Rep. Janelle Bynum called Trump's State of the Union challenge "racist" after he asked Congress to stand for prioritizing American citizens over immigrants.

While the United States and many Western countries are trying to push away immigrants and alienate minorities, one country bucks the trend by embracing and cherishing them. New Zealand has long pursued a policy of respectful multiculturalism grounded in the peaceful coexistence of its indigenous Maori people and European and other settlers. This admirable tradition is most vividly displayed during celebrations of the country’s national day. Known as Waitangi Day, which commemorates a treaty sign

Trump asks US Supreme Court to end protections for Syrian immigrants  The Straits Times

The Trump administration is pushing the Supreme Court to terminate temporary protected status for Syrian immigrants, a move that could impact thousands.

A new Ipsos/Reuters poll indicates that most Americans support deporting undocumented immigrants but do not approve of the harsh methods used by Donald Trump's administration.

Officials said information had been received about some migrants from Nigeria and Bangladesh allegedly residing in the city without proper authorisation. Legal action is being initiated against those found violating immigration norms.

An article discusses Europe's reliance on immigrants, particularly from Africa, to staff its essential healthcare sector.

A judge has ruled that deportations of undocumented immigrants by the Trump administration to countries that are not their home countries were illegal.

The IDF operation included an attack on two apartments in the camp where terrorists were hiding.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 12 suspected illegal immigrants from Mali in Ilorin, Kwara State following a tip-off. Read More: https://punchng.com/nscdc-arrests-12-illegal-immigrants-in-kwara/

JD Vance is spearheading a 'war on fraud' initiative under Trump, aiming to recover taxpayer money allegedly misused by illegal immigrants in federal programs.

Approximately 15,000 non-EU employees in Romania, primarily from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and India, send remittances to their families, concentrating in sectors where local labor is scarce.

Portugal's Social Security and AIMA have clarified that immigrants without a NISS (Social Security Identification Number) can be hired by companies, which then must inform Social Security for NISS issuance.

US President Trump has proposed 'Dalilah's Law,' legislation aimed at preventing states from granting driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants, following a case involving a young girl injured in a crash.

California Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has increased support for illegal immigrants by allocating $35 million in response to federal government actions.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in India has ordered a review of all birth records since 2016, reportedly as part of a crackdown on illegal Bangladeshi immigrants.

Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has issued a warning to immigrants, particularly those renewing residence permits, to inform Social Security of their address in Portugal and pay all required fees.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced $35 million in state funding to provide support for illegal immigrants, directly responding to President Donald Trump's mass deportation agenda.

President Donald Trump met with families of victims of illegal immigrants at the White House and announced the official designation of February 22 as a 'Day of Remembrance' for these victims.

President Donald Trump paused his Angel families ceremony to speak with Patty Morin about her health and eye surgery, as he honored victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Donald Trump has established a day to honor families of victims of undocumented immigrants, choosing the date in memory of Laken Riley, who was allegedly murdered by an undocumented migrant.

The Finnish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment reports that the good employment situation for immigrants has turned into mass unemployment, with the employment situation for Ukrainians being particularly bleak due to the weak economic climate.

Sweden is implementing stricter requirements for immigrants to qualify for welfare benefits.

Co-owner Ratcliffe told Sky News earlier this month that the United Kingdom had been “colonised by immigrants”.

A Guardian analysis finds the vast majority of people who entered deportation proceedings for the first time from January to August last year had no criminal convictions A Guardian analysis of governm

Highly qualified professionals in Sweden, including economists and engineers, are expressing growing anger over strict migration laws and the deportation of teenagers, citing cases like a daughter being deported despite her family's contributions.

Spain has decided to legalize approximately half a million undocumented immigrants, with individuals like Venezuelan Marzolay hoping to receive work permits soon.

The Department of Justice has revealed a two-year scheme where scammers created a fake courtroom and law firm, defrauding dozens of immigrants out of tens of thousands of dollars.

DHS announces ICE arrests targeting illegal immigrants convicted of violent crimes, including child rape and assault, amid rising threats against officers.

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's claims the UK has been "colonised by immigrants" will not lead to any sanction by the Football Association.

Kenneth Mohammed argues that Donald Trump's attacks on judges and weakening of global safeguards are eroding democracy, calling for someone to stand up to the US.

Congressional Democrats are warning that the U.S. Census Bureau risks undermining an upcoming test of the 2030 census by using a form that includes a citizenship question

A proposed rule by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) could lead to the eviction of nearly 80,000 people, including many U.S. citizen children, from their homes.

The crackdown follows heightened scrutiny on states that handed out commercial driver's licenses to immigrants

My wife and I at our new home in Canada. Tara Pyfrom After a hurricane hit our home in the Bahamas in 2019, we decided to permanently move to Canada. Our family did so after a three-week whirlwind of online research and thorough paperwork. The quick move wasn't easy, but we're still in Canada six years later and glad we did it. "I guess we're moving to Canada." It was a quiet, almost outrageous statement considering our position. Just a few weeks earlier, Hurricane Dorian had slammed into our home in the Bahamas, a country I'd lived in my entire life. My family had spent 24 hours trapped in our attic, praying the roof would hold before evacuating to nearby Florida. Once we arrived, we found ourselves stuck in immigration limbo. For as long as possible, we tried to remain in Florida, close to home. However, in the wake of the disaster, the US authorities limited many Bahamians to stays of only a few weeks, our family among them. We had no legal option to stay in the US long-term, but we didn't want to return to devastation, either. This left us with very little time to figure out a future for our 6-year-old daughter and four dogs. Canada started to seem like our best option, since the country was actively looking for immigrants, with pathways toward legal permanent residency. We weren't confident in our choice, but we committed. I wish I'd known what was in store for us over the next three weeks. We spent the next few weeks searching for signs and navigating red tape We decided to move to a town near an ocean in Canada. Tara Pyfrom Once we'd set our sights on Canada, we narrowed our search to areas that met our nonnegotiables: Our home had to be near the ocean and within driving distance of some of our relatives in the US. We looked into school districts and housing costs and settled on a small town we'd only ever seen on Google Maps and Google Earth. From our temporary place in Florida, I cried and squinted over blurry Street Views, looking for a sign from the universe. During the most frantic time of my life, I learned to pay attention to the things that soothed my soul and made me breathe easier. The endless forests lining the residential streets, the deer-crossing signs, and the knowledge that the ocean would be just a short drive away were our consolations. My wife found a home on a local real-estate site that was the size and location we were hunting for. When we spotted a seashell from the tropics sitting on the bathroom counter in the grainy photos, it felt like a sign from the universe that we were on the right path. When we showed up, the place turned out to be the perfect fit. Our move to Canada happened quickly and frantically, but it worked out in the end. Tara Pyfrom Of course, our journey wasn't as simple as just selecting a property to call home. Moving to a brand-new country can be a legal maze full of dead ends. We knew we needed help with our immigration applications almost right away, but we didn't know anyone in the field to ask questions. We reached out to every Canadian we knew, asking for a referral to an immigration attorney. It didn't take long to find one: the ex-wife of our daughter's camp counselor's sister. The world might be a big place, but six degrees of separation is still a solid link. The paperwork was overwhelming. Every time I thought we finally had everything, our lawyer emailed another list of documents we needed. I ended up calling in favors back home and begging officials for copies of things as I struggled with the delays and extra stress. I learned the hard way that I should have all our important documents in the cloud before ever needing them. The whirlwind move wasn't pretty, but 6 years later, I'm still glad we did it I learned a lot throughout the move. Tara Pyfrom Moving to a new country with only three weeks of preparation is unhinged. For a long time, we struggled with mental-health issues from the trauma of the hurricane and the quick, major changes that followed. I didn't handle the stress well at all. I threw a fork at the dinner table once and had a full-on anxiety attack when I couldn't find the car keys. To-do lists became my lifeline, and eventually, I accepted that I couldn't make the process perfect. It took years of therapy to feel stable again and for our new home to really feel like home. Eventually, we managed to focus on the good in Canada, even though it was so different from where we'd lived before. We learned our new country had more in common with the Bahamas than we realized, like an abundance of kind people and dedicated families. Our family is in Canada now, but still has our Bahamian roots. Tara Pyfrom Today, we even tease our daughter that she is more Canadian than Bahamian when she insists she doesn't need a coat in sub-zero temperatures. At times, we catch ourselves acting very much like the locals — complaining about the weather constantly and apologizing for everything. Six years later, I'm confident this move was the best decision we could have made for ourselves and our family. However, I still tell people, "Don't move to a new country with only three weeks of planning!" Sometimes, though, there's little choice in the matter. And whether it's been planned for three weeks or three years, a move won't ever be perfect. Moving to a new country quickly is ridiculous, complex, and emotional, but survivable — and you can find peace on the other side of the chaos. Read the original article on Business Insider

Harvard offers "Immigrant Justice Lab" course where students help asylum seekers, sparking controversy over prioritizing immigrants over American students.

Two men, identified as illegal immigrants, have been arrested on charges including forcible sexual offense and kidnapping following a violent home invasion.

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Billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has drawn criticism for stating that the UK has been 'colonised by immigrants' in an interview.

A new report on immigration in Spain reveals that immigrants from the Americas constitute 70% of foreign residents, with Morocco being the leading country of origin.

Republican lawmakers have introduced the 'Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act' in both the House and Senate, seeking to prevent undocumented immigrants from serving as armed law enforcement officers.

Biden-Appointed Judge Rules Illegal Immigrants Can Dispute Third Country Deportations Authored by Stacy Robinson via The Epoch Times, A federal judge ruled on Feb. 25 that the government cannot deport illegal immigrants to so-called third countries without giving them “meaningful notice” and an opportunity to dispute their removal. In Wednesday’s ruling, Massachusetts District Judge Brian Murphy (nominated by President Biden on March 21, 2024) declared unlawful two policy mem...

Georgia Republicans are introducing a bill to hold sanctuary jurisdictions financially accountable for damage and crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

White storks (Ciconia ciconia) in Berettyóújfalu, Hajdú-Bihar County, on July 4, 2025 When the storks return to Hungary from their winter quarters in the coming weeks, they will find a modernized “housing offer” awaiting them. Energy supplier E.ON Hungária is investing in bird protection to make nesting on power poles safer. The arrival of white […] The post Warm Welcome for Immigrants: 3,300 Nests Prepared for Returning Storks appeared first on Hungary Today.

Icelandic ministers are advocating for improved integration of skilled immigrants, citing OECD data that shows 40% of university-educated immigrants are employed in roles that do not match their qualifications.

The Cuban musical duo Gente de Zona, winners of six Latin Grammys, advocates for a free Cuba and urges Donald Trump to be fair to immigrants, ahead of their Spanish tour.

An opinion piece criticizes the government's proposed reforms, stating that making integration more difficult will not improve it and threatens to fragment educational paths for immigrants.

A report claims that a MAGA-owned company brought immigrants into the US using B-1 and visitor visas, under a 'shuttle support' scheme.

A US federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's practice of expedited deportation of undocumented immigrants to third countries, declaring it unlawful.

The Swedish government announced plans to drastically increase the number of immigrants deported after conviction, stating that any crime punishable by more than a fine should be grounds for deportation.

The musical performance 'ASTORIA' is set to premiere soon, transporting audiences to Interwar New York where a small Greek community thrives in an Astoria cafe, with song becoming their voice.

Swedish businesses warn that the threatened deportation of children of labor immigrants risks a 'brain drain,' causing important skilled workers to leave Sweden. Industry groups urge the government to halt the teenage deportations.

A court has ruled that the IRS can continue to share taxpayer data of immigrants with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

A court has ruled that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is permitted to continue sharing taxpayer data belonging to immigrants with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The play 'ASTORIA' is being revived at the Pallas Theatre, telling a story of love, strength, and survival among Greek immigrants in the harsh world of foreign lands in the 1920s, featuring an impressive cast.

White House officials Kaelan Dorr and Karoline Leavitt publicly criticized CNN for its lack of coverage of a ceremony honoring families who lost loved ones to crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Opinion: Faced with fiscal woes, Danielle Smith takes aim at immigrants  The Globe and Mail

California expanding services for immigrants amid Trump’s deportation push  AP News

Sweden's Social Democrats are criticizing the government's and Sweden Democrats' proposal that immigrants must reside in Sweden for five years before being eligible for certain benefits.

One must have lived in Sweden for five years to be eligible for social insurance. This is proposed by the government and SD today.

New data from Pordata indicates that Portugal has one of the lowest purchasing powers in the EU and has seen the largest increase in housing costs, despite being a top destination for immigrants.

At the Viña del Mar, Chile International Song Festival, the Cuban-American artist criticized Donald Trump’s immigration policy. The post Gloria Estefan Denounces Persecution of Immigrants in USA appeared first on Havana Times.

A Guardian analysis of government records revealed that 77% of individuals who entered deportation proceedings for the first time between January and August last year had no criminal convictions.

Sweden is tightening its rules on arrivals and citizenship to combat gang crime and other issues, making living conditions harder for immigrants and planning more deportations.

Michael Imperioli says many "Sopranos" characters would be Trump supporters despite being immigrants. The HBO star discusses politics and the show's themes.

Federal prosecutors have arraigned four individuals in New Jersey for allegedly operating a fake law firm and court proceedings to defraud immigrants, with a fifth suspect at large.

Man Utd owner Jim Ratcliffe has avoided sanctions from the FA after his controversial claim that the UK was 'colonised' by immigrants, though he was reminded of his responsibilities.

Michael Carrick has praised Manchester United's 'diversity' following comments made by Ratcliffe regarding immigrants, addressing the issue in the context of the club.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is reviving a Trump-era proposal that would allow for the eviction of undocumented immigrants from public housing, a move that could displace thousands of U.S. citizens and legal residents.

A progressive group reports a decrease in police killings during Trump's deportation push, contradicting predictions of increased violence in sanctuary cities. Meanwhile, a federal judge accuses the Trump administration of 'terror' against immigrants.

Trump Admin Closes CDL Loophole That Let Illegal Immigrants Drive Big-Rigs The Department of Transportation shut down a major safety vulnerability this past week that had allowed illegal immigrant drivers to operate commercial trucks on American highways despite having no verifiable driving history. “For far too long, America has allowed dangerous foreign drivers to abuse our truck licensing systems – wreaking havoc on our roadways. This safety loophole ends today,” Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement. “Moving forward, unqualified foreign drivers will be unable to get a license to operate an 80,000-pound big rig. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first. From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on.” The reform targets a gaping hole in how states issue commercial driver's licenses to foreign nationals. While licensing agencies can screen U.S. drivers through national databases for past violations like DUIs or crash history, they cannot access records of foreigners and illegal immigrants. That loophole enabled at least 30 states to issue CDLs to drivers deemed ineligible. Under the old system, foreign drivers holding only work permits could obtain commercial trucking licenses because Employment Authorization Documents don't indicate prior traffic violations, accidents, or license suspensions in other countries. States had no way to know whether an applicant had a clean record or a history of reckless driving before allowing them to operate an 80,000-pound vehicle. The new rule formally codifies Duffy's emergency action from last September that ended the issuance of non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses to truckers with unverified driving histories. EADs will no longer be accepted as proof of eligibility. Applicants must instead present an unexpired foreign passport along with the appropriate Form I-94, which tracks a noncitizen's entry to and exit from the United States. “Under the provisions, only foreign nationals holding temporary work visas, such as H‑2B, H‑1B, or temporary investor visas from treaty countries, known as E‑2 visas, may be eligible,” explains Fox News Digital. “In addition, states must verify the lawful immigration status of every applicant by checking the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system.” At least 30 people died in 17 crashes caused by non-domiciled commercial driver’s license holders in 2025, according to reports. Among the most serious incidents, a non-domiciled driver triggered a multi-vehicle crash inside a tunnel on Interstate 80 in Wyoming on February 14, killing three people and injuring 20 others. On August 12, another non-domiciled driver caused a crash on the Florida Turnpike that left three people dead after attempting an illegal U-turn. In California, a driver failed to stop for traffic on October 21, setting off an eight-vehicle collision that killed three. Later in the year, on December 3, a non-domiciled driver collided with a train at a marked crossing in Ontario, California, killing a crew member. “We are done letting foreign drivers wreak havoc on our roads. If you’re behind the wheel of a big rig, you must meet our standards—no exceptions,” Duffy said in a post on X Saturday. The final rule is expected to take effect in one month, around March 15.  “A critical safety gap allowed unqualified drivers with unknown driving histories to get behind the wheel of commercial vehicles,” said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek D. Barrs. “We are closing that gap today to ensure that only qualified, vetted drivers are operating on our nation’s roadways. If we cannot verify your safe driving history, you cannot hold a CDL in this country.” Duffy praised the reform as one of several steps the Trump administration is taking to bolster transportation safety, including enforcing English language standards for drivers. In May, Secretary Duffy signed an order establishing new guidelines to strengthen English language enforcement for commercial truck operators, placing drivers who fail English proficiency tests out of service. "Under President Trump's leadership, we are putting the safety of the driving public first," Duffy said. "From enforcing English language standards to holding fraudulent carriers accountable, we will continue to attack this crisis on our roads head on." Tyler Durden Wed, 02/18/2026 - 23:00

Spain is exploring solutions to the backlash against migrants in wealthy countries, potentially offering a new model for immigration policies.

We want to get a better picture of what medical care for immigrants in detention is like.

The country is hoping its new amnesty for undocumented immigrants will avoid a public backlash.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace introduces legislation to make non-citizens convicted of animal abuse deportable and inadmissible to the U.S.

Oregon Democrats unanimously rejected a proposal that would require state authorities to notify ICE when illegal immigrants convicted of violent felonies are released from prison.

A discussion is ongoing in Norway about whether it is good integration policy to have highly educated immigrants, such as bioengineers, working as cleaners, highlighting an ethnically divided labor market.

Former President Donald Trump has asked the US Supreme Court to terminate protections for Syrian immigrants, a move that could impact thousands of individuals currently residing in the United States.

The Knesset has passed a bill that exempts US immigrants (olim) from paying Israeli National Insurance for five years, aiming to prevent double payments and reduce financial burdens to encourage aliyah.

A record number of Americans moved out of the United States last year, surpassing immigrants for the first time since the Great Depression, a trend the Trump administration attributes to its policies.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, speaking in the Sejm (Polish parliament) on 26 February, praised Ukrainian immigrants for their high level of economic activity in Poland, noting that they…

A new bill aims to close a loophole allegedly abused by Democrats to hire undocumented immigrants for police roles.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering a move to place banks on the 'front line' of the fight against irregular migration by potentially changing the relationship between citizens and the US banking system for those unable to prove citizenship.

A social media post suggests that two American cardinals confronted US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to prevent the detention of immigrants.

DHS reports nearly 3 million illegal immigrants have left the U.S. under Trump administration policies, boasting the "most secure border in American history."

US President Donald Trump has called on Congress to pass a 'Delilah Law' aimed at curbing illegal immigration, specifically to bar illegal immigrants from receiving commercial driver's licenses.

DHS accuses Democratic lawmakers of hosting "illegal aliens" and those allegedly arrested for obstructing ICE operations as State of the Union guests.

The mother of Rachel Morin, a victim murdered by an illegal immigrant, criticizes politicians for treating Americans as 'casualties' in the immigration debate and demands accountability for victims of crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

Denmark continues to face issues with second-generation immigrants being forcefully sent to their parents’ countries for 're-education' trips.

Trump administration's ICE deportation policies face scrutiny as Irish immigrant case challenges claims of racial bias in immigration enforcement efforts.

People who suffered the loss of a family member slain by illegal immigrants thanked President Trump as his administration seeks to tackle illegal immigration.

Donald Trump proclaimed February 22 as 'National Angel Families' Day' in memory of victims of illegal immigrants in the US, during a White House ceremony, amidst intensified administration policies.

A daily news round-up from Sweden on February 23rd, 2026, covering topics such as criticism of citizenship policies, a fire in Stockholm, restrictions on immigrant benefits, and Team Sweden's record performance at the Winter Olympics.

The Swedish government is proposing new rules that would require immigrants to have five years of legal residency before being eligible for various welfare benefits.

A Spanish article advocates for empathy, using the regularization of immigrants as an example to argue that humanism should not be an exceptional trait.

“The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants" The post Michael Imperioli thinks ‘The Sopranos’ characters would now “probably be Trump supporters” appeared first on

A fintech company that has successfully catered to Hispanic immigrants is now facing the challenge of navigating and surviving the political climate under the Trump administration.

Gloria Estefan has spoken out against the detention of immigrants in the US, urging Latinos to raise their voices and distinguishing between criminals and contributing families.

“The Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli told The Independent that the characters in the HBO crime drama would “probably” be supporters of Donald Trump if the show were made today. “The show is about the American dream, especially through the eyes of immigrants,” Imperioli said. “I think that would be one of the big themes if […]

A child of immigrants reflects on how winter shaped her life and expresses nostalgia as the season becomes increasingly unpredictable.

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's claims the UK has been "colonised by immigrants" will not lead to any sanction by the Football Association.

Michael Carrick praised Manchester United's diversity following comments made by Ratcliffe regarding immigrants.

It's just over a week since Sir Jim Ratcliffe came out with his claim that the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants". Ratcliffe offered a qualified apology amid the storm of protest at his comments, with United themselves issuing a statement highlighting the inclusivity work they are engaged in. As United were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by Brighton and are not in Europe this season, today is the first time Michael Carrick will sit in front of the media since then, and he is bound to be asked about it.

A U.S. federal judge has accused the Trump administration of 'terror' against immigrants and vacated a ruling that endorsed the administration's policy of mass detention.

US Coast Guard Seizes $133.5 Million In Illicit Drugs Authored by Naveen Athrappully via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), Crew of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Seneca seized more than $133.5 million worth of cocaine and offloaded the drugs at Port Everglades, Florida, the agency said in a Feb. 13 statement. The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk (WMEC 913) and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter flight crew conduct training evolutions in the Caribbean Sea, on July 15, 2025. Seaman Corrie Gill/U.S. Coast Guard “80 percent of interdictions of U.S.-bound drugs occur at sea. This underscores the importance of maritime interdiction in combatting the flow of illegal narcotics and protecting American communities from this deadly threat,” USCG said. In total, 17,700 pounds of cocaine were seized through the interdiction of four drug-transporting vessels in international waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. One of the drug vessels was boarded by Seneca’s crew on Jan. 25, seizing 4,410 pounds of cocaine. On Jan. 31, crew members boarded three vessels, taking custody of 13,340 pounds of cocaine, the statement said. The detection and monitoring of illegal drug transit by air and sea are conducted by the U.S. Southern Command’s Joint Interagency Task Force-South, based in Key West. Once it is determined that the vessel must be interdicted, the USCG takes control of the operation, boards the vessel, and apprehends it. “I am extremely proud of the crew’s incredible performance and adaptability during this deployment,” said Capt. Lee Jones, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Seneca. “This deployment demonstrates our enhanced posture and continued success in the fight against narco-terrorism and transnational criminal organizations. “The Coast Guard, in conjunction with our inter-agency and international partners, continues to patrol areas commonly associated with drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific, denying smugglers access to maritime routes by which they move illicit drugs to our U.S. land and sea borders.” According to the agency, the Coast Guard is accelerating its crackdown on drug trafficking in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Operation Pacific Viper, aiming to protect the United States from the flow of illicit narcotics from South America. Operation Pacific Viper, launched in early August last year, directs U.S. forces to the Eastern Pacific region to counter cartel and criminal groups, seeking to cut off drug and human smuggling before they hit U.S. shores. In early December 2025, USCG said in a statement that it had seized more than 150,000 pounds of cocaine from the Eastern Pacific Ocean, which it said was enough to create more than “57 million potentially lethal doses.” In a Feb. 14 statement, USCG announced the seizure of two vessels containing $5.6 million in illicit narcotics off Port Everglades. Authorities seized roughly 745 pounds of cocaine by interdicting two suspected drug trafficking vessels. “The Coast Guard is in the business of saving lives, and every kilogram of these drugs kept off our streets represents lives saved,” said Lt. Justin Dadlani, commanding officer of Station Fort Lauderdale. “I couldn’t be more proud of the professionalism of the crew and our continued partnerships with our partners with Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security Investigations.” On Feb. 15, the agency announced that its Cutter Forrest Rednour had interdicted 14 suspected illegal immigrants aboard a vessel 18 miles from San Diego, with all of them claiming to be Mexican nationals. Earlier on Jan. 27, the Coast Guard said they had interdicted three suspected illegal immigrants from Mexico in two vessels, seven miles off Imperial Beach, California. On Jan. 21, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the Coast Guard notified the agency of a suspicious vessel traveling toward Puerto Rico. Upon investigation, CBP agents found 12 migrants from Russia and Uzbekistan aboard. The interception took place on Jan. 13. “This successful outcome highlights the strong partnerships between the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, and all federal and local law enforcement partners in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” said Capt. Robert E. Stiles, Sector San Juan deputy. “Our daily unified coordination, shared capabilities, and synchronized response efforts are instrumental to safeguarding our nation’s Caribbean maritime borders against illicit smuggling activities.” Tyler Durden Thu, 02/19/2026 - 11:25

80% Plunge In Immigration Is Reshaping Labor Market Math, But AI Wildcard Looms: Goldman The Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration has resulted in an 80% collapse in net immigration to the USA, and has fundamentally altered the mathematics behind the nation's labor supply to the point where the level of job growth needed to maintain economic stability is now far lower, according to a new Goldman analysis.  After a flood of more than 10.8 million illegal immigrants (official figure) entered the United States under Biden, net immigration - both legal and illegal - has gone from roughly one million people per year in the 2010s to around 500,000 in 2025, with a further drop to just 200,000 projected by Goldman for 2026. This has sharply reduced labor-force growth and lowered the economy's "breakeven" pace of job creation, the bank opines. Here's Goldman vs. Brookings vs. the Congressional Budget Office on net immigration: Now, the US will only need around 50,000 new jobs per month by the end of this year to keep the unemployment rate from rising, down from roughly 70,000 today. At the same time, Goldman says labor demand still looks "shaky" because job growth is narrow and job openings are trending lower - with the main downside risk being a faster, more disruptive AI-driven adjustment that could tamp down hiring or raise job losses beyond current estimates.  Elevated deportations, tighter visa / green-card policies, a pause in immigrant visa processing that affects dozens of countries, and the loss of Temporary Protected Status for some groups, Goldman suggests there is additional downside risk to the workforce. A shakier demand picture Of course, new math on the labor supply doesn't mean the labor market is strong (duh)... In fact, Goldman describes demand as “shaky,” writing that job growth has become increasingly narrow - dominated by healthcare - and that job openings have continued to fall. Openings are now around seven million, below pre-pandemic levels and still declining. Because fewer new workers are entering the economy, hiring no longer needs to run as hot to prevent unemployment from drifting higher. “A small pickup is all that should be needed to sustain job growth at the breakeven pace,” according to the report, arguing that weaker-looking payroll numbers may increasingly mask a labor market that is merely treading water rather than deteriorating. Official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show a similar trend, with job openings drifting toward the mid-six-million range late last year. A continued slide in openings, Goldman warns, would increase the risk that unemployment rises more meaningfully, even with slower labor-force growth. There is also a risk that tighter immigration enforcement is pushing more workers into informal or off-the-books employment. If so, official payroll data could understate the true level of labor-market activity, complicating the Federal Reserve’s task of gauging economic momentum. AI looms as the wildcard Goldman sees artificial intelligence (AI) as the largest downside risk to the labor outlook - not because it has already triggered mass layoffs, but because it may restrain hiring at the margin. So far, the firm estimates that AI-related substitution has shaved only 5,000 to 10,000 jobs from monthly growth in the most exposed industries. But a faster or more disruptive deployment could weigh more heavily on demand. ...the main reason that we worry about downside risk to our baseline forecast that the labor market will stabilize going forward is the possibility of a faster and more disruptive deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). While plenty of recent anecdotes point to a potentially faster rate of adoption and corresponding job losses, it is hard to know how these will translate to macroeconomic outcomes. -Goldman The bank shows that job growth has slowed and turned slightly negative in several subindustries where AI is most ready to deploy, while company-level anecdotes indicate that AI is already reducing the need for workers. The impact, while visible, remains 'moderate' so far.  For now, the bank expects the unemployment rate to drift only modestly higher, toward 4.5%, while Goldman chief economist Jan Hatzius said in a separate note (available to Pro subs) that the probability of a recession next year is "moderate" at 20%. The labor market, in the firm’s words, is taking “early steps toward stabilization.” The paradox is that stability may increasingly look like weakness. As immigration slows and the workforce grows more slowly, payroll gains that once signaled trouble may soon be enough to keep the labor market steady - at least on paper. h/t Capital.news Tyler Durden Wed, 02/18/2026 - 19:40

James Deering's 1916 winter home is located less than 10 minutes away from the heart of Miami. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museums and Gardens Vizcaya, built by James Deering more than a century ago, might be Miami's most valuable real estate. The 45,000-square-foot mansion has a total of 54 rooms, with the main house open to the public. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin began assembling a waterfront compound next to the historic mansion in 2022. The exorbitant price tags on Miami's luxury real estate are not a secret to anyone, least of all the flock of billionaires moving to the city. But unlike the high-rise apartments in the financial center of Brickell or exclusive mansions in Indian Creek — where you might be neighbors with Jeff Bezos or Ivanka Trump — the city's potentially most valuable piece of real estate is decorated with limestone, mangroves, and tiles salvaged from Cuban estates. Built between 1914 and 1922 by International Harvester heir and Gilded Age millionaire James Deering as a winter home, Villa Vizcaya sits fewer than 10 minutes from downtown Miami, in a waterfront neighborhood that's quickly becoming a magnet for the city's new billionaire residents. While built in the years following the Gilded Age, it is notable for its Gilded Age-era extravagance, technologies, and collection of fine art. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens estimates the mansion cost $26 million to build, which is more than $800 million in today's money, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Florida International University estimates that the mansion is worth over $1 billion today. In 1962, Miami-Dade County bought the property for $1 million, and today, the 45,000-square-foot mansion and its surrounding gardens operate as a museum open to the public. Shortly after announcing that Citadel would move its headquarters from Chicago to Miami, CEO Ken Griffin bought up a waterfront compound less than a half-mile from Vizcaya, in the neighborhood of Coconut Grove. The $106.9 million sale set a country record for the most expensive residential property purchase at the time. Since then, the hedge fund magnate has proposed relocating the historic Villa Serena mansion, located on his estate, to Vizcaya's campus after he donated $20 million to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Take a look inside James Deering's historic mansion and see how its new neighbor could alter the surrounding landscape. Vizcaya was James Deering's winter home from 1916 until his death in 1925. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Struggling with illness toward the end of his life, James Deering came to Miami, then a small city surrounded by mangrove forests and wetlands, looking for tropical warmth, which was believed to help improve health. By the turn of the century, the Deering family had begun to develop estates around South Florida, with patriarch William Deering purchasing a home in Coconut Grove in 1900. By the time James Deering began building Vizcaya, his brother, Charles Deering, was also developing a winter home in the south of Miami. The property, known today as Deering Estate, also operates as a museum and is open to the public. The main house features 54 rooms, including 34 rooms decorated with their original furniture. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Spanning over 45,225 square feet, Vizcaya's main house features the living spaces of James Deering himself, his guests, and the house staff. Envisioned by interior designer Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya drew inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, adapted to South Florida's subtropical climate, and showcases furniture, artworks, and artifacts purchased by Chalfin and Deering on their travels to Europe. Although Miami's population was estimated to be only 10,000 in 1916, the construction of the Vizcaya estate employed an estimated 1,000 workers, many of whom were Black immigrants from the Bahamas. Apart from the main house, Vizcaya is also home to the Vizcaya Village, the historic quarters of the mansion's workers and farmers that allowed Vizcaya to serve as a self-sufficient farm-to-table estate. The Village expands over 12 acres and includes 11 "architecturally significant" buildings, according to the museum's website. The tour begins in the courtyard, which is adorned with tropical plants. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Lined with tropical plants such as palms and philodendrons, the courtyard highlights South Florida's natural beauty while reflecting the mansion's European inspirations. While today the courtyard is covered by a glass canopy that allows for the estate's air conditioning, it was originally open to the elements, allowing the tropical climate to seep into the main house. Meant to be used as Vizcaya's main entrance, the East Loggia opens up to the Biscayne Bay. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Featuring marble floors and columns and decorated ceilings, the East Loggia was meant to serve as Vizcaya's main entrance for guests arriving by sea, which was Deering's intended — and preferred — way of entering the mansion. It was used as an entrance for guests who arrived by boat, while the current main entrance of the museum was used as a back entrance for guests arriving by car. The room also features a model boat hanging from its ceiling in honor of the explorers who inspired Deering's interpretation of Vizcaya. Although he began living in Vizcaya during his retirement, Deering included multiple working spaces in the property. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider James Deering was heir to the International Harvester manufacturing firm, which produced tractors and other agricultural machinery, and he worked as its vice president from 1902 until 1909. Deering might have been one of the first prominent Florida "snowbirds," retirees who travel South during the colder months. His downstairs library, located in the northwest corner of the main house, is steps from the entrance hall that welcomes guests. It features Deering's personal book collection, desks for him and a secretary, and seats for business guests. When closed, the door leading to the next room — a reception room meant for entertaining guests — is concealed within the book-lined walls. The reception room features a ceiling imported from Venice, which had to be resized to fit. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The reception room is lined with tropical-inspired silk panels showing palm trees. Our tour guide brought our attention to the ceiling, which is decorated with sculpted panels that extend to the sides of the room. The ceiling was imported from Venice and purchased before construction on the property was finished. By the time workers were putting up the decorations in the mansion, they realized that the ceiling panel did not fit the room dimensions, leading to the restructuring of the panel, which curved into the walls. "We should remember that this house was built during the First World War," curator Flaminia Gennari said in the audio tour. "So to import large quantities from Italy in the middle of the war was very complicated." Vizcaya's telephone line was one of the first in Miami. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Wired throughout the house, Vizcaya features a highly innovative telephone system for the time. Only 17 years before the start of Vizcaya's construction, the Miami Telephone Company began providing telephone service to the city. Vizcaya's telephones also featured automatic electric exchange, allowing users to connect directly to the number they dialed without going through a human operator. The telephone room, located between two of Vizcaya's main entertainment rooms, was meant for guests to communicate privately without disturbing the flow of the entertainment. The living room showcased Deering's most impressive collections. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The living room, with its 1600s limestone fireplace, features some of Vizcaya's most impressive items, including an "admiral carpet" originally commissioned in the 1450s by the grandfather of King Ferdinand II of Spain, the Spanish king who sponsored Christopher Columbus' exploration of the Americas. The room also features throne-like armchairs where US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II sat in 1987 during the Pope's visit to America. A centerpiece of the room is the Welte Philharmonic Organ, designed to fill the house with music through elaborate sound systems. Designed for guests rather than full-time professional players, the organ uses perforated paper rolls to aid the musicians' performance by adjusting notes and volume. Concealing the organ pipes is an oil painting, which was cut in half to cover wooden doors. "Chalfin had the idea of cutting it in half and using it as the doors of the organs, which is not a very respectful thing to do for a representation of the Virgin Mary, the child, and the saints, but it somehow testifies to the freedom and positive carelessness that they had around old objects," Gennari said in the audio tour. The mansion's formal dining room features the house's oldest artifacts, although it was rarely used. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens While Deering himself didn't often eat in the formal dining room, he made sure it was impressively decorated for his guests. Sitting to the side is the room's most awe-inspiring feature: a marble tabletop on carved bases resembling mythical creatures, historical artifacts unearthed near Pompeii, dating back to the times before Mount Vesuvius' eruption. Next to the dining room, on the south side of the mansion, the enclosed loggia gave guests a view of the gardens. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The colorful glass panels, designed for Vizcaya, feature the estate's main symbols: the seahorse and the caravan. Providing a view of the garden through the glass panels and double doors, the enclosed loggia allowed guests to take in the garden views while staying cool from the Florida sun. The loggia also connects the gardens to the main house through sculpted iron gates. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Aside from giving guests an inside view of the gardens from the ground level, the room also connects the outdoors to the rest of the mansion. Downstairs, the kitchen worked as a serving space for staff to plate food and bring it to guests. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider When designing Vizcaya, Deering asked for the main kitchen to be built upstairs as he didn't want the smell of food to flood the main entertaining rooms on the first floor. To facilitate the transportation of meals and the serving of guests to the dining room, the entertaining rooms, and the loggia, he built a downstairs serving pantry. Today, the serving pantry cabinets display one set of Deering's fine dining china, the one designated for his 80-foot-long luxury yacht, Nepenthe. Commissioned in 1912 to be shipped from Europe, the original set of china purchased by Deering was transported to America as cargo aboard the Titanic. After the ship sank, a replacement set was ordered and is now displayed. The kitchens feature state-of-the-art Gilded Age technology. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Throughout the house, Deering incorporated cutting-edge technology, including annunciators with bells connected throughout the house that Deering or guests could ring at any time to get the house staff's attention. Another then-advanced feature of the serving kitchen were its refrigerators, which were rare at the time. The kitchen also featured a warming oven that helped keep food warm while guests were served. Connecting to the upstairs kitchen, which serves as the house's main cooking area, was a dumbwaiter: a food elevator meant to carry the food cooked upstairs to the downstairs plating area, where staff would then take it to the main entertaining rooms, like the dining and sitting rooms. Upstairs, 24 rooms housed guests, staff, and Deering himself. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Nine of the bedrooms were dedicated to guests and each was given a name and decorated uniquely, showcasing the artifacts and furniture purchased by Deering and Chalfin on trips to Europe. While not open to the public, an additional 14 rooms housed staff. Another then-advanced technological feature of Vizcaya was its elevator. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Deering was motivated to move to South Florida because of his illness, so accessibility features were built throughout the house, including an elevator he would use when using a wheelchair or to avoid walking upstairs. Today, the elevator isn't open to the public, and the museum's second floor is not wheelchair accessible. Deering's main office was inspired by the Napoleonic era. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Connected to Deering's bedroom and bathroom, the sitting room was his office where he would tend to business and personal matters, such as sorting his mail. The decoration style was inspired by Napoleonic France. Deering's bedroom was modest compared to some of his guest bedrooms. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Unmarried all his life, Deering's room features a single bed rather than a larger size, and his room is furnished for practicality rather than aesthetics. His personal bathroom has one of the most breathtaking views of the property. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Opening onto a balcony, Deering's bathroom overlooks Biscayne Bay and offers one of the best views of the house, although it is not accessible to the public today. The closed-off balcony also leads to a secret door to the Espagnolette, the guest bedroom located next to his, usually reserved for Deering's dearest guests. Spiral staircases lead to the South tower. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider A set of spiral staircases leads up to the South tower, one of the two guest suites overlooking the estate. The tower bedroom has views of the bay and the gardens. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The corner room atop the North tower was designed to transport guests to Europe. "Water reflects upwards to the ceiling and the sound of waves is audible in this room, precisely as upon the quay of this great canal of Venice," noted Chalfin about the room, according to the mansion's website. A central piece in the room is a large wardrobe assembled with 1700s Venetian panels, as well as antique painted closet doors. The breakfast room was Deering's preferred dining space. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Back on the second floor, the breakfast room was the central entertaining spot. The room is lined with oil paintings depicting ocean scenes, and the windows slide into pocket doors, revealing views of the garden. It also features a sound system, with a piano hidden in a room off the spiral staircase next door and connected to the breakfast room through floor vents that allow sound to travel into the space. Most of the time, Deering opted to dine in this room rather than the formal dining space. Tucked next to the breakfast room is the main kitchen. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Designed to maximize staff efficiency, the main kitchen upstairs has different areas for different tasks, including separate sinks for washing dishes and produce. It also features ice boxes, or refrigerators of the time, powered by salt water. During Deering's time at the estate, Vizcaya employed two French chefs dedicated to food and pastries. Food served at the mansion was sourced from the staff village built across the street, where a farm provided vegetables, dairy, chicken, herbs, and citrus. "You and I could come down and drive into the farm area, stop and buy a dozen Deering eggs and take them home and have them for breakfast, and I think that was probably particularly important during World War I," historian Arva Moore Parks said in the audio tour. "He was able to supply not only himself but his workers also." Inspired by European designs, the gardens feature mazes, terraces, fountains, and more. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Inspired by 17th- and 18th-century Italian and French villas, the Vizcaya gardens feature a variety of scenes, from a garden theater to multiple paths and mazes, intended to highlight and enhance the native South Florida flora surrounding the estate. The original layout of Vizcaya featured over 180 acres of subtropical forests. Today, that number has gone down to 50 acres. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan hosted Pope John Paul II at the estate. Diana Walker/Getty Images On September 10, 1987, President Ronald Reagan welcomed Pope John Paul II at Vizcaya, where the two conversed while exploring the gardens and the estate. Atop a garden mount is the Casino, a focal point of the gardens. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museums and Gardens Located at the top of garden mounds designed to block the reflection of water ponds into the main house, the garden casino — Italian for "little house" — was a space where Deering and his guests could take in the garden views or enjoy the subtropical weather without being in direct contact with the sun. Inside the building, a painted ceiling depicts heavenly images. Underneath, bathrooms and other now closed-off areas hide under decorated ceilings. Originally, the casino overlooked a water park part of the estate, where gondolas would be launched, a crucial part of Deering's vision for Vizcaya. Today, the water park no longer exists, and the land is instead taken up by a Catholic church, hospital, and schools after the Deering family sold part of the property to the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine in 1946. The opposite side of the estate was once used for clandestine entertainment; now, it is a café. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider While today a café sits underneath the mansion, the space served as a leisure center during Deering's stay. The rooms were filled with billiard tables, bowling alleys, and leather chairs. Hidden underneath the billiards table was also a roulette table, which Deering often used when his college friends visited the estate. The mansion, which opened at the peak of the Prohibition era, also had a decent supply of liquor, which Deering smuggled into the estate and hid in secret bars and cellars. The swimming pool is half-covered, providing relief from South Florida's relentless sun. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Tucked next to the leisure rooms underneath the main house is the half-indoor swimming pool, in which Deering is said to have only swum once. Designed as the main entry point to the mansion, the east side of the mansion opens up to a stone barge in the Biscayne Bay. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider When he first moved into his winter home in December 1916, Deering arrived by sea on what he intended was the front entrance to Vizcaya. Opening up to the Biscayne Bay, the waterfront side of the property features a stone barge, a sculpted structure that acts as a breakwater and protects the main house from changing tides and waves. Today, the mansion hosts private events and has become a local staple for Quinceañera pictures. The mansion is often used for private events. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Purchased from the Deering family by Miami-Dade County for $1 million in 1962, Vizcaya today operates as a museum open to the public and for private reservations. The estate often serves as the backdrop for Quinceañera pictures among Miami's large Hispanic population. Walking around the gardens, I saw multiple young women dressed in extravagant gowns posing in the many stunning locations of the estate. Along with being a photographic hot spot, Vizcaya also hosts private events, from Miami Swim Week runway shows to floral-decorated weddings in the gardens. Today, the estate remains an icon of Miami, a city that many would often relate to modern luxury rather than the old and classic wealth on display in Gilded Age-style mansions like Vizcaya. The Vizcaya Village could be the future home of Ken Griffin's Villa Serena. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens After purchasing the historic Villa Serena estate in Coconut Grove in 2022, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin proposed relocating the 1913 Mediterranean Revival mansion to Vizcaya's Village campus. The home, designed by architect August Geiger for William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate and former US secretary of state, is considered one of Miami's earliest grand waterfront residences. The proposal would move the century-old home from Griffin's property to Vizcaya's Village grounds, where it would be open to the public for the first time in its history and would benefit from an additional $5 million endowment provided by Griffin for its preservation. Any relocation would require extensive planning and government approvals, which have not yet been cleared. Skeptics have said that moving the structure would be an ambitious undertaking that wouldn't align with preservation goals. "Moving a historic structure is absolutely a last resort solution, to be done only if (there) is no other way possible to save a structure… It is not a preservation-minded alternative just because someone bought it and now doesn't want it," Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman, Miami's former historic preservation officer, told the Chicago Tribune in 2023. The Village originally served as Vizcaya's self-sufficient farm and the servants' quarters. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens The Vizcaya Village, which covers about 12 acres of agricultural fields and includes nearly a dozen buildings, was originally built as the quarters for the mansion's servants and farmers. Today, the campus houses a café and hosts a weekly farmers market, and is undergoing construction and expansions to transform the grounds into a cultural and community space. The Citadel CEO's $20 million donation will expand the village's role in the community. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens In November 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens announced a $20 million capital donation from Griffin and said that the funds would be used toward building a brand new Center for Learning and Discovery in the village grounds. Once open, the center will offer educational programming like "hands-on artmaking and urban-agriculture experiences," the museum organization wrote in the announcement. The expansion will seek to expand Vizcaya's role in its community. Read the original article on Business Insider

Readers have responded to billionaire Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe’s remark that 'the UK is being colonised by immigrants,' stating that his words have sullied the club's reputation.

In Defense Of Sir Jim Ratcliffe Authored by Charles Johnson via TheCritic.co.uk, Far more energy has gone into condemning his phrasing than confronting the questions he raised... Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s statement that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants” has sparked a fierce reaction. From Starmer to Bluesky, to the Athletic and all the football social media pundits in between, the co-owner of  Manchester United has been bombarded with the same attack lines repeatedly. He has been called a tax dodging, racist immigrant hypocrite. Such an uproar has flared up in such a short space of time because Ratcliffe is radically different from those who have issued similar statements before. Ratcliffe is not a political figure: you do not see billionaires nor football club owners voicing discontent like this. The pushback has been fierce because Ratcliffe has no political incentive to say any of this. He isn’t running for office, seeking favour, or chasing votes — which makes his intervention harder to dismiss. Part of the backlash, too, reflects an unease that his diagnosis may be accurate. The remarks came from an initial conversation regarding the economic challenges Britain faces in general, not solely on immigration. The snippet that has been so widely shared is merely part of a wider statement of the economic problems Britain faces; Ratcliffe refers to the issues of “immigration” and “nine million people” on benefits simultaneously. Manchester United part-owner has told @EdConwaySky the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants, who are draining resources from the state, as he warns of the country facing profound political, social and economic challenges. 🔗 https://t.co/bie6uFZ1Tp pic.twitter.com/qFpiO0HkfO February 11, 2026 Colonised is a strong opening salvo for a figure such as Ratcliffe, who is not known for any previous anti-migration stance. This generated responses of tone policing from his critics – cries that his choice of words were “disgraceful and deeply divisive” and that “this language and leadership has no place in English football” from Kick It Out, a notable “Anti Racism” football pressure group. There was no attempt to argue or debate: this was no more than tone policing, of “mate mate mate, you can’t say that mate”. It did not engage with the substantive point. It was not an argument. The Prime Minister has pushed for Ratcliffe to apologise. Less than a year ago, Starmer was referring to Britain as an ”Island of Strangers”; he has little argument here. Sir Ed Davey has stated that Ratcliffe is “totally wrong” and is “out of step with British Values”. Once again this is weak tone policing, not an argument. Regardless, which British values are being violated in particular? What are British values precisely meant to mean here? The fact is that Ratcliffe’s vocabulary choice is nowhere near as divisive as the impacts of mass migration in the last quarter century. Mass migration is the most important issue in British political debate. It has bought sectarianism, Bengali and Palestinian politics swinging both local council and Parliamentary elections, a deepening of housing crisis, the rape and murder of British women from taxpayer funded hotels and programs which bloat the welfare state even further. It is undeniable mass migration has defined British politics of the 2010s onwards. It has been much more harmful and divisive than any comment made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. His words are nothing compared to the actions of Deng Chol Majek, or Hedash Kebatu, to name a couple of examples. Critics have also cried that Ratcliffe is “an immigrant himself, dodging tax in Monaco”. The difference between Ratcliffe and migration into Britain is so different they are almost incomparable. In the 2017/18 tax year Ratcliffe was the fifth highest taxpayer in the country, footing a bill of £110.5 million. With such an extraordinarily high bill, it is no wonder that he has since moved to Monaco. Meanwhile, the average salary of of a migrant entering Britain in 2023 (which has fallen by £10,000 since 2021) was £32,946, according to a report by the Centre for Migration Control. From this we can estimate a migrant would pay about £5,000 in income tax. That means it would take over 22,000 (statistically average) migrants to foot the tax bill that Ratcliffe paid in one year alone. Ratcliffe has been an exceptional cash cow to the British state. He has been taxed incredible amounts and contributed more to this country than almost anyone currently living; to call him hypocritical since he dared to criticise migration and its impact on the welfare state is simply not fair. Census data from the ONS in 2021 shows that migrants from four nations – Somalia, Nigeria, Jamaica and Bangladesh – head over 104,000 social homes in London alone. With such incredible numbers of subsidised housing going to foreign born nationals, it is absolutely correct to state that mass migration is costing the British economy a fortune. The same census states that over 70% of Somali born households are in social housing in England and Wales, whilst also being of lowest contributors to income tax in the nation – paying well under the £5,000 stated per head previously. The increase and sheer scale of benefit reliance for many immigrants in Britain is not sustainable, and it is a problem that is right to be addressed. Perhaps the most nonsensical argument presented by some is that as co-owner of Manchester United he employs a significant number of immigrant players. Bruno Fernandes is not living in social housing in Wythenshawe. Benjamin Sesko is not in a single bed council flat in Hulme. When he arrived in Manchester last year, the first thing Senne Lammens did was not register for Universal Credit. Not a single foreign player is a drain on the state. They are, as elite athletes in the most lucrative league in the world, very clearly exceptions to the norm of British migration. The difference between Bruno Fernandes, who earns a reported £300,000 a week, and the over 40% of Bangladeshi immigrants who are economically inactive should really not need spelling out. We are referring to just 17 foreign senior team players who all earn more in a week than the average migrant – or Brit – will earn in a year. It is ludicrous  to even attempt to compare the two. Regardless, employing or working with immigrants does not mean you waive your right to criticise the state of affairs in Britain. As an Englishman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has a given and inalienable right to comment on the affairs of his country. Ratcliffe’s critics have entirely focused on his choice of the word “colonised”, and how they consider it inflammatory. This choice of phrase was not entirely accurate or intentional by Ratcliffe – proved by the fact he issued an apology over his “choice of language”, rather than the substance and argument behind his critique of the broader economic challenge of Britain. The bottom line is, Ratcliffe was right to raise a perfectly reasonable concern. He is directionally correct, and close enough to the truth that the obsessive focus around his phrasing is both absurd and clearly no more than a tactic to dodge the substance of his argument entirely. His critics have been intentionally evasive around the underlying subject: it is a harsh, necessary truth they have no reply too. They avoid the debate because, despite his wording being wrong, Ratcliffe is right. Tyler Durden Tue, 02/17/2026 - 06:30

Paul Scarr, the shadow immigration minister under Sussan Ley and South Australian senator Andrew McLachlan expressed concern Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast Liberal MPs have warned their new leader, Angus Taylor, against lurching further to the right, and imposing “blanket bans” on immigration after a proposal was leaked to adopt hardline Trump-like policies to ban immigrants from specific regions under terrorist control – including Gaza and Lebanon. Guardian Australia reported on Monday an immigration plan drafted under the former leader Sussan Ley, proposing to ban migrants from 37 regions of 13 countries where listed terrorist organisations have territorial control. Continue reading...

A month after granting mass amnesty to undocumented immigrants, Spain is urging Brussels to take migrants off its hands, highlighting ongoing challenges with migration.