Business
Trump Administration Launches Sweeping Citizenship Crackdown with New Executive Orders
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration escalated its immigration enforcement Monday with a series of aggressive executive actions aimed at tightening citizenship rules, challenging aspects of birthright citizenship, expanding denaturalization efforts and cracking down on perceived abuses in the legal immigration system.
Senior White House officials described the measures as necessary to restore “integrity and fairness” to American citizenship, while critics immediately condemned the moves as unconstitutional overreach that could affect millions of legal immigrants and their families.
The centerpiece of the new policy package is Executive Order 14128, which directs federal agencies to prioritize denaturalization cases involving individuals accused of fraud, criminal activity or affiliation with designated terrorist organizations. The Department of Justice and Homeland Security have been instructed to review thousands of naturalization cases from the past 15 years, focusing on applicants from countries flagged for high fraud risk.
A second directive instructs the State Department and USCIS to impose stricter scrutiny on family-based visa petitions, effectively slowing “chain migration” by requiring higher income thresholds and detailed background checks for sponsoring relatives. Officials say the changes will reduce backlogs and prevent exploitation of the system.
The most controversial element involves a directive to the Justice Department to explore legal avenues for limiting automatic citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants born on U.S. soil. While the administration stopped short of directly challenging the 14th Amendment in court, it has tasked a special working group with preparing legislative proposals and testing narrower interpretations in specific cases.
“Restoring the Meaning of Citizenship”
President Trump addressed the new policies during a Rose Garden event Monday afternoon, flanked by border officials and longtime immigration hardliners.
“We are restoring the sacred meaning of American citizenship,” Trump said. “For too long, our system has been abused by people who come here illegally and then demand all the benefits. That ends now.”
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, a key architect of the policies, told reporters the administration aims to reduce legal immigration by approximately 40% over the next two years while prioritizing skilled workers, English speakers and those who can demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.
Immediate Impacts
Immigration attorneys report an immediate surge in anxious calls from clients. Naturalized citizens from certain countries have expressed fear of retroactive reviews, while families with mixed-status members worry about separation or delays in visa processing.
At a naturalization ceremony in Miami on Monday, several new citizens expressed mixed emotions — gratitude for their status combined with anxiety about the shifting policy landscape. One woman from Venezuela, who became a citizen last year, said she now worries about her elderly parents’ pending family visa application.
USCIS offices across the country have already begun implementing stricter interview protocols and documentation requirements. Processing times for certain family-based categories have lengthened significantly in recent weeks.
Legal and Constitutional Pushback
Civil rights organizations and Democratic lawmakers swiftly condemned the actions. The ACLU announced it would file multiple lawsuits challenging the denaturalization expansion and any attempts to limit birthright citizenship.
“These policies are not only cruel — they are unconstitutional,” said ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt. “The 14th Amendment is clear, and attempts to undermine it through executive fiat will not survive judicial review.”
Several Democratic-led states have signaled they will challenge the measures in court, setting up another round of high-stakes litigation similar to battles seen during Trump’s first term.
Constitutional scholars are divided on the administration’s legal footing. While most agree that broad changes to birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment, some conservative legal experts argue narrower rules — such as excluding children of diplomats or temporary visa holders — could survive court challenges.
Political Ramifications
The citizenship crackdown is already energizing Trump’s political base ahead of the 2026 midterms. Polls show strong support among Republican voters for stricter immigration enforcement, with many viewing citizenship as a privilege that must be earned rather than an automatic right.
However, the moves risk alienating moderate voters and business groups that rely on legal immigration for skilled labor. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce issued a cautious statement Monday warning that overly restrictive policies could harm economic growth and innovation.
Democrats have framed the actions as part of a broader “anti-immigrant agenda” designed to appeal to the president’s core supporters. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the executive orders “divisive and mean-spirited,” while House Democrats prepare oversight hearings.
Broader Context
The new policies build on Trump’s first-term immigration agenda and campaign promises to enact the “largest deportation operation in American history.” Since taking office in January 2025, the administration has already expanded interior enforcement, increased Border Patrol resources and renegotiated several international migration agreements.
Immigration has consistently ranked as one of the top voter concerns in 2026 polling, particularly in swing districts. The administration’s aggressive approach reflects a belief that strong action on the issue will deliver political dividends despite legal and humanitarian criticism.
Human Stories Behind the Numbers
For millions of legal immigrants and their families, the uncertainty is palpable. In communities across California, Texas, New York and Florida, naturalized citizens report heightened anxiety about their status and fear of being swept up in expanded reviews.
Advocacy groups are documenting cases of long-term residents facing sudden scrutiny over minor discrepancies in old paperwork from decades ago. Immigration attorneys warn of a chilling effect on legal immigration as families delay applications or choose to leave the country.
At the same time, supporters of the crackdown point to specific cases of fraud and criminality that slipped through the system under previous administrations. They argue that restoring credibility to the citizenship process ultimately benefits those who follow the rules.
What Comes Next
The coming weeks will likely see intensified legal battles, congressional hearings and continued public debate. The administration has signaled more executive actions are coming, including potential changes to asylum rules and student visa programs.
For now, the citizenship crackdown represents one of the most significant early domestic policy moves of Trump’s second term. Its success or failure — both in court and at the ballot box — could shape the direction of American immigration policy for years to come.
As courts prepare to weigh in and families across the country adjust to the new reality, the debate over who deserves American citizenship has once again moved to the center of national conversation.
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Net interest income for Q4FY26 increased 15% to Rs 945 crore from Rs 823 crore a year ago, reflecting continued expansion in the loan book. Profit before tax rose 20% to Rs 866 crore, indicating improving operating leverage despite a rise in provisions.
Assets under management (AUM) grew 23% to Rs 1,40,706 crore as of March 31, 2026, driven by healthy disbursements and demand across housing finance segments. Loan assets also rose 24% to Rs 1,23,745 crore, while quarterly disbursements increased 23% to Rs 17,506 crore.
Operational efficiency improved during the quarter, with operating expenses as a percentage of net total income declining to 19.2% from 21.8% in the year-ago period. However, loan losses and provisions more than doubled to Rs 55 crore from Rs 26 crore, reflecting a cautious stance amid a growing loan book.
Asset quality remained strong, with gross non-performing assets (GNPA) at 0.27% and net NPA at 0.11%, broadly stable compared to last year. The provision coverage ratio on stage 3 assets stood at 60%, indicating adequate buffers.
For the full year FY26, the lender reported profit after tax of Rs 2,560 crore, up 18% from Rs 2,163 crore in FY25. Net interest income rose 25% to Rs 3,752 crore, while net total income increased 23% to Rs 4,391 crore.
Profit before tax for the year climbed 20% to Rs 3,320 crore, reflecting sustained growth in lending operations. However, provisions rose sharply to Rs 191 crore from Rs 58 crore in the previous year, partly due to prudent provisioning and changes in overlays.Operating efficiency improved at the annual level as well, with the cost-to-income ratio declining to 19.7% from 20.9% in FY25. Return on assets remained stable at around 2.3%, while return on equity stood at about 12%.
The lender maintained a strong capital position, with a capital adequacy ratio of 22.46% as of March-end, supported by high credit ratings of AAA/Stable for long-term borrowings and A1+ for short-term debt.
Overall, Bajaj Housing Finance delivered consistent growth across key metrics, with strong loan expansion, stable margins and controlled asset quality, positioning it well for continued scale-up in the housing finance segment.
(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)
Business
(VIDEO) Charlize Theron Climbs Times Square Billboard to Promote New Netflix Thriller ‘Apex’
KEY POINTS
Charlize Theron
LOS ANGELES — Charlize Theron is taking movie promotion to new heights — literally — as she scales a massive Times Square billboard and delivers a string of high-energy interviews to promote her new Netflix survival thriller “Apex,” which premiered on the streaming service April 24, 2026, and is already generating buzz for its intense action and raw performances.
The Oscar-winning actress, 50, was spotted April 24 scaling the side of a building in New York City to hype the film, showcasing the same physical commitment she brought to the role of Sasha, a grieving rock climber who becomes the target of a ruthless predator in the Australian wilderness. Co-starring Taron Egerton as the unhinged hunter Ben, the R-rated thriller directed by Baltasar Kormákur has drawn strong early audience reactions for its taut pacing and breathtaking outdoor sequences.
In a series of promotional appearances, Theron opened up about the physical toll of filming, revealing she suffered multiple injuries, including one that required surgery on her arm. “I think I tapped out once or twice,” she told “Extra” with a laugh, while praising Egerton’s intensity and the crew’s support during demanding shoots in remote Australian locations.
Apex Delivers Thrills and Emotional Depth
“Apex” follows Sasha as she embarks on a solo kayaking and hiking trip to scatter her late partner’s ashes, only to cross paths with a charming but psychotic local who turns the wilderness into a deadly hunting ground. The film blends high-stakes survival action with psychological tension, earning praise for Theron’s fearless stunt work and Egerton’s unhinged villain performance.
Critics have called it a slick, empty-calorie thriller that excels in spectacle but leans on familiar genre tropes. Variety described it as a “rip-roaring outdoor duel,” while The Guardian noted its “soulless” but entertaining cat-and-mouse game. Audiences, however, appear to be responding positively on Netflix, with strong early viewership numbers reported.
Theron, who performed most of her own stunts, trained extensively with professional climbers. In interviews, she emphasized the film’s themes of grief, resilience and female strength. “Sasha is pushing her limits both physically and emotionally,” she told The New York Times. “Life is so beautiful, but it can also be brutal.”
Busy 2026 for Theron
“Apex” marks a busy year for the South African-born star. She is also set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic “The Odyssey,” scheduled for a July 2026 release. Theron has described working with Nolan as “amazing” and a dream collaboration.
Her fashion choices during the “Apex” press tour have also drawn attention, with standout looks on “The View” and “Today” showcasing Bottega Veneta and other designers. Theron continues her long-standing partnership with Dior as the face of J’adore, marking over two decades with the brand.
Personal Reflections and Career Evolution
In recent interviews, Theron has spoken candidly about aging in Hollywood, motherhood and finding balance. A single mother to adopted children, she has emphasized the importance of representation and strong female roles. “I want my daughters to see women who are complex, strong and real,” she told one outlet.
Her willingness to embrace physically demanding roles — from “Mad Max: Fury Road” to “Atomic Blonde” and now “Apex” — has cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s most committed action stars. At 50, she continues redefining what leading roles look like for women in their prime.
Fan and Industry Reaction
The “Apex” promotional campaign, including Theron’s daring Times Square climb, has gone viral, with fans praising her dedication and sense of humor. Social media is filled with clips of her interviews alongside Egerton, where the pair share playful banter and behind-the-scenes stories.
Industry insiders see “Apex” as part of Theron’s strategy to balance big studio projects with more personal, high-concept thrillers. With Nolan’s “The Odyssey” on the horizon, 2026 could be one of her most impactful years yet.
As “Apex” streams globally on Netflix, Theron continues her press tour with appearances and stunts that keep her firmly in the spotlight. Whether scaling billboards or confronting personal and professional challenges on screen, the actress remains a force in Hollywood — proving that at 50, she is only getting started on new heights.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Residents across the Kansas City metro area hunkered down Monday as powerful severe thunderstorms brought tornado warnings, flash flooding and damaging winds, forcing road closures, water rescues and widespread power outages in one of the most active severe weather periods of 2026.
The National Weather Service issued multiple tornado warnings and flash flood warnings throughout the day, with the greatest threats concentrated south and east of the metro. A tornado watch remained in effect into the evening for several counties in Missouri and Kansas, including areas near Harrisonville, Clinton and Warrensburg.
Heavy rainfall has already caused flash flooding in low-lying areas, with several water rescues reported in Parkville, Riverside and parts of Kansas City proper. Officials urged drivers to avoid flooded roads, warning that just six inches of moving water can sweep away a vehicle.
Dangerous Conditions Unfold
Storms intensified Monday morning, bringing frequent lightning, large hail and gusty winds. A severe thunderstorm warning was active for portions of Cass, Henry, Jackson, Johnson and Lafayette counties in Missouri, with winds up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail possible.
The combination of saturated soils from recent rains and new downpours has heightened flash flood risk. Some locations have already received more than an inch of rain in a short period, with additional heavy bands expected through the afternoon and evening.
Emergency managers activated local emergency operations centers and urged residents to have multiple ways to receive warnings, including weather radios and smartphone alerts. Schools in some districts dismissed early or switched to remote learning as a precaution.
Why So Active This Year?
2026 has already seen an above-average number of severe weather events in the Plains and Midwest. Meteorologists attribute the pattern to a strong jet stream, abundant moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and frequent clashes between warm, humid air and cooler systems. This setup has produced repeated rounds of thunderstorms, hail and tornadoes across the region.
Kansas City itself has experienced several significant events this spring, including confirmed tornadoes in nearby communities. The current system is part of a broader severe weather outbreak affecting much of the central United States.
Safety Messages from Officials
The National Weather Service and local emergency management urged residents to take the threats seriously. Key advice includes:
- Moving to an interior room on the lowest floor during tornado warnings.
- Avoiding travel on flooded roads — “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
- Having an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food, flashlights and charged devices.
- Monitoring local media and weather apps for updates.
Power outages have affected thousands, with utility crews working to restore service as safely as possible. Some neighborhoods may remain without power into Tuesday.
Community Impact
The storms disrupted Monday commutes, school schedules and daily routines. Many businesses closed early or operated with limited staff. Hospitals reported treating minor storm-related injuries, primarily from fallen branches and minor accidents.
In rural areas south of the metro, farmers expressed concern about crop damage from hail and excessive rain at a critical planting time. Local officials are assessing damage in hardest-hit communities as the system moves through.
Looking Ahead
Forecasters say additional rounds of storms are possible through Tuesday morning before conditions gradually improve mid-week. A brief break is expected later in the week, with cooler and drier air settling in. However, the active pattern may continue into early May, keeping severe weather risks elevated.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels. The National Weather Service Kansas City office continues to provide frequent updates via its website, social media and NOAA Weather Radio.
This latest severe weather event serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of spring in the Midwest. While Kansas City has experienced its share of storms this season, officials stress that preparation and awareness remain the best defenses against nature’s power. As the system continues to move through the region, safety remains the top priority for families, first responders and emergency managers working to protect the community.
Intellia Therapeutics, building exterior and company sign, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Spencer Grant | Universal Images Group | Getty Images
Intellia Therapeutics said its Crispr-based treatment for a rare swelling condition met its goals in a late-stage trial, marking a milestone for the field of gene editing and putting the company on track to seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
The company’s treatment uses Nobel Prize-winning technology Crispr to edit DNA and turn off the gene that controls production of a peptide that’s overactive in people with hereditary angioedema, causing them to experience potentially life-threatening swelling attacks. Intellia’s treatment is administered once through an hourslong infusion, making the edits directly in the liver.
Intellia said the one-time treatment reduced attacks by 87% compared with a placebo, meeting the study’s main goal. Six months after treatment, 62% of patients were free from attacks and weren’t using other therapies, Intellia said.
The company described the safety and tolerability of the treatment as “favorable,” reporting the most common side effects were infusion-related reactions, headaches and fatigue. Analysts were closely watching safety in the trial since a patient in a separate trial of a different treatment from Intellia died from liver toxicity.
“When you think about where we started with Crispr, just 12 years ago with some of the fundamental insights, I think there was a lot of talk about what might be possible, and we’ve had reports along the way in terms of milestones, but this is the first Phase 3 data in any indication with in vivo Crispr where you’re actually changing a gene that causes disease,” said Intellia CEO John Leonard.
The only FDA-approved Crispr-based medicine comes from Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Called Casgevy, the gene editing is done outside the body, or ex vivo. The process requires collecting a person’s blood cells, making the edits outside the body, then reinfusing them back into a patient. Intellia’s treatment, meanwhile, makes the edits inside the body, or in vivo.
Intellia said it has started a rolling application with the FDA and plans to complete the filing in the second half of this year. The company expects to launch the treatment in the U.S. in the first half of next year, if it’s approved.
If approved, Intellia’s treatment, lonvoguran ziclumeran, will compete with about a dozen other chronic drugs for HAE. Despite the allure of a one-time treatment, genetic medicines haven’t always been a commercial successes. BioMarin withdrew its gene therapy for Hemophilia A because of weak sales, for example.
Leonard said there are important differences between the two, like the fact that BioMarin’s therapy faced questions about how long the effects would last. In contrast, he said Intellia hasn’t seen a single case in almost six years where the effects diminished over time.
Despite the results, he’s reluctant to call Intellia’s treatment a functional cure.
“I think this is a tipping point for the disease and tipping point for Crispr-based in vivo therapy where you can make a change [and] it’s permanent,” Leonard said. “And, as far as we can tell, we don’t have a single patient in this program or other program where there’s been any waning of the effect of what we did to the gene or the effect of what we’ve seen with the clinical aspects of the disease itself. So it’s pretty exciting.”
Connecting trends and formulation opportunities across bakery, snacks, and protein applications
Spotify is increasing its push beyond music and podcasts as the company on Monday announced a new fitness category partnership with Peloton Interactive.
The deal will make more than 1,400 Peloton classes available to Spotify Premium subscribers across most of its global markets, embedding fitness content directly into Spotify’s existing audio and video ecosystem, according to the companies. The offering includes strength training, Pilates, barre, yoga, meditation and more.
“As we continue to forge a path deeper into wellness, our work with Spotify is just our latest move to expand our reach and capture new revenue streams through Peloton’s unmatched experience, content and instruction,” Peloton’s chief commercial officer, Dion Camp Sanders, said in the release.
Neither company disclosed financial terms, but the partnership is an indication of both companies’ strategic priorities.
For Spotify, the move represents a deeper expansion into wellness, opening up new engagement and monetization pathways beyond its core music and podcast business. Fitness content keeps users on the platform longer and creates opportunities to layer in subscriptions, advertising and creator-driven revenue streams, the company said in a release.
Spotify said more than 150 million fitness playlists are already active globally, with nearly 70% of Premium users reporting they work out monthly.
“Fitness is a natural extension of how people already use Spotify today — to get motivated, recover and reset,” a Spotify spokesperson told CNBC.
Spotify is also building out a broader creator ecosystem around fitness beyond Peloton, working with fitness creators like Yoga With Kassandra, Caitlin K’eli Yoga, Sweaty Studio and Chloe Ting who can monetize through existing tools such as the Spotify partner Program.
For Peloton, the agreement accelerates its pivot away from a hardware-centric model toward scalable, high-margin content distribution. CEO Peter Stern said the deal also builds on his international expansion ambitions.
“Spotify provides a global stage for our instructors, in which they have now the ability to meet hundreds of millions of Spotify Premium subscribers,” Stern told CNBC.
By tapping Spotify’s reach, Peloton is gaining exposure without requiring users to own its equipment or subscribe to its standalone app.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby (L) and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom listen as U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy speaks to reporters outside the White House on October 30, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Kevin Dietsch | Getty Images
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby confirmed on Monday that he approached American Airlines about a potential merger, a possibility American rejected.
“I approached American about exploring a combination because I thought we could do something incredible for customers together,” Kirby said in a statement. He said he shared his “big, bold vision” because he was confident it could win regulatory approval.
American rejected the idea and its CEO, Robert Isom, last week said such a merger would be bad for customers and “anticompetitive.”
Kirby had floated the idea to the Trump administration earlier this year, according to a person familiar with the matter, in hopes that that the combination would mean a big global airline to compete with foreign rivals.
American declined to comment on Kirby’s Monday statement.
“I was hoping to pitch that story to American, but they declined to engage and instead responded by publicly closing the door,” Kirby said in his statement on Monday. “And without a willing partner, something this big simply can’t get done.”
He said that “American’s public comments make it clear that a merger like this is off the table for the foreseeable future” but outlined his vision for a combined airline.
Kirby reiterated that the country has deficit with foreign airlines that fly more than half of the long-haul seats into the U.S., with most of the customers being Americans.
“The combined scale of United and American would be a better way to compete with foreign carriers,” he said.
President Donald Trump said he was against the idea of a combination last week.
“I don’t like having them merge,” he told CNBC’s “Squawk Box” on Tuesday morning. He said he would, however, like someone to buy struggling discount carrier Spirit but he also suggested that the federal government could “help that one out.”
Spirit and the Trump administration are in advanced talks for a rescue package.
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