Trump Deportations, 4B Hits U.S.,Seoul Clash, Border Death Trial, NYC Stabbings

Good Morning – November 20, 2024

Your daily update on stories impacting the Asian and Asian American community, along with key insights into business, culture, and trends.

TOP STORIES

Trump confirms he will declare national emergency, use military for mass deportation

President-elect Donald Trump has confirmed he will declare a national emergency and use the military to carry out mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, marking one of his second administration’s boldest policy moves.

• What he’s saying: Tom Fitton, president of conservative activist  group Judicial Watch, wrote in a Nov. 9 Truth Social post that the upcoming Trump administration is “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion through a mass deportation program.” On Monday, Trump reposted Fitton’s comment with an emphatic “TRUE!!” — marking the first public confirmation of his deportation strategy.

• What’s being done: Trump’s plan, grounded on the centuries-old Alien Enemies Act, is expected to impact some 11 million undocumented immigrants across the country. The looming policy has sparked significant backlash, with immigration advocates preparing court challenges. Meanwhile, Trump’s team is drafting executive orders to withstand judicial review, aiming to avoid pitfalls like the legal battles over his 2017 Muslim ban.

• What polls are saying: While support for stricter immigration enforcement has risen, polls reveal nuanced views. An October Marquette Law School poll showed 58% of Americans favor deporting all undocumented immigrants, but support fell to 40% when the question included those with jobs or no criminal record. Conversely, broad majorities support pathways to citizenship, with 70% favoring legal residency opportunities for undocumented immigrants meeting certain requirements, according to a June Gallup poll. These findings suggest public sentiment could shift depending on Trump’s framing and implementation of the policy during his second term.

Korean women react to 4B movement's spread to U.S.

As the 4B movement gains traction in the U.S. following recent political events, Korean women who initiated the movement  – which stands for "no marriage, no childbirth, no dating and no sex with men" in Korean – express a mix of excitement and caution. Those involved emphasize the importance of understanding the movement's origins and the societal context that fueled its creation.

• Tracing its origins: The 4B movement emerged in the mid-2010s from online feminist forums in South Korea, where women face significant challenges, including a wide gender pay gap, rampant digital sex crimes and societal pressure to conform to rigid beauty standards. "The 4B movement is about crying out that it is no [longer] possible to get in relations [with] a man, in any way," Korean feminist author Lee Min-gyeong explained. Korean women see the movement as a way for them to reclaim autonomy and resist patriarchal structures that limit their freedom and opportunities. “For me, the most effective way to fight these disadvantages is to make men irrelevant from my life,” shared 17-year-old supporter Je-Young Nam (pseudonym).

• Understanding cultural contexts: Korean women stress that the focus should be on why the movement exists, rather than simply on the number of its adherents. 4B practitioners anticipate the movement will evolve and adapt to different cultural contexts. "American feminism is different from Korean feminism because they have unique American culture and issues tied into them," a young Korean woman involved in the movement told Rolling Stone. Observers also point out that while the movement is gaining traction in the U.S., it remains relatively small and has sparked backlash within South Korea, with some criticizing it as extreme and contributing to societal division. "Its (4B's) radical nature has contributed to serious backlash, with many young men and some women equating all feminists with man-haters, which deepens societal divisions,” noted Clemson University lecturer Minyoung Moon.

Student protests at women’s university in Seoul followed by anti-feminist backlash

Students at Dongduk Women's University in Seoul have been occupying the main building and boycotting classes in a series of protests against the university's potential transition to a co-educational institution. The protests, which started on Nov. 11, have sparked an anti-feminist backlash, with men's rights groups and even a conservative lawmaker criticizing the students' actions.

• How it began: The university’s announcement on Nov. 4 that it was considering admitting male students sparked immediate backlash from the student body, who argue that the university is failing to consult them on a major decision that would compromise the safety and exclusivity of the women's space. Students cite previous incidents of violence against women on campus and in Korean society as reasons for their opposition. "Although the university isn’t a perfect haven, we have felt free inside the university campus, and getting rid of a safe space where women can freely express their opinions goes against the founding purposes of the university," said Lee Song Yi, co-chair of Dongduk’s emergency committee.

• How it’s going: The university estimates the protests have caused between 2.44 billion won ($1.74 million) and 5.44 billion won ($3.9 million) in damages. The administration has expressed regret for the disruption and urged students to report any threats to their safety or right to learn. In response, the student council accused the university of intimidation tactics and demanded a complete withdrawal of the co-education proposal.

• Anti-feminist backlash: Anti-feminist groups have criticized the protests, with men's rights organization Man on Solidarity announcing it plans to hold a counter-protest in front of the university. The group's leader, Bae In-gyu, publicly labeled the students as "rioters" and threatened legal action. A man in his 20s was arrested for trespassing on campus and scuffling with security guards, while two other men were investigated for sneaking onto the grounds. Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party also condemned the protests, comparing them to disruptive demonstrations by a disability advocacy group and claiming they are rooted in "radical feminism."

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

2 men on trial for death of Indian family smuggled across U.S.-Canada border

A federal trial began on Monday in Minnesota for Steve Shand, 50, and Harshkumar Patel, 29, who are accused of running a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of four Indian nationals near the U.S.-Canada border in January 2022. Prosecutors allege the men placed financial profit over human lives, smuggling migrants in dangerous winter conditions.

• Catch up: The frozen bodies of Jagdish Patel (39), his wife Vaishali (37), their daughter Vihangi (11) and their son Dharmik (3) were discovered on Jan. 19, 2022, in Manitoba, Canada, just 12 meters (39.4 feet) from the U.S. border. The family, part of a group of 11 migrants, faced minus 38 degrees Celsius (100.4 degrees Fahrenheit) wind chills during a blizzard as they attempted to meet Shand, who allegedly waited in a van south of the border. Witnesses compared the scene to an arctic tundra, with prosecutor Ryan Lipes highlighting the tragedy as a result of profit-driven recklessness. Lipes also noted that the father’s body was found clutching his young son in a desperate attempt to shield him from the cold.

• About the suspects and their trial: Prosecutors allege that Harshkumar Patel — who is unrelated to the family and had used multiple aliases — coordinated smuggling operations with Canadian counterparts, hiring Shand to drive migrants across the border, including during at least five trips in late 2021 and early 2022. Both men have pleaded not guilty: Shand’s attorney claims he was unwittingly manipulated by Patel, while Patel’s lawyer denies any involvement in the conspiracy. Graphic photos of the Patel family and text messages showing the defendants’ awareness of the dangers were presented to jurors this week, while testimony from surviving migrants and law enforcement is expected to continue during the five-day trial.

CRIME & LEGAL

Man with 9 prior arrests charged with murder after 3 die in NYC stabbing rampage

Ramon Rivera, 51, has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder following a stabbing spree in Manhattan on Nov. 18. The unprovoked rampage left three people dead, including a 68-year-old Asian man who was fishing by the East River. Rivera, who police say has a history of mental health issues and at least nine prior arrests, allegedly attacked the victims without provocation, using two kitchen knives. The attacks occurred over a span of 2.5 hours on Monday, starting with the fatal stabbing of a 36-year-old male Hispanic construction worker in Chelsea. A 36-year-old Black woman was also fatally stabbed near the U.N. building. Rivera was apprehended with blood on his clothes and in possession of the suspected murder weapons. Rivera, who lived at the Bellevue Men's Shelter, was reportedly out without bail pending trial on his most recent arrests when the crimes were committed.

Health & Science

Chinese scientist jailed for gene-edited babies is now looking for interns

Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui, known for creating the world’s first genetically-engineered babies in 2018, is now looking for interns. In an X post on Nov. 15, He said his new lab in Beijing is “recruiting internship students,” though he did not provide details of expected tasks. After investigators determined in 2019 that he had violated regulations, He was fired from his job as an associate professor of biology at the Southern University of Science and Technology in Shenzhen. He was sentenced to three years in prison in January 2020 but was released earlier in April 2022. He’s current affiliations are unclear; he announced his new lab on Oct. 18, later welcoming visitors. He continues to talk about genetic engineering but remains unapologetic about his controversial work, writing on Oct. 23, “I will apologize for the gene edited baby experiment, only if their parents have requested it. However, they are happy with the results now.”

ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS

Japanese lyricist for “Astro Boy” and “Howl’s Moving Castle” dies at 92

Renowned Japanese poet and lyricist Shuntarō Tanikawa, whose work spanned over seven decades, died due to old age at 92 on Nov. 13. Celebrated for his modern and accessible approach to Japanese poetry, Tanikawa was known for his groundbreaking 1952 debut "Two Billion Light Years of Solitude" and his playful "Word Play Songs." He also contributed lyrics to iconic Osamu Tezuka anime such as “Astro Boy” and “Phoenix,” as well as the theme song of Hayao Miyazaki's “Howl's Moving Castle.” His prolific output includes over 60 poetry books, translations of Charles Schulz's “Peanuts” and the “Mother Goose” rhymes into Japanese and the screenplay for “The Phoenix: Chapter of Dawn.” Tanikawa's work garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including the American Book Award for his poetry collection "Floating the River in Melancholy.”

Blackpink’s Rosé received advice from Taylor Swift for her solo career

Rosé received guidance from Taylor Swift while preparing for her first solo album, “Rosie.” In a new I-D interview, the Blackpink member shared details of her chance encounter with the “Tortured Poets Department” singer during an impromptu hangout hosted by producer Jack Antonoff in New York. “I told her I’m such a huge fan and I just had some questions. As soon as she met me, she’s like ‘Spill, let me help you out,’” Rosé recalled. The conversation progressed with Swift sharing her own experiences, coaching Rosé on logistics and giving her number in case Rosé needed further help. “There are a lot of things I should be careful with, and she gave me a rundown on all the things I have to look out for,” Rosé said. Set for release on Dec. 6, “Rosie” features 12 tracks, including her hit single “APT.” featuring Bruno Mars.

Meet Kirby, Houston Zoo’s new baby Asian elephant

The Houston Zoo on Friday welcomed Kirby, a 314-pound female Asian elephant calf born to 34-year-old Shanti after a 19-hour labor. The pachyderm strengthens the zoo’s growing herd, joining siblings Joy (born 2017) and Nelson (born 2020). Kirby stood within six minutes, walked within 25 minutes and began nursing just 90 minutes after birth. Her father is 58-year-old Thailand, Shanti’s longtime mate. As Shanti and Kirby bond behind the scenes, keepers are observing key milestones like communication and weight goals before their public debut. Asian elephants are endangered, with wild populations declining due to habitat loss, poaching and human conflict. Houston Zoo contributes to their conservation through tracking initiatives led by Nurzhafarina “Farina” Othman in Asia. Notably, Kirby’s birth coincides with the arrival of a jaguar cub, born to first-time mother Vida on Nov. 6, showcasing a season of new life at the zoo.

Dwayne Johnson’s “Red One” underperforms on opening weekend

Dwayne Johnson’s Christmas action comedy “Red One” opened to a subpar performance in the weekend box office. Produced with a $250 million budget, the film grossed $32.1 million in its opening week, falling short of Sunday’s $34.1 million projection. Still, the movie took the No. 1 spot in the weekend box office, besting “Venom: The Last Dance” and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.” Starring Johnson, Chris Evans, J.K. Simmons and Lucy Liu, “Red One” was met with controversy earlier this year after Johnson’s alleged lack of professionalism resulted in losses amounting to $50 million. Despite the film’s box office underperformance, Amazon MGM’s head of theatrical distribution Kevin Wilson remains optimistic about its competition, which will include “Wicked” this week and “Moana 2” in the next. “We have to see how this plays into the holidays. We have big competition coming behind us… that’s no secret. But we offer something a little different than those movies,” Wilson told Variety.

“Gundam” designer turns Mickey Mouse into fierce-looking Mecha Mouse

Kunio Okawara, a Japanese animator and anime robot designer, has turned Mickey Mouse into a mecha (giant robots in anime). Dubbed the “Chogokin Super Change Mickey Mouse,” the 12.5-centimeter (4.9-inch) tall figure is part of Bandai’s sub-brand Tamashii Nation’s “Chogokin” toy line. A video of the toy showcases how the iconic character transforms by flipping it on its head. In a statement, Okawara, who is known for designing the RX-78-2 Gundam in the anime franchise “Mobile Suit Gundam,” said he tried to maintain Mickey Mouse’s cartoonish proportions when designing the robot. The toy became available for pre-order on Monday for 16,500 yen ($107) with shipping set to begin in June 2025. Interestingly, this is not the first time Bandai released a Mickey Mouse-themed robot: the company launched similar collectibles in 2013 featuring other characters like Donald Duck and Goofy.

Travel

Filipino resort sets record for “world’s largest building in the shape of a chicken”

A resort in the Philippines’ Talisay City made it into the Guinness World Records for having the “world’s largest building in the shape of a chicken.” Ricardo Cano Gwapo Tan, the founder of Campuestohan Highland Resort, announced the news in a Facebook post on Oct. 21. Speaking to Guinness, Tan said the inspiration for the quirky building came from his vision to “make something with a wow factor that can really leave a footprint of admiration to the public.” With a height of 34.9 meters (114.5 feet), width of 12.1 meters (39.7 feet) and length of 28.1 meters (92.2 feet), the building is actually a functioning hotel with 15 fully air-conditioned rooms that can accommodate small groups of guests. Tan said it took them 456 days to construct the building, including six months of conceptualization and planning. An overnight stay in the rooster’s rooms costs 4,500 Philippine pesos ($76) for four people and 7,000 Philippine pesos ($119) for a group of seven.

Stay informed, stay inspired. We’ll be back tomorrow with more stories that matter to the Asian and Asian American community.