In the news today: A halt to U.S. immigration applications for migrants from 19 nations; a Trump-backed Republican wins a special election in Tennessee; and Israel's reopening of a key Gaza border crossing. Also, the search is resuming for the Malaysia Airlines flight that vanished 11 years ago. |
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President Donald Trump walks out of the Cabinet Room following a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Tuesday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) |
Trump administration halts immigration applications for migrants from 19 nations |
The Trump administration is pausing all immigration applications, such as requests for green cards for people from the 19 countries banned from travel earlier this year, as part of sweeping immigration changes in the wake of the shooting of two National Guard troops. Read more. |
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- The pause puts on hold a wide range of immigration-related decisions, such as green card applications or naturalizations for immigrants. It's up to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services director Joseph Edlow on when to lift the pause, the memo said. The administration in June banned travel to the U.S. by citizens of 12 countries and restricted access for those from seven others, citing national security concerns.
Days before the National Guard shooting, USCIS said in a separate memo that the administration would review the cases of all refugees who entered the U.S. during the Biden administration. Critics have said that the Trump administration's actions have amounted to collective punishment for immigrants.
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Trump-backed Republican Matt Van Epps wins US House special election in Tennessee |
Republican Matt Van Epps won a nationally watched special election in Tennessee for a U.S. House seat Tuesday, maintaining his party's grip on the conservative district with help from President Donald Trump. But the comparatively slim margin of victory fueled Democratic hopes for next year's midterms as the party grasps for a path back to power in Washington. Read more. |
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A military veteran and former state general services commissioner from Nashville, Van Epps defeated Democratic state Rep. Aftyn Behn to represent the 7th Congressional District. With 99% of votes counted, Van Epps' lead was around 9 percentage points. The previous Republican who held the seat won by 21 points last year, and Trump carried the district by 22 points.
"No matter what the D.C. insiders or liberal media say, this is President Trump's party," Van Epps said at his victory party. "I'm proud to be a part of it and can't wait to get to work." Trump congratulated Van Epps in a social media post, saying he won even though "the Radical Left Democrats threw everything at him."
- Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said Republicans should be "shaking in their boots" ahead of the midterms, which will determine control of Congress. "What happened tonight in Tennessee makes it clear: Democrats are on offense and Republicans are on the ropes," Martin said in a statement.
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Israel to reopen a key border crossing to Gaza |
While announcing its plans to reopen the Rafah border crossing, Israel said the partial remains returned by Hamas militants did not match those of the Israeli hostages remaining in Gaza. Read more. |
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The missing remains of two hostages threaten to stall a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in its first phase. But by promising to open the Rafah crossing, Israel showed it was moving ahead with parts of the U.S.-backed plan.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said forensic testing showed the remains returned Tuesday did not match either of the bodies of the two hostages, Israeli Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak.
- The statement about opening Rafah said Israel would coordinate with Egypt on the exit of Palestinians, under the supervision of a mission from the European Union. Those wishing to leave Gaza will require "Israeli security approval," the statement said.
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A stollen pastry, a traditional Christmas pastry, sits on a table in a bakery along with pastry ingredients in Dresden, Germany, Nov. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi) |
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Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Mark |
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Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Mark |
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