Judge blocks Biden administration asylum policy: The Rundown July 26

A Biden administration policy that imposes limits on asylum seekers has been blocked by a federal judge. And we have an update on the condition of LeBron’s James’ son Bronny after he suffered cardiac arrest during basketball practice. It’s time for The Rundown for Wednesday, July 26, 2023.

Judge blocks Biden asylum policy

A federal judge has blocked a Biden administration policy that imposes limits on who can seek asylum at the southern border. The judge ruled on Tuesday, July 25 that immigration authorities could deny asylum to migrants who arrive at the border without first applying online or seeking protection in a country they passed through.

The policy has been a key enforcement tool used by the Biden administration in the wake of Title 42 expiring in May.

The ACLU and other groups argue the rule violates a U.S. law that protects the right to asylum regardless of how a person enters the country. The judge’s ruling does not officially take effect for another couple weeks giving the Justice Department an opportunity to appeal.

Hunter Biden to plead guilty on tax charges in court

Hunter Biden is expected to appear in a Wilmington, Delaware federal court on Wednesday, July 26.

The president’s son is set to plead guilty to two misdemeanor counts of failing to pay federal income taxes in 2017 and 2018, and a third count regarding the unlawful possession of a gun.

The gun count would be dismissed if Hunter Biden stays drug-free and does not commit any additional crimes for two years. It will be up to a Trump-appointed judge, U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, whether to accept or reject the plea agreement.

U.S. opens investigation into Harvard legacy admissions

Harvard University’s legacy admission policy is now under investigation.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating claims by the group Lawyers for Civil Rights that the university “discriminates on the basis of race by using donor and legacy preferences in its undergraduate admissions process.”

The group’s complaint argues that students with legacy ties are up to seven times more likely to be admitted to Harvard and are about 70% white.

A spokesperson for Harvard says the University is reviewing its admission policies to ensure its complying with the law after the recent Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action and any consideration of race in college admissions. In recent years, schools like Amherst College and Johns Hopkin University have eliminated legacy admissions.

UPS, union reach labor deal to avoid strike

In an update to a story we brought you on the July 25 Rundown, there’s a tentative contract agreement between UPS and the Teamsters union representing more than 340,000 of its workers.

The labor deal avoids what many predicted would be one of the largest and costliest strikes in American history.

The deal reached Tuesday, July 25 includes higher wages for both full-time and part-time employees and new workplace protections.

Part-time workers will get a raise to at least $21 an hour; full-time workers will average $49 an hour.

Federal Reserve expected to announce 11th rate hike

The Federal Reserve is expected to raise interest rates by a quarter-of-a-percentage point on July 26, which would mark the 11th rate hike in the past 12 policy meetings.

The projected hike would set the federal funds rate between 5.25 to 5.5 percent. That would be the highest level since the time of the financial crisis and 2008 recession – although there is little sense that sort of collapse is on the horizon.

All eyes will be on Chairman Jerome Powell to see if he signals to this being the final rate increase in the Fed’s year-long tightening cycle. In the meantime, borrowing costs for homes, cars and other items will be higher for the consumer under the higher interest rates.

The Fed has a target inflation rate of 2 percent. Right now, the economy is hovering around 3 percent according to the latest Consumer Price Index, which is still well above what the Fed is aiming for. You can read more about what this means for you in the latest report from our business correspondent Simone Del Rosario.

Bronny James, LeBron’s son, is stable following cardiac arrest

The family of Bronny James, the 18-year-old son of NBA superstar LeBron James, has given an update after the teen suffered cardiac arrest on Monday, July 24 during basketball practice at the University of Southern California.

A family spokesperson says the college-freshman is now out of ICU and in stable condition following the health scare.

In an interview last year, LeBron James said he wouldn’t retire until his son Bronny made it to the NBA so they could play on the same team.

The family spokesperson says the family is asking for privacy and thanked the medical staff at USC.