Max Herman/Borderless MagazineStudents say the University of Chicago is withholding their degrees for participating in antiwar encampments, Work Permits for All gets support from the Illinois General Assembly, and more.
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This week in the news:
Afghan Refugee Recalls Surviving A Bomb And Fleeing Afghanistan: Nekbahkt, a Hazara Afghan woman and double amputee, was forced to flee Afghanistan leaving behind her husband and disabled brother. She now awaits to be reunited with her husband.
University of Chicago withholding degrees from protestors: Youssef Hasweh was preparing to graduate from the University of Chicago but his degree is now being withheld for participating in antiwar encampments. A few hours after finishing his finals, Hasweh and three other seniors were informed via email that their degrees would be withheld pending a disciplinary review. University officials cited the students’ participation in the antiwar encampment on campus protesting the war on Gaza, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
IL state budget vote for $182 million toward migrant crisis: Illinois Senate Democrats approved a $53.1 billion state spending plan, which largely mirrors Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s budget proposal. The plan includes $182 million for the ongoing migrant response, a state-administered Medicaid-style health benefits plan for noncitizen adults and pay increases to House representatives and state officials, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Illinois General Assembly approves Work Permits for All resolution: On Sunday, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 69 (H.J.R. 69), urging President Biden to create a parole and work authorization program for long-term undocumented immigrant workers in Illinois. This initiative aims to address the state’s labor shortages and provide stability for thousands of mixed-status families in the state. The approval comes amid a campaign for work authorization, spearheaded by long-time undocumented workers.
Spreading misinformation in the Vietnamese community: YouTube influencer Sonia Ohlala is spreading misinformation among Vietnamese immigrants in the U.S. The MarkUp reports that Ohlala’s videos, which contain unfounded claims and misleading titles, draw heavily from right-wing media sources. She gained attention for broadcasting during the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, D.C.
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