INTERNACIONAL
Trump urged to review UN immunity, lax visa rules amid national security concerns
A 1947 agreement outlining obligations as host of the United Nations continues to give employees and their family members relatively unfettered access to the U.S.
At a time of increased national security fears and immigration enforcement by the Trump administration, experts are urging a re-examination of the host nation agreement with an eye to the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff and the limited vetting given to those with U.N. visas.
«The United States appears to have taken a relaxed view of the individuals entering the country associated with the U.N., either as employees or as representatives of various country missions. And yet we know that U.N. employees have had, and continue to have, close, direct relationships with terrorist organizations, like UNRWA and Hamas,» Anne Bayefsky, director of the Touro Institute on Human Rights and the Holocaust and president of Human Rights Voices, told Fox News Digital.
UN WATCHDOG PROJECT CALLS ON DOGE CAUCUS TO ‘AUDIT’ THE INTERNATIONAL ORG
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s minister for foreign affairs, talks with Vassily Nebenzia, Russia’s U.N. ambassador, during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council, April 24, 2023. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Bayefsky said there is «a disconnect between the welcome routine and the significant harm to American interests. Hosting the U.N. does not require the host country to facilitate or endure threats to its national security.»
The federal government grants G visas to employees, spouses and children of international organizations, including the U.N., who reside in, or are visiting, the U.S. According to the State Department’s website, «if you are entitled to a G visa, under U.S. visa law, you must receive a G visa. The exceptions to this rule are extremely limited.» The Department of State also explains that «Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for G-1 – 4 and NATO-1 – 6 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.»
Hugh Dugan, a senior advisor to 11 U.S. former ambassadors to the U.N., told Fox News Digital that it «appears to me that the issuance of the G visas for [U.N. employees] is a relatively rubber stamp exercise.» While not requiring interviews of personnel has «become a matter of convenience, frankly, we should always be able to assess a threat to our country.»’
Dugan, a former National Security Council special assistant to the president and senior director for international organization affairs, said nations like Russia and China are only allowed to travel a certain distance from U.N. headquarters. «We are mindful of our adversaries’ activities and presence here, but the door is open to participate in the U.N. and the host country agreement makes that possible so that no country would be barred because of a certain political atmosphere or issue that might be brewing between us and them.»
Former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi displays the photo of Gen. Kasim Soleimani at the United Nations. (Peter Aitken for Fox News Digital)
Fox News Digital asked the State Department whether it requires interviews for staff from adversarial member states, including Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, but received no response. A State Department spokesperson reiterated that consular officers «have full authority to require an in-person interview for any reason.»
Peter Gallo, formerly an investigator with the U.N. Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), told Fox News Digital that he is particularly concerned about the functional immunity granted to U.N. staff participating in activities related to their employment. Gallo explained that «U.S. legal system has come to accept that pretty much it’s a blanket coverage.» He added that «immunity breeds impunity.»
REPUBLICANS SEEK TO BLOCK THE REAPPOINTMENT OF UN OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF ANTISEMITISM
Gallo claimed that there is an epidemic of sexual offenses and misconduct among U.N. staff. He cited an incident in which a U.N. employee outside the U.S. sexually harassed «a young female in his department.» Gallo said it took two years after receipt of the investigation report for an investigation to be completed, which resulted in the demotion of the offending employee. Gallo said the employee who was harassed, and her harasser remained in the same organization.
Gallo said that if employees take part in misconduct while based at U.N. headquarters, the U.S. government should be able to examine cases and determine whether staff should retain their G visas.
Dugan said that if U.N. personnel «knew that [immunity] could be lifted at any time by us… they might start behaving a lot differently.»
China’s Vice President Han Zheng addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on Sept. 21, 2023. (Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)
In response to questions about whether U.N. staff have been accused of sexual misconduct in the U.S., or whether U.N. staff who engaged in misconduct have had their G visas revoked, a State Department spokesperson explained the department «generally does not provide» revocation statistics. They also said that «all visa applicants, no matter the visa type and where they are located, are continuously vetted. Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States.»
The spokesperson said officials of the U.N. «are expected to respect applicable laws of the United States, including criminal laws. Failure to do so may constitute an abuse of privileges of residence.» They added that this «applies for those who hold diplomatic immunity for their positions as well.»
Among staff who have raised internal alarm bells is U.N. special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese, who traveled to the U.S. in 2024 to deliver a report before the Third Committee of the General Assembly. Albanese, whose antisemitism has been condemned widely by senior U.S. diplomats and the State Department, was allowed to tour multiple U.S. college campuses while in the U.S.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition to qualifying for «rubber stamp» G visas, staff of international organizations like the United Nations can qualify for green cards if they have spent half of at least seven years of employment inside the U.S., or have been in the U.S. for a combined total of 15 years prior to retirement.
INTERNACIONAL
Rachel Morin’s mom shares horrific details of daughter’s murder, slams her senator for trip to El Salvador
The mother of a Maryland woman who an illegal immigrant from El Salvador raped and murdered in 2023 appeared at the White House Wednesday, after a jury convicted her daughter’s murderer on Monday.
Patty Morin’s appearance comes as her senator, Democratic Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, visited El Salvador on Wednesday to check on a Maryland resident the Trump administration’s Justice Department deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration claims that the Maryland resident and El Salvador native, Abrego Garcia, has ties to the MS-13 gang.
«To have a senator from Maryland who didn’t even acknowledge, or barely acknowledge, my daughter and the brutal death that she endured, leaving her five children without a mother…so that he can use my taxpayer money to fly to El Salvador to bring back someone that’s not even an American citizen?» Morin told reporters Wednesday at the White House. «Why does that person have more right than I do, or my daughter or my grandchildren? I don’t, I don’t understand this.»
Patty Morin (L), mother of Rachel Morin, speaks as White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt looks on during a daily press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on April 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Van Hollen’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
A jury in the Harford County Circuit court found Victor Martinez-Hernandez, originally from El Salvador guilty on all counts of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, third-degree sexual offense and kidnapping.
Van Hollen’s press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. However, following Martinez-Hernandez’s conviction, Van Hollen issued a statement vowing to bolster border security while also «supporting our immigrant communities.»
«While the conviction of Rachel Morin’s killer will not return Rachel to her family where she rightfully belongs, this verdict brings a measure of justice that they so deserve,» Van Hollen said in a statement. «I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers who brought her killer into custody and for our legal process for delivering this justice.»
Martinez-Hernandez attacked Rachel Morin, 37, in August 2023 on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, a trail Patty Morin said the family had walked for 25 years as Maryland residents.
DEMOCRATS PRIORITIZING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OVER CITIZENS IS ‘MIND-BOGGLING,’ WHITE HOUSE SAYS
A jury convicted Victor Martinez-Hernandez on Monday for savagely raping and murdering mother of five Rachel Morin in Maryland Aug. 5, 2023. (Tulsa Police Department/ Facebook)
«When she went on that trail that day, she was not planning on dying. She wasn’t planning on walking to her death,» Patty Morin told reporters. «She was planning on going to the grocery store with her girls afterwards. Victor Martinez, he waited for her. He waited for her to come closer. He saw her. He saw that there was nobody around, he attacked her. He dragged her 150 feet, blood gushing from her head.»
Patty Morin shared with the press the horrific details of her daughter’s murder, including how Martinez-Hernandez raped and strangled her daughter after crushing her skull like an «eggshell.»
Patty Morin said photos of the brutal attack show that not «one inch» of her daughter’s body remained free from injury. These photos have since been sealed because they are so graphic, she said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«You could see where the blood ran down around her as he was raping her, and then he threw her down, and raped her some more, and then he strangled her because he didn’t want her to be able to live to tell the story,» Patty Morin said.
Patty Morin also shared that Martinez-Hernandez did not appear to express any remorse in the courtroom for his actions.
«These are the kind of criminals President Trump wants to remove from our country,» Patty Morin said. «These are the kind of criminals that we need to remove from our country. We are American citizens. Why should we allow people like this, violent criminals that have no conscience at all to murder our mothers, our sisters, our daughters?»
Patty Morin also urged the press to not sanitize their news coverage of her daughter’s death.
«Please tell the truth,» she said. «Tell how violent it really is. This is about protecting our children. It’s more than just politics or votes or anything, it’s about national security.»
Meanwhile, Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador Wednesday in an attempt to meet with Garcia. The Trump administration’s Justice Department admitted that it deported Garcia in an «administrative error.»
BLUE STATE SENATOR FLIES TO EL SALVADOR TO VISIT DEPORTED MIGRANT IN PRISON, ONLY TO BE DENIED
Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland visited El Salvador on Wednesday on behalf of El Salvador native, Abrego Garcia. The Trump administration has accused Garcia of having ties to the MS-13 gang. (Getty)
Additionally, the Supreme Court upheld Thursday a lower court’s order that «requires the government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.»
While Van Hollen met with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Augusto Antonio Ulloa Garay during his trip, he was not permitted to visit Garcia at the prison «Terrorism Confinement Center» (CECOT). However, Van Hollen told reporters he would continue to try to meet with him in the future.
«I am going to keep pressing,» Van Hollen said. «I will keep pressing in my remaining time here, and I will keep pressing beyond that if necessary.»
Fox News’ Ashley Carnahan and Greg Wehner contributed to this report.
White House,Immigration,Justice Department,Karoline Leavitt,Donald Trump
INTERNACIONAL
“Noche difícil en Dnipro”: Zelensky denunció que otro bombardeo ruso en una zona residencial de Ucrania mató a tres personas e hirió a 28
Un ataque aéreo masivo realizado por las fuerzas rusas en la ciudad de Dnipro, en el sureste de Ucrania, dejó un saldo de al menos tres muertos, entre ellos una adolescente de 17 años, y 28 heridos, según informaron este jueves las autoridades ucranianas.
El presidente de Ucrania, Volodimir Zelensky, condenó el ataque y señaló que los drones rusos fueron dirigidos a áreas residenciales y a infraestructuras civiles, lo que resultó en una tragedia para la población civil. “Fue una noche difícil en Dnipro. Los drones rusos atacaron edificios residenciales y otras infraestructuras civiles. Los escombros aún se están despejando”, expresó Zelensky en su cuenta de X.
El ataque se produce en el contexto de una creciente intensificación de las ofensivas rusas, que han incrementado las víctimas civiles en varias regiones de Ucrania en las últimas semanas. La ciudad de Dnipro fue uno de los objetivos más recientes de los ataques con drones, que han causado grandes daños a infraestructuras clave de la ciudad, como escuelas, residencias y otros edificios civiles. Según las autoridades locales, 28 personas resultaron heridas, 16 de las cuales fueron hospitalizadas, incluidos cuatro menores de edad. Los equipos de emergencia de la ciudad continúan trabajando para apagar los incendios provocados por los impactos de los drones, que destruyeron varias estructuras.
Zelensky expresó su dolor por las víctimas y envió sus condolencias a las familias afectadas. “Trágicamente, tres personas murieron debido a este ataque, entre ellas una niña, Veronika, de solo 17 años. Mis condolencias a sus familias y seres queridos”, añadió el presidente ucraniano.
Además de la tragedia en Dnipro, el ataque de drones también afectó a otras regiones de Ucrania. Odesa fue otra de las ciudades que sufrió un impacto significativo, con al menos tres personas heridas. Los drones rusos alcanzaron edificios residenciales, una farmacia y una iglesia. Las autoridades informaron que las fuerzas rusas también llevaron a cabo ataques con misiles balísticos en las regiones de Sumy, Kharkiv y Donetsk, lo que dejó más víctimas y destruyó más infraestructuras.
En respuesta a estos ataques, Zelensky renovó su llamamiento a la comunidad internacional, especialmente a los países aliados de Ucrania, para proporcionar más apoyo en defensa aérea. “Cada paquete de defensa de nuestros aliados es literalmente una protección de vidas. Rusia usa cada día y cada noche para matar. La presión debe aplicarse a los asesinos, y la vida debe ser protegida para detener esta guerra y asegurar una paz confiable”, subrayó el presidente en su mensaje de X. En este sentido, Ucrania ha solicitado a sus socios internacionales más sistemas de defensa aérea para frenar los ataques aéreos rusos que continúan afectando a las ciudades y a la población civil.
Mientras tanto, una delegación ucraniana encabezada por Andrii Yermak, jefe de la Oficina Presidencial, se encontraba en París para una serie de reuniones con representantes de la coalición internacional de países aliados de Ucrania, incluidos Francia, Alemania y el Reino Unido. Durante las conversaciones, se discutieron aspectos clave de la seguridad de Ucrania a largo plazo y la necesidad de garantizar un futuro sin agresiones rusas una vez que se logre un cese al fuego. Yermak señaló que también estaban previstas reuniones con representantes de Estados Unidos para coordinar aún más el apoyo a Ucrania en la lucha contra la invasión rusa.
Este ataque en Dnipro es solo uno más de una serie de ofensivas rusas que han golpeado a Ucrania en los últimos días, y es parte de un patrón de ataques a zonas civiles que ha dejado decenas de muertos y heridos. A pesar de la continua agresión rusa, los analistas militares destacan que la situación en el frente de batalla está lejos de ser decisiva. Las fuerzas rusas han intensificado sus operaciones en el noreste de Ucrania, en las regiones de Sumy y Kharkiv, mientras que en la región de Kursk y en Bélgorod, las fuerzas ucranianas han continuado con sus ataques para evitar que las tropas rusas refuercen sus posiciones en esas áreas.
En medio de esta situación, Zelensky reiteró que la única forma de detener esta guerra y garantizar una paz duradera es a través de la fuerza colectiva de la comunidad internacional. “Las guerras se detienen con la fuerza: fuerza contra el agresor, fuerza en defensa de la vida”, concluyó el presidente ucraniano, apelando a la unidad global para frenar la agresión de Rusia.
Europe,Military Conflicts,DNIPRO
A massive island-wide blackout hit Puerto Rico on Wednesday as residents were looking ahead to the Easter weekend.
A spokesman for Luma Energy, which oversees the transmission and distribution of power for the U.S. territory, told The Associated Press that all 1.4 million customers were affected, including the main international airport and several hospitals. At least 328,000 customers were without water.
Power had only been restored for around 175,000 customers – or 12% – by Wednesday.
Hotels were near capacity, with thousands of tourists celebrating Easter vacations on the island. Tourism officials rushed to reassure them that many hotels and other businesses were operating with generators.
NEW JERSEY WOMEN IDENTIFIED AS ONE OF 200 DOMINICAN REPUBLICAN NIGHTCLUB COLLAPSE VICTIMS
«There are no words that can ease the frustration we feel as a people in the face of another massive blackout,» Gov. Jenniffer González, who cut her vacation short and flew back to Puerto Rico, wrote on X. «I’m with you because the people of Puerto Rico deserve their officials to respond in times of crisis, and that’s why I’m here.»
It was not immediately clear what caused the shutdown, which is the latest in a string of major blackouts on the island in recent years.
In December, another massive blackout left nearly 1.3 million in the dark as residents were beginning preparations to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Headlights illuminate cobblestone streets in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, during an island-wide blackout, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
The governor pledged she would cancel the contract with Luma but noted that while government officials have started analyzing the contract and finding possible replacements, it wouldn’t be a quick process.
González also said that she has requested an in-depth investigation into the blackout, noting that officials have already warned there won’t be enough generation of power for this summer, when demand peaks.
«Puerto Rico can’t be the island where the power goes out all the time,» González said. «We’re going to take action. Let people have no doubts.»
Officials said 90% of clients would likely have electricity 48 to 72 hours after the blackout occurred.
MLB LEGEND PEDRO MARTINEZ REVEALS FAMILY MEMBERS MISSING AFTER ROOF COLLAPSE IN DOMINICAN REPUBLICAN
The latest blackout has left thousands of Puerto Ricans fuming, with many renewing their calls that the government cancel the contract with Luma and Genera PR, which oversees generation of power on the island.
Reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny echoed the collective rage, writing on X: «When are we going to do something?»
Dozens of people were forced to walk on an overpass next to the rails of the rapid transit system that serves the capital, San Juan, while scores of businesses were forced to close.
Professional baseball and basketball games were canceled as the hum of generators and smell of smoke filled the air. Traffic became snarled as police officers were deployed to busy intersections.
Drivers fill up fuel containers at a gas station during an island-wide blackout in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Those without generators crowded around grocery stores and other businesses to buy ice across Puerto Rico.
The island of 3.2 million residents has a more than 40% poverty rate, and not everyone can afford solar panels or generators.
Roughly 117,000 homes and businesses on the island have solar rooftops. Meanwhile, petroleum-fired power plants provide 62% of Puerto Rico’s power, natural gas 24%, coal 8% and renewables 7%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
EARTHQUAKE SHAKES SAN DIEGO AREA
Daniel Hernández, vice president of operations at Genera PR, said at a news conference that a disturbance hit the transmission system shortly after noon on Wednesday, during a time when the grid is vulnerable because there are not many machines regulating frequency at that hour.
Verónica Ferraiuoli, Puerto Rico’s acting governor and secretary of state, said the White House reached out to local officials and said they are available if needed.
Customers sit inside a restaurant lit by battery-powered lanterns during an island-wide power outage, in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, April 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Alejandro Granadillo)
Pablo José Hernández, Puerto Rico’s representative in Congress, said he would work to ensure that «Washington understands the real and urgent situation Puerto Ricans face every day.»
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
«The electric grid crisis is frustrating, and after years of blackouts, it feels like it’s going from bad to worse,» he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Zulemita Menem habló de su novio de 76 años y lo llenó de elogios: «Amor»
Corrientes avanza en formación profesional: Habilitan residencia especializada para nutricionistas
El Gobierno ordenó que la UIF deje de ser querellante en causas de corrupción y lavado de dinero
Fue rival de Messi, se llevó su camiseta y ahora tira paredes con Neymar
Hay alerta amarilla por lluvias y tormentas para este jueves 17 de abril: las provincias afectadas
Elecciones Salta 2025: qué se vota el 11 de mayo
PETA, animal rights groups praise Trump admin for phasing out ‘cruel tests on dogs’ and other animals
Cristina Kirchner dice que «no puede subsistir» sin su jubilación de privilegio y no consigue un juez que se la restituya
Andrés Malamud: “El tuit de Cristina es una confirmación de que es una minoría”
Acciones argentinas responden al histórico fin del cepo: se disparan 9% en el postmarket de Wall Street
Mauricio Macri respaldó al Gobierno por ponerle fin al cepo, pero advirtió que “habrá una devaluación”
VIVO | Javier Milei hablará en cadena nacional tras el anuncio del acuerdo con el FMI y la salida del cepo
Bolivia repite el guion del terrorismo de Estado electoral visto en Nicaragua y Venezuela
El presidente de Bolivia, Luis Arce, al atender a la prensa este lunes, 7 de abril, en La Paz (Bolivia)...
Marcelo Peretta lanzó su candidatura con fuertes críticas a la clase política: “La Legislatura sólo sirve
El sindicalista farmacéutico Marcelo Peretta oficializó su candidatura a legislador porteño con un encendido discurso en el que no ahorró...
Lo litigado, obliga: por qué Bolivia debe cumplir la decisión de la ONU sobre Luis Fernando Camacho
Luis Fernando Camacho (AP Foto/Juan Karita/Archivo) Esta semana, el Ministro de Justicia y el Procurador General del Estado de Bolivia...
-
POLITICA3 días agoAndrés Malamud: “El tuit de Cristina es una confirmación de que es una minoría”
-
POLITICA3 días agoMauricio Macri respaldó al Gobierno por ponerle fin al cepo, pero advirtió que “habrá una devaluación”
-
POLITICA3 días agoTras la apertura del cepo, Milei estimó: “Para la mitad del año que viene se termina el problema de la inflación”