What's Happening

Immigration

Trump's Latest Immigration Move: Offering $1,000 Stipends

What's going on: The Trump administration unveiled what it calls a “dignified” new plan to remove undocumented immigrants from the US: pay them to leave. The program would cover travel costs and offer a $1,000 stipend to those who voluntarily “self-deport” using the CBP Home app — the same platform the Biden administration used to manage asylum-seekers entering legally. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says those who opt in will be deprioritized for arrest and detention if they’re “making meaningful strides” toward leaving the country. But officials haven’t said how the money would be distributed — only that it would come after confirming someone returned to their home country. At least one person has used the app to schedule a self-deportation, according to DHS.

What it means: The administration’s incentivized approach comes as deportations have remained stagnant since President Donald Trump’s return to office. Critics say the stipends are misleading and warn that migrants should seek legal advice before accepting. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — who has previously deputized agents, pushed for more ICE raids, and even livestreamed an immigration raid — now calls the voluntary exit plan “the best, safest, and most cost-effective” option. DHS estimates that a typical deportation runs $17,121 — but by encouraging self-deportation, the agency says it could cut that figure by 70%, even with the stipend. Meanwhile, Trump told reporters, “maybe someday, with a little work, they can come back in.” But that might be unlikely since anyone who’s lived in the US illegally for over a year could face a 10-year ban on reentry.

Related: Trump Administration Asks Court To Toss Abortion Pill Case (Axios)

US News

Women Bear the REAL ID Burden

What's going on: Starting tomorrow, every US air traveler aged 18 and up will need a REAL ID to get through airport security — or a valid passport or other TSA-approved ID in its place. That’s right: Most regular driver’s licenses won’t cut it anymore unless it has that little star in the corner. And in true deadline fashion, the scramble is on — with women, especially those who’ve changed their names due to marriage or divorce, facing the biggest hurdles. According to Business Insider, many are stuck making multiple trips just to get the right paperwork, thanks to outdated records or missing original marriage certificates (which, by the way, can cost money and require a lot of patience to track down). If you’re mid-divorce? Even messier. 

Tell me more: The REAL ID Act has been a long time coming — passed back in 2005 in response to 9/11 — but the deadline's been pushed repeatedly. Now it’s finally here (sorry, procrastinators). Unsurprisingly, appointments are scarce, lines are long, and some states are scrambling. Illinois, for one, has opened a “Real ID Only Supercenter,” which sounds like something out of a bureaucratic action movie. Bottom line: If you haven’t handled it yet, it’s worth doing — just maybe not the day before your next flight.

Related: As Concerns Over Newark Airport Persist, New Details Are Emerging About Equipment Failures (CNBC)

Fashion

A Met Gala Draped in Meaning

What's going on: Last night’s Met Gala didn’t just glitter — it shone a light on Black identity with its theme: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.” From Diana Ross’s stunning train to Zendaya’s chic three-piece suit, celebrities paid tribute to Black dandyism — a style once forced upon enslaved Americans but later reclaimed as a tool of resistance and self-expression. On the blue carpet, artists showed off their statement hats, pinstripes, and brooches (honorable mention to Lewis Hamilton’s). Meanwhile, it seems like these couples didn’t mind tempting the infamous Met Gala curse. And because it’s fashion, after all, the annual fundraiser wasn’t without some questionable and controversial celebrity looks (from the much-speculated mystery box to those underwear). Inside, Megan Thee Stallion didn’t let the no-phone rule stop her from giving fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the Met Gala.

What it means: This year’s gala marked a major moment in the event’s 77-year history. But the cerulean-style elephant in the room was just how much has changed since the gala’s theme was initially set last fall, when former VP Kamala Harris was running as the first Black woman to top a major-party ticket. The event happened against the backdrop of President Donald Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Some saw the event as a political statement in itself, with Harris even making a surprise appearance. (Trump remains banned from the event.) Still, Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour says the gala was “never about politics.” Instead, she says, it’s about recognizing the many contributions of Black designers and their “self-determination, beauty, creativity.” 

Related: The Met Gala Memes Were Also On Display (Glamour)