Bhutanese Nepali Refugees Face Deportation Back to Stateless Limbo

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has collected DNA samples from over 133,000 migrant children, including a four-year-old, uploading their genetic data into a national criminal database, according to documents obtained by WIRED. The records reveal that DNA collection has been implemented broadly, capturing samples from between 829,000 and 2.8 million individuals over four years, with approximately 1.5 million likely being unique cases. The Department of Justice defends this practice, claiming it aids law enforcement in gauging public safety by potentially identifying future criminal activity. However, experts express significant concerns about the implications of storing the DNA of minors, especially as the program was designed for tracking offenders. Privacy advocates argue this approach suggests a presumption of guilt among all migrants and raises ethical questions about genetic surveillance. Current U.S. policy allows collection of DNA from individuals over 14 years old, though exceptions can apply to younger children in certain scenarios. Critics emphasize that the inclusion of juvenile DNA in such a database is alarming and poses risks of future discrimination and privacy breaches.

SpaceX's Starship prototype exploded over the Indian Ocean on May 28, 2025, after experiencing multiple malfunctions during descent, according to reports from the company. The launch occurred at 6:36 PM from the Starbase facility in Texas, with the craft intended to execute a controlled splashdown. Initial optimism turned to concern as the Super Heavy booster failed to perform its planned splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico, resulting in an explosion. Following this incident, the upper-stage spacecraft struggled to deploy its payload of Starlink satellite simulators and began leaking as it spun out of control. The pre-planned trajectory aimed for a splashdown off Australia’s west coast, but the craft ultimately broke apart over the Indian Ocean at approximately 20 times the speed of sound, enduring temperatures exceeding 2,500°F. Elon Musk was present at the launch site, observing the event alongside a gathering of space enthusiasts. This flight was noted for being the first with a reused Super Heavy booster, within SpaceX's ongoing strategy to rapidly innovate through testing and learning from failures.

The Trump administration has ordered the deportation of Sofia, a critically ill four-year-old girl from Mexico, who requires essential medical care to survive. According to her family and medical professionals, Sofia has short bowel syndrome, which necessitates continuous treatment and nutrition support that could be interrupted if she is forced to leave the U.S. Sofia’s mother, Deysi Vargas, secured temporary humanitarian status for her daughter in 2023, enabling them to obtain treatment at prestigious medical facilities in California. Dr. John Arsenault from the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles confirmed that halting Sofia’s nutrition could lead to fatal consequences within days. The family attorney, Rebecca Brown, highlighted that deporting Sofia would be “a cruel sacrifice,” noting that her medical needs illustrate the humanitarian provisions the system is meant to protect. Currently residing in Bakersfield, Vargas has submitted a petition for the continuation of their humanitarian legal status because of Sofia’s ongoing health challenges. The family is committed to staying in the U.S. solely until Sofia's medical needs are adequately met.