INTERNACIONAL
DOJ has verified 20,000 noncitizens on California voter rolls, federal prosecutor says
A top federal prosecutor in California said federal investigators have determined that all 20,000 people they flagged on the state’s voter rolls as «likely noncitizens» are not U.S. citizens.
Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for California’s Central District, told Digital that federal investigators have evidence that these 20,000 individuals received mail ballots this month. His office sued California last week seeking a court order to prevent any ballots they return from being counted.
«We’re not asking California to take any drastic steps other than to sequester the ballots from the suspected noncitizens,» Essayli said in an interview on Wednesday. «We believe it’s at a minimum of 20,000. That’s the floor.»
The potential ceiling, he said, is much larger. Essayli referenced a letter Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin sent to California in July that flagged nearly 200,000 voters as possible noncitizens.
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Since then, federal investigators have been sifting through those records to identify people they believe they can verify as noncitizens.
He said 20,000 is only the current tally and expects thousands more names to be added in the coming days.
Earlier this week, Essayli got into a social media spat with Gov. Gavin Newsom over the state’s safeguards against noncitizen voting.
Essayli argued that California is allowing people without citizenship onto the voter rolls through its supposedly lax verification processes, while Newsom said the state follows all relevant federal law governing the integrity of elections.
In court filings, California election officials have pushed back against the Justice Department’s demands, arguing that county election offices lack both the authority and access to federal records needed to verify voters’ citizenship status.
They have also said that sequestering ballots from people on the DOJ list is impossible in cases where the ballots have already been processed. Once a ballot’s signature is verified, it is removed from its identifying envelope and processed alongside other ballots, meaning it can no longer be traced back to an individual voter.
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«That is true. That’s why we’re getting an emergency court order requiring them to put those ballots aside,» Essayli said. «Ballots have already gone out, people are filling them out and they’re being returned in process as we speak. So, the crime is occurring in real time.»
The DOJ escalated its push for immediate court intervention Wednesday, asking the judge to rule on its emergency request by noon Thursday. In Los Angeles County alone, officials have already processed 331,000 ballots, according to court records.
Essayli’s office filed suit on Oct. 15, roughly two weeks after California sent out mail ballots, including to the possible noncitizens on the DOJ list, according to the federal government.
When asked why the Justice Department didn’t act sooner, Essayli explained that investigators did not know exactly which voters would receive ballots until they were sent.
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He said California should cooperate with the federal government to expedite the process of verifying voters’ citizenship.
That would involve providing additional identifying information, including driver’s license numbers and Social Security numbers when available, that federal investigators could cross-check against government databases.
California and dozens of other states treat this information as confidential and have refused to turn it over to the federal government, prompting the DOJ to take several of them to court.
In a separate lawsuit from Sept. 2025, the DOJ tried to compel California to provide its complete, unredacted voter-registration database, including names, Social Security numbers, home addresses and voting histories.
In January, a district court sided with California and dismissed the case, calling the government’s request «unprecedented and illegal.» The DOJ appealed the ruling and litigation is ongoing.
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«If California will make available or submit its records, we can quickly put them through our established systems to determine who’s a citizen and who’s not,» Essayli told Digital. «They’re forcing us to do it the hard way, which we’re willing to do because this is very important.»
He said every person on the current 20,000-name list was individually reviewed by a federal employee at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and Homeland Security Investigations.
California officials, however, have questioned the reliability of the DOJ list.
Monica Flores, an assistant registrar-recorder in Los Angeles County, said in a court declaration that her office conducted a preliminary review of a sample of 200 records from the list that were associated with LA County addresses.
Of those, 112 corresponded to canceled or inactive voter registrations, meaning no ballot was mailed to those individuals for the November election, Flores said.
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«I don’t believe that, actually,» Essayli said. «The information we have is that they likely received ballots. So we are asking for the names of people they claim whose registration has been canceled.»
Essayli added LA County did not say when these registrations were canceled. He raised the possibility at least some were canceled after federal officials provided the state with their list.
«If they’re canceling now based on the records we provided, that’s great news,» Essayli said. «But that’s all to be determined.»
In the 200-person sample reviewed by LA County, Flores said that among records where birthplace was «meaningfully reported,» 38.9% indicated the person was born in the United States, which she called «strong evidence of citizenship.»
Essayli similarly disputed this conclusion, arguing that the birthplace information — much like the citizenship information itself — was provided by the registered voters themselves.
«They’re not independently checking any of this information,» Essayli said. «They’re going off the information that was provided to them by the person who registered to vote.»
The California Secretary of State’s office and the LA County Registrar-Recorder’s office did not immediately respond to Digital’s requests for comment.
Essayli said that his office is determined to follow through with its investigation because «one noncitizen voting is too many.»
«One illegal vote cancels out the vote of an American citizen. There are a lot of local elections that are decided on very few votes,» he said. «Noncitizens cannot vote in federal elections, and we intend to enforce that law.»
california, politics, voting, voter fraud concerns, elections disputes, justice department, immigration
INTERNACIONAL
DOJ moves to boot two federal judges from immigration cases over remarks to media: ‘Extraordinarily imprudent’
Two Minnesota federal judges who took the unusual step of publicly criticizing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown to the New York Times are now fighting the administration’s efforts to disqualify them from cases involving immigration enforcement.
One of those judges, Patrick Schiltz, is overseeing the Justice Department’s effort to strip U. S. citizenship from Salah Osman Ahmed, a Somali-born man who pleaded guilty in 2009 to providing material support to terrorists after joining al- Shabaab. The other, John Tunheim, is presiding over the prosecution of a South African national accused of falsely claiming U. S. citizenship and illegally voting in the 2024 election. The Justice Department filed separate motions asking Schiltz and Tunheim to recuse themselves, arguing that their participation in the New York Times report criticizing President Donald Trump’s Operation Metro Surge has raised questions about whether they can fairly preside over the cases.
«Impartiality is imperative to ensuring public trust in our Nation’s judiciary,» the Justice Department said in a statement posted to X this week. «Judge Schiltz’s and Judge Tunheim’s on-the-record participation in a recent highly partisan New York Times Article, along with Judge Schiltz’s subsequent public comments, unquestionably calls into doubt whether they can be impartial in these cases.»
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The Justice Department’s formal recusal demand follows reporting by Digital last month detailing unusual behind-the-scenes coordination among Minnesota’s federal bench as judges confronted a massive influx of immigration cases stemming from the administration’s enforcement operation. The report came after Schiltz and Tunheim were among seven Minnesota federal judges who spoke with the Times in September about Operation Metro Surge. Schiltz sat for a roughly 90- minute interview during which he described the administration’s handling of the operation as having created a «grave threat to the rule of law,» while Tunheim suggested to the Times that agents carrying out the administration’s immigration crackdown were not primarily apprehending dangerous criminals.
DOJ had already raised the prospect that judges who publicly discussed the administration’s immigration cases might need to step aside when the Times report was released in September. Last month, DOJ filed a judicial misconduct complaint against Schiltz, Tunheim and other Minnesota judges who participated in the Times report, accusing them of violating judicial ethics rules and asking the Eighth Circuit to investigate. Attorney General Todd Blanche said their conduct had «undermined public confidence in an impartial judiciary in Minnesota.»
«It is remarkable that sitting federal judges are giving on-the-record interviews attacking this Administration’s policies rather than ruling from the bench,» a Justice Department spokesperson told Digital in September. «Judges who have made public comments on pending or related matters should consider whether recusal is warranted going forward.»
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The Times report in question revealed that Schiltz, Tunheim and the other Minnesota judges handling the flood of Operation Metro Surge cases regularly met, communicated through running email threads and used an informal spreadsheet created by court clerks to identify judges to consult about recurring legal questions. Chief Judge Eric Tostrud previously told Digital that the judges nevertheless independently decided every case assigned to them.
«The bottom line is that each of us made an independent decision with respect to the merits of each and every petition we were assigned,» Tostrud said at the time.
The Justice Department, however, has accused Schiltz and the other judges of «publicly» taking sides in the ongoing battle over Trump’s deportation agenda.
«A judge who has publicly taken sides on the political issue of immigration enforcement cannot then preside over a case concerning one of the Justice Department’s key immigration initiatives: pursuing the largest denaturalization effort in Department history to restore trust and integrity in U.S. citizenship,» Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward wrote.
Schiltz declined to comment on the Justice Department’s new effort to disqualify him when reached by Digital this week. But when Digital asked him about the possibility of recusal in September, Schiltz argued there was no basis for him to step aside — and pointed to the fact that DOJ had not asked him to do so.
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«I have seen suggestions from the Administration that I might have to recuse in immigration cases, but no one has yet identified any basis for my recusal, which is presumably why the Justice Department has not asked me to recuse,» Schiltz said at the time.
«Neither in the New York Times article nor anywhere else have I commented on the merits of a particular case,» he continued. «Instead, I have spoken in defense of the rule of law, a component of which is compliance with court orders. That is not a cause for recusal.»
Tunheim did not respond to Digital’s request for comment.
Charles «Cully» Stimson, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation who previously served as a federal prosecutor and military judge, told Digital that judges ordinarily avoid publicly commenting on matters that could intersect with cases before them.
«These judges did something extraordinarily imprudent, and that is to talk to any newspaper, much less the New York Times,» Stimson said. «That was a big no-no.»
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Asked what he would do if the New York Times interviews were the only facts at issue, Stimson said he would step aside.
«If we were to just go off of the New York Times interview … I would recuse myself,» Stimson said, noting the recusal would only be from the particular case at issue as opposed to all future cases adjudicating the same principles.
Stimson cautioned, however, that recusal motions put judges in the unusual position of effectively judging their own impartiality and said it would be inappropriate to predict how either motion should ultimately be resolved without the complete record.
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If either judge denies DOJ’s request, Stimson said the government could seek review from the Eighth Circuit, where a three-judge panel would determine whether the government has met the legal standard for recusal.
DOJ declined to comment further Thursday beyond its public statement. A DOJ spokesperson also did not answer Digital’s question about whether the department would appeal if Schiltz or Tunheim denies the recusal motions.
federal judges, federal courts, justice department, judiciary, politics, deportation
La práctica de ejercicio o de algún deporte alcanza al 69% de la población costarricense, según la encuesta Nacional de Deportes, Recreación y Actividad Física, 2026. Aunque el resultado representa a casi siete de cada 10 personas, muestra una reducción frente al 73.5% registrado cuatro años antes.
La encuesta fue elaborada por el Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Población de la Universidad Nacional (Idespo-UNA), en coordinación con el Instituto del Deporte y la Recreación (Icoder). La investigación se aplicó del 6 al 24 de abril de 2026.
La muestra incluyó a 1,220 personas y contó con un nivel de confianza del 95%. El margen de error fue de 2.8%.
De acuerdo al estudio, las actividades aeróbicas concentran la mayor parte de las preferencias. Caminar, trotar, correr o practicar senderismo reúne el 37.3% de las respuestas, seguido por el entrenamiento en gimnasios o centros deportivos, con el 18.7%, los deportes colectivos, con el 14.8%, y las disciplinas individuales, con el 10.8%.
Entre quienes hacen ejercicio, el 73% indicó que lo practica tres o más veces por semana. Otro 21.3% señaló que realiza actividad física entre una y dos veces semanales.
La salud es la principal razón para mantenerse activo, según el 64.9% de las personas consultadas. El gusto personal obtuvo el 9.8% de las respuestas, la recreación o el pasatiempo alcanzó el 8.6%, mientras que el trabajo representó el 4.9% y el control del estrés, el 3.7%.
La falta de tiempo fue la barrera más mencionada para no hacer ejercicio
El 31% de la población no practica deportes ni realiza actividad física. Entre ese grupo, el 48.2% identificó la falta de tiempo como el principal impedimento, seguido por los problemas de salud, mencionados por el 16.5%, y las limitaciones de movilidad o condiciones de discapacidad, con el 11.6%.
El informe plantea que la falta de tiempo podría estar vinculada con las jornadas laborales, las responsabilidades familiares y de cuido, los desplazamientos y otros factores que limitan la disponibilidad para participar en actividades recreativas o deportivas.
Los espacios gratuitos son los lugares más utilizados para hacer ejercicio. El 41.5% de la población mencionó plazas, canchas, polideportivos, pistas de atletismo o parques próximos a su comunidad, mientras que el 33.1% indicó que asiste a un gimnasio o centro deportivo.
Las vías públicas fueron escogidas por el 24.2% de las personas consultadas. A su vez, el 18.2% afirmó que hace ejercicio en su vivienda y por cuenta propia.
La organización de los entrenamientos también presenta distintas modalidades. Cuatro de cada 10 personas no siguen una rutina establecida, el 27.2% realiza los ejercicios de manera independiente, el 24.6% cuenta con un entrenador y el 7.4% utiliza rutinas encontradas en internet.
Aunque el 81.7% señaló que existen lugares abiertos al público para practicar deporte, el 36.7% reportó limitaciones económicas para participar en algo o mucho. El estudio sugirió fortalecer los espacios, programas y actividades de bajo costo o gratuitas, además de medidas que reduzcan las desigualdades de acceso.
Casi la mitad de la población no destinó dinero a la actividad física
El uso de parques, canchas y otros sitios de acceso libre se refleja en el presupuesto de los hogares. El 45% de los consultados aseguró que no realizó ningún gasto relacionado con la práctica deportiva o recreativa.
Entre quienes sí destinaron recursos, el 16.2% indicó desembolsos de entre 25 mil colones (USD 55) y menos de 50 mil colones (USD 110). Otro 15.3% reportó gastos de entre 10 mil colones (USD 22) y menos de 25 mil colones (USD 55).
La compra de implementos o equipo fue el gasto más mencionado entre quienes incorporan el deporte dentro de su presupuesto, con el 21%. El pago de membresías a gimnasios o centros privados reunió el 15.2%, mientras que el 8.2% señaló desembolsos por atención física, sesiones de recuperación o servicios de salud.
Las redes sociales son el principal medio para enterarse de actividades recreativas y deportivas en cada cantón. El 73.2% de las personas dijo que obtiene esa información por esas plataformas, el 35.3% la recibe por WhatsApp y el 20.8% se informa por televisión, periódicos o radio.
El estudio comparó estos resultados con los de 2022, cuando el 59.2% de la población mencionó las redes sociales y el 28.4%, WhatsApp. A partir de esos datos, el informe señaló la importancia de fortalecer la divulgación mediante redes y servicios de mensajería.
Las preferencias deportivas varían por edad, género y escolaridad
La encuesta identificó diferencias en los hábitos según las características de la población. Los hombres mostraron una preferencia por disciplinas competitivas, de contacto y al aire libre, con los deportes colectivos destacados en el 89% de ese grupo.
Las mujeres priorizaron actividades vinculadas con el ritmo y el bienestar. El baile y la zumba registraron una presencia del 93% entre sus preferencias.
En San José predominan las actividades de ritmo y socialización. En Heredia, los gimnasios y otros centros deportivos encabezan las opciones, mientras que en Alajuela, Cartago y las zonas periféricas se observó una mayor inclinación por actividades realizadas desde el hogar y en entornos privados.
El segmento de entre 18 y 34 años se inclinó por los deportes colectivos, con el 55%, y asiste con mayor frecuencia al gimnasio. La población de 60 años o más mostró una preferencia por propuestas recreativas y vinculadas con la salud corporal.
Las personas con formación universitaria o de posgrado presentan una mayor propensión a asistir a lugares privados que requieren inversión económica, como gimnasios o rutinas de yoga y pilates. Los perfiles de menor escolaridad optan más por espacios comunitarios: los deportes de contacto alcanzaron el 48% entre quienes tienen secundaria completa y el baile y la zumba reunieron el 43% entre la población con primaria y secundaria.
El uso de pantallas aparece entre los obstáculos para niños y adolescentes
El 75.1% de los hogares con niños y adolescentes indicó que esa población realiza actividad física. El 52.2% respondió que los menores hacen ejercicio varias veces por semana, el 29.2% señaló una práctica semanal y el 13.4% afirmó que la realizan todos los días.
La escuela o el colegio fue el principal lugar para hacer actividad física, de acuerdo con el 42.1% de la muestra. Los parques, las plazas y las canchas públicas fueron mencionados por el 26%.
A diferencia de lo observado en la población general, el uso excesivo de pantallas fue señalado por el 21.5% como la principal razón que limita el ejercicio entre niños y adolescentes. La falta de tiempo de padres, madres o cuidadores recibió el 21.4% de las respuestas.
La encuesta fue elaborada por el Instituto de Estudios Sociales en Población de la Universidad Nacional (Idespo-UNA), en coordinación con el Instituto del Deporte y la Recreación (Icoder). La investigación se aplicó del 6 al 24 de abril de 2026.
La muestra incluyó a 1,220 personas y contó con un nivel de confianza del 95%. El margen de error fue de 2.8%.
caminata,parque urbano,ejercicio físico,amanecer,sendero
INTERNACIONAL
France’s Macron blames protests on ‘ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic’
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French President Emmanuel Macron vowed Thursday to ban protests by «individuals or groups with no legitimate authority» as he blamed «ultra-left groups» for riots and looting that spread across his country.
Macron made the remarks as thousands of protesters took to the streets of Paris on Thursday, according to The Associated Press, ahead of larger demonstrations set for this weekend.
«Last Saturday we had political and seditious acts by ultra-left groups whose aim is to bring down the Republic,» Macron was quoted by Reuters as saying following a meeting with intelligence officials.
The news agency reported that businesses in central Paris have started boarding up their windows over concerns of violence on Saturday. Local authorities also told Reuters that protests planned for Saturday in Lyon have been banned.
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Police officers block the street during a protest organized by student collectives and trade unions in Paris, France, on Oct. 22, 2026. (Reuters)
Macron said the strategy adopted for the coming days is to ban protests requested by «individuals or groups with no legitimate authority.»
«Where trade unions submit requests to hold demonstrations, prefects will examine them in accordance with the law, but alternative routes will be proposed» to protect city centers, businesses and public buildings, Macron said.
«The rules are simple, and I think they’re just common sense. The general recommendation is that there should be no demonstrations in the coming days,» he said. «For those who still want to protest, if they are trade unions, prefects will propose alternative routes.»
Organizers of the Paris protest on Thursday said an administrative court in the city overturned a ban issued by police after they challenged it. The Paris police prefecture previously said the ban was necessary, given the risk of street violence after groups of masked youth clashed with police forces, looted shops and torched cars over the weekend.
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A fire burns as police officers in riot gear stand guard during civil unrest in Paris, France, the day after a national day of demonstrations against the cost of living and rising fuel prices on Oct. 18, 2026. (Reuters)
The protests began in France in September with calls for education reform, before expanding into larger anti-government demonstrations that French officials say are being fueled by far-left groups.
Protesters gathered peacefully and chanted in the southeastern part of Paris on Thursday while they were watched by a heavy police presence, the AP reported.
Riot police officers run across a street during protests in Paris, France, on Oct. 17, 2026. (Bruno Camillo/Reuters)
Thursday’s planned protests were seen as a prelude to Saturday’s big demonstration, when activists from the «yellow vest» movement, whose demonstrations over fuel prices shook France in 2018 and 2019, and the CGT labor union, are expected to join.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
france, emmanuel macron, world protests, labor unions, europe, world
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