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The Story
The number of unaccompanied children at the border is falling.
Catch me up.
In March, officials reported nearly 19,000 unaccompanied children crossing into the US via Mexico – the highest number since 2019. And Border Patrol held over 5,700 kids in its custody. The surge quickly overwhelmed border facilities, leading to inhumane conditions that reportedly left kids sleeping on the floor, not seeing the sun, and waiting days for a shower. The Biden admin's response prompted criticism from both sides of the aisle. Now, the number of children in Border Patrol custody has fallen to 677 – an 88% drop in five weeks.
How'd that happen?
An all-hands-on-deck approach. FEMA helped convert convention centers, military sites, and camps into over a dozen shelters for children. HHS has called for federal volunteers to help process minors' cases. VP Kamala Harris is speaking to leaders of Mexico and Guatemala to address the root causes of immigration. And the Biden admin's more than quadrupling the refugee cap for the country. But only after getting backlash from Dems and human rights advocates for keeping the Trump admin's record low number. Some of the changes have helped to speed up children's cases and get them into HHS custody, where caseworkers have been working to place more than 22,500 kids with sponsors or family in the US. And there are other reunions taking place.
Go on.
This week, four families separated by former President Trump's "zero tolerance" policy will be reunited. Among them, two moms – one from Honduras and another from Mexico – who haven't seen their kids in person since 2017. Trump's policy has separated about 5,500 children from their families. And about 1,000 of them are still not together. But the Biden admin's only made progress on four families out of the hundreds – months into the new admin. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said this week's reunions are "just the beginning." And the ACLU is pushing the Biden admin to locate hundreds of parents and create a pathway to citizenship for these families.
theSkimm
The situation at the border is seeing some relief. But the gov still has thousands of unaccompanied children in its care to place in homes. And hundreds of families to reunite.
PS: We've been tracking Biden's campaign promises on immigration and other issues. Check it out.
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Who people are mourning…
Andrew Brown Jr. Yesterday, the 42-year-old Black man's family and others gathered in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to remember his life and call for justice. Last month, sheriff's deputies shot and killed Brown as he tried to drive away when police went to serve a search warrant at his home. According to an independent autopsy, Brown was shot four times in the arm and once in the back of his head. Body cam footage of the shooting has yet to be released publicly after a judge ordered a hold until the NC State Bureau of Investigation finishes its inquiry. The FBI opened a civil rights investigation. But civil rights advocate Rev. Al Sharpton, who gave the eulogy, called for the video to be released. Brown's son, Jha'rod Ferebee, remembered his father as his best friend. RIP.
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What people are watching…
Mexico City. Last night, an overpass carrying a subway train collapsed there, killing at least 23 people and injuring 65 others. Seven people are in serious condition. The city's mayor said a "support beam gave way" and caused a subway car to plunge toward a busy boulevard. The collapse happened on the city's newest subway line, which has raised structural concerns in the past. In 2013, officials shut down part of the line so the tracks could be fixed. Now, the Mexico City Attorney General's Office has reportedly started an investigation into the deadly accident.
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What's got climate change on the mind...
The EPA. Yesterday, it proposed a rule to curb hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – powerful greenhouse gases typically found in AC units and fridges. HFCs were thought to be better than the alternative, but they're actually thousands of times stronger than carbon dioxide at warming the Earth. So the EPA's proposing a rule to cut down production and use of HFCs after Congress agreed last year to cut all pollutants down by 85% by 2036. Critics say the rule could add up in costs as businesses shell out to update their appliances. Supporters say companies have already been transitioning out of HFCs – and that the change will help US companies remain competitive.
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What's dialing a new tone…
Verizon. Yesterday, it hung up on its media business, selling it for $5 billion to Apollo Global Management. It includes AOL and Yahoo, which Verizon recently bought for about just under a combined $9 billion in 2015 and 2017, respectively. But the sale isn't a complete dead line, since Verizon will still keep a 10% stake in the new company.
...Oh and speaking of changes, billionaire Warren Buffett's named his successor at Berkshire Hathaway. Meet: Greg Abel.
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Whose foundational love story is coming to an end...
Bill and Melinda Gates'. Yesterday, the billionaire couple said they were divorcing after 27 years because they can no longer "grow together as a couple." While the details of the split aren't clear, the two will remain co-chairs and trustees of the $50 billion Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
PS: We spoke to Melinda Gates about her career back in 2019. Check it out.
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Why Wakanda is truly forever...
One word: sequel.
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This past year has been…a mother. So this Mother's Day, we're checking in and taking stock of what's contributing to moms' mental loads these days. We surveyed more than 1,000 Skimm'r moms to find out how they're really doing – from parenting through a pandemic to dealing with a shecession, balancing work and home life, and so much more. Here's what we learned:
And that's not all. Head here for more on what millennial moms had to say about the biggest challenges, the top stressors, and how they unwind.
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Here are today's recs to help you live a smarter life...
1. Swimwear that'll get you (even more) excited for summer. Summersalt's suits are flattering, made from recycled materials, and start at just $95. Oh, and have UPF 50+ protection. Plus Skimm'rs get $10 toward their purchase. Guess you can have it all. See what we mean.*
2. What to read when you're ready to make money moves. This new guide from Black self-made millionaire Rachel Rodgers is all about helping women and people from marginalized communities build wealth. And grow their bank balances stat. Check it out.*
3. Filters that help food stay fresher longer. Frigidaire's PureFresh™ Air Filter fits in any fridge and is up to 20 times more effective than baking soda.† Pair it with their PureFresh Fruit and Veggie Saver™, which keeps produce from ripening too quickly. Win-win.*
4. Something to keep you going now that there are places to go. These 90-calorie bars provide long-lasting energy. And Skimm'rs can get a free sampler of their best-selling flavors, like vanilla latte and salted peanut butter. Just pay shipping.*
5. A vaccination card holder so yours doesn't get dirty. Because we all know how easy it is to mess up a piece of paper. Or lose it. This holder will keep it safe no matter where you go. Cheers to a vaccinated you.
PS: Like what you see here? Make sure you're signed up to get more picks like these in your inbox every Thursday. We've got exclusive shopping recs, streaming ideas, life hacks, and more.
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*PS: This is a sponsored post.
†Performance may vary pending the application.
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We like to celebrate the wins, big and small. Let us know how your friends, neighbors, coworkers (and yes, even you) are making career moves, checking off goals, or making an impact in the community.
Setting up goals...Brittany K (NV). She's the head coach for REBEL, a nonprofit girls lacrosse team whose mission is to help girls afford higher education through athletic achievement. And are fundraising for new uniforms for players. Help out.
Risk it for the biscuit...Sophie H (WA). She's the owner of cookie company, Sophie Bay Biscuits. She hopes to feed connections, storytelling, and simple pleasures by sending poetry or a story with each cookie order, encouraging customers to take a break. That's how the cookie crumbles.
(Some) Birthdays...theSkimm's Molly Rosen (GA), Colin Gibson (NY), Jamie Wiener (NY), June Davis (MD), Barbara Enger (MO), Alex Marquette (LA), Bayli Rindels (KS), Marissa Lucas (NH), Julie Holloway (TX), Rosalie White (IL), Casey Perkins (GA), Jacquelyn Massaro (NY), Mary Elizabeth Buttitta (IL), Chloe Griffin (NJ), Binita Patel (FL)
*Paging all members of theSkimm. Reach out here for a chance to be featured.
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Looking for other smart ways to spend your time?
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Listen to our news podcast "Skimm This" for clarity on the biggest stories of the week.
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Skimm’d by Maria del Carmen Corpus, Mariza Smajlaj, Clem Robineau, and Julie Shain
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theSkimm50 West 23rd Street, Suite 5B; New York, NY, 10010, United States Update Profile
