an act of selling out the future of Virginia for money.”

Terry Clower, a professor at George Mason University, had expressed scepticism about the construction of the Fairfax Casino in 2023 but participated in a panel discussion advocating for the casino’s development in 2025. Media outlets have raised questions about a potential deal between the university and the developer in exchange for research funding, and an investigation is reportedly underway, using emails exchanged between the two parties as evidence.

The Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) in Washington, D.C. has been hosting a special exhibition since November of last year that focuses on the works of three Japanese American female painters. Titled “Pictures of Belonging,” the exhibition highlights the contributions of Miki Hayakana (1899–1953), Hisako Hibi (1907–1991), and Mine Okubo (1912–2001). The exhibition aims to restore the artistic legacy of these individuals, who were undervalued during a time of racial exclusion. These three painters share the harrowing experience of being incarcerated in internment camps or being forcibly relocated under Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin Roosevelt in February 1942, following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.

Executive Order 9066 allowed the U.S. government to relocate civilians from military areas, but it was specifically applied to Japanese Americans. Beginning in March 1942, Japanese Americans in military areas like California were detained in “assembly centres” under the guise of a forced evacuation. This affected artists such as Hibi and Okubo. Hayakana, on the other hand, avoided internment by relocating to New Mexico, a place where she had no prior connections. According to the National Archives, around 125,000 people, including 70,000 U.S. citizens, were detained in camps under this order.

The executive order came during the heightened fears of Japanese American collusion with the enemy in the Pacific War. Strangely, no forced internment occurred in Hawaii, which was geographically closer to Japan and where Japanese Americans made up 40% of the population. The National Archives notes that before the executive order, Japanese Americans in the western U.S. were economically competitive, and anti-immigrant groups were lobbying Congress for stricter measures. This came at a time when the U.S. was also engaged in a fierce war against Nazi Germany, with about 11,000 German residents in the U.S. also interned, though under individual investigations based on the Alien Enemies Act. This raise concerns that Executive Order 9066 was driven not by military necessity, but by racial prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.

The discriminatory nature of the order has been criticized, especially since it disproportionately targeted Asian Americans. In 1982, the U.S. federal government concluded that the internment measures were not a result of military necessity but were instead based on racial prejudice and wartime paranoia. Executive Order 9066 remains one of the most infamous executive orders in U.S. history.

Executive orders have been a tool used by U.S. presidents since the nation’s founding, with each president wielding executive power granted by Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution. While some executive orders serve symbolic purposes, others bypass legislative processes and circumvent Congress. Former President Franklin Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945, holds the record for the most executive orders, signing 3,721 during his presidency. President Donald Trump, in contrast, issued 220 executive orders during his four years in office, with 58 of those signed in the first two weeks of his second term, surpassing the average number of annual executive orders.

Trump’s executive orders spanned a wide array of topics, including immigration, energy, diplomacy, and national defence. Some of these orders, such as those attempting to end birthright citizenship, were viewed as unconstitutional or contrary to Supreme Court precedents. However, these orders are being challenged in courts, reflecting concerns about their potential impact on the system of checks and balances that is central to U.S. democracy. As a result, there is growing anxiety over the long-term consequences of President Trump’s “executive order rule” and the potential erosion of democratic principles.

The recent crash and collision of a passenger plane and a helicopter in Washington, D.C. has brought the issue of air traffic controller shortages into sharp focus. Washington, D.C. is notorious for its complex air traffic environment, with frequent flights at civilian airports, military bases, and helicopters carrying high-ranking government officials. However, the lack of air traffic control personnel in the area has raised concerns about safety. This shortage is not isolated to the Washington, D.C. region but is widespread across the United States.

According to a report by The New York Times (NYT), data from the controllers’ union revealed that as of early January, 91% (285) of the 313 air traffic control facilities in the U.S., including control towers, were below the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) recommended staffing levels. Among these, 73 facilities were found to have a quarter of their staff positions unfilled. This widespread staffing issue has highlighted the strain placed on the nation’s air traffic control system.

Two control facilities on Long Island—responsible for managing air traffic at major international airports like New York’s JFK, LaGuardia, and New Jersey’s Newark—were reported to be operating with 40% of their staff vacant. Additionally, an internal preliminary report from the FAA revealed that, at the time of the recent accident, Reagan National Airport’s control operations were concentrated in the hands of just one person, further underscoring the challenges of managing air traffic with insufficient staff.

There are growing concerns that the large-scale crackdown on illegal immigrants, which began with the inauguration of the second term of the Donald Trump administration, could push New York state’s economy into a recession. New York Governor Kathy Hochul warned on the 21st, while announcing the “2026 Fiscal Year Budget,” that “there are over 470,000 ‘undocumented workers’ in the state,” which constitutes 15% of the state’s labour force, or 1 in 6 people. She added that if a crackdown on illegal immigrants were implemented in New York, it could push the state’s economy into a recession.

According to economic outlook data released that day, the state is home to an estimated 471,000 undocumented workers. The potential deportation of these workers could exacerbate the state’s population decline and labour shortages. Most illegal immigrants in the state are employed in industries like construction, housekeeping, cooking, home and personal care assistance, cleaning, and delivery. If deported, there would be no immediate replacement workers, leading to downturns in these critical industries. Governor Hochul warned, “If there is no new influx of immigrants following the deportation of illegal immigrants, there will be significant difficulties in both wages and employment due to population decline and labour shortages.” She also noted that ongoing construction projects may face delays, given that 70% of construction workers in the state are foreign-born.

The Trump administration’s second-term plan targets illegal immigrants with criminal records, with a primary focus on “sanctuary cities.” The crackdown is expected to start in Chicago, Illinois, followed by New York City, New York, Los Angeles, California, Denver, Colorado, and Miami, Florida. Tom Homan, the “border czar” of the Trump administration, confirmed in an interview on the 21st that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has begun nationwide enforcement efforts. Homan clarified that the primary target is people who are in the U.S. illegally, have criminal convictions, and pose a threat to public safety. However, in “sanctuary cities,” where local authorities are less cooperative, ICE officials are forced to track down illegal immigrants independently. Homan also stated that if ICE encounters illegal immigrants without criminal records during their operations, they will still make arrests.

Washington, D.C. is buzzing with preparations as the city gets ready to welcome tens of thousands of guests for President Donald Trump’s inauguration. The event will include the presidential inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol, a parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the White House, and the Inaugural Ball, which will be held at various locations that evening.

To attend the inauguration ceremony, tickets are required. These tickets can be obtained through members of the U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. Citizens can apply for tickets through their local representative, but due to high demand, they are typically distributed through a lottery or given priority to sponsors. Although the tickets are free, they can also be purchased online at inaugurationtickets.com.

The inauguration stage set up in front of the Capitol will accommodate 1,600 VIPs, including politicians, Supreme Court justices, former presidents, diplomats, and businesspeople invited by the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC). In addition, 4,000 to 5,000 ticket holders will be admitted to the lawn in front of the Capitol. For those unable to secure tickets, large screens will be set up between 4th Street and the Washington Monument on the National Mall, allowing people to watch the ceremony from the site.

The parade can be viewed without a ticket, although some sections with stands require a ticket to enter. Free tickets for these stands, which offer a view of the inauguration, have been sold for over $3,000 online. Additionally, hotels with views of Pennsylvania Avenue were booked out early, regardless of price.

Given the road closures and parking challenges expected on the day, the Smithsonian Museums will be closed. Visitors are urged to use public transportation and the Metro (Metro Centre, Gallery Place, Judicial Square, L’Enfant Plaza, Federal Centre).

For the Starlight Ball, which hosts the first and second dances, tickets are available only to those who have donated at least $1 million. Many who have contributed this amount are reportedly on a waiting list. This has led The New York Times to comment that this illustrates how much donors and corporations with significant resources are attempting to gain favour with President Trump.

President-elect Trump raised $107 million for his 2017 inauguration, but this time he has raised more than $200 million, nearly double the amount from 2017 and over three times the $62 million raised by President Biden in 2021.

FBI Director Christopher Wray, who was forced to step down before the end of his term due to a “no confidence” vote from President-elect Donald Trump, delivered a farewell speech on January 10, emphasizing the importance of the FBI’s impartiality and independence. Wray stated, “We must maintain our independence and objectivity, and we must transcend partisanship and politics,” underscoring that this is what the American people expect and deserve from the FBI. He also highlighted the agency’s core principles of “professionalism, rigor, and integrity,” adding, “That means following the facts, wherever they lead, whether people like them or not.”

Wray, who became FBI director in August 2017 during Trump’s first term, had more than two and a half years left on his 10-year term but announced his resignation after receiving what was essentially a “vote of no confidence” from Trump following his 2020 election victory. Trump had signalled that he intended to replace Wray with a “loyalist” in the wake of the FBI’s investigation into the illegal storage and export of classified materials, which included the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Florida.

Director Wray’s resignation came after a period of tension between him and Trump, and his decision to step down voluntarily rather than wait for a potential dismissal was widely seen as a response to the strained relationship between the two. Wray’s successor, Kathy Patel, has generated controversy due to her claims that the 2020 presidential election was a “fraud” and her warning that she would “retaliate” against journalists who she believes aided President Joe Biden in winning the election, should Trump be re-elected.