The World Cup is now underway in the United States for the first time in over 30 years. But as Nicolas Garon explains this week, much of “the world” isn’t welcome.
Host countries, Nicolas points out, are naturally expected to open their arms to visitors and fans in exchange for the honor (and revenues!) of hosting the games. Instead, the Trump administration “has adopted the widest nationality-based exclusion policy since the Chinese Exclusion Act.” The administration has banned visitors from nearly 40 countries, including a handful with teams that are participating. In one instance, the State Department expelled an award-winning referee seemingly just for being Somali.
“Preventing fans and players from freely entering the United States, and forcing them to bear the personal cost of policies directed at their governments, produces no discernible security benefit,” Nicolas mourns. “What it does produce is a steady stream of international criticism.”
Also this week, Jordan Liz excoriates the administration for shelling out another $70 billion for ICE after claiming we can’t afford Medicare or Medicaid. And Jim Hightower warns that AI billionaires look like they’re getting ready to demand a bailout.
New This Week…
The World Cup Has Always Welcomed the World. Not This Time. | Nicolas Garon
The Trump administration has made it difficult for fans and others to participate in this year’s games.
Congress Should Fund the Safety Net, Not ICE | Jordan Liz
The same administration that says we can’t afford Medicare or Medicaid just approved another $70 billion for ICE.
AI Billionaires Are Gearing Up to Demand a Bailout | Jim Hightower
They say they want the public to “share in the upside” of AI. But what about the downside?
In Case You Missed It…
It’s Possible to End Corporate Influence in Politics | Sonali Kolhatkar
There’s more money in politics than ever. But some state governments are finding ways to fight back.
ICE: The Mental Health Emergency We Can No Longer Ignore | Sindy Benavides and Dr. Cheryl Aguilar
Anti-immigrant policies are fanning the flames of a youth mental health crisis. Here’s how governments can respond.
Big Tech Built a Gig Economy That Works Against Us | Michael Huggins
Surveillance pricing is squeezing workers. Requiring transparency is the first step in fighting back.
It’s Always Been About Race | Mitchell Zimmerman
A closer look at the Supreme Court’s indefensible “whites-first” reasoning on gerrymandering.
