Wong Kim Ark's Legacy / Dismantling DEI / Trump unleashed
Trump is back, and he’s wasting no time. In just weeks, his administration has unleashed sweeping immigration crackdowns, gutted DEI programs, and pushed controversial new policies that could reshape
🔥 The Rebel Yellow – Issue 22 🔥
Trump is back, and he’s wasting no time. In just weeks, his administration has unleashed sweeping immigration crackdowns, gutted DEI programs, and pushed controversial new policies that could reshape civil rights in America. From mass deportations and military buildup at the border to legal battles over birthright citizenship, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Meanwhile, Elon Musk sparks outrage with a gesture that many say resembles a Nazi salute, and Thailand makes history with the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Trump unleashes sweeping immigration crackdown
President Donald Trump could soon deploy thousands of additional troops to the southern border, following through his campaign promise of a sweeping immigration crackdown. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have reportedly been directed to investigate officials who resist immigration enforcement efforts and eliminate restrictions on arrests at schools, churches and hospitals.
Military boost
Trump is reportedly planning to send up to 10,000 troops to the southern border. An initial deployment of 1,500 troops will join 2,500 who are already there, representing a 60% increase in active-duty ground forces since he took office on Monday.
“This is just the beginning,” acting Defense Secretary Robert Salesses said on Wednesday, as per the Washington Post. The official added that military personnel will assist in building barriers and enhancing surveillance efforts along the border.
The military buildup echoes Trump’s first administration, when active-duty forces spent days stringing razor wire along hundreds of miles of the border. The number of U.S. military personnel then reached about 8,000 in 2018 before eventually declining.
Expanded deportation powers
The administration has dramatically broadened its deportation capabilities through several key changes:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can now conduct enforcement actions near sensitive locations like schools and churches — areas previously protected under both Biden and Trump’s first administration.
Fast-track deportations have been expanded to include undocumented immigrants anywhere in the U.S. who cannot prove continuous residence for two years.
The Defense Department will provide military aircraft to assist in deporting detained migrants.
ICE is preparing to more than double its detention capacity with four new 10,000-bed facilities and 14 smaller sites.
Targeting “sanctuary” jurisdictions
The Justice Department has directed prosecutors to investigate officials who resist immigration enforcement efforts. A memo from acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, according to Reuters, requires state and local authorities to cooperate with the immigration crackdown or face potential prosecution.
About 44% of the country’s 11 million undocumented and temporary-status immigrants were reportedly living in states with sanctuary policies as of 2022. Beyond these statewide protections, additional immigrants reside in sanctuary cities and counties located in states without such laws.
White House border czar Tom Homan took a confrontational stance toward sanctuary cities, telling Fox News: “Sanctuary cities are going to get exactly what they don’t want. More agents in the neighborhood and more collateral arrests.”
Why this matters
Undocumented Chinese migrants, who have been reported to make record crossings in the southern border, could be among the administration’s first targets for mass deportation. Asian American civil rights organizations, including the National Korean American Service and Education Consortium (NAKASEC), have expressed alarm over Trump’s immigration policy.
“NAKASEC stands firmly against the executive order declaring a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border and the plans for increased deportations. These actions use taxpayer dollars and executive powers to advance harmful policies that disproportionately target immigrant communities. We cannot ignore the deep and lasting harm these measures will cause: they threaten to tear families apart, disrupt livelihoods and destabilize communities, affecting citizens and non-citizens alike,” the group said in a statement to The Rebel Yellow.
“We believe in immigration policies that reflect compassion, fairness, and respect for every person’s rights and dignity,” NAKASEC added. “A better future for all means creating solutions that uplift, rather than divide, our communities. We call on local, state and federal leaders to actively stand with immigrant communities and use their power to build policies that protect and strengthen our nation.”
Resistance and implementation challenges
Democratic-led cities are poised to resist the new directives. In Chicago, for one, the teachers’ union has been preparing “sanctuary teams” to protect students, while the city’s police department has stated it “does not assist federal immigration authorities with enforcement action solely based on immigration status,” WLS reported.
The administration also faces significant logistical and financial hurdles in implementing its plans. ICE, as NBC reported, is already facing a $230 million shortfall for current operations, and Trump will likely need substantial additional funding from Congress to fulfill his inaugural promise to deport “millions and millions of criminal aliens.”
A divided public
Americans remain sharply divided on Trump’s immigration policies. A recent Reuters/Ipsos survey showed 39% agreed that “illegal immigrants should be arrested and put in detention camps while awaiting deportation hearings,” while 42% disagreed. The poll found 58% of respondents agreed that the U.S. should “dramatically reduce the number of migrants allowed to claim asylum at the border,” while 22% disagreed.
Trump’s moves signal the beginning of what could become the most aggressive immigration enforcement effort in recent U.S. history. While previous administrations have implemented tough border measures, none has attempted such a comprehensive approach combining military deployment, expanded detention facilities, prosecution of local officials and fundamental changes to citizenship rights.
The coming months will likely test not only the limits of executive power but also the nation’s complex relationship with its immigrant communities.
Dozens of states, cities file lawsuits against Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship
True to his campaign promise, President Trump signed an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants or temporary visa holders in the U.S. The order, which would take effect in 30 days, directs federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents to these children, marking a dramatic shift in the interpretation of the 14th Amendment that has governed American citizenship rights for over a century.
Twenty-four Democratic-led states and cities have already filed lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the order, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta leading one of the major legal challenges. The states argue that at least 150,000 children born to parents without legal status would be denied citizenship under the order, potentially leaving them stateless and unable to access federal services or participate fully in American civic life.
Asian American civil rights organizations have strongly condemned the order, citing its particular significance for immigrant communities. “The right of birthright citizenship is enshrined in the United States Constitution through the Fourteenth Amendment; it has been the law of the land for over 150 years. That provision allowed the children of Asian immigrants to become citizens in the late 19th century despite widespread racial animus,” Advancing Justice - AAJC said in a statement shared with The Rebel Yellow.
Meanwhile, Aarti Kohli, the executive director of Asian Law Caucus, cited the story of Wong Kim Ark, emphasizing the historical importance of this right for Asian Americans. “If you’re born here, you are a citizen — period. No politician, including President Trump, can decide who is American and who is not,” Kohli said in a statement to The Rebel Yellow. “For over a century, since a young Chinese American cook from San Francisco named Wong Kim Ark won his case at the Supreme Court, birthright citizenship for all — including babies born to immigrants — has been a cornerstone of U.S. democracy. This constitutional protection has been especially vital to Asian American communities, who have faced decades of exclusionary laws.”
Elon Musk denies his Nazi salute was a Nazi salute
The world witnessed Monday how Elon Musk animatedly raised his right arm (palm down and fingers extended) during his speech at a rally for President Donald Trump’s inauguration — on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, no less. But before we could even collectively pick our jaws up off the floor, an unsurprisingly large number of people online were already scrambling to insist the X owner’s gesture wasn’t a Nazi salute.
What did Musk do exactly?
During the celebratory event at the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., Musk addressed the crowd, expressing gratitude for their support. While speaking, the world’s richest man made the controversial gesture twice. First, he slapped his right hand on his chest and then extended his arm upward, with his palm facing down and fingers together. He then turned to the audience behind him and repeated the gesture that unmistakably resembles the symbol historically associated with fascism and Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany.
While Musk has not directly addressed accusations he performed a Nazi salute, he dismissed the immediate criticism as a "tired attack" and suggested that his critics "need better dirty tricks."
“I know a Nazi salute when I see one”
The incident immediately sparked outrage and condemnation, with many online users viewing it as an open display of fascism and a normalization of Nazi symbolism.
Ruth Ben-Ghiat, a history professor at New York University, categorically stated that Musk's gesture was a "Nazi salute — and a very belligerent one too."
Matan Arad-Neeman, a spokesperson for Jewish progressive group IfNotNow, condemned the gesture, stating, "I'm descended from Holocaust survivors, and I know a Nazi salute when I see one, and that was absolutely what Elon Musk was doing."
Lenz Jacobsen, a journalist for the German paper Die Zeit, asserted that "Whoever on a political stage, making a political speech in front of a partly far-right audience, elongates his arm diagonally in the air both forcefully and repeatedly, is making a Hitler salute."
Roberto Saviano, a prominent Italian journalist, stated, "May you be cursed. The end of all this will be violent. His fall will be equal to that of those to whom it historically refers with this gesture."
“Awkward gesture”
Musk also received support from some quarters, with arguments that the gesture was misinterpreted or not a deliberate Nazi salute.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) suggested that Musk's gesture was merely an "awkward gesture in a moment of enthusiasm" and not a deliberate Nazi salute. They urged people to give Musk "the benefit of the doubt.”
Some of Musk's supporters argued that the gesture was a "Roman salute," a historical gesture used in ancient Rome. However, the Roman salute typically involved a raised palm with a bent elbow, unlike the straight-armed gesture with a palm down that Musk performed.
Others claimed that he was simply expressing gratitude to the crowd and that the gesture was taken out of context. They highlighted the fact that Musk said "My heart goes out to you" while making the gesture.
Prominent political figures also defended Musk, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling him a "great friend of Israel" and stating that he was being "falsely smeared.” Argentinian President Javier Milei similarly called the gesture "innocent," attributing it to "enthusiasm and gratitude."
Doesn’t take a genius …
The Nazi salute is a well-documented gesture with a clear and disturbing historical meaning. By the ADL’s very own definition, Musk's so-called "awkward gesture" is precisely how the Nazi salute is performed. Public figures, due to their influence, bear a greater responsibility for their actions and the messages they convey, intended or not. Even if Musk did not consciously intend to perform a Nazi salute the visual similarity alone was powerful enough to generate excitement among numerous Neo-Nazi and far-right groups online.
Musk’s history of controversial actions and association with right-wing figures and ideologies cannot be ignored. He has been criticized for allowing pro-Nazi accounts to flourish on X, posting right-wing memes and seemingly supporting antisemitic conspiracy theories. This behavior led to an exodus of advertisers from X in 2023. More recently, Musk expressed support for Germany's far-right populist AfD party, whose leaders have made antisemitic, anti-Muslim and anti-democratic statements. He even engaged in a conversation with the party’s leader, Alice Weidel, who appeared to show a limited knowledge of Nazi history, describing Adolf Hitler as a communist.
Malicious viral images debunked
Unsurprisingly, the controversy led to the circulation of various images showing prominent Democrats, such as Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and Kamala Harris, seemingly making similar gestures in the past. However, a simple reverse image search reveals that these images are either taken out of context or manipulated to spread misinformation or fuel existing biases.
What this means for us
The Nazi salute is a symbol of hate and oppression that has caused immense suffering, particularly for marginalized communities. It represents a horrific period in history marked by violence, genocide and discrimination. For Asians, this symbol carries a particularly heavy weight as it reminds us of the atrocities committed by the Axis powers during World War II, including the occupation of many Asian countries, which resulted in widespread suffering and loss of life.
To this day, the salute is still used by white supremacist groups to intimidate and harass people of color. There should be no question that it has no place in a diverse and inclusive society. The normalization of such symbols, particularly with the rise of figures with extremist views, is a dangerous trend that leads to increased discrimination and violence against marginalized communities.
Fears abound as Trump ends DEI programs, LGBTQ+ protections
As part of his first wave of executive orders, President Donald Trump has moved to systematically dismantle federal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and gender protections, marking a dramatic shift in policy that could reshape workplace dynamics and civil rights protections across the country.
Dismantling DEI programs
Trump’s executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” calls for the termination of all DEI offices and positions within the federal government. It requires agencies to identify and eliminate DEI programs, even those that may have been “misleadingly relabeled” to preserve their function.
In line with the order, the administration has urged federal employees to report on colleagues and departments suspected of concealing diversity initiatives. Government workers were warned of “adverse consequences” if they fail to report hidden DEI programs within 10 days.
Speaking to The Rebel Yellow about the order’s impact on Asian American communities, Sydelle Barreto, policy manager of economic justice at the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), says the directive creates a dangerous precedent. “The Trump administration’s assault on diversity, equity and inclusion programs is an attack on the fundamental promise of equal opportunity and justice for all — a promise that has always been intertwined with the fight for reproductive justice,” Barreto says. “This executive order not only undermines decades of progress toward addressing systemic discrimination but also sends a chilling message that racial and gender equity are unwelcome in federal spaces.”
Barreto emphasizes that DEI initiatives play a vital role in helping AAPI women and gender-expansive individuals get fair access to healthcare, tackle anti-Asian violence and secure economic justice. “We know that racial inequality cannot be tackled in isolation — it is deeply tied to gender, health and legal protections,” Barreto adds. “Our children deserve a future where the government doesn’t pit employees against each other to uphold oppressive systems but instead values inclusivity as a cornerstone of progress. These attacks may be designed to derail immediate change, but we remain committed to building a long-term foundation of equity and opportunity for the next generation.”
Private sector impact
The administration’s anti-DEI policy extends beyond federal agencies, taking aim at private sector initiatives. Under executive order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” companies with federal contracts must certify they do not operate DEI programs that violate “any applicable federal anti-discrimination laws.” This requirement affects a substantial portion of American business, as federal contract spending reached $739 billion in fiscal year 2023.
Several major corporations have already begun rolling back DEI initiatives in anticipation of these changes. Walmart announced it would no longer consider race and gender in supplier contracts, while Meta, McDonald’s and Boeing have also dropped various DEI commitments. However, some companies with federal contracts, such as Microsoft and Accenture, have maintained their DEI programs.
Gender identity restrictions
Meanwhile, one of Trump’s most contentious executive orders, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism,” establishes a strict binary definition of sex across federal policy, recognizing only “male” and “female” as determined at conception. The order:
Requires all federal identification documents to reflect only biological sex
Mandates single-sex spaces be designated by biological sex rather than gender identity
Prohibits federal funds from being used to “promote gender ideology”
Directs agencies to remove all policies and communications that “promote or inculcate gender ideology”
For AAPI communities already facing intersectional challenges in healthcare access and gender-based discrimination, these restrictions could have far-reaching consequences. “This executive order, which seeks to erase the existence of transgender and gender-expansive people by narrowly defining gender, is a direct assault on the freedoms and futures of the most vulnerable among us,” NAPAWF Senior Policy Manager Fajer Saeed Ebrahim tells The Rebel Yellow. “The same legal tools being used to attack gender-affirming care for transgender youth are being weaponized against reproductive healthcare and abortion access — our fates are legally and morally intertwined.”
Ebrahim says the directive presents serious concerns about widespread discrimination and violence affecting AAPI women, young people and gender expansive individuals throughout the healthcare system, from contraception access to safeguards for LGBTQIA+ people. Such “interconnected attacks,” Ebrahim notes, threaten individuals’ right to make decisions about their own bodies, which is fundamental to reproductive justice.
“As every major medical association affirms, gender-affirming care is essential and life-saving; this administration’s decision to deny it puts countless lives at risk, including many from marginalized and intersectional communities,” Ebrahim adds. “We are playing the long game because our youth — who will inherit this fight — deserve a world where their identities are celebrated, their autonomy respected and their futures protected.”
Civil rights response
Civil rights advocates have strongly condemned Trump’s orders. In a statement to AP News, Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, called them “a smokescreen for firing civil servants” and “undermining the apolitical civil service.”
Meanwhile, the National Action Network, led by Rev. Al Sharpton, announced plans to identify and boycott two companies that abandon their DEI commitments in the next 90 days.
Looking ahead
The controversial orders represent a complete reversal of Biden administration priorities and could have lasting implications for federal employment practices and civil rights protections. Legal challenges are expected, particularly regarding the constitutionality of requiring employees to report on their colleagues and the potential impact on existing civil rights protections.
The administration has given agencies 60 days to terminate DEI positions and programs, with implementation reports due within 120 days. For the private sector, the Department of Justice will develop a strategic enforcement plan identifying “the most egregious and discriminatory DEI practitioners” for potential investigation.
Monterey Park honors victims on 2nd anniversary of mass shooting
Two years after a mass shooting tragically marred Lunar New Year celebrations and claimed the lives of 11 people, the city of Monterey Park came together to honor the victims and celebrate the community's resilience. City leaders, residents and families of those lost gathered to reflect on the tragedy and reaffirm their commitment to healing and overcoming the devastating event.
Messages of mourning and healing: "Monterey Park has shown the world what we're all about," said Councilmember Henry Lo, praising the unwavering support residents have shown one another in the wake of the shooting. Councilmember Jose Sanchez echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our community has shown remarkable light. We’ve held each other up and celebrated the small victories in our healing process. It’s a testament to the strength of our bonds.” Mayor Vinh T. Ngo and Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Yang emphasized the ongoing need for healing and encouraged those impacted by the shooting to share their stories and lean on their community for support.
Honoring the victims: The event also served as a reminder of the heroism displayed by Brandon Tsay, who disarmed the gunman at the Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio in Alhambra, preventing further tragedy. "Today, I mourn and honor the 11 lives lost, all of Asian descent, and hold their memory close," said Rep. Judy Chu (D, CA-28). "My heart is with the victims’ families and survivors as they continue to navigate the grief and trauma of that day.”
The shooting, which occurred on January 21, 2023, at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio, remains the deadliest in Los Angeles County history.
Nearly 2,000 couples tie the knot as Thailand approves same-sex marriage
Thailand made history Thursday as the first Southeast Asian nation to legalize same-sex marriage, with 1,832 LGBTQ+ couples registering their unions on the landmark day. At celebrations across the country, newly married partners expressed joy and hope for the future. “We can love, we love equally, legally,” said actor Sappanyoo “Arm” Panatkool, who married his partner and fellow actor Apiwat “Porsch” Apiwatsayree at a district office in Bangkok. The Marriage Equality Act amends Thailand’s Civil and Commercial Code to replace gendered terms with “individuals” and “marriage partners,” granting same-sex couples equal legal, financial and medical rights.
The milestone marks a significant shift in Asia, where Thailand joins only Taiwan and Nepal in recognizing same-sex marriages. While Thailand has a reputation for LGBTQ+ acceptance, advocates spent decades pushing for marriage equality in the largely conservative society. The contrast between Thailand’s progress and broader regional attitudes was highlighted by a Chinese citizen identified only as Zhang, who traveled to Thailand to celebrate with friends. “We’re excited, we’re also very jealous. Thailand is so close to China, but in another sense it’s so far away,” Zhang told the BBC, noting that same-sex marriage remains illegal across most of Asia.
Brady Corbet's next film to explore Chinese immigration in 1970s California with a horror-western twist
Brady Corbet, director of the acclaimed film "The Brutalist," is set to tackle the experiences of Chinese immigrants in 1970s California in his upcoming project. Corbet revealed in a New Yorker interview last month that the still untitled project will blend elements of horror and Western genres.
This era marked a significant period for Chinese Americans, as the impact of the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act began to reshape demographics and cultural landscapes across the US. This era saw rising tensions around racial identity and economic disparity, providing fertile ground for Corbet to explore the challenges and prejudices faced by Chinese immigrants at the time. "I think that my immediate response to the reception of ['The Brutalist'] is, like, 'Well, now you have an opportunity to make something that really pisses everyone off,'" said Corbet.
Corbet, who was inspired after a family viewing of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," said he aims to explore the darker undercurrents of the immigrant narrative. "It seems like a good time to really shake viewers,” he said. “I think they can handle it."
While details about the plot and cast remain undisclosed, Corbet previously shared with TIFF that his next film will be shot using a rare 8-perf 65mm format. “I'm doing my next film on an 8-perf 65mm camera and so I'm definitely continuing to to work with large formats. I loved working with VistaVision [on ‘The Brutalist’] but I would like to try something new,” he said.
Black YouTuber sees “brotherhood” in being called the “n-word” in the Philippines
Black travel vlogger Chris Flyrell, known for his immersive cultural videos on his YouTube channel Flyrell, recently shared footage of Filipinos casually calling him the n-word during his time in Manila.
Without malice: In two separate videos, young men and children can be heard using the term while addressing him. Instead of taking offense, Flyrell dismissed their use of the term as harmless, stating, "I know they're saying it out of, out of a brotherhood. ... I just see it like a brother-type word like, 'Say what's up my bro.'" Many Filipino commenters agreed, explaining that the term is often used without malicious intent. "Thanks for understanding, brother," one commenter wrote. "Most Filipinos aren't familiar with the historical significance of the 'n-word.' They likely heard it in American movies or music, and mistakenly believe it's a cool term to use."
Call to do better: Popular streamer Darren Watkins Jr., known as IShowSpeed, had a similar encounter in the Philippines when he was also called the n-word by a Filipino fan during a livestream last year. While Watkins maintained a positive attitude, the incident prompted a strong reaction from Filipino American basketball star Bobby Parks Jr., who took to social media to remind Filipinos about the harmful connotations of the word. "To all my fellow Filipinos saying the N-word to act cool, that is just so ignorant, disrespectful and downright embarrassing. Do better!" Parks wrote on Instagram. "Words could speak life and words could speak death. #StopRACISM."