Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.


Trump Administration to Reconsider Asylum Applications

The Trump administration may reconsider asylum applications for separated families. The decision, reports Reuters, comes as the government tries to settle a series of lawsuits related to its ‘zero-tolerance’ take on immigration. If approved, immigrant parents and their children ‘will get a second chance to apply for asylum.’ Consideration would be extended even to those


Judge Demands Iran Pay $104.7 Million for Funding 1996 Truck Bombing

A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ordered the Islamic Republic of Iran to pay $104.7 million to victims of a 1996 truck bombing in Saudi Arabia. Chief Judge Beryl Howell rendered a default judgment against Iran and its Revolutionary Guard, representatives for neither of which attended the proceedings or attempted to defend themselves from the


Peruvian Immigrant Settles with Alaska Police Over Arrest

A Peruvian immigrant in Alaska settled a lawsuit with Palmer police after its officers detained 38-year old Alex Caceda on civil immigration charges. The settlement, announced by the American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, curbs its litigation in exchange for $50,000, an official apology and changes to Palmer police procedure. Procedural changes, writes the Kansas City Star,


Arizona Voters Wary of Immigrants as Gubernatorial Race Heats Up

Right-wing politicians are taking a cue from the Trump administration’s playbook, warning voters that immigrants may take over the country under a Democratic government. “Everybody wants their community safe. Everybody wants America safe,” Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) told a group of Republican volunteers. “This is about community security. This is about opioids and the drugs


Colorado Sues Purdue Pharma Over Role in Opioid Crisis

Colorado’s attorney general is suing Purdue Pharma, the creator and manufacturer of OxyContin. The state’s chief prosecutor says the company must pay for its “significant role in causing the opioid epidemic.” And the lawsuit, writes the Washington Post, claims that Purdue Pharma L.P. and Purdue Pharma Inc. effectively deluded physicians and patients in Colorado about


A.G. Sessions Bolsters Immigration Courts

U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions says he plans to boost the nation’s force of immigration judges by 50%, with fulfillment expected by the end of this year. Sessions welcomed a new class of immigration judges on Monday, telling them that the nation has never has as many such judges as it does now. “Counting you


Uber Whistleblower Supports $10 Million Settlement

The former Uber engineer whose blog post and allegations of discrimination caused the company CEO to step down said she supports a $10 million settlement for pay equity and harassment claims. Filed on behalf of nearly 500 employees, the agreement was tentatively reached in April. Susan Fowler, whose 2017 blog post led to internal chaos


Judge Approves Settlement Fund for Place County Inmates

A federal judge in Sacramento, California, has approved a settlement for inmates at Placer County Jail. The settlement, brought on allegations of abuse and use of excessive force by law enforcement officials, includes a fund of more than $1.4 million. While the agreement remains tentative, permanent approval is expected by or in March. U.S. Magistrate


Suit Claims ‘Ride the Ducks’ Survivors are ‘Forever Scarred’

Another lawsuit has been filed in connection to July’s ‘Ride the Ducks’ tragedy in July. This time, writes the Kansas City Star, eight survivors from the summertime disaster are claiming they’ve been “forever scarred” by seeing 17 of their fellow passengers drown amidst rough waves and torrential waves. The suit was filed on behalf of


Michigan’s Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Center Called Unconstitutional

Huron Valley Correctional Center, serving as Michigan’s only all-women prison, may run afoul of the United States Constitution. Two experts who studied the Ypsilanti-area facility say the conditions within Huron Valley amount to “cruel and unusual punishment.” Their report was filed in federal court on Thursday, bolstering a lawsuit’s claim that the prison is overcrowded