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Concerns are mounting within immigrant communities as it has been revealed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding its enforcement capabilities by utilizing individuals’ financial information for immigration enforcement and linking it to police traffic enforcement. This implies that the identities and movement paths of immigrants can be identified by combining disparate data, such as financial transaction records and information regarding vehicles and driving. According to the investigative journalism outlet ‘404 Media,’ recent immigration enforcement operations are shifting away from simply having ICE agents physically locate targets and are increasingly utilizing various private and public databases to select targets.

In particular, concerns are being raised that if consumption and expenditure patterns from financial transactions, addresses, and vehicle-related information are combined with other personal data, the government could determine an individual’s living radius in significant detail. The core of the controversy lies in the potential link between financial information and police traffic enforcement. The argument is that if police check license plates or driver information while stopping vehicles and cross-reference this with federal data, standard traffic enforcement could lead to immigration status checks or ICE arrests. Indeed, clashes and shootings surrounding traffic stops have been occurring frequently during recent federal immigration enforcement operations.

Consequently, controversy is mounting regarding the very method of utilizing traffic stops in immigration crackdowns. These developments are interpreted as part of the large-scale immigration enforcement policies being pursued by the Trump administration. The federal government is intensifying information sharing and data analysis to locate undocumented immigrants and swiftly apprehend those with criminal records. In June alone, 43,138 individuals were detained by ICE, with 39,563 of them arrested.

Recently, there have also been moves to pressure state governments to share not only financial information but also data related to welfare, vehicles, and education with federal immigration authorities. Civic groups and immigrant rights organizations criticize such data combination, arguing that it could lead to privacy violations and indiscriminate surveillance. In particular, they claim that analyzing financial transactions for the purpose of immigration enforcement is an excessive exercise of authority, as these are details of an individual’s daily life that are not directly related to crime.

The Donald Trump administration has sparked significant controversy by publishing an amendment in the Federal Register that restricts the population count for House seat allocation to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, starting with the 2030 Census, and prohibits questions regarding race and ethnicity. There are growing concerns that if the amendment is finalized, it will become impossible to accurately count the population by race and ethnicity during the decennial census, thereby significantly weakening the statistical basis for minority communities—including the Korean community—to prove their size and influence and advocate for their rights. On the 10th, the U.S. Census Bureau published the amendment, which outlines these provisions, in the Federal Register and initiated a 30-day public comment period. The Bureau plans to review comments submitted by the 13th of next month before making a final decision on whether to finalize the amendment. One of the key aspects of the amendment is the change in population counting standards reflected in the allocation of seats in the U.S.

House of Representatives. Previously, all immigrants residing in the United States were included in the count regardless of immigration status; however, the amendment stipulates that only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are included. Consequently, not only undocumented immigrants but also general visa holders with legal status who do not hold permanent residency will be excluded from the count. This is expected to have a decisive impact not only on the calculation of House seats by state but also on the amount of federal funding allocated to each state government. Furthermore, the amendment’s provision to completely remove questions regarding race, ethnicity, and sexual orientation from both the basic and census questionnaires is expected to deal a direct blow to minority communities, including Korean Americans. For years, the Korean American community has conducted campaigns every 10 years to participate in the census, accurately counting the Korean population and using the results to secure political rights and social support.

However, if the amendment is finalized as is, direct counting of the Korean population through the census will become impossible, making a reduction in political and social influence inevitable. In the amendment, the Trump administration presented the argument that undocumented immigrants and others should no longer be included in the count because they lack sufficient ties and loyalty to the United States to qualify as genuine residents or those with a regular residence there. The administration asserted that undocumented immigrants cannot be regarded as genuine residents due to their insufficient bonds and loyalty to the U.S. Furthermore, it cited the administration’s intention to focus on the primary purpose of the census—the allocation of parliamentary seats—and its push to abolish the administration’s “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)” policy as the background. Experts and political circles are strongly opposing this.

William Frey, a demographer who served as an advisor to the Census Bureau, pointed out, “The Trump administration is trying to create its own definition of who a ‘real’ American is,” adding, “This differs from the subjects the census has been counting for decades.” U.S. Senator Andy Kim (Democrat, New Jersey) also strongly criticized the amendment, stating, “This amendment is another attack on democracy,” and adding, “I will not tolerate attempts to suppress the voices of diverse communities and to misuse the census as a tool to attack immigrant communities.” Meanwhile, while questions regarding race and ethnicity are retained in the annual American Community Survey (ACS), critics point out that because the data is merely estimates rather than a complete enumeration, it has limitations in being used as a basis for policy formulation and implementation. As the controversy intensifies, the prevailing view is that the final implementation of this amendment will be determined through legal battles. With New York Attorney General Letitia James already stating that she is considering legal action, a fierce legal battle is expected to continue in federal courts.

It has been reported that the number of Obamacare (ACA) health insurance subscribers in Virginia has decreased by approximately 94,000 compared to last year. The main factor cited is the increased burden of insurance premiums this year following the expiration of the federal government’s enhanced premium subsidies at the end of last year.

The local newspaper, the Virginia Mercury, reported on the 2nd that data from the official Virginia Insurance Exchange showed the number of ACA Marketplace subscribers had dropped from approximately 389,000 last year to about 295,000 currently. This decline is analyzed as the result of a sustained decrease as changes to premiums and subsidies scheduled for 2026 are fully reflected, rather than a sudden drop in subscribers. In particular, the federal government’s enhanced premium tax credits, which expired on December 31 of last year, are identified as a major factor in raising the premium burden this year. Last year, the federal government discontinued subsidies that had been provided even to those living above 400% of the federal poverty line.

This additional subsidy has been in effect since 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak, and has served to lower the monthly premium burden for ACA subscribers. However, as support ended at the end of last year, the premium burden for some subscribers has increased significantly starting this year. Consequently, there are instances where some subscribers, unable to afford the premium increases, are discontinuing their ACA insurance. The Virginia state government has prepared separate support measures to alleviate the burden on residents resulting from the termination of federal subsidies.

The state legislature has allocated approximately $150 million to establish a support program to address the end of federal expanded subsidies, and residents meeting certain income criteria are expected to receive additional state support starting from the new enrollment period beginning November 1.

This support is intended to assist middle-income and lower-income residents whose insurance premiums have increased due to the end of federal subsidies. The Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace (Marketplace.Virginia.gov) provides a Cost Calculator that allows individuals and families to check available insurance plans and eligibility for financial assistance by entering their income and household size. Subscribers can check estimated premiums and the amount of financial assistance by selecting ‘Financial Savings’ → ‘2026 Updates’ → ‘Cost Calculator’ on the marketplace website and entering their zip code, date of birth, and household income. As insurance premium subsidies can vary depending on income and household size, it is important to re-evaluate the premiums and subsidy amounts that suit your situation this year, rather than simply renewing the insurance you signed up for last year.

It has been revealed that the distribution of counterfeit and fake goods, such as parts and automotive accessories infringing on the trademarks of Hyundai Motor and Kia, is rampant on online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms. Consequently, attention is being drawn to the fact that both Hyundai Motor and Kia have recently filed large-scale trademark infringement lawsuits simultaneously in federal court. According to federal court litigation documents confirmed by this newspaper on the 2nd, Hyundai Motor and Kia each filed complaints with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on August 28 against overseas online sellers, seeking to prohibit the sale of counterfeit goods and citing trademark infringement. In the complaints, Hyundai Motor and Kia stated that the defendants distributed large quantities of vehicle parts and accessories via the internet that illegally infringed on representative trademarks registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including ‘Hyundai,’ ‘Elantra,’ ‘Kia,’ ‘Sportage,’ ‘EV6,’ and ‘EV9,’ without the approval or license of either company. According to the complaint, the defendants elaborately decorated the appearance of their online stores with high-definition graphics and official content to disguise themselves as official outlets or authorized wholesalers of genuine products approved by Hyundai Motor or Kia. Furthermore, to gain search visibility, they employed the tactic of unauthorizedly inserting both companies’ trademarks into store text and meta tags. It was found that the distributors named as defendants used multiple virtual store accounts and fictitious identities interchangeably to conceal their actual identities and the scale of their sales networks. The majority of the defendants are presumed to be organizations based overseas, such as in China, or those that resell counterfeit goods sourced from the same supply chain. Hyundai Motor and Kia pointed out that the distribution of these counterfeit parts and accessories is not merely an infringement of intellectual property rights but causes consumer confusion regarding the origin and quality of the products, thereby inflicting fatal damage to their brand credibility. Hyundai Motor and Kia took particular issue with the possibility that consumers might mistake these online stores for official retailers. According to the complaint, the online stores operated by the defendant companies were designed with elaborate appearances and used content and images related to Hyundai Motor to make them look like online retailers, outlets, or wholesalers authorized by the company. However, Hyundai Motor stated that it never authorized the defendants to use the Hyundai Motor trademark and that none of them are official Hyundai product dealers. Common charges in this lawsuit include trademark infringement under the Lanham Act, the federal trademark law, distribution of counterfeit goods, and false labeling of origin. Hyundai Motor and Kia requested the court to issue temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctions to immediately halt the production and sale of the illegal products, while also urging the court to order major online marketplace platforms to block the exposure of the stores and advertisements in question. The amount of damages sought is also substantial. Both companies demanded the full return of unjust enrichment by the defendants, along with punitive damages of up to three times the actual amount for willful infringement. In addition, the plaintiffs are strongly requesting the court to order the defendants to bear all litigation costs and statutory damages ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $2 million per instance of trademark forgery, with the total amount expected to reach tens of millions of dollars. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor America, which filed this lawsuit, and Kia America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, California, and Irvine, California, respectively, oversee operations in the U.S. market.

Amidst a massive immigration crackdown by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sweeping through the New York and New Jersey areas this summer, it has been revealed that three out of four arrested immigrants have no prior criminal record. According to an analysis of ICE data obtained by the academic organization Deportation Data Project by the local media outlet Gotham Mist, a total of 919 people were arrested by ICE agents in New York City alone last July.

This figure is approximately double the record low set last April and marks the highest number of arrests since November of last year (992 cases). Notably, it was found that 702 individuals, or 76% of those arrested in New York City, had no prior criminal record. In contrast, only 113 individuals were facing criminal charges, and a mere 104 had actual convictions, leading to the analysis that immigrants without criminal records have become the primary targets of the crackdown. The situation in New Jersey is even more serious. Last July, 2,080 people were arrested by ICE in New Jersey, marking a record high in the last four years. This figure represents more than a twofold increase in just two months compared to last May (842 people). It was confirmed that 1,507 of those arrested in New Jersey—72% of the total—had no prior criminal record or charges against them. This scale of arrests of non-convicted individuals is also the highest in the past four years. In response to these findings, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security countered that “the Project on Deportation Data used data selectively,” clarifying that “the administration is tracking and arresting the worst criminals.” Conversely, immigrant rights groups have strongly criticized the administration’s indiscriminate crackdown policy.

Murad Awaude, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, argued, “The surge in ICE arrests is consistent with the administration’s attitude of being solely focused on deportation policies, with no regard for the damage to the local economy or the lives of those trapped in this brutal immigration system.” President Awaude continued, “If our neighbors become afraid even to carry on with their daily lives, the safety of us all will be threatened and deteriorate,” urging that “New York must continue to reject large-scale deportation policies and not cooperate with the federal government’s anti-immigration crackdown.”

It has been revealed that hygiene complaints regarding street food vendors throughout Los Angeles, including Koreatown, have neared 10,000 over the past three years. Particularly shocking are the cases emerging, ranging from reports of selling meat previously eaten by dogs back to customers, to rats and cockroaches roaming around food, and meat and sauces being left out in the hot sun for extended periods. According to data from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health obtained by the California Post through a Freedom of Information Act request on the 29th, a total of 9,746 public health complaints related to street food vendors were received from 2023 to early 2026. In particular, the concentration of street vendors in the Pico-Union area, which includes LA’s Koreatown, was cited as a representative example of the current situation. Pico-Union is an area located south of Olympic Boulevard along Vermont Avenue, a major thoroughfare in Koreatown, and is currently a hub for street vending and informal economic activity.

It is estimated that over 120 street vendors are currently clustered in the “El Salvador Corridor” within this area. A report was filed regarding a taco stand near Hawthorne Boulevard in South LA alleging that employees lacked a place to wash their hands and were not properly changing their gloves. The complainant specifically claimed that “the owner continued to serve meat to customers even though a dog was eating from a bag.” This complaint was closed without any specific action being taken. Near Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), a report was filed alleging that salsa and various sauces were left open next to a trash can, and that rats were roaming around the area.

This complaint was classified as “canceled.” In Venice Beach, a report was filed alleging that hot dogs, buns, and sauces were being “heated in the sun all day,” and the complaint was classified as “valid.” The problem is that it is unclear what actual action was taken in response to such complaints. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health stated that it has shifted its focus from cracking down on unlicensed street vendor operations to targeting large-scale organizations that manage multiple stall operations from behind the scenes. Critics also point out that the number of permits is woefully insufficient compared to the scale of the street vendor population. While it is estimated that approximately 50,000 street vendors operate in Los Angeles, there were only 687 valid vendor permits as of September 2024. Of these, only 53 were permits for selling food.

To operate a street stall in Los Angeles, a city permit is required, and if food is sold, an LA County public health permit must also be obtained. The county is responsible for food hygiene, while city authorities are responsible for regulations regarding operating locations and methods. Amidst this, concerns are growing about a weakening of enforcement after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass recently ordered the LAPD not to issue criminal tickets, even to unlicensed street vendors. Mayor Bass maintains that she “firmly supports street vendors.” The business sector is also raising issues of fairness. Stuart Waldman, president of the Federation of Los Angeles Business, pointed out that while regular restaurants can face suspension for failing to comply with hygiene regulations, some street vendors operate without even restrooms or refrigeration facilities, stating that the situation is “much more serious than thought.”

On the other hand, there are also calls to strengthen licensing and hygiene inspections and provide designated locations where vendors can operate legally, rather than eliminating street vendors altogether. In particular, it is argued that food safety standards and enforcement must be applied consistently to ensure the coexistence of street vendors and established stores.

A suggestion has emerged from a close aide to President Donald Trump that he should hold talks with President Lee Jae-myung first and cooperate closely with South Korea before meeting with North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un. Fred Fleitz, Vice President of the American First Policy Institute (AFPI), a conservative U.S. think tank, sent an op-ed titled “5 Things Trump Must Do Before Meeting Kim Jong-un Again” to the conservative U.S. media outlet *American Greatness* on the 21st. Fleitz is considered a member of President Trump’s inner circle, having served as Chief of Staff to the White House National Security Advisor during Trump’s first term.

In an op-ed, he argued, “President Trump should hold talks with President Lee Jae-myung (before meeting Chairman Kim), and it is desirable for him to visit Seoul if possible.” He continued, “The President’s visit to Korea would strongly convey his commitment to U.S.-Korea relations and his resolve to resume face-to-face diplomacy with Kim Jong-un, and efforts (to meet Kim Jong-un) are reportedly being pursued for this fall.” He added, “Trump could reinforce his message through another major speech at the Korean National Assembly, just as he did in 2018.” Deputy Director Flytz also suggested, “Secretary of State Marco Rubio should be immediately dispatched to Seoul to drive the momentum this fall toward a concrete summit.”

He continued by stating, “The Lee Jae-myung administration has demonstrated stronger-than-expected cooperation in the fields of trade and security,” citing examples such as a 7.5% increase in South Korea’s defense budget this year, an additional $1 billion in support for U.S. Forces Korea, an agreement on large-scale shipbuilding cooperation between the two countries to expand the U.S. Navy’s capabilities, and prospects for U.S. companies to win large contracts related to South Korea’s first nuclear-powered submarine and civilian nuclear power programs.

He also assessed, “Unlike some European allies, South Korea did not attempt to undermine U.S. efforts for a war against Iran by denying access to key bases or publicly criticizing President Trump’s Iran policy.” Deputy Director Flytes then suggested, “Secretary Rubio should evaluate these achievements and work with Seoul to finalize the details of the Trump-Kim Jong-un summit, regardless of whether it is held privately or on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in China in November.” He specifically assessed that President Trump’s order to drastically reduce the annual South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises was “a negligible cost if it can bring Kim Jong-un to the talks,” adding that “Secretary Rubio must ensure that this concession is closely coordinated with South Korea and does not exceed the scope necessary to bring Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table.”

Deputy Director Flytz urged the appointment of a special envoy to North Korea to “work dedicatedly to facilitating peace talks and promoting North Korea’s denuclearization,” recommending Michael DeSombri, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, who “possesses extensive experience in the Asia-Pacific sector and a clear ‘America First’ stance.” Flytz further stated that “South Korea is part of the security alliance network that President Trump must utilize to counter growing threats from China, Russia, and North Korea in the Indo-Pacific region,” and called for strengthening trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan, as well as consultations with other regional nations such as Australia, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

Along with this, he cited “the inertia of U.S. officials, particularly within the Department of Energy, and congressional hesitation” as the reasons for the delay in expanding South Korea’s civilian uranium enrichment and nuclear waste reprocessing authority, which were part of the trade and security agreements reached by the South Korean and U.S. presidents last year. Flytz then advised sending Commerce Secretary Scott Besant and Energy Secretary Chris Wright to South Korea, stating, “Instruct them to remove the obstacles remaining in the South Korea-U.S. trade and energy agreements.” This appears to be a case of confusing Commerce Secretary Howard Rutnick with Treasury Secretary Besant.

Going forward, undocumented immigrants will be completely unable to receive benefits from four major refundable tax credits, including the Child Tax Credit.

On the 20th, the U.S. Treasury Department and the IRS published a draft of new regulations regarding eligibility requirements for individual income tax credits in the Federal Register. The IRS plans to gather public opinion for the next 45 days and hold a public hearing on October 14 to finalize the regulations. Once the final regulations are published in the Register and finalized, they will be fully applied starting with tax filings for the confirmed tax year. According to these regulations, undocumented immigrants who do not have a Social Security Number (SSN) or file taxes using an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) will be completely prohibited from receiving major refundable tax benefits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit (CTC), American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC), and Adoption Credit.

The proposed regulation announced on this day is being pursued to strengthen the enforcement of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Adjustment Act (PRWORA), enacted in 1996. The intent is to strictly limit legal eligibility by clearly defining the “refund portion” of certain refundable tax credits as Federal Public Benefits. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized, “Under the Trump administration, the era of undocumented immigrants receiving benefits funded by taxpayers’ money is over.” He added, “U.S. taxpayers should not bear the cost of benefits paid to those legally prohibited from receiving them.

This amendment is a measure that upholds fairness in the tax system and puts Americans first.” According to the new regulation, eligibility for Federal Public Benefits, including refundable tax credits, requires being a U.S. citizen, a U.S. national, or a qualified alien as of the filing date of the federal income tax return. Qualified aliens include permanent residents, asylum seekers, refugees, and other specific groups defined by PRWORA. Taxpayers must declare on their tax returns that they are eligible to receive the refund portion of the relevant deduction, subject to penalties for perjury. In the case of joint filing by married couples, only one spouse needs to be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a qualified alien. Immigration policy experts estimate that this measure will cause more than one million undocumented immigrant households in the U.S. to lose tax benefits.

Consequently, the financial burden on undocumented families and ITIN taxpayers within immigrant communities, including the Korean community, is expected to increase significantly. Immigration law and tax experts advised, “Previously, it was possible to claim refund-type deductions for certain children with ITINs, but once the final regulations are confirmed, the path to refunds will effectively be blocked.” They added, “Since incorrectly claiming deductions while failing to meet eligibility requirements could lead to disadvantages during future permanent residency applications or status adjustments, taxpayers should consult with a professional in advance to meticulously re-examine their eligibility requirements when filing future taxes.”

A court has ruled that the Donald Trump administration can maintain the tariffs it has imposed on “small parcels” valued at $800 or less. On the 13th, the U.S. Court of International Trade ruled against a U.S. auto parts importer in a lawsuit demanding the reinstatement of duty-free exemptions, claiming the administration’s suspension of the exemption illegally infringed upon legislative authority. The court determined that the administration’s action fell within the scope of presidential authority permitted under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

 

Consequently, the executive order abolishing the “duty-free de minimis treatment” based on the IEEPA will remain in effect. The court determined that the previously implemented duty exemption for imported products valued at $800 or less constituted a form of preferential treatment, differing in nature from the IEEPA-based reciprocal tariffs that the Supreme Court had deemed illegal.

The winter dismantling requirement for New York City outdoor dining, implemented since the pandemic, will be lifted, and year-round operation will be fully permitted. As a result, the financial burden on restaurant owners who previously had to dismantle and store outdoor structures annually is expected to be significantly reduced, and stagnant outdoor dining programs are anticipated to regain vitality. On

the 13th, the New York City Council put Intro 655, which outlines these provisions, to a vote and passed it by an overwhelming margin of 37 votes to 5. This amendment was pushed forward as a legislative package combining ordinances proposed by Council Speaker Julie Menin and Councilmember Lincoln Ressler with the goal of supporting small businesses and revitalizing local commercial districts.

Mayor Zoran Mamdani has already expressed his support, making implementation virtually certain. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect immediately upon the Mayor’s signature. The outdoor dining program, introduced as a measure to revitalize the restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic, was prepared in two forms: a ‘Roadway Cafe’ installed along the roadside for automobiles and a ‘Sidewalk Cafe’ installed along the pedestrian roadside in front of the restaurant.

Among these, ‘Sidewalk Cafes’ were allowed to remain open year-round starting from the first year of implementation, whereas ‘Roadway Cafes’ were required to be dismantled for the four winter months from November 30 to March 31 of the following year. Consequently, many businesses abandoned participation because they could not afford the installation, dismantling, and storage costs, which amounted to tens of thousands of dollars.

This led to repeated criticism that the outdoor dining program had significantly contracted, with the number of outdoor eateries plummeting from over 12,000 during the pandemic to around 1,800 recently. However, with the passage of this amendment, restaurant owners can now maintain their roadside outdoor dining year-round without the winter dismantling process. The ordinance includes new standards for installing insulation and heating facilities to attract customers during the winter, as well as a temporary permit system and installment fee payment scheme to support existing operators in seamlessly transitioning to year-round licenses.

However, compromise measures were also included to minimize noise complaints near residential areas and address the issue of deteriorating residents’ quality of life. The nighttime closing time for outdoor dining has been shortened by one hour, from the existing midnight (12:00 AM) to 11:00 PM, to guarantee the right to sleep for nearby residents. City Council President Julie Menin stated, “Outdoor dining is an important asset that has transformed New York City’s streetscape and revitalized local businesses,” adding, “This measure will provide practical assistance to small business owners who have been struggling due to excessive regulations and serve as an opportunity to create a vibrant urban environment that both residents and visitors can enjoy.”