In a joint announcement on Feb. 21, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security described a new policy proposal from the Biden administration that would deny asylum to those entering the country illegally, as well as those who do not attempt or are unable to seek asylum in the countries they pass through as they migrate to the United States.
On Feb.7., at 7 p.m., President Joe Biden went before the United States House of Representatives to deliver the annual State of the Union (SOTU) address. A tradition that dates back to the first American president, George Washington, the State of the Union is given by the President of the United States about the current condition of the nation. The speech usually outlines the accomplishments of their administration, the challenges they face and their hopes for the future.
College graduates previously employed in public service are getting a break this month. The Biden administration and Federal Student Aid office announced that the ongoing Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will extend its services to previously-ineligible borrowers. The deadline for this small expansion is Oct. 31.
Photo by Ali Meizels ’23.
Amtrak trains travel to and from Union Station – pictured above – in Springfield, Massachusetts.
By Gillian Petrarca ’23
Staff Writer
The possibility of a railroad strike last weekend affected many students’ travel. Railroad workers from 12 labor unions across the country, such as the National Carriers’ Conference Committee and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, reached a stalemate in the bargaining of a new contract and were set to strike on Friday Sept. 16.
The main grievance for union members was paid sick leave. The workers were bargaining for 15 days of paid sick leave to be granted on a points-system policy. Management was hesitant to bargain on these issues, according to National Public Radio.
“We’re in a time when a lot of people have moved to remote work — so paid sick leave and job flexibility [are] becoming important,” Professor and Chair of Economics and labor economist Michael Robinson said.
In preparation for the strike, many Amtrak locations canceled trips. Arianna Ortiz Tencio ’23 was set to take a trip to Boston for the weekend when her train was canceled. “It was so frustrating, and the craziest part is that I never got an email about it. Only [my friend] did,” Tenicio said. Tenicio filed for a refund and was issued a refund fairly quickly, “But … they weren’t automatically issued, you had to go into the website and fill out your information. … I feel bad that the railroad workers have to go on strike in general,” Tenicio said.
The strike was averted by President Biden’s intervention when he helped negotiate a deal which would give railroad workers “some number of unpaid sick days,” as well as the uncontested ability to attend medical appointments, according to LaborNotes. The union vote on this contract is set for November.
