Warning International Students / Best Chinese Restaurants / NBA Star
This week, we look at the urgent call for international students to return to campus ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, plus the top-rated Chinese restaurants of 2024...
Welcome to Issue 9 of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter
This week, we look at the urgent call for international students to return to campus ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration, plus the top-rated Chinese restaurants of 2024, a powerful look back at the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and how one NBA rookie is breaking gender norms. Let’s dive in!
International students urged to return ahead of Trump’s inauguration
Several major universities across the country are advising international students to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, fearing potential disruptions to their academic pursuits. The warnings come as Trump has pledged to implement stricter immigration policies, including an expansion of his previous travel ban and new “ideological screening” measures.
What they’re saying
The University of Southern California, which hosts more than 17,000 international students — the highest number in California — has urged foreign students to return one week before Trump’s return to the White House. “While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the spring semester begins on Jan. 13, 2025,” its Office of International Service advised in a letter.
New York University, home to the largest international student population in the U.S. — over 27,000 in the previous academic year — shared a more reassuring message last month. “Our international students and scholars are an integral and cherished part of the NYU community. NYU believes that the cross-border mobility of our students and scholars is of critical importance,” it said, adding that it continuously monitors “any immigration-related proposals, laws, and actions that could be of concern to our community.”
Meanwhile, Cornell University’s Office of Global Learning issued one of the most direct warnings, stating that a travel ban is “likely to go into effect soon after inauguration.” The university specifically noted that new countries, “particularly China and India,” could be added to the previous list of restricted nations. Over 600,000 students from India and China enrolled in U.S. higher education institutions in the last academic year.
What Trump plans to do
Trump’s immigration agenda presents a complex landscape for international students. While he has promised to “automatically” grant green cards to foreign nationals graduating from U.S. colleges, his campaign later clarified this would be limited to the “most skilled graduates” and would exclude those deemed “communists, radical Islamists, Hamas supporters, America haters and public charges.”
In campaign statements, Trump has outlined plans to:
Reinstate and expand his previous travel ban
Implement “strong ideological screening of all immigrants”
Revoke student visas of what he terms “radical anti-American and antisemitic foreigners”
Potentially send Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to campus demonstrations
What students are saying
For many Asian students, the uncertainty is particularly concerning. “It's a scary time for international students,” Pramath Pratap Misra, 23, an Indian political science graduate of NYU, told CNN.
At UC Berkeley, environmental studies major Jacky Li expressed concern about potential expanded restrictions affecting Chinese students. “There’s a fear that this kind of restriction will enlarge into a wider community, considering the geopolitical tensions nowadays around the world,” Li told AP News, urging support for academic research rather than restrictions on international scholarly exchange.
Looking ahead
International students, who reportedly often pay up to three times the tuition of in-state residents, contribute $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the NAFSA Association of International Educators. Any significant disruption to international student enrollment could have substantial economic implications for U.S. universities and their surrounding communities.
Stuart Anderson, executive director of the National Foundation for American Policy, suggests that the first Trump administration might provide a blueprint for what's to come. “The best way to anticipate or predict what will happen in the second Trump administration is to look at what happened in the first administration, and what we saw... was an effort to restrict the entry of foreign-born [students and workers] throughout every category,” he said at a post-election briefing hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.
As Jan. 20 approaches, universities are strengthening their support systems. For one, UCLA’s Center for Immigration Law and Policy has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting student privacy, stating it “will not release immigration status or related information in confidential student records ... without a judicial warrant, a subpoena, a court order, or as otherwise required by law.”
Naturalized citizen faces 5 years in prison for helping run Chinese police station in NYC
Chen Jinping, a naturalized U.S. citizen, pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an agent for China at a federal court in Brooklyn on Dec. 18. Through an interpreter, Chen admitted to opening and running an undeclared Chinese police outpost in Manhattan’s Chinatown — a clandestine operation allegedly directed by China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS), aimed at silencing Beijing’s critics within the U.S.
Catch up
Chen and co-defendant Lu Jianwang, also known as Harry Lu, also a U.S. citizen, were arrested by the FBI in April 2023 over charges stemming from their establishment of the said police station. This followed a court-authorized search of the outpost in October 2022, in which agents uncovered damning evidence, including deleted communications with an MPS handler who had directed their operations.
According to prosecutors, the station — which opened in February 2022 and occupied an entire floor at 107 East Broadway — masqueraded as a community service center. Its purported role was to assist Chinese nationals with tasks like driver’s license renewals, but authorities found that it sought to monitor and intimidate pro-democracy activists and other critics of the Chinese government.
The big picture
Chen’s case is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to dismantle what officials describe as transnational repression schemes. In December 2022, Spanish human rights nonprofit Safeguard Defenders reported that at least 102 Chinese police stations had spread out in 53 countries, including Canada, France, Japan, Spain and the U.K.
While Beijing insists these centers provide routine consular services, U.S. authorities paint a starkly different picture. Assistant Atty. Gen. Matthew G. Olsen called the New York station “a clear affront to American sovereignty,” describing it as a base for surveillance and harassment. FBI Assistant Director James E. Dennehy echoed these concerns, stating the station’s purpose was to further the PRC’s “nefarious and repressive aims.”
What the U.S. is doing
The case against Chen underscores the Justice Department’s escalating efforts to counteract foreign influence campaigns on U.S. soil. Federal prosecutors have charged dozens of Chinese agents in recent years for stalking, intimidating and silencing dissidents. In April 2023, 34 MPS officers were accused of using fake social media accounts to harass critics and spread propaganda.
Beyond prosecutions, legislative efforts are also underway. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced a bill in March 2023 to establish an FBI hotline for reporting illegal foreign police activities. The proposed legislation would impose harsh penalties on anyone engaging in surveillance or coercion on behalf of the Chinese government within the U.S. In the meantime, victims of transnational repression can report their concerns here.
What’s next
Chen faces up to five years in prison. His sentencing was set for May 30, 2025. Lu, on the other hand, has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial in February 2025.
20 years later, thousands remember deadly Indian Ocean tsunami
On Dec. 26, 2004, a catastrophic 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia, unleashing a devastating tsunami that ravaged coastlines across the Indian Ocean. The waves, reaching heights of up to 30 meters (98 feet), engulfed coastal communities in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand and other nations, leaving a trail of destruction and claiming the lives of nearly a quarter million people.
The Indian Ocean tsunami was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, highlighting the destructive power of nature and vulnerability of coastal communities. It also exposed the lack of preparedness for such events, particularly in a region where no tsunami warning system existed at the time.
Remembering the lost
On the 20th anniversary of the disaster, thousands gathered across the affected countries to commemorate the lives lost and reflect on the lessons learned. In Indonesia’s Aceh province — one of the hardest-hit areas — survivors and families of victims visited mass graves, offering prayers and scattering flower petals. “Even though time has passed so far, the same feeling haunts us on this date, especially those of us who lost our family at that time,” Nurkhalis, who lost his wife, children and parents in the tsunami, told Reuters.
In Sri Lanka, ceremonies were held at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial Statue, where mourners paid tribute to the victims, including those who perished on the ill-fated Queen of the Sea train. In Thailand, memorial services took place in Ban Nam Khem, a village that was devastated by the waves. Urai Sirisuk, who lost her 4-year-old daughter, shared her enduring pain. “I have this feeling that the sea has taken my child. I'm very angry with it. I can’t even put my foot in the water,” she told AP News.
Progress and challenges in tsunami preparedness
In the aftermath of the tsunami, significant strides have been made in monitoring, modeling and forecasting. The Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) network, a global network of buoys that detect tsunamis in the open ocean, has been expanded, and warning centers have been established in various regions.
Despite these advancements, challenges remain. Ensuring that warnings reach vulnerable communities in a timely and effective manner continues to be a priority. Education and awareness programs are also crucial. “The thing that’s misunderstood is that a tsunami is not an ultrarare hazard. It’s actually a relatively common hazard,” David McGovern, a tsunami expert from the London South Bank University, told Al Jazeera. “There are around two tsunamis on average a year that cause death or damage.”
Toward zero deaths
The 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance, education and international cooperation in the face of natural disasters. While lessons learned from the tragedy have helped to save lives in subsequent events, the quest for a world where no one dies from tsunamis continues.
“The events keep happening and keep claiming people’s lives,” Dr. Vasily Titov, a scientist at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, told The New York Times. “We are not done until that is the case.”
This rising NBA star’s painted nails and TikTok dances are challenging gender norms
When he's not dazzling NBA fans on the court, Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain can be found working intricate hip-hop moves or flaunting his latest nail art on TikTok. Even a recent injury couldn't stop him from dancing with an infectious grin, as seen in a recent video where he grooves to "La la la" while on crutches.
Viewed as a bold defiance of traditional masculinity norms, the 20-year-old’s painted nails and social media activity have recently sparked meaningful conversations about authenticity, self-expression and the evolving culture of professional men’s sports.
Expression of true self
While men painting their nails may still be viewed by some as unconventional, it has been a show of confidence and self-expression for some players in the NBA. Among the most notable is legend Dennis Rodman, who paired his bad boy image with bold nail art and vibrantly dyed hair in the ‘90s. More recently, Filipino American players Jalen Green and Jordan Clarkson have carried this tradition forward.
McCain, who proudly embraces his Filipino heritage, shared ahead of the NBA draft in June that it was Clarkson who inspired him to try painting his nails. In an earlier TikTok post, he shared that he “ended up playing really well” after he painted his nails. “You know, I’m not crazy superstitious but if I thought it looked nice and I thought it helped me play better? And so far, it’s worked,” he added.
As for his TikTok moves that have inspired other athletes to dance along, he told Complex that his use of social media has become an extension of who he is. "I think my support system and family has helped me to just stay humble," McCain said. "Doing the TikToks and how it became popular or whatever is just another part of my personality."
Offending some corners of the internet
McCain's choices have drawn criticism from those who cling to more rigid views of masculinity. On social media, comments like "Men painting their nails being normalized is so wrong … Y'all need to repent and turn to God" and "This is what is wrong with society … him painting his nails is wrong and gay as f*ck" highlight the hostility and fear that arise when men dare to step outside traditional gender roles. Others express discomfort with evolving gender expressions, stating, "The weird non-gendered nonsense that is proliferating among the youth is a little weird to me and I don't know if it's wise to encourage that."
Meanwhile, others offer voices of support, celebrating his courage and self-assurance. "Jared McCain has a personality trait that every person should want to have," one commenter declares. "And that's the personality of this 'makes me happy and I don't give a f*ck what you think about me.'" Another presents an evolved definition: "Real masculinity is not giving a f*ck about other's choices as long as it's not harming anyone."
On challenging gender norms
McCain's social media persona could be said to exemplify gender studies pioneer Judith Butler's theory of gender performativity, which argues that gender is not inherent but rather something we "perform" through our actions and behaviors. By embracing activities typically coded as feminine, McCain is, intentionally or not, challenging performative norms and expanding the possibilities for gender expression.
“If you’re playing bad and you paint your nails and you do TikTok dances, you’re going to get hate no matter what,” McCain told Sports Illustrated in June. “I’m always going to be myself … Find what makes you happy, what makes you feel good about yourself and just keep doing it.”
NBA legend Carmelo Anthony recently voiced his defence for McCain's right to self-expression. "That's the generation now," the 40-year-old retired forward told Complex. "We can't keep laying down the iron fist when we only don't agree with something. Let them boys be themselves, man, let them do what they do and have fun like they do it differently than we did it. We can't be mad at that. That's two totally different generations. Jared McCain: If you got to keep painting them fingernails, man, he's still hooping.”
A star on pause
McCain burst onto the NBA scene in October averaging an impressive 23.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in his first eight starts with the 76ers. He provided a much-needed spark for the struggling team and quickly emerged as a strong contender for Rookie of the Year.
Unfortunately, his promising rookie campaign was cut short by a torn meniscus suffered during the 76ers’ game against Indiana earlier this month. Though surgery last week was successful, there's no timetable for his return. Despite this setback, McCain remains upbeat and focused on his recovery. "It sucks that I'm out of the Rookie of the Year race," he shared on his YouTube channel. "That was the one thing I wanted. But life throws you curveballs. It's gonna be ups and downs ... We'll be better. Stay positive, stay joyful and stay grateful."
And the best-reviewed Chinese restaurant in the U.S. on Yelp for 2024 is …
A Queens, New York-based eatery has earned the top spot on Yelp’s newly released Top 100 Chinese Restaurants list, garnering an average 4.6-star rating out of 5 from 722 reviews. Known for its large, handmade wontons and Hong Kong-style noodle bowls, Maxi’s Noodle now has two locations in Flushing and will open a third in Manhattan's Chinatown in January.
"I just want to scream right now," owner Maxi Lau-O’Keefe told the New York Post. "I have people say to me, 'Why don't you make [your dumplings] smaller?' And I'm like, 'No. Sorry, not sorry.'" Lau-O’Keefe, who moved to New York from Hong Kong in 1997, opened Maxi's Noodle in 2019 to honor her mother's dream of owning a restaurant. It started as a pop-up in her aunt's cafe and quickly gained popularity after receiving positive reviews.
About the ranking: The rankings were based on ratings and volume of reviews on Yelp. Here are the top Chinese restaurants in the different U.S. regions, according to Yelp:
East
Jayd Bun (4.8 stars based on 307 reviews) in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, serves homestyle and street food from Tianjin, China, featuring a unique menu with handmade pan-fried buns, noodles and the Chinese walking street pancake, all made fresh to order.
Lili's Restaurant (4.8 stars based on 262 reviews) in Amherst, Massachusetts, offers a variety of flavorful dishes, including their renowned handmade Biang Biang noodles served with stewed pork, homemade pork dumplings and flavorful soup options.
Midwest
Qiao Lin Hotpot (4.6 stars based on 575 reviews) in Chicago specializes in Chongqing-style hot pot with a contemporary ambiance, offering spicy broths and high-quality meats like Kobe beef and short rib, along with unique options like tripe and ox tongue.
Tj's Shanghai Dumplings (4.8 stars based on 97 reviews) in Madison Heights, Michigan, is praised for its delicious pork dumplings, green onion pancakes and chicken dumplings, along with its great service and friendly staff.
Corner 21 Chinese Cuisine (4.7 stars based on 155 reviews) in Springfield, Missouri, offers an authentic taste of Chinese flavors with a diverse menu featuring traditional dishes, savory stir-fries and flavorful noodle soups.
South
Chef Hong Food Trailer (4.7 stars based on 121 reviews) in Austin, Texas, serves authentic Chinese comfort food like roujiamo (Chinese hamburgers), cold-skin noodles and handmade dumplings.
Pepper House (4.7 stars based on 207 reviews) in Ellicott City, Maryland, offers a variety of traditional Chinese cuisine with a focus on Sichuan flavors, featuring dishes like Chengdu dumplings in chili oil sauce, beef dry pot and a malatang series.
Jackrabbit Filly (4.6 stars based on 337 reviews) in North Charleston, South Carolina, offers a unique dining experience with a focus on shared plates and creative cocktails, featuring dishes inspired by Chinese heritage and local ingredients.
West
Dumpling Yo! (4.7 stars based on 572 reviews) is a Shanghainese restaurant in Sacramento, California, featuring signature soup dumplings, beef rolls and noodles, with affordable options ranging from $4 to $18.
Mama Chow's Kitchen (4.7 stars based on 283 reviews) in Portland, Oregon, operates from a food cart and offers a menu of dumplings, wonton noodle soup, lollipop chicken wings, char siu and garlic noodles.
Wagyu House by The X Pot (4.7 stars based on 3,236 reviews) in Rowland Heights, California, features a self-service sauce bar, a vast menu of traditional Chinese and Taiwanese dishes, as well as a selection of cocktails, beer and wine.