Welcome

Tag: United States

  • Trump: Birthright Citizenship Was Meant for Children of Former Slaves, Not Foreign Nationals

    U.S. President Donald Trump has defended his campaign to end birthright citizenship, arguing that the constitutional provision was originally intended to protect the children of formerly enslaved people and not those born to wealthy foreign nationals or undocumented immigrants.

    Trump made the remarks while speaking at the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, reacting to the recent ruling by the United States Supreme Court on birthright citizenship.

    Trump disagrees with Supreme Court

    The U.S. president maintained that the Supreme Court had wrongly interpreted the law and insisted his administration would continue pursuing changes to the policy.

    “We’ll take care of the birthright citizenship because that was not meant for rich people from other countries. It was meant for the babies of slaves. I know they got it wrong,” Trump said.

    He argued that the citizenship guarantee contained in the Fourteenth Amendment, adopted after the American Civil War, was designed to protect the children of formerly enslaved people rather than children born to foreign visitors or undocumented immigrants.

    Although he acknowledged the court’s decision, Trump said his administration was not backing away from the issue.

    “We’ll work it out some way,” he added.

    JD Vance backs Trump’s position

    U.S. Vice President JD Vance also criticised the ruling, saying he believed the Supreme Court had reached the wrong conclusion.

    According to Vance, those who drafted the Fourteenth Amendment did not intend for automatic U.S. citizenship to apply to children born to undocumented immigrants or tourists.

    The comments come as birthright citizenship remains one of the most contentious issues in U.S. immigration policy, with legal experts and political leaders divided over the interpretation of the Constitution.

  • US Plans Major Visa Processing Shake-Up Across Africa

    The United States is planning a major restructuring of its visa-processing operations across Africa, with reports indicating that the number of embassies and consulates handling visa applications could be reduced from nearly 50 to just 20 locations.

    The proposed move, approved by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is expected to affect visa services across the continent in the coming weeks.

    20 African Cities Selected as Visa Hubs

    According to reports citing US officials and an internal memo, the decision was communicated to American diplomats and consular chiefs during a conference call held on May 29.

    Under the proposed arrangement, visa-processing services will be concentrated in 20 designated hubs across Africa.

    The selected locations include Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Kampala, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lomé and Yaoundé, among others.

    Other approved centres include Abidjan, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Luanda, Malabo, Monrovia, Port Louis and Praia.

    Implementation Date Yet to Be Confirmed

    Although the restructuring plan has reportedly received approval, US authorities have not officially announced when the changes will take effect.

    The proposal is expected to reshape visa application procedures for travellers across several African countries, particularly in locations that may lose direct visa-processing services.

    Part of Wider Diplomatic Changes

    The reported decision comes months after the administration of US President Donald Trump reportedly recalled ambassadors from more than two dozen countries, with African nations among the most affected.

    Observers say the latest development could further alter the US diplomatic footprint across the continent, particularly in the area of consular services and visa administration.

  • FIFA to Deploy Emergency Drones at 2026 World Cup Stadiums

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature advanced drone technology designed to improve emergency response and fan safety at stadiums across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

    The drones will be equipped with medical supplies and communication tools to assist during emergencies involving spectators and event personnel.

    Drones to Carry Emergency Medical Equipment

    According to reports, the devices will carry essential items including defibrillators, EpiPens, first aid kits and radios.

    The drones will be capable of flying directly to specific locations within stadiums, allowing emergency supplies to reach individuals in distress more quickly.

    Those near an injured or ill person will also be able to communicate with trained medical personnel using radios delivered by the drones.

    Motorola to Provide Safety Technology

    Motorola Solutions, one of the companies involved in World Cup security operations, will deploy its “Guardian” drones as part of the initiative.

    The drones have a payload capacity of up to 10 pounds, enabling them to transport emergency equipment to areas that may be difficult for medical teams to access quickly.

    The technology is expected to support existing emergency response systems at tournament venues.

    Measures Against Unauthorised Drones

    Motorola is also partnering with SkySafe, a drone detection company, to prevent unauthorised devices from entering restricted airspace around stadiums and training facilities.

    The system can detect and track suspicious drones while deploying various countermeasures when necessary.

    These include signal jamming, GPS spoofing technology that redirects drones by altering their calculated position, and lightweight nets launched by authorised drones to disable unwanted aircraft.

    Focus on Fan Safety

    The introduction of the technology reflects growing efforts by organisers to improve safety measures at major sporting events.

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first tournament jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and is expected to attract millions of spectators across the three countries.

  • Trump Orders Nigerians Seeking Green Cards to Return Home for Processing

    United States President Donald Trump has directed that Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking green cards must now return to their home countries to process their applications except under extraordinary circumstances.

    The new immigration policy was disclosed on Friday in a statement issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

    New Green Card Rule Announced

    According to the agency, the policy is aimed at restoring what it described as the original intent of American immigration law.

    USCIS stated that foreign nationals seeking adjustment of status would now be required to complete their residency application process through US consular offices abroad under the supervision of the United States Department of State.

    “We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” the statement said.

    “From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.”

    Students, Tourists, Workers Affected

    The agency explained that the new directive would mainly affect temporary visa holders including students, tourists and workers already living in the United States.

    According to USCIS, nonimmigrant visas were designed for temporary stays and should not automatically become a pathway to permanent residency.

    “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose. Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over,” the statement added.

    US Gives Reason for Policy Change

    USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said the policy would help reduce cases of migrants remaining illegally in the United States after failed residency applications.

    “This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” Kahler stated.

    The agency also argued that the move would allow immigration officials to focus on other priorities including citizenship applications, trafficking cases and requests involving victims of violent crimes.

    Fresh Immigration Crackdown

    The latest development comes months after the Trump administration reportedly suspended green card and citizenship processing for Nigerians and nationals from several countries affected by a US travel ban.

    Reports had indicated that the suspension affected legal immigrants already residing in the United States who were seeking permanent residency or citizenship.

    The administration also froze immigration petitions from nationals of 19 countries covered under the travel restrictions announced in June.

  • US lawmaker: Trump to hunt terrorists behind attacks on Christians in Nigeria after ISIS strike

    United States Congressman Riley Moore has said President Donald Trump is prepared to go after terrorists responsible for attacks on Christians in Nigeria, following a reported joint operation that killed a senior Islamic State commander. The statement has reignited debate around foreign involvement in Nigeria’s security challenges.

    Moore speaks on ISIS operation

    Moore made the comments during a television interview on NewsNation, where he referenced the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as one of ISIS’s top global commanders.

    He said the operation reflected a stronger posture by Washington against extremist groups operating across Africa, particularly those linked to violence against civilians.

    According to him, the strike sends a clear message to terror networks that the United States is actively monitoring and responding to threats in the region.

    Trump’s alleged focus on Nigeria security concerns

    Moore also claimed that Trump had shown personal interest in reports of violence affecting Christian communities in Nigeria.

    He stated that the former US president had asked for closer examination of the situation, prompting visits by members of the House Appropriations Committee to assess conditions on the ground.

    He added that findings from those engagements were later shared with the White House, with recommendations on how to strengthen protection for vulnerable communities.

    US and Nigeria security cooperation

    The lawmaker further noted that cooperation between the United States and Nigeria on counterterrorism is not new, tracing it back to the rise of Boko Haram in the mid-2010s.

    He explained that recent developments only reinforced the need for continued collaboration, especially in the Lake Chad region where extremist groups remain active.

    Nigerian defence authorities had earlier confirmed that the recent operation was intelligence-driven and carried out jointly with US support, targeting a key terrorist structure in the northeast.

    Security officials also linked the killed ISIS commander to weapons production, drone coordination and propaganda activities within the group’s global network.

    The development comes amid renewed international attention on Nigeria’s security landscape and the ongoing fight against insurgency across parts of the country.

  • US Court Jails Nigerian-Born Professor 70 Months Over $1.4m Fraud Scheme

    A United States District Court has sentenced Nkechy Ezeh, a Nigerian-born professor and former executive director of the Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC), to 70 months in federal prison over a $1.4 million fraud scheme.

    The sentence was announced in a statement released on Wednesday by the Office of the US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan.

    Court Orders Restitution

    Chief US District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou sentenced Ezeh to 70 months imprisonment and also imposed a concurrent 60-month sentence for tax evasion.

    The court further ordered her to pay $1.4 million in restitution and an additional $390,174 to the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

    Ezeh, 61, from Kent County, Michigan, founded and previously served as CEO of Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative, a nonprofit focused on providing educational support and early childhood services in underserved communities.

    She also worked as an Associate Professor of Education and Director of Early Childhood Education Programme at Aquinas College.

    She was immediately remanded into federal custody after sentencing.

    Judge Describes Scheme As “Brazen”

    During the proceedings, Judge Jarbou described Ezeh as “a fraud and a thief,” saying the operation was widespread and targeted funds meant for vulnerable children.

    US Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Timothy VerHey, said the convict diverted funds intended for low-income children for personal benefit.

    “Nkechy Ezeh’s greed is beyond reprehensible,” VerHey said.

    “She stole taxpayer and private-donor dollars meant for low-income children in our community. Instead of helping kids, she spent that money on herself.”

    Funds Allegedly Used For Luxury Trips, Family Expenses

    According to court documents, prosecutors said Ezeh used the stolen money to fund personal expenses, including trips to Hawaii, Europe and Africa.

    Authorities also alleged that some of the funds were used for a family wedding and that relatives were placed on a “ghost payroll” where they allegedly received payments despite doing little or no work.

    Prosecutors further accused her of transferring stolen funds through intermediaries to family members in Nigeria.

    The nonprofit reportedly received funding from US federal programmes, including Head Start, the Department of Education and private donors.

    The organisation provided meals, transportation and support services to children from low-income communities.

    Nonprofit Shut Down After Fraud Discovery

    Following the discovery of the fraud, ELNC shut down operations in 2023, resulting in the loss of funding for several preschools and the dismissal of about 35 employees.

    A former bookkeeper at the organisation, Sharon Killebrew, had earlier been sentenced to 54 months imprisonment for her role in the fraud scheme.

    US authorities said the case exposes the devastating impact of grant fraud on vulnerable communities and children dependent on public support programmes.

    The investigation was carried out by the US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General alongside the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit.

  • Ribadu Meets US Vice President J.D. Vance, Rubio Over Counterterrorism Partnership

    Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has met with United States Vice President J.D. Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over counterterrorism cooperation in West Africa.

    The development was disclosed in a post shared on X by Secure Nigeria, a platform focused on security-related issues in the country.

    Nigeria, US Strengthen Security Cooperation

    According to the post, the meeting further reinforced the partnership between Nigeria and the United States in the fight against terrorism across the West African region.

    The platform also stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appreciates the continued support and partnership of the US government under President Donald Trump.

    “@officialABAT is grateful for @realDonaldTrump’s partnership and continued U.S. training and intelligence support as Nigerian forces intensify operations to dismantle terrorist networks, protect Nigerian Christians, and defend all vulnerable communities,” the statement read.

    Nigeria Described as Key US Ally

    The post described Nigeria as one of America’s frontline allies against terrorism in Africa, particularly in the battle against Boko Haram, ISIS-linked groups, and growing security threats across the Sahel region.

    “Africa’s largest democracy isn’t wavering. Nigeria stands as a frontline U.S. partner against ISIS, Boko Haram, and rising terror threats across the Sahel,” the statement added.

    It further stressed that both countries remain committed to defeating terrorism and strengthening regional security cooperation.

    “This fight is winnable, and together, the U.S. and Nigeria intend to finish it,” the post stated.

    Previous Engagements With US Officials

    The latest meeting comes months after Ribadu led a delegation of senior Nigerian government officials to Washington, DC, in November 2025 for discussions with American authorities.

    In December 2025, the NSA also hosted a delegation from the United States Congress in Abuja.

    The delegation included senior lawmakers such as Mario Díaz-Balart, Norma Torres, Scott Franklin, Juan Ciscomani, and Riley Moore.

    The engagements are part of ongoing diplomatic and security discussions between both countries as concerns over terrorism and regional instability continue to grow.

  • US Lifts Visa Freeze on Foreign Doctors, Nigerians Resume Applications

    The United States government has reversed its earlier policy suspending visa processing for foreign-trained doctors, allowing physicians from Nigeria and about 38 other countries to resume their applications.

    The decision follows months of disruption that left many affected doctors unable to practise.

    Policy shift after months of disruption

    The restriction, introduced in January, had halted visa extensions, work permits, and green card processing for citizens of nearly 39 countries under the US travel ban framework.

    The move affected thousands of foreign-trained doctors, including Nigerians, many of whom were placed on administrative leave or faced uncertainty over their employment status.

    Doctors now exempted

    The US Citizenship and Immigration Services has now updated its guidelines, exempting medical doctors from the freeze.

    A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security confirmed the change, stating that applications involving medical physicians will continue to be processed.

    The update effectively restores pathways for affected doctors to continue working legally in the United States.

    Healthcare shortage drives reversal

    The policy reversal comes amid mounting pressure on the US healthcare system, which is grappling with a shortage of about 65,000 doctors.

    Experts warn the gap could widen significantly in the coming years if staffing challenges persist.

    Foreign-trained physicians account for roughly 25 percent of the US medical workforce, playing a critical role in primary care delivery, especially in rural and underserved areas.

    Relief for Nigerian doctors

    With processing now resumed, Nigerian doctors affected by the policy are expected to return to active practice or continue their application processes without further delay.

    The development is also seen as a relief for US hospitals that rely heavily on foreign-trained professionals to sustain operations.

  • US Unveils Trump-Themed Passport for 250th Independence Anniversary

    The United States Department of State has announced plans to release a limited-edition passport featuring the image of President Donald Trump as part of activities marking the country’s 250th independence anniversary. The commemorative document is expected to debut in July.

    Officials say the initiative forms part of broader celebrations tied to the historic milestone.

    Commemorative Passport Design Confirmed

    According to the State Department, the special passport will include customised artwork, with reports indicating that Trump’s portrait will appear on the inside cover. A mock-up shared online also shows his signature embossed in gold.

    Authorities noted that the redesigned passport will retain all existing security features despite the visual changes.

    Limited Release Planned Amid Anniversary Celebrations

    Officials disclosed that the passports will be produced in limited quantities, with reports suggesting around 25,000 units for the commemorative run. However, details on distribution remain unclear.

    It is yet to be confirmed whether the special passports will be issued automatically or made available through a separate request process.

    Part of Wider 250th Anniversary Programme

    The development comes as the United States prepares for a nationwide celebration of its 250th independence anniversary. Planned activities include major public events such as a fireworks display at Mount Rushmore.

    The commemorative passport joins a range of symbolic initiatives typically associated with national milestones.

    Questions Emerge Over Use and Availability

    While commemorative items like coins and park passes are common in the US, a passport remains a globally recognised identification document valid for years. This has raised questions about how the limited-edition version will be used in practice.

    With preparations ongoing, attention is now on further details from authorities regarding rollout and eligibility.

  • FIFA Under Fire As US Cities Plan $100 Transport Fares for 2026 World Cup Fans

    FIFA has called on host cities in the United States to ensure affordable transportation for fans during the 2026 World Cup, following backlash over proposed fare hikes by local transit agencies.

    Transport row deepens

    The football governing body reminded organisers that the original 2018 hosting bid included free transport for match ticket holders.

    However, a revised agreement in 2023 now allows cities to charge fares at cost, a move that has triggered sharp increases in projected prices.

    Fans face steep costs

    Reports show that trips to Gillette Stadium could cost as much as $80, while New Jersey Transit is considering over $100 for round trips to MetLife Stadium.

    The development has raised concerns that attending matches could become significantly more expensive for fans.

    Political pressure mounts

    The issue has also drawn political attention, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and other lawmakers insisting that FIFA should bear the transport costs.

    They argue that fans and taxpayers should not be burdened, especially as FIFA is expected to generate about $11 billion in revenue from the tournament.

    FIFA responds

    FIFA acknowledged the concerns and pointed to ongoing efforts to secure federal infrastructure support.

    However, the organisation maintains that the revised agreement permits cities to charge at-cost fares.

    Who should pay?

    Local officials have pushed back, arguing that the responsibility of moving millions of fans should not fall on public systems alone.

    The disagreement highlights growing tension between organisers and authorities as preparations intensify for the global tournament.