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Today’s headlines
President Biden is expected to announce an executive order today that will protect approximately 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation. The program grants “in-place parole” to undocumented people who have lived in the United States for at least 10 years and provides them with work permits and a path to apply for legal permanent status. It would also provide a path to legalization for noncitizen minors and stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
On Tuesday, June 4, President Joe Biden issued an executive order limiting asylum eligibility for most unauthorized border crossers.
Manuel Balce Seneta/Associated Press
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Manuel Balce Seneta/Associated Press
- 🎧 Biden recently announced a series of rules or policies NPR’s Sergio Martínez-Beltrán says the move is aimed at curbing the high number of unauthorized crossings at the southern border, prompting a backlash from immigrant rights groups that previously supported him first up. He said the latest policy appeared to satisfy them for now, although it was expected to be challenged in court.
Some environmental, labor and health care groups are urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency to consider extreme heat and wildfire smoke a “major disaster.” The designation will help states access federal funds during extreme heat events. The groups’ petition comes as millions of Americans in the Midwest and Northeast prepare for the first heat wave of the summer.
- 🎧 The Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far declined to declare heat-related disasters in states requesting aid, NPR’s Alejandra Borunda reports. That’s because the agency doesn’t believe the damage is severe enough for states to handle on their own. But Borenda said it’s common knowledge that heat kills more people than disasters like hurricanes. In an extreme heat disaster, FEMA can set up cooling centers, dispatch additional medical personnel and help develop permanent infrastructure to cool cities. Administrators said they know FEMA has a role to play in addressing extreme heat issues and they are open to the idea, but this is new territory for them.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore pardoned more than 175,000 marijuana-related crimes, most of them misdemeanors. His decision comes a year after the state legalized recreational marijuana use. The pardons are intended to mitigate the cascading social and economic damage caused by the war on drugs — damage that advocates say has disproportionately affected black and Hispanic communities.
- 🎧 Governor Moore narrates morning edition Many pardoned people have paid their debt to society, But still suffering the consequences of their beliefs. They face barriers to employment, education, home ownership and more. Through the pardon, he said, he hopes to “make second chances truly meaningful.”
deep dive
Malcolm Reed and his dog Sampson at home in Decatur, Georgia. Reed, who recently celebrated his 66th birthday and the anniversary of his HIV diagnosis, is one of a growing number of people aged 50 and older living with HIV.
Sam Whitehead/KFF Health News
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Sam Whitehead/KFF Health News
When Malcolm Reid was diagnosed with HIV 28 years ago, This could be punishable by death. Today, more than half of people living with HIV in the United States are age 50 or older. Researchers estimate that by 2030, 70% of people infected with the virus will be in this age group.
- ➡️ Risk of HIV infection is greater with aging Health problems related to viral inflammation and long-term use of irritating drugs.
- ➡️ Some people face what researchers call double stigma Ageism and anti-AIDS bias.
- ➡️ Many people have lost friends to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Loneliness increases the risk of cognitive decline and other diseases.
- ➡️ The U.S. health care system is not ready to cope More than 500,000 people over the age of 50 are living with HIV. An international coalition of older people living with HIV has signed the Glasgow Declaration, calling on policymakers to ensure better access to affordable care, give patients more time to see doctors and fight ageism.
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People ride bicycles at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, on April 23, 2024.
NPR Stephen Chow
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NPR Stephen Chow
What is going on inside China? Although the country has ended its pandemic quarantine, tensions with the United States have prevented Americans from visiting. This spring, a morning edition The team traveled to Beijing and Shanghai. Over dinner at a Hunan restaurant, host Steve Inskeep chatted with John Ruwitch, an NPR reporter who has covered China for decades, about how America’s global rival is doing. .
- 📷 Check out the photos the team took in China And read Steve and John’s talking points about the impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s economy, the shrinking population, how people are embracing technology, and more.
3 things you need to know before you go
Apple CEO Tim Cook spoke at Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WDC) in June. Many of the features Apple announced will replicate the services of third-party apps, a practice known as “Sherlock.”
NIC COURY/AFPGetty Images/AFP
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NIC COURY/AFPGetty Images/AFP
- Apple launches new transcription and recording software for iOS 18, Scheduled for release in the fall. It would essentially make one of the most popular call recording apps obsolete – a practice that many have dubbed “Sherlock”.
- George E. Norcross III, a powerful executive and political figure in New JerseyAccused of running a criminal enterprise, using racketeering to promote his vast business, political and philanthropic empire. (via Gothamist)
- Country singer George Strait breaks record for most-ticketed concert in U.S. history He performed in front of 110,905 fans on Saturday, according to Billboard.
This newsletter is sponsored by Majid Wahadi.
