A safety net for deported people, Trump’s DC takeover, NYC’s e-bike crackdown and more stories you’ve missed

This week, some of the most important stories from the URL Media network reveal the dangers of President Donald Trump’s power grab in the District of Columbia — and take a stab at who he really wants to target. After the shock of mass deportations all around the nation, we’re beginning to hear how people are helping deportees find their footing in countries they’ve never visited or haven’t seen since they were children. We also learn more about how street vendors in NYC are being targeted. And finally: A beloved Asian-American actor gets a role that might just match up to his skillset and charisma. All these stories show just how egregiously the experiences, talent and skills of people of color are increasingly dismissed in the U.S., and how hard POCs still will have to fight for reognition.

1. Trump’s federal takeover: Trump seized federal control of DC’s police and deployed 800 National Guard troops, claiming the city is dangerous despite crime being at a 30-year low. The takeover follows an attempted carjacking of a former government staffer. Critics slam it as a “ruthless attack” on the historically Black city that lacks statehood protections. DC residents fear overpolicing and racial targeting, especially after Trump pardoned January 6th rioters who attacked the same city. Local officials say they’re already successfully reducing crime without federal interference. Read more at Capital B.
   
   
2. … and his next target: Trump has signed over 120 executive orders since taking office, dismantling DEI programs and launching mass deportations without due process. His latest order targets homeless people, drug users, and those with mental illness for forced detention and treatment. Critics warn this creates a dangerous precedent for civil liberties violations, comparing it to historical persecution patterns. With nearly 150,000 homeless children nationwide, advocates fear families will be separated and vulnerable populations warehoused in inhumane conditions without proper oversight or accountability. Read more at Black Voice News.
   
   
3. Grassroots groups step up for deportees: Advocacy groups are racing to support Hmong deportees sent to Laos after decades in America. Organizations like MN8 and Collective Freedom provide care packages, financial aid, and help deportees find sponsors required by Laotian law. With 57 Southeast Asian deportees on Monday’s flight alone, groups donated $5,000 and organized fundraising for families left behind. Deportees face months in processing facilities, language barriers, and rebuilding lives from scratch. These grassroots organizations offer the only safety net for people navigating an impossible transition to a “homeland” they barely know.  Read more at Sahan Journal.
   
   
4. NYC’s e-bike crackdown targets workers of color: NYC’s new policy criminalizing e-bike violations is massively targeting delivery workers of color. NYPD data shows 83% of criminal summonses went to Black, Hispanic, and Asian riders, with Latino cyclists seeing a shocking 763% increase in tickets. What used to be simple fines now require court appearances, forcing workers like Khadim from Senegal to hire lawyers they can’t afford. Critics slam the policy as racist targeting of immigrant workers who risk their safety for food delivery apps. Read more at Documented. 

5. Korean spy action series gets dark and deadly: Daniel Dae Kim stars in Prime Video’s brutal new spy thriller “Butterfly,” which dropped all six episodes Wednesday, August 13. Kim plays David Jung, a former operative hunting his estranged daughter Rebecca through Seoul’s dangerous streets. She’s been raised by ruthless ex-CIA agent Juno (Piper Perabo) who runs the shadowy organization Caddis. With high body counts, Korean locations, and zero trust between characters, this dark series bridges American and Korean cultures while delivering intense action. Expect blood, betrayal, and a cliffhanger ending that’ll leave you wanting more. Read more at AsAm News.

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