July 5-11, 2025 Volume 36 - No. 27 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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Trump scores legislative victory as House passes DATELINE USA massive tax and immigration enforcement bill Ice targeting of from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
non-criminal migrants surges under Trump enforcement plan
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is increasingly targeting undocumented migrants with no criminal record, according to a comprehensive dataset analyzed by The Washington Post and independent policy groups. The findings offer one of the clearest snapshots yet of the Biden-to-Trump policy shift, as the agency moves to fulfill President Donald Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations. “We’re restoring the rule of law,” Trump told supporters in a June rally. “Everyone here illegally will be removed — no exceptions, no excuses.” But critics and analysts say the latest data paints a different picture: one of expansive raids, warrantless detentions, and a growing share of deportees who have committed no crime other than crossing the border. Non-criminal arrests outpace those of criminal offenders Since Trump returned to office in January, ICE arrests have surged, with over half of u PAGE A4
Denaturalization push signals shift in immigration politics WASHINGTON, D.C. — A renewed push by some Republican lawmakers and former Trump administration officials to revive and expand the use of denaturalization — the legal process of revoking U.S. citizenship from naturalized immigrants — is drawing fresh scrutiny from civil liberties advocates and legal scholars. While denaturalization has long existed in U.S. law for limited circumstances such as war crimes or material fraud during the naturalization process, its broader application is being re-explored within conservative policy circles. The move signals a new and controversial frontier in immigration enforcement. Denaturalization: Rare but powerful Under current federal law, the U.S. government may seek to revoke naturalized citizenship if it can prove that the individual obtained it illegally — for example, by misrepresenting material facts or concealing a disqualifying background. Historically, such cases have u PAGE A3
by AJPress
Washington, D.C. — In a defining win for President Donald Trump, the House of Representatives on Thursday, July 3, narrowly approved his administration’s flagship legislative package —a sweeping overhaul of tax policy, immigration enforcement, and federal spending priorities. The legislation, formally titled the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed the House in a 218–214 vote, just days after it cleared the Senate 51–50, with Vice President
J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. “We’ve just delivered a big, beautiful win for the American people,” Trump said in a statement. “This bill means lower taxes, safer borders, and a stronger nation.” What’s in the bill The legislation bundles a wide range of policy changes into a single reconciliation package. Major provisions include: • Permanent extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts for individuals and corporations, locking in low-
er income tax rates and preserving the 21% corporate rate. • New tax exemptions for tips, overtime pay, and caregiving-related income. • $170 billion for immigration enforcement, including wall construction, ICE expansion, surveillance technology, and detention facilities. • $150 billion in defense spending for modernization of military infrastructure, weapons systems, and cybersecurity. u PAGE A2
FBI uncovers ‘largest health care fraud scheme’ in US history — over $14.6 billion in false claims, 324 charged by AJPress WASHINGTON, D.C. — On June 30, 2025, federal officials announced the largest health care fraud crackdown ever—resulting in charges against 324 individuals, including 96 licensed medical professionals, in schemes that allegedly defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurers of $14.6 billion, with estimated actual losses of about $2.9 billion . The operation brought together the DOJ, FBI, HHSOIG, DEA, and 12 state attorneys general, spanning all 50 federal districts. It led to the seizure of over $245 million in assets—cash, luxury vehicles, and crypto—and CMS proactively halted more than $4 billion in fraudulent payments. At the center: Operation Gold Rush This transnational fraud involved a group tied to EastP20 RICE NOW IN MORE KADIWA STORES. Members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disability queue up to purchase the Benteng Bigas Meron (BBM) Na! rice at the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) Kadiwa Store ern Europe and Russia that used stolen U.S. identities on Thursday, July 3. The low-cost rice is now available in 94 locations nationwide. PNA photo by Ben Briones u PAGE A2
Del Monte Foods files for Chapter 11 Atong sues accuser: We are not criminals bankruptcy, seeks buyer amid debt Businessman claims P300 million extortion try by ex-staff woes and shifting consumer trends by Emmanuel Tupas
by AJPress WALNUT CREEK, CA – Del Monte Foods, one of America’s most recognizable canned food brands, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, citing unsustainable debt levels, supply chain cost pressures, and a rapidly evolving consumer market. The company, which is headquartered in Walnut Creek, Cal-
Philstar.com
ifornia and owned by Singaporeand Philippines-listed Del Monte Pacific Limited, announced the filing on July 1, 2025, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to sell “all or substantially all” of its assets through a court-supervised sale process, according to a stateu PAGE A2
MANILA — Stressing he has nothing to do with the disappearance and murder of over 100 cockfight enthusiasts, gaming tycoon Charlie “Atong” Ang went on the offensive and filed criminal complaints against his accuser, whistle-blower Julie Patidongan, Businessman Charlie ‘Atong’ Ang shows the complaint he filed at the alias Totoy. Mandaluyong City prosecutor’s office against former employees who named Accompanied by a battery of him as the mastermind in the disappearance of over 100 cockfighting
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enthusiasts.
Philstar.com photo by Michael Varcas
Hotel101 becomes first Filipino company to Minimum wage jump and Alex eala exits Wimbledon historic debut list on Nasdaq after $2.3 billion SPAC merger new worker protections after in singles and doubles by AJPress
take effect in Los Angeles
NEW YORK – Hotel101 Global Holdings Corp., the international hospitality subsidiary of the Philippines’ DoubleDragon Corporation (PSE: DD), made history on June 27 by becoming the first Filipino-owned and led company to list on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. The milestone follows the completion of a U.S. $2.3 billion business combination with U.S.-based JVSPAC Acquisition Corp. (NASDAQ: JVSA). The merged entity trades under the ticker symbol HBNB. The transaction was carried
LOS ANGELES – As of July 1, 2025, the minimum wage in the City of Los Angeles increased to $17.87 per hour, while unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County now require a $17.81 per hour minimum wage. In addition to the wage hike, new “Fair Workweek” rules have taken effect across much of Los Angeles, aimed at providing hourly workers with more stability, predictability, and protections on the job. These include: • Advance notice of work schedules Employers must give workers their full schedule at least 14 days in advance, allowing employees to plan around family, school, or other jobs.
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by AJPress
Executives and team members of Hotel101 Global and JVSPAC Acquisition Corp. ring the opening bell at the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square, New York on June 27, 2025—marking the historic listing of Hotel101 Global (NASDAQ: HBNB), the first-ever Filipino-owned company to go public on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange. The $2.3 billion SPAC merger milestone was celebrated with confetti and cheers, symbolizing a proud moment for Philippine enterprise on the international financial stage. Photo from Hotel101 social media account
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Filipina tennis star earns global praise, gains valuable experience on the sport’s biggest stage by AJPress LONDON — Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra “Alex” Eala wrapped up her debut at Wimbledon with early exits in both singles and doubles, but not without leaving a lasting impression on the international tennis stage. The 20-year-old made history as the first Filipina in the Open Era to compete in Wimbledon’s women’s singles main draw. Facing 2024 champion Barbora Krejcíková on Centre Court, Eala stunned u PAGE A4