The state is cracking down on Atwater, which attracted national attention when it declared itself a "sanctuary city" for businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-May. On Thursday night, the state notified Atwater officials that the city is ineligible for $389,000 in state assistance to deal with the coronavirus. Atwater's...
Churches Jump Into Action With Threat of Immigration Sweeps
CHICAGO — As a nationwide immigration crackdown loomed, religious leaders across the country used their pulpits Sunday to quell concerns in immigrant communities and spring into action to help those potentially threatened by the operation. A Chicago priest talked during his homily about the compassion of a border activist accused...
Whales From Chinese Aquarium Starting Retirement in Iceland
REYKJAVIK, Iceland — A pair of seasoned performers received a warm welcome Wednesday in Iceland, where the two beluga whales that previously lived at an aquarium in China will help populate a sanctuary for formerly captive marine mammals. Conservationists celebrated when a plane from Shanghai carrying the whales, named Little...
US Slashes Number of Refugees to 30,000 Next Year
WASHINGTON — The U.S. will slash the number of refugees it will accept for a second straight year, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday, insisting amid criticism from human rights groups that the country is still committed to providing sanctuary to people fleeing the world's danger zones. Up to...