Hi Rebels!
President Donald Trump’s latest White House appointment is an interesting one. After saying his immigration policies might have gone too far, he’s promoted Stephen Miller, the adviser who helped make them happen in the first place. Can’t really say we’re surprised.
We’re also covering a racist disruption at a Seattle Diwali celebration, calls to impeach FBI Director Kash Patel and two Uyghur men who could be sent back to China after 12 years in Thai custody.
Plus, South Korean men are reportedly getting more obese, Duke’s Asian enrollment is hitting record enrollment, a Hmong American is making election history and Constance Wu has some good news for “Crazy Rich Asians” fans.
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Trump’s immigration crackdown architect is now his chief of staff
President Donald Trump just admitted his immigration policies may have been too tough but then promoted the man who helped design them.
Stephen Miller is now White House chief of staff, even as a new national survey shows most voters think the administration’s deportation push has gone too far.
The promotion comes as data shows ICE arrests of Asian people have increased fivefold compared with an equivalent period under Biden. Asian American voters notably moved sharply toward Democrats in the last elections.
What else we’re tracking
Kash Patel lands on Democrats’ impeachment radar
FBI Director Kash Patel could face an impeachment push once Democrats take control of Congress early next year. Newly elected New York Rep. Brad Lander has named him among three officials he wants removed. Patel’s leadership is already facing a lawsuit from nine former FBI employees who say they were fired without proper investigations.
Are South Korean men getting fatter?
Obesity rates are rising among younger South Korean adults, with men in their 20s showing the largest increase over the past decade. New government figures also show more than half of men in their 30s and 40s meet the country’s BMI-based obesity threshold, which is lower than the general international standard.
A day after Trump’s Diwali, a man he freed brings anti-Hindu signs to Seattle festival
President Trump hosted a Diwali observance in the Oval Office, but the following day, a man freed under his Jan. 6 clemency caused a scene at a Hindu celebration in Seattle. Jake Lang carried anti-Hindu signs and later posted a message blaming Hindu voters for Republican losses in Texas.
Duke’s Asian enrollment hits record as feds escalate med school bias case
The newest class at Duke University has set an enrollment record, with Asian students making up roughly three in 10 freshmen. The catch? Duke has changed how it reports race, and its medical school is separately facing federal scrutiny over allegations of discrimination.
Thailand may send two Uyghurs back to China after detaining them for 12 years
Two Uyghur men who fled China more than a decade ago could be forced to return after spending 12 years in Thai custody, including one who was just 14 when he first arrived. Advocates are now worried about what could happen to them, especially since no one has been able to independently verify the safety of 40 other Uyghurs Thailand sent back to China last year.
Son of Hmong refugees makes U.S. history with Wisconsin election win
The son of Hmong refugees who fled Laos has become the first Hmong American elected to statewide office in U.S. history. Yee Leng Xiong, 32, defeated Wisconsin’s Republican state treasurer after a campaign that included outreach to Hmong-speaking voters and promises to improve transparency in public finances.
Constance Wu teases more familiar faces in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ HBO series
Eight years after “Crazy Rich Asians” hit theaters, the story is coming back as an eight-episode HBO series. Constance Wu says some unexpected reunions could be in store. Alongside confirmed returning stars Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh and Ronny Chieng, the upcoming series could feature more familiar characters, though Wu isn’t revealing who just yet.
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