The Daily Skimm

The Story

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants could be forced to leave the US.

I'm going to need more info.

Yesterday, a US appeals court in California gave the Trump admin the go-ahead to phase out the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program. Started in 1990, it has allowed over 300,000 immigrants – who faced armed conflict or national disasters in their home countries – to stay and work legally in the US. But the admin argues some of those countries have recovered from the issues that initially forced people to flee. And has tried to end parts of the program for years. A federal judge blocked that plan back in 2018, but now an appeals court's saying 'actually...we're overturning that.'

So who does this affect?

People enrolled in TPS come from countries like Sudan, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Nepal. And many have been in the US for decades. With this ruling, most will be able to stay in the US until January 4, 2021. After that, they will reportedly have six months to figure out another way to legally stay in America. Or risk getting deported.

What are people saying?

President Trump isn't the program's biggest fan. He once reportedly said the people enrolled in it came from "sh*thole countries." But the court ruled that Trump's "offensive" comments didn't have anything to do with the admin's decision to end the program. And that it has the power to change the program if it wants. Meanwhile, the National TPS Alliance called the decision "cruel," and said about a third of the enrollees have been essential workers during the pandemic. And the ACLU (which represented TPS holders in court) said it'll fight the decision, possibly all the way to the Supreme Court.

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Immigration is always a hotly-debated policy – especially in an election year. While President Trump has campaigned on limited legal immigration, Joe Biden has pledged to undo the Trump admin's actions – including when it comes to TPS. But right now, hundreds of thousands of immigrants are looking for answers in the middle of this debate.

And Also...This

What's got politicians' attention...

The West Coast. Yesterday, President Trump was in California meeting with local and federal officials battling the wildfires. At a briefing, he (again) blamed poor forest management for fueling the fires, didn't acknowledge the impact of climate change, and said "it'll start getting cooler." But governors (and scientists) on the West Coast beg to differ. So does his 2020 rival Joe Biden, who criticized Trump for being a "climate denier" and not taking responsibility for "another crisis."

Where things stand: The recent fires in California, Washington, and Oregon have killed at least 35 people, burned over 4.5 million acres, and destroyed countless communities. Officials say dry and windy conditions could reverse progress firefighters have made and fuel the current blazes even more.

It's the air, too: Many West Coast residents have been told to stay home as the air quality remains poor. Some cities are still in the "very unhealthy" or "hazardous" AQI range. Meanwhile, smoke from the wildfires has already spread as far as the East Coast.

Thing to Know: Air Quality Index. Ranging from 0-500, it measures air pollution and shows how hazardous it is to people's health. The higher the number, the more polluted the air is and the more dangerous it can be for the public. The health effects can range from itchy throat to serious respiratory problems and infections. Check your AQI here.

What people are watching...

Hurricane Sally. The storm's weakened to Category 1 in the Gulf Coast but is expected to strengthen as it nears Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama as soon as this afternoon. Officials are warning of life-threatening storms, flash floods, and winds up to 110 mph. Many residents have been ordered to evacuate as experts warn Sally could turn into a Cat 3. This comes as tens of thousands of people in Louisiana still don't have their power back after Hurricane Laura hit last month. And for only the second time on record, four other tropical cyclones are currently churning in the Atlantic Ocean.

What's got scientists hot and bothered…

Venus. Yesterday, scientists said they detected a gas on the planet that pointed to possible signs of life. Quick astronomy lesson: Venus – named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty – is the second planet from the Sun. And for years, many scientists haven't focused on the possibility of life there because it's extremely hot (think: 800 degrees) and its clouds contain sulfuric acid. Now, scientists are saying they've detected phosphine – a foul and toxic gas that's also found on Earth (in swamps and animal intestines...yum). The discovery's got some saying 'we may not be alone.' Others aren't convinced. The truth is out there.

What's apparently in its Prime…

Amazon. Yesterday, the online retail giant said it's hiring another 100,000 employees across the US and Canada to keep up with customers' new quarantine shopping habits. This is Amazon's fourth hiring spree in the US this year. And it comes ahead of its highly anticipated Prime Day and the holiday shopping season.

What pairs well with your virtual Thanksgiving Day Parade…

A "Crave Clutch" and some Jalapeño Noir.

The Magic of Me Time

Raise your hand if you forget to put 'me time' on your to do list. Ok, hands down. We partnered with Estée Lauder to remind you why carving out time for yourself is so important – and to give you some ideas for things you can do with it.

Take a solo walk. Studies show that even a 10 minute walk has mental health benefits. Plus, it's the perfect opportunity to listen to your favorite music or catch up on a podcast.

Journal. It's a great way to manage anxiety and reduce stress. And a reminder: do it your way. Whether you like writing by hand in a pretty notebook or prefer to type thoughts out in a word doc, there's no wrong way to get it write (sorry).

Stick to your skincare routine. Because it's built-in time, daily, that's just for you. And you can make the most of it with Estée Lauder's New Advanced Night Repair Serum. Find out more.

Seven Weeks to Go

Today marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month and with less than two months until Election Day, attention is on Latino voters. One study found that Latinos will be the largest minority group voting on November 3rd. 32 million Latinos are expected to be eligible to vote – which is more than 13% of all voters. And both President Trump and former VP Joe Biden are making their pitch: The Trump campaign has been hyping his economic record (including record low Hispanic unemployment numbers pre-pandemic) and Biden pledged to create a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

You can help empower the next generation of Latino voters by volunteering with Voto Latino. The org does things like host debate watch parties and organize text banks to get out the vote. Sign up here.

Here are our favorite picks to help you take a break today...

1. 47 new and returning shows to watch this fall. Maybe you spent quar bingeing "Lost" from start to finish. Or maybe you rewatched "Friends" for the 3,000th time. Either way, it's time to get excited about something that's actually premiering this decade. Let the good times roll.

2. A Taylor Swift HIIT routine. Aka the only kind of workout we're interested in doing from now on. Are you "...Ready For It?"

3. The best phone games, according to people with very stressful jobs. For when you need a break from Zoom calls and deadlines, Sudoku and Animal Crossing to the rescue. If your boss asks, you're totally just answering emails.

PS: Want more? Sign up to get weekly recs in your inbox.

For when you're sick of bras that feel so bra-like...

We couldn't get it more. Enter: the Spacer Bra from this company. It feels like it's barely there, but offers tons of support. And it just came back in stock after selling out. PS: Skimm'rs get 15% off their first purchase. Get it before it's gone.*

For when you have lots of Zoom baby showers on the horizon…

Give the best gift with this company. They just launched a 100% organic cotton baby collection. With soft styles that come in timeless patterns and vibrant solid colors. Psst...Skimm'rs get 25% off their first purchase plus free shipping. Oh baby.*

For when you want to beef up your dinners...

This delivery service wants to help. They send high-quality, sustainably sourced meat right to your door. So it's better for you, the animals, the farmers, and the planet. And new members get two pounds of free grass-fed ground beef in every box. Get cooking.*

For when you impulse buy a ton of new plants…

Oops. Now all you've got to do is keep them alive. Here are some things you need. Like an app that tracks their watering schedules, durable pots, and support sticks to keep 'em standing straight. Dig it.

*PS: This is a sponsored post.

**Terms apply.

Skimm’rs

In times like these, community matters more than ever. Let us know how you (or someone you know) is making an impact by helping others.

Get an edge with...Anne O'B (IN). She's the director of community experience for EDGE Mentoring, a national org that connects young professionals with community leaders. She's planning the virtual EDGE|X conference, which will feature daily keynotes, live Q&As with speakers, and more. Learn more here.

App for the task...Valentine O (MO). He created Peep Connect – an app that helps local businesses announce reopening plans, hours, and events. The goal is to give businesses and locals more visibility into what's happening, where, when, and what the restrictions are. Sign up here.

(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Alexis Goldstein (NY), Ann Rosen Spector (PA), Lisa Wahl (RI), Betsy Martinez (TX), Halle Beeler (TX), Maria Verardi (PA), Mel Phillips (NC), Kristin Loreaux (NJ), Jodi Grizzel (VA), Maricarmen Cubas (FL), Allyson Alvare (WA), Emily Kronyak (RI), Mayra Lemus Rangel (NY), Carrie Marino (NY), Amanda Gerzog (NY)

*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.

Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Ellen Burke, Niven McCall-Mazza, and Clem Robineau