Category: ESTA News

President Donald Trump said that relations with South Korea will not worsen because of the arrest and detention of approximately 300 South Korean workers at a joint battery plant between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Georgia after being caught by U.S. immigration authorities during a raid. After returning to Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., following a visit to New York City to watch the men’s final of the U.S. Open tennis tournament, Trump met with reporters on the 7th.

When asked if he thought relations between South Korea and the U.S. would be strained because of the incident, he replied, “No, we have a very good relationship with South Korea.”

Trump continued, “It’s a really good relationship. You know, we just signed a trade deal (with South Korea).”In particular, President Trump stated, “If this country doesn’t have people who know about batteries, we should help them bring some people here and train them to do the complex work, whether it’s battery manufacturing, computer manufacturing, or shipbuilding.”

He added, “So we’re going to look at this whole situation. We have a lot of industries that we don’t have anymore. We need to exchange people. The way we train people is by bringing in people who are skilled in those fields, having them stay for a period of time, and aiding.”

President Trump added, “We need to come up with a way to bring in experts and train our people so they (Americans) can do it themselves.”

President Trump’s remarks are interpreted as a declaration of intent to address the issue of the U.S. government failing to issue enough visas to Korean companies that have attracted significant investment but who are unable to work and work in the United States.

Accordingly, attention is focused on whether the visa issue, a long-standing complaint from Korean companies investing and advancing into the U.S., will be resolved.

President Trump stated, “I understand exactly what they (South Korea) said, and I will look into it.”In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, President Trump urged foreign companies investing in the United States to comply with U.S. immigration laws, while also promising to resolve the difficulties these companies face in sending their own personnel to the United States.

President Donald Trump was booed by the crowd while attending the US Open tennis final. According to Reuters and the New York Times (NYT) on the 7th, President Trump visited Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York to watch the US Open men’s singles final, scheduled for 2:00 PM that day. However, the match did not start on time.

General admission to the stadium was repeatedly delayed as the Secret Service installed metal detectors and checked bags in the waiting line for the president’s safety. Organizers initially announced that the final match between world No. 1 and No. 2 Yannick Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would begin 30 minutes later than scheduled but then announced another 15 minutes later. The match finally began at 2:48 p.m., but thousands of ticket holders were still unable to enter the stadium.

Spectators had to wait in line for at least 30 minutes to enter, and some waited for an hour and a half but were still unable to enter. As the match began, they booed outside, criticizing the delay caused by President Trump’s appearance. Even those who managed to enter the stadium booed when Trump’s image appeared on the scoreboard.

During his brief appearance on screen, Trump stood and greeted the crowd. The New York Times reported that some in the crowd cheered Trump’s appearance.

The Donald Trump administration’s policy of imposing tariffs on small parcels entering the United States without exception went into effect on the 29th. A senior Trump administration official stated in a briefing on the 28th that the elimination of the “small parcel duty-free” system would be permanent and that no exceptions would be granted to any country. The United States previously operated a system that exempted tariffs on products imported by individuals with a daily value of less than $800. However, there have been calls for reform as concerns grow that countries like China are abusing this system to circumvent U.S. tariffs or smuggle in prohibited items such as drugs.

President Trump suspended duty-free shipping on small parcels sent from China and Hong Kong on May 2nd, and this measure took effect for all countries at 0:01 AM on the 29th.As a result, postal agencies around the world stopped sending mail and parcels destined for the United States, throwing the world into chaos.Many European countries, including Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Italy, France, and Belgium, stopped accepting US-bound parcels.

According to the Washington Post (WP), Mexico, India, and Thailand are also not accepting US-bound items at all, and South Korea, Singapore, and New Zealand have also halted most US-bound shipments. Starting at 0:01 AM Eastern Time (EDT) on the 29th, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began imposing tariffs on all imported goods entering the United States as international mail parcels, without exception. Accordingly, foreign postal service providers must formally declare parcels bound for the United States and collect fees based on the applicable tariff rate for goods from that country for the full amount, or include a flat tariff of $80 to $200 per parcel.

According to CBP guidelines announced on the 28th, the day before the small-value parcel tariff went into effect, parcels from countries where the Trump administration has set tariff rates below 16%, such as Korea, the United Kingdom, and the European Union (EU), will be subject to a flat tariff of $80 per parcel upon entry into the United States.

Parcels from countries with tariff rates exceeding 25%, such as China, Brazil, India, and Canada, will be subject to a flat tariff of $200 per parcel. This flat tariff per parcel system, which streamlines the customs duty payment process through formal customs clearance, is only available to foreign postal service providers and is limited in duration, with a six-month grace period.

Non-postal service providers such as UPS, FedEx, and DHL cannot utilize the flat tariff per parcel system and must formally apply the tariff rate and complete formal customs declarations.

The Donald Trump administration is reportedly planning a large-scale crackdown on illegal immigrants in Chicago. According to a CBS News report on the 28th, sources said the large-scale crackdown, involving armored vehicles and various tactical equipment, could begin as early as the 5th of next month. The Trump administration previously conducted a crackdown in Los Angeles this spring, using armored vehicles and other equipment.

It’s rumored that a similar crackdown will be conducted in Chicago. At the time, these raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sparked fierce protests not only from undocumented immigrants but also from residents, leading to violent street protests in LA. President Trump responded by deploying the National Guard and Marines to LA.

At the time, it was reported that President Trump planned to deploy an ICE tactical team to Chicago as well, but this deployment never took place. CBS explained that it was unclear whether this raid was an extension of the suspended plan. However, the plan to deploy ICE tactical armored vehicles to Chicago was reportedly unrelated to President Trump’s recent plan to deploy the National Guard.

On the 12th, President Trump deployed federal agents and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., citing security concerns. He then announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to major cities controlled by Democratic mayors, including Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, drawing backlash from Democrats. Large-scale immigration raids targeting sanctuary cities for security reasons were anticipated.

Accordingly, New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Jessica Tisch met with Attorney General Pam Bondi on the 25th and made it clear that there was no need to deploy the National Guard to New York City. Prior to this, New York Governor Kathy Hokule also called President Trump and conveyed her position that there was no need to deploy the National Guard to New York City.

Ahead of the Labor Day holiday, New York State is launching a massive crackdown on drunk driving.

The New York State Police announced a statewide crackdown on drunk driving from the 15th to Labor Day, November 1st. Governor Kathy Hokule stated, “Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest times of the year, and with it, a rise in accidents and injuries. Therefore, we are expanding our enforcement efforts to prevent accidents caused by drunk drivers.”

According to police, New York City will also set up checkpoints along the roads during the Labor Day holiday to crack down on drunk driving, distracted driving, and other common traffic violations, including failure to wear seatbelts.

Meanwhile, police in Nassau County and Suffolk County on Long Island have designated this period as an enhanced crackdown on drunk and reckless driving, and plan to launch a large-scale crackdown.

Five envelopes containing boric acid powder were delivered to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in Manhattan, temporarily shutting down the building and leading to an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and other sources, five envelopes containing suspicious white powder were delivered to 26 Federal Plaza, a building in Lower Manhattan, on the afternoon of the 14th. The building houses federal agencies, including ICE. After the envelopes containing the powder were discovered, the FBI, NYPD, and the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) responded, shutting down the building and evacuating residents. The five envelopes in question were found in the ICE Enforcement and Deportation Operations mailroom on the 9th floor of the building.

Six people were nearby when the envelopes were opened, and two of them were directly exposed to the powder but did not appear to be in serious health condition. According to officials, initial testing on the powder indicates that it was boric acid. Boric acid, used in disinfectants and pesticides, is non-toxic when ingested in small amounts, but can be dangerous in high doses.

The exact amount contained in each packet has not yet been disclosed, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams has stated that it is not a dangerous substance. The FBI would not comment on the contents of the letter containing the powder, stating that the investigation is ongoing.

The incident occurred after a federal court recently ordered ICE to improve the substandard conditions at a temporary detention facility in Manhattan. ICE is using the 10th floor of the building as a temporary detention facility. The FBI stated, “Sending these types of threatening letters is a crime. We will not take this matter lightly.” Mayor Adams also stated, “While no hazardous materials were involved, this is a serious crime, and those involved will be brought to justice.”

President Donald Trump has declared a “war on the homeless and criminals” in Washington, D.C., the nation’s capital.

In a post on the social media platform TruthSocial on the 10th, Trump declared, “I will make our capital safer and more beautiful than ever before.” He added, “The homeless must leave immediately. We will provide you with a place to stay, but it will be far from our nation’s capital.”

He continued, “Criminals, you don’t have to leave. We will put you in the prisons where you belong.” He then recalled the massive border closures and crackdowns on illegal immigration he launched immediately after taking office.

President Trump emphasized, “Just as I treated our borders—from millions crossing last year to zero illegal border crossings last month—I will treat our beloved capital city and make it truly great again.” He said of Washington, D.C., “Before the tents, the filth, and the crime, it was the most beautiful capital in the world,” and “It will soon be that way again.”

President Trump announced that he would hold a press conference at the White House on the morning of the 11th on “Crime and Environmental Beautification” to announce a plan to rid the Washington area of homelessness and criminals. He previously posted a post on TruthSocial on the 5th, listing incidents of violence by youth gang members in Washington, D.C., and warned, “If this continues, I will use my authority to federalize this city.” He also signed an executive order on the 24th of last month to thoroughly dismantle homeless tent cities in the city and relocate them to shelters.

President Donald Trump is revealing his ill will toward his political opponents, even in the White House.

According to a CNN report on the 10th, President Trump ordered the removal of the portrait of former President Barack Obama, which had been adorning the entrance to the White House. Consequently, the portrait was relocated to the middle of the steps near the entrance to the presidential residence.

The original location naturally stands out during major White House events and is visible to tourists on White House tours. The new location is accessible only to the presidential family, Secret Service agents, and staff members, making it virtually invisible.

CNN noted that it has been a practice for sitting presidents to place their predecessors’ portraits at the most prominent entrance to the White House and interpreted this relocation as an extension of their public outcry against their political opponents.

Former President Joe Biden is Trump’s immediate predecessor, but his portrait is reportedly not yet complete. President Trump has expressed strong animosity toward former President Obama since his days as a real estate developer and broadcaster before taking office. Recently, he has claimed that former President Obama and his administration committed treason during the 2016 presidential election.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has ordered an investigation into allegations that senior Obama administration officials produced disinformation alleging Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. President Trump also ordered portraits of other political opponents, including former President George W. Bush and his father, former President George H.W. Bush, moved to a less visible area of the stairwell.

Before his death in 2018, Bush called Trump a “charlatan” in his autobiography and supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election. Bush has also criticized Trump as a “failed and uninspiring president.”

While the number of homes for sale in the Washington area has increased significantly for three consecutive months, sales prices have fallen across the board.

Real estate information company Redfin released a report on the 30th of last month titled, “Washington’s Housing Supply Grows 23% in June… One of the Largest on Record.” According to the report, the number of homes for sale in the Washington area increased by 23.9% in April and 25.5% in May, and then jumped another 22.7% in June, marking three consecutive months of rapid growth.

June’s increase was the third largest since 2012. Looking at the figures, the total number of homes for sale in the Washington area as of June reached 20,016, and the number of newly listed homes in June was 6,328, a 0.3% increase from the same period last year.

In Northern Virginia, Stafford County saw the highest increase in listings (41%), followed by Arlington (33%), Fairfax (25%), and Prince William (21%). In Maryland, Montgomery County saw the highest increase in listings (35%), followed by Howard (24%), Frederick (18%), and Prince George’s (14%) counties.

Washington, D.C., saw a 15% increase. Redfin attributes this surge to the massive layoffs among federal employees.

Indeed, a recent survey by Bright MLS, a Mid-Atlantic real estate information site, found that approximately 40% of real estate agents in the Washington area have attempted to sell homes to laid-off federal employees in the past six months.

The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced a significant strengthening of its interview waiver policy for nonimmigrant visa applicants, effective September 2nd. This measure replaces previous guidance issued on February 18th, mandating in-person interviews for most applicants.

A key change is the elimination of age-based waivers. While applicants under 14 and over 79 years of age were previously exempt from interviews, the new guidance requires in-person interviews for all age groups. This change is expected to complicate the visa application process for families with young children and the elderly.

Most applicants for student visas (F or M visas) and employment (H-1B, L-1, etc.) visas are expected to require interviews, which could lead to longer interview waiting periods.

Experts advise applicants to begin planning their visa applications even earlier.