Asian men targeted in violent robberies in Philly
Philadelphia police are searching for two suspects believed responsible for at least three violent robberies targeting Asian men in Center City’s Chinatown...
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #92
The U.S. just approved the largest expansion of immigrant detention in history — $45 billion to nearly double ICE’s capacity, making its budget five times higher than the entire federal prison system. Also in this issue: Two dozen Hmong men face deportation in Minnesota, Philly cops hunt suspects in anti-Asian robberies, and the Dalai Lama vows to defy Beijing on his reincarnation.
ICE detention funding now 5 times higher than federal prison system budget
Congress has approved a historic $170 billion immigration enforcement package that includes $45 billion to nearly double the nation’s capacity to detain immigrants, marking the largest expansion of the detention system in U.S. history.
What we know: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed Thursday provides $45 billion for immigrant detention centers over four years — exceeding what the government spent on detention during the Obama, Biden and first Trump administrations combined. The funding boost represents a 265% increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) current detention budget, making it over five times higher than the current $8.3 billion budget of the U.S. federal prison system. The broader $170 billion package includes $46.5 billion for border wall construction and new immigration fees, including a $100 minimum for asylum applications. President Donald Trump signed the legislation Friday.
What authorities are saying: ICE officials say they plan to use the funds to roughly double detention capacity to 100,000 beds, up from 59,000 current detainees. “This bill will make our communities safer by making a historic investment in our border security,” Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.) said Thursday morning on the House floor. Border czar Tom Homan told NewsNation that “Everybody we arrest, we need a bed, because they’re going to be in detention from several days to several months.” The funding will support hiring 10,000 new ICE agents, though former acting ICE director John Sandweg told Politico this is “way harder than it sounds” and could take three years.
Broader implications: The expansion comes as enforcement has shifted dramatically. A CBS analysis shows detentions of immigrants without criminal histories rose over 250% since May, with non-criminals now outnumbering those with convictions 2:1 in new arrests. Only 8% of all detainees have been convicted of violent crimes, with traffic violations being most common. Critics warn the rapid expansion could strain oversight, as DHS has already shuttered its internal detention monitoring office. At least 10 immigrants died in ICE custody during the first half of the year.
The Trump administration has three-and-a-half years to implement the unprecedented expansion and reach its goal of 1 million annual deportations.
Two dozen Hmong men in Minnesota face deportation
Twenty-four Hmong men who settled in Minnesota decades ago are being held in jails across Minnesota and Iowa as they await deportation to Laos, according to the Hmong 18 Council, a local Hmong advocacy group. Most of the men arrived in the U.S. as refugees after the Vietnam War and later became lawful permanent residents before their status was revoked due to past criminal convictions. Federal agents arrested several individuals at their homes, workplaces and in front of their children.
The detentions have caused distress and confusion within Minnesota’s Hmong community. Family members often do not know where their loved ones are being held or when removal proceedings might occur. Chia Neng Vue, 43, who was arrested at his home in Coon Rapids, told the Sahan Journal, “It is a tear in my heart. I am scared for my children and my family. I do not know what will happen to us.”
Community advocates warn that these enforcement actions reflect a broader pattern targeting Southeast Asian Americans and are calling for greater transparency from immigration authorities. Darling Yaj, executive director of the Hmong 18 Council, said, “To the Hmong community, this is a betrayal. We came here as legal immigrants, not illegally.” Advocates are urging officials to consider the men’s long-standing ties to Minnesota and the trauma caused by uprooting families with deep roots in the region.
Zohran Mamdani identified as both Asian and Black on college application, report reveals
New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani checked boxes identifying himself as both “Asian” and “Black or African America” on his 2009 Columbia University application, according to data obtained through a cyberattack on the university.
What it says: The revelation emerged from internal Columbia data derived from the cyberattack that occurred last month, shared with The New York Times by an intermediary who opposes affirmative action and writes about race and IQ. The database contained records spanning decades with details on citizenship, national origin, standardized test scores, race and admission outcomes. Mamdani, who was born in Uganda to parents of Indian descent, was not accepted to Columbia despite being a Bronx Science graduate and the son of a Columbia professor. The application reportedly allowed students to provide more specific information where relevant and Mamdani wrote in “Ugandan.”
What he’s saying: Mamdani defended his application choices in a subsequent interview with the Times, explaining that he views himself not as Black or African American but as “an American who was born in Africa.” He described his decision as reflecting his complex background within the limited options provided, denying any intent to gain admission advantages. “Most college applications don’t have a box for Indian-Ugandans, so I checked multiple boxes trying to capture the fullness of my background,” he said. The Rebel Yellow could not locate any public statements where Mamdani identified as Black or African American.
Critics sound off: Mayor Eric Adams, who lost to Mamdani in the primary but will face him again as an independent in November, called Mamdani’s actions “an insult to every student who got into college the right way. “The African American identity is not a check-box of convenience,” he stressed, with his campaign team calling for a “full internal review.” The team of former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Mamdani’s biggest challenger in the primary, also described the matter as possible fraud and suggested it might indicate broader deception. The story also sparked internal dispute at the Times, where columnist Jamelle Bouie criticized the reporting on social media before removing his posts for violating company standards.
Philly cops seek suspects in violent robberies that targeted Asian men
Philadelphia police are searching for two suspects believed responsible for at least three violent robberies targeting Asian men in Center City’s Chinatown area from June 14-16.
About the incidents: The Chinatown attack spree began at around 9:30 p.m. on June 14 when a 62-year-old man was approached by two individuals on the 900 block of Cherry Street. When the victim tried to flee, one suspect punched him in the head and face — causing him to fall — before both continued to beat him and steal his wallet. An hour later that night, a 27-year-old man walking near a parking lot on the 800 block of Arch Street was tackled from behind by one suspect, while the other demanded his wallet. They then beat him and stole his wallet and AirPods. The final known attack occurred at 9:30 p.m. on June 16, when two masked suspects wearing all-black clothing confronted a 16-year-old boy in a parking lot on the 100 block of North 9th Street, punching and kicking him before fleeing with $5 that fell from his pocket.
What authorities are saying: Officials believe the robberies were racially motivated attacks against Asian men. “It would appear that these offenders were specifically targeting males of Asian descent, which would make this a hate crime. When we catch these individuals, they will also be charged with ethnic intimidation, along with robbery and related offenses,” Capt. Jason Smith of Central Detectives told WPVI. Authorities released surveillance footage Thursday showing the suspects and concluded from video analysis that other Asian individuals were approached but not robbed, revealing a systematic targeting pattern.
Anyone with information about the incidents can call Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or submit anonymous tips online.
Dalai Lama says he will reincarnate, defying China’s authority
The 14th Dalai Lama has declared that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation while setting up a renewed clash with Beijing over succession authority.
What he said: In a recorded message delivered to Buddhist monks in Dharamsala, India, on Wednesday, the religious leader declared, “I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue.” He appointed the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he established in 2015, as the exclusive authority for identifying his reincarnation, stating that “no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” The announcement reverses his 2011 comments that the institution might not continue at all. Senior officials say the successor can be of any gender and their nationality would not be restricted to Tibet. In his 90th birthday celebration on Saturday, he assured attendees of his “great physical condition.”
China responds: Beijing quickly dismissed the announcement, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asserting that “the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must adhere to the principles of domestic search in China” and requires “approval by the central government.” China insists selection protocols from the 18th century apply, in which “the child reincarnation of a major Living Buddha such as the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama needs to be identified through lot-drawing from a golden urn and approval by the central government.” The U.S. State Department weighed in on the matter and called on China to “cease its interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lamas.”
Why this matters: The succession dispute carries major implications for Tibetans who oppose China’s governance of Tibet and seek to preserve their cultural identity both in exile and their homeland. Analysts anticipate dual claims will surface, with one Dalai Lama chosen by Beijing and another selected by monks faithful to the current leader. Dibyesh Anand, a professor of international relations at the University of Westminster, told The Diplomat that the succession creates “an unprecedented crisis of legitimacy” with neither side able to negotiate.
The search for the 15th Dalai Lama will likely commence after the current leader’s death, a process that could take several years to identify and prepare the successor.
Thailand reverses historic cannabis legalization, requires medical prescriptions
Thailand has implemented new restrictions requiring medical prescriptions for cannabis purchases, effectively ending three years of recreational use after becoming the first Asian country to decriminalize the plant in 2022.
Recreational weed no more: The new regulations, signed by Health Minister Somsak Thepsutin, took effect June 27 after being published in the Royal Gazette. Cannabis dispensaries must now convert to medical clinics to remain in business, requiring a licensed medical professional on-site who can dispense cannabis. Of Thailand’s 18,000 licensed cannabis shops, 12,000 face license renewals in November and must meet new ministerial requirements by that deadline. Licensed shops may sell only limited quantities to prescription holders — a 30-day supply for personal use — and must purchase products exclusively from government-certified pharmaceutical-grade farms. Violators face up to one year in prison and fines of 20,000 baht ($614).
Why it happened: The policy shift accelerated after a two-year old girl was hospitalized following consumption of a cannabis-laced gummy, triggering nationwide raids on cannabis-infused foods and beverages. Critics link the timing to political maneuvering after the Bhumjaithai Party — which led the push to decriminalize cannabis — left the coalition government in late June. Cannabis farmers face additional hurdles, as only about 100 farms nationwide currently possess required Good Agriculture and Collection Practice certificates.
Visiting Thailand: Tourists must now secure medical certificates from Thailand or their home countries to buy cannabis for conditions like chemotherapy-related nausea or drug-resistant epilepsy, with Health Minister Somsak telling CNN that “Thailand should not be seen as a destination for recreational cannabis use.” The changes dramatically affect tourist hotspots like Bangkok’s Khao San Road and Pattaya, where hundreds of cannabis shops previously operated. Cannabis smuggling cases involving tourists have surged since legalization, resulting in over 800 arrests between October 2024 and March 2025.
Somsak told reporters he would like to reclassify cannabis as a narcotic in the future, completing Thailand’s dramatic policy reversal.
American teen detained by Chilean authorities in Antarctica after solo flight attempt
Ethan Guo, a 19-year-old American pilot and social media influencer, was detained by Chilean authorities on June 28 after he landed at Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base on King George Island in Antarctica. Officials allege Guo filed a flight plan in Punta Arenas indicating he would remain in local airspace but instead diverted his Cessna 182Q south to Antarctica without authorization. Chilean prosecutors charged him with violating aviation and Antarctic regulations and a court has ordered him to remain on the continent during a 90-day investigation.
Guo began his solo flight mission in May 2024 from Memphis, Tennessee, with the goal of becoming the youngest person to fly solo to all seven continents and raise $1 million for childhood cancer research. The journey, inspired by his cousin’s cancer diagnosis, had taken him to nearly 60 countries by late June and raised over $105,000 toward his fundraising goal.
According to his attorney, Guo experienced technical complications during the flight which led to his unscheduled landing in Antarctica. Severe weather has delayed any immediate return, leaving Guo’s fundraising mission and legal situation unresolved as the investigation continues.
Mark Zuckerberg poaches AI’s top Asian engineers for new “Superintelligence” lab
Meta is aggressively hiring for its new Superintelligence Labs, a division established to centralize artificial intelligence research. The team, expected to include around 50 researchers and engineers, is being personally assembled by CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Since mid-2024, he has met with candidates at his homes in Palo Alto and Lake Tahoe, offering compensation packages that reportedly include signing bonuses of up to $100 million. Meta has confirmed the scale of the effort but denied reports of individual offers reaching $300 million.
Luring the industry’s bests
Last month, Alexandr Wang, founder and former CEO of Scale AI, joined Meta as chief AI officer after the company invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI. Other recent hires include Pei Sun, who previously worked at DeepMind, along with Shuchao Bi, Hongyu Ren, Jiahui Yu and Shengjia Zhao, who held key research roles at OpenAI. The team also brought in former Google researcher Huiwen Chang and Ji Lin from Anthropic.
OpenAI response
In a message to staff obtained by WIRED, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman criticized Meta’s AI recruiting efforts, warning that it could “lead to very deep cultural problems.” He contrasted the two companies’ goals, stating, “Other companies care more about this as an instrumental goal to some other mission. But this is our top thing, and always will be. Long after Meta has moved on to their next flavor of the week or defending their social moat, we will be here, day after day, year after year, figuring out how to do what we do better than anyone else. A lot of other efforts will rise and fall too.”
Capital and infrastructure plans
Early this year, Zuckerberg said Meta would spend up to $65 billion in 2025 to expand its AI infrastructure as the company works to strengthen its position against competitors such as OpenAI and Google. To support this effort, Meta is now seeking to raise $29 billion, including $3 billion in equity and $26 billion in debt, and is still evaluating how to structure the financing.
Prediabetes twice as common in overweight API adolescents: study
Prediabetes is more than twice as common in overweight or obese Asian and Pacific Islander (API) adolescents compared to their white peers, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente. The study, which reviewed health records from nearly 38,200 adolescents ages 10 to 17 in Northern California between 2012 and 2019, found that 27% of API youth with overweight or obesity had prediabetes, compared to 12% of white youth with similar weight status.
Disparities by subgroup
Researchers also identified significant differences among API subgroups. Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adolescents had the highest prediabetes prevalence at 32%. South Asian youth followed at 31%, with Filipino adolescents at 28%, Chinese adolescents at 26% and Vietnamese adolescents at 18%. Study authors noted that this variation underscores the importance of collecting data on specific ethnic subgroups rather than treating Asian and Pacific Islander populations as a single category.
Need for targeted screening
Joan C. Lo, the study’s senior author, said about one in API adolescents with overweight or obesity are affected by prediabetes. “This has important public health implications, and it suggests that Asian and Pacific Islander adolescents with overweight or obesity should be considered a high-risk population for whom prediabetes screening is essential,” she explained. Adrian Matias Bacong, a co-author, added that beyond screening, timely and effective intervention is essential to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes in these youths.
Policy efforts to address gaps
Efforts to curb high rates of undiagnosed diabetes in API communities are gaining ground at the policy level. This week, the New York State Senate passed legislation requiring health insurance companies to cover diabetes screenings for patients at a lower body mass index, beginning at a BMI of 23. The bill eliminates deductibles and copayments for these screenings and aligns with recommendations from the American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control.
Groundbreaking Chinese gene therapy restores hearing for inherited deafness
A new gene therapy has restored hearing in children and adults with hereditary deafness, according to results from a closely watched clinical trial in China. The treatment targets mutations in the OTOF gene, a common cause of profound congenital hearing loss.
Researchers administered a single dose of the therapy using a modified virus carrying a healthy copy of the gene delivered directly into the inner ear of ten participants ranging from 18 months to nearly 24 years old. Within a month, all 10 showed measurable hearing improvement. After six months, average hearing thresholds improved from about 106 decibels, the level of profound deafness, to 52 decibels, a range that supports conversation and everyday listening.
The youngest children in the trial saw the most dramatic gains. One 7-year-old, previously unable to understand speech, regained near-normal hearing and was speaking fluently with her mother just four months after treatment. No serious side effects were reported. The most common issue was a temporary drop in neutrophil counts which was resolved during follow-up.
“This is a huge step forward in the genetic treatment of deafness, one that can be life changing for children and adults,” said Maoli Duan, a consultant at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden and one of the study’s lead authors. “Hearing was greatly improved in many of the participants, which can have a profound effect on their life quality. We will now be following these patients to see how lasting the effect is.”
Former K-pop idol dies at 23 from leukemia
Shim Jaehyun, a former member of the K-pop boy group Fable, died at age 23 after privately battling leukemia.
About Jaehyun: Born April 7, 2002, Jaehyun debuted with Fable in June 2020 under Haeirum Entertainment as the group’s youngest member. The five-member group released singles including “Burn It Up,” “Run Run Run” and “Cloud 9” before becoming inactive around mid-2023, when three members re-debuted as Enphaze while Jaehyun stepped back from public life. As per local media, Jaehyun died on June 29 after his private fight against leukemia.
The big picture: Leukemia is a form of cancer in which abnormal cells — typically white blood cells — build up in the bone marrow and blood. As a result, they crowd out healthy blood cells, making it harder for them to do their job and thus compromising the rest of the body. In South Korea, leukemia ranked as the 12th most common cancer in 2022, with 3,781 new cases and 2,191 deaths. Medical experts project adult cases will increase over 50% within the next decade despite declining birth rates, with symptoms including persistent infections, unusual fatigue and easy bruising in young people. More broadly, Asian Americans typically have lower cancer rates than non-Hispanic whites, but certain cancers show disparities — including nearly double the liver cancer incidence among Asian/Pacific Islander populations.
Hideo Kojima says smooth skin of Asian actors keeps them out of his games
Legendary Japanese game developer Hideo Kojima says the reason so few Asian actors appear in his games is because their smooth skin is difficult to capture realistically using current technology.
“Women and young people in particular have such beautiful, smooth skin. Asians, and not just Japanese people, are known for their beautiful, smooth skin, so it ends up looking like CG,” Kojima told IGN Japan. He explained that it is easier to achieve realism with actors who have more textured features. “On the other hand, it’s easier to bring out the details in older people or people with lots of freckles.” Kojima said, “I’ve tried to use Japanese people in the past, but it’s hard to make them look like their real-life counterparts.”
Kojima, who said he hopes more Asian actors can be featured in his games in the future, noted improvements with new technology used for “Death Stranding 2: On the Beach,” his latest title. “However, this time I used new technology, and I’m quite satisfied with the results. Well, I’d like to do even better next time,” he said.
“Love Island USA” star’s past anti-Asian slurs resurface
Cierra Ortega, a contestant on “Love Island USA” Season 7, is facing calls for removal after old social media posts resurfaced in which she used the anti-Asian slur “chinky” to describe her facial expressions in both a 2015 Instagram post and a more recent TikTok.
Social media users criticized Ortega’s actions, with the backlash leading to a sharp drop in Ortega’s Instagram following and her social media manager’s resignation. Show producers are reportedly holding internal meetings as pressure mounts for action, with many viewers pointing out that former contestant Yulissa Escobar was previously removed for similar conduct. Season 5 cast member and Ortega’s friend Johnnie Olivia stated in an Instagram Story, “I do not support or condone that kind of language, never have, never will.”
From “Nikita” to “Ballard”: Maggie Q on breaking barriers and opening doors
International star Maggie Q plays Detective Renee Ballard in “Ballard,” the first Bosch Universe series led by a woman of color, a milestone she approaches with pride and a focus on craft. “My primary focus was always do your best, do the work and do it well, and hopefully it will never be about being cast for a certain reason, it'll be because of the quality of the work that you're bringing,” she told The Rebel Yellow in an interview.
Reflecting on her groundbreaking role, Maggie hopes it will open doors for others. “When I did Nikita, that was the first Asian American lead in a drama ever and I didn’t know that. I thought, well, that’s ridiculous. Of course there’s been, there wasn’t. So what you want is to open doors and have opportunities for everyone that’s coming up. And I think it definitely does do that if you do the work right.” “Ballard” is set to premiere July 9 on Amazon Prime Video.