The US economy is starting to be shaken up by the Trump Administration’s revocation of humanitarian parole programs that gave foreign nationals the ability to work legally in the country. President Trump’s tough stance on immigration and recent government actions have forced many immigrants, who were legally residing in the US and had authorization to work, out of their jobs. As the Trump administration revoked humanitarian parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (“CHNV”) and Temporary protected status (“TPS”) for nationals of Venezuela and Haiti the numbers of foreign nationals with valid work permits has taken a dive. As a result, Amazon has been faced with a dwindling work force in their warehouses around the country after certain employees who were eligible to work under CHNV or TPS could not obtain new work authorization documents and were consequently dismissed in late June as a result of their loss of work authorization.
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The Sun King Dreams of Peace
In between some exciting tennis matches and the summer heat kicking in, we took a little detour to London’s beautiful Berkeley Square —and we’re so glad we did. Nestled among the greenery is “The Sun King Dreams of Peace” a breathtaking sculpture by the incredibly talented free carver, Emily Young which captures the essence of celestial deities. Crafted from Giallo di Siena stone, this piece practically glows in the sunlight, reminding us to slow down and reconnect, both with nature and with one another. Ms. Young’s work always carries a deeper message, and this sculpture is no exception. While the exact reference of the golden head is open to interpretation, the sculpture serves as a beacon of hope, evoking light, beauty, and a sense of peace amid the hustle of the city. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just someone looking for a quiet moment in the park, this piece is worth a visit. We left feeling refreshed and inspired—and we hope you do too!
New York is the Land of Immigrants
Moments of Peace
Between the East Coast heat wave and busy summer preparations, it seems we are all looking for a moment of respite. We asked around the office for people to submit photos of their versions of peaceful moments, and what came about is a lovely collection of images. We have captured moments from around the globe, from Italy to South Korea to Brooklyn, featuring birds in flight, lighthouses, and sunrises. The underlying theme seems to be the great outdoors, since every photo was taken outside! As the sweltering heat at our New York office starts to break, we hope wherever you are in the world you get a chance to step outside this weekend and enjoy everything summer has to offer. We are taking a break from social media until after the 4th so we can find some more peaceful moments outside. Happy July 4th!!
A New Home in America
Student‑visa Applicants Now Required to Unlock Social Media and This Could Expand to All Nonimmigrant Visas
On June 18, 2025, the US Department of State (“DOS”) issued a statement announcing it is resuming visa services for foreign students with an updated social media policy. We had previously covered the issues students faced and the announcement by DOS on May 27, 2025 that they would not be scheduling new appointments for student visas. Under the new guidelines, which are expected to be implemented within five business days all F‑1, M‑1, and J‑1 visa applicants are instructed to set their social media profiles to “public.” The purpose? Consular officers are now expected to review “applicants’ entire online presence”, not just social media bios.
Read moreFoot Fountain (pink) by Mika Rottenberg
As you know, we love covering the ever-changing art installations on The High Line. However, when “Foot Fountain (pink)” by Mika Rottenberg first stepped onto the scene in April, we weren’t exactly sure if we wanted to feature it. Now months have gone by and we just can’t turn away from the pink foot statue, finding ourselves frequently intrigued by the display. We thought that it was time to share, especially with the hot days of summer approaching. The ten foot sculpture doubles as a fountain spouting out water from the top which Rottenberg explains saying, “on the High Line, instead of nurturing the well-tended gardens, I thought it should nurture and cool passersby on hot days, and share some of its overenthusiastic spirit!” Luckily when we snapped this photo the foot didn’t spray us, but we imagine on a really hot summer’s day one might actually find some relief in the foot’s spray. The sculpture will be on display until May 2026, if you find yourself on the High Line you can’t miss it!
Trump Administration Intensifies Immigration Crackdowns After Colorado Attack
On June 4, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, together with US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) announced a plan to ramp up the review and enforcement of immigration records. Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the plan targets visa overstays, which the Trump administration claims have increased due to what they call the Biden administration’s weak immigration policies. Since the announcement, as a result of immigration enforcement campaigns carried out by ICE there have been numerous immigration protests beginning in Los Angeles and spanning the country to the East Coast.
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