We are now witnessing the full effects of the Trump administration’s anti-immigration and mass deportation policies. Following the 2016 initiative to enhance border security with a wall, the administration has shifted its focus to those residing within the country. These policies have affected a broad range of individuals, including legal immigrants, visa holders, students, and […]
A New School Year Begins in Afghanistan, But Not for Afghan Girls
The start of Spring marks a new school year in Afghanistan, but for millions of Afghan girls, the doors to education remain firmly shut. For the fourth consecutive year, the Taliban has upheld its ban on secondary and higher education for girls, a policy that UNESCO estimates has affected at least 1.5 million Afghan girls […]
Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle the Department of Education: Here’s What’s at Stake
The Trump administration’s latest target is the U.S. Department of Education. Through a new executive order, the administration has taken the first formal steps toward dismantling the agency entirely, a long-standing goal of the American far right. On paper, this is about “reducing federal overreach.” In reality, it’s about stripping away the federal government’s role in […]
The Institute of Peace vs. the Trump Administration: A Standoff Over Executive Power and the Future of American Diplomacy
On Monday, March 17, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) gained access to the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP) Headquarters building, resulting in a standoff between USIP, DOGE, and law enforcement. Following these events, USIP has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, DOGE, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and USAID Administrator Kenneth Jackson. “Attacks […]
The Trump Administration and the Courts: A Review of Judicial Decisions since Inauguration Day
States, organizations, and individuals have filed over 100 lawsuits challenging President Trump’s early actions. While many cases remain unresolved, most court rulings so far have found his administration’s actions to be unlawful. From transgender rights to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the Supreme Court and federal courts have repeatedly intervened to push back against the […]
Texas Midwife’s Arrest Marks a Chilling Escalation in the War on Abortion Rights
In a move that underscores the alarming consequences of Texas’ near-total abortion ban, state Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced the arrest of Maria Margarita Rojas, a midwife accused of providing illegal abortion services. The charges of illegal performance of an abortion and practicing medicine without a license could lead to decades behind bars for […]
U.N. Commission on the Status of Women Hosts Event to End Child Marriage
Panelists at the UN CSW event On March 19, the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women hosted a side event called “No Child Left a Bride: Successes & Setbacks in the Global Effort to End Child Marriage” in collaboration with Unchained at Last, an organization dedicated to ending child […]
60 Universities Under Investigation by Trump Administration for Antisemitism
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights sent a letter to sixty higher education institutions on Monday warning them of “potential enforcement actions” if they don’t comply with actions under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. The Civil Rights Act of 1963 prohibits any institution receiving federal funds from discriminating based on race, […]
Decline in Civil Liberties Gets U.S. Added to Global Watchlist
CIVICUS, an international non-profit organization focused on civil rights and citizen action, added the United States to its Monitor Watchlist on March 9 in response to the Trump Administration’s threats to civic freedoms. This indicates that the non-profit has detected a rapid decline in liberties such as the freedom to assemble, freedom to associate, and […]
Late-Term Pregnancy Loss Surges in the South Amid Medicaid Cut Proposals
The maternal health crisis in the United States is only getting worse—especially in the South. Despite advances in prenatal care, the region continues to face disproportionately high rates of fetal mortality, poor maternal health outcomes, and dwindling access to care. Now, as Congress debates deep cuts to Medicaid, a new analysis of the Center for […]
Fact vs. Fiction: Breaking Down the Truth About Trans Women in Sports
In a March 6 episode of his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” California Governor Gavin Newsom commented that the participation of transgender women in women’s sports is “unfair.” Despite his history of allyship with the LGBTQ+ community, he appears to be aligning himself with more socially conservative Americans on this issue, potentially in the hopes […]
Arrest and Detention of Palestinian Activist Threatens American Democracy
On March 8, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born immigrant of Palestinian descent, due to his organizing efforts at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. The Trump Administration equated his actions with support for Hamas, a Palestinian militant group, which the U.S. considers a terrorist organization. He is currently […]
NWLC Policy Briefing Outlines Budget Impact on Women and Families
On March 4, the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) hosted a webinar to discuss the potential harm for women and families of the House budget resolution that passed on Feb. 25. After opening remarks from NWLC President and CEO Fatima Goss Graves, the Income Security and Child Care team elaborated on the Center’s efforts to […]
PEN America is Defending Free Speech and DEI on Campus Amid Growing Opposition
In light of the increasing attacks on higher education, PEN America—an organization dedicated to defending free speech and human rights—hosted a Zoom meeting this Monday as part of its campus and higher education initiatives. The event connected campus activists and organizers nationwide who are actively working to protect free expression on their campuses. Following the […]
American University Hosts Pertinent Discussion on The Fourteenth Amendment and Its Impact on Education
On Feb. 28, American University Washington College of Law hosted a panel about the Fourteenth Amendment, which discussed the amendment’s impact on education culture and policy today. The panel was part of a larger conference titled, “The Constitution And Its Culture Wars,” covering First and Fourteenth Amendment issues in education, as well as discussions about […]
Teachers Union Sues Trump Administration Over DEI crackdown
In a significant legal challenge, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the American Sociological Association have filed a federal lawsuit in Maryland against the Trump administration’s recent directive mandating the elimination of “race-based” practices in educational institutions. The directive, issued by the Department of Education on February 14, 2025, threatens to withhold federal funding […]
Mexico’s Response to Mass Deportations: ‘Mexico Embraces You’
As President Trump’s deportation plans for undocumented immigrants made headlines across the nation, a less publicized response is underway. Mexico’s plan for receiving repatriated citizens, called “Mexico Embraces You” or “Mexico te abraza,” was announced in late January. Government officials began developing the program after then-presidential nominee Trump’s Sep. 13 campaign promise to carry out […]
Rep. Pettersen Forced to Vote In Person Just Weeks After Giving Birth
On Feb. 25, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (D-C.O.) flew cross-country from Colorado to Washington, D.C., with her four-week-old infant, to vote against the House spending plan. At the beginning of her statement on the House floor, Rep. Pettersen said, “I wasn’t going to let [being denied the opportunity to vote virtually] stop me from being here […]
Harsh Abortion Restrictions Have Deadly Repercussions in Texas
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, abortion restrictions have spread across the country with devastating consequences. Nowhere is this crisis more apparent than in Texas, where one of the nation’s most extreme abortion bans has turned pregnancy into a life-threatening condition for many. New data from ProPublica […]
Five Reasons for Hope: Activism and Resistance in 2025
Since the presidential election on November 6, 2024, many have felt uncertainty and concern about the policy changes implemented by the new administration. Issues such as immigration, reproductive rights, and gender equality have faced new challenges, making it easy to feel overwhelmed. However, staying engaged and motivated is essential for advocating for a better future. […]
