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Illegal immigrant accused of fentanyl dealing linked to Virginia high school overdoses
An illegal immigrant from El Salvador who has faced a final deportation order since 2024 was caught and later released on bond at the Texas border in 2016 before his arrest last week for allegedly dealing fentanyl near a Virginia high school, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Isaac Melendez-Carranza, 31, was arrested Aug. 20 and charged with distributing fentanyl within 1,000 feet of a school. He is being held without bond at the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center.
"ICE lodged a detainer on August 20 for Isaac Melendez-Carranza, an illegal alien from El Salvador, with the Loudoun County Jail," a DHS spokesperson told Fox News.
An immigration judge issued Melendez-Carranza a final order of removal on July 18, 2024, according to DHS.
THE BORDER IS CLOSED THANKS TO PRESIDENT TRUMP. IN VIRGINIA, THAT DOESN’T MATTER
Melendez-Carranza was encountered in Sterling, Virginia, less than a month later, on Aug. 16, 2024, but no action was taken, DHS said.
The department cited the Biden administration for the lack of action.
U.S. Border Patrol arrested Melendez-Carranza near Hebbronville, Texas, on May 3, 2016, after he illegally entered the U.S. via the Rio Grande, according to DHS. He was released on bond on July 13, 2016, the department said.
The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office identified Melendez-Carranza as a suspected drug dealer connected to overdoses involving Park View High School students in May.
MEXICAN NATIONAL FACES FEDERAL CHARGES AFTER CBP FINDS $238K IN FENTANYL INSIDE ELECTRIC MOPED
Deputies seized about 100 pills and approximately $1,000 in cash during a search of his home, FOX 5 DC reported.
Multiple students had been hospitalized following suspected overdoses at Park View High School in May, the outlet said.
Loudoun County Public Schools confirmed at the time that two students suffered nonfatal suspected overdoses during school hours.
Additional students were taken to a local hospital for evaluation after exhibiting symptoms, district officials said.
The school system noted that it was unclear whether the incidents were connected and could not immediately confirm whether controlled substances were involved.
Sheriff Mike Chapman called the case particularly alarming because the illicit drugs were reaching local students.
The sheriff's office said Melendez-Carranza will be turned over to ICE after he is released, Fox 5 DC reported.
"He’s here illegally," Chapman said. "I think he came in about 10 years ago. We shouldn’t be here and maybe if he wasn’t here this would not have happened, so we take that quite seriously. There is a detainer on him from ICE, so once he is done with his charges here, he will be released to ICE."
The sheriff's office said more arrests are possible, but there was no timetable.
Chapman confirmed ICE placed a detainer on Melendez-Carranza, who will be transferred to federal immigration authorities after his local criminal charges are resolved.
"Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, ICE is targeting the worst of the worst. Nearly 70% of ICE arrests are of illegal aliens charged or convicted of a crime in the U.S.," DHS said.
Houston Uber driver caught in wild police chase as officers seen on dashcam video hitching a ride in his car
A Houston Uber driver was caught "off guard" but kept his cool when two police officers jumped into his vehicle and directed him to chase a suspect fleeing on foot, wild dashcam video shows.
Anthony Baines said he was driving for Uber at about 12:20 a.m. Aug. 8 in a Houston Heights neighborhood, when a shirtless man ran across the street in front of his vehicle with two Houston Police Department officers close behind, according to Storyful.
The video shows Baines getting waved down by an officer and stopping as she approaches and hops into the front passenger seat.
"Hey, give me a ride over there please," the officer says in the video. "Go, go that way … go, go, go, go, go!"
Baines can be heard asking which way he should drive as officers point him in the direction of the suspect. After driving a short distance, the officer signals for her partner, who's carrying a flashlight, to get in the vehicle, too, and opens the car door and jumps into the backseat.
The officers rode with Baines for several minutes while searching the area before one of them appeared to spot the suspect. Both officers jump out of the Uber and resume their pursuit on foot.
"What the f---?!" Baines is heard saying as the officers dart from his car.
BODYCAM SHOWS POLICE K-9 LEAPING INTO ACTION AFTER SUSPECTED IMPAIRED DRIVER REFUSED TO SURRENDER
"It caught me completely off guard," Baines told Storyful. "I’ve never had anything like that happen driving. I was surprised but just did what the officer asked in the moment."
Houston police confirmed the authenticity of the video and the incident to KPRC 2, which reported officers had been responding to a terroristic threat call involving allegations that the suspect threatened to shoot a woman and her children after becoming upset over a belief that someone had stolen from him.
Police said officers tried to detain the man as he left an apartment, but he refused to cooperate and ran away. An officer asked the driver to take them around the block to the apartment complex, where the officers returned to their own vehicle, according to KPRC.
FLORIDA MAN ARRESTED IN IHOP RESTAURANT AFTER POLICE SAY HE STABBED A RIDESHARE DRIVER
Despite the unusual assistance, police did not locate the suspect. His identity has not been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Baines later appeared to confirm in a social media post that he was the Uber driver behind the dashcam footage.
"Yep, that was me," he wrote. "The Uber driver whose dashcam caught two HPD officers jumping in my car to chase a suspect."
Baines described himself as an Army veteran, husband and father of two who began driving Uber so he and his wife could save for their first home.
Fox News Digital has reached out to HPD and Uber for comment.
Abdul El-Sayed grilled on past statements on Sharia law and White supremacy, taxing the rich
Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed was grilled in a fiery interview on "Jesse Watters Primetime" Monday on his progressive policy positions as he sparred over his high-stakes Senate race against former Republican congressman Mike Rogers.
El-Sayed was challenged over his stated adherence to Sharia law, which was recently criticized by Vice President JD Vance, as well as previous remarks in which he linked efforts to eliminate Sharia law to White supremacy.
"Nobody is trying to push Sharia law on anyone else, just like I hope nobody is trying to push Canon law on anybody else, because we live in an America where you should have the freedom of your religion," he told host Jesse Watters.
VANCE UNLOADS ON EL-SAYED OVER SHARIA REMARKS: ‘THAT’S NOT MY GRANDPA’S DEMOCRATIC PARTY’
El-Sayed, who said he would "never" push his faith on someone else, argued that there is evidence proving the Trump administration has targeted him because he is Muslim.
"There's statistical evidence that the president and the vice president like to target me simply as a function of my faith," he said.
The Democratic nominee condemned Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., over his proposed legislation that would prevent foreign nationals advocating for Sharia law from entering the U.S., including the No Sharia Act and Preserving a Sharia Free America Act.
"The idea, that you have somebody like Tommy Tuberville – who barely was good at coaching football – is out here trying to ban Sharia Law when there's less than 1% of the Muslim community in America, as if somehow Muslims are out here trying to push Sharia law, that seems to me to be deliberately targeting the Muslim Community, because they're different," he said.
El-Sayed and Watters later clashed over the Democratic nominee’s proposal to raise taxes on the wealthy.
"I also think we got to start taxing wealth for people who know have over $100 million. I mean at that point like what are gonna even do with more money?," El-Sayed said Wednesday on "The Ansari Podcast."
"What are you going to do with more money? Whatever I want!" Watters said in response to El-Sayed’s podcast remarks.
El-Sayed, who has repeatedly railed against "the 1%" as a malign influence on American politics, defended his tax-the-wealthy stance, arguing it is aimed at improving the lives of average Americans, including in infrastructure and education.
EL-SAYED MAY BE 'FULL-BLOWN COMMUNIST' DESPITE SOCIALIST DENIAL: TOP REPUBLICAN
"The question ultimately is, ‘Do you want to drive on good roads, or would you rather have a billionaire make a second billion?’ That's what Mike Rogers wants. That's why Donald Trump wants. Apparently, that's what you want. I think the people in Michigan want something different," he said.
While El-Sayed has repeatedly criticized the influence of wealthy Americans on the campaign trail, he and his wife reported $686,069 in income in 2025, placing their household among Michigan’s top earners.
LIZ PEEK: MICHIGAN CAN STOP THE SOCIALIST FEVER RAGE — OR WATCH IT SWALLOW THE SENATE
El-Sayed accused Watters of "defending billionaires," to which the host responded, "No, I just think I have the right to the fruits of my own labor. That's America. It's not communist what you're talking about."
El-Sayed countered that billionaires would remain financially secure even if they faced higher taxes.
"If we tax you at 7%, you're still going to make what? A cool $30 million off your billion dollars? I think that's okay, they're going to be okay, Jesse," he said.
El-Sayed also took aim at Rogers, calling his opponent in Michigan’s Senate race a "beta" male who "thinks he is running against Hasan Piker."
He accused Rogers of dodging interviews, though El-Sayed himself seemed to dodge questions during his "Jesse Watters Primetime" appearance about men in women’s sports and him previous characterization of the NFL as racist.
The Democratic Senate candidate also argued that considering reparations for Black Americans "shouldn’t be a crazy thing" and that the U.S. shouldn’t be fighting wars "we don’t know how to get out of," referencing the Iran conflict.
Trump administration proposes six-figure price tag for new H-1B visas
The Trump administration unveiled a proposal on Monday to codify an unprecedented fee of more than $100,000 for cap-subject H-1B petitions for highly skilled foreign workers, replacing a charge first imposed by presidential proclamation last year that has thus far been blocked by a federal court.
The Department of Homeland Security's proposed rule would charge $103,265 as an additional fee for every H-1B petition subject to the annual statutory cap, including petitions eligible for the advanced-degree exemption.
The worker visas are heavily relied on in the tech, education and research industries.
The fee would be used to cover the federal government’s costs of administering the legal immigration system, including actions carried out by DHS and the Department of Justice, Department of State and Department of Labor.
FEDERAL JUDGE STRIKES DOWN TRUMP’S $100K H-1B VISA FEE, RULING IT AN UNCONSTITUTIONAL TAX
"The proposed H‑1B fee is intended to recover the costs incurred across the federal government to adjudicate, vet, and support lawful immigration programs that otherwise must be funded by taxpayers," U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler said in a news release.
The fee, which was first temporarily imposed by President Donald Trump's administration last year, was blocked by a federal judge in June in an order that barred the federal government from collecting the money.
An appeals court is reviewing the judge's decision while a different court considers whether a challenge to the fee by a major business group was properly rejected.
The temporary fee increase expires next month, one year after it was issued. The proposed rule by DHS was posted for public inspection Monday and is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday. It would make the $103,265 fee permanent.
The charge could be finalized by the end of the year.
The H-1B program allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers with training in specialty occupations, with 65,000 of these visas offered annually under the regular cap.
Another 20,000 are offered for workers with a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution, generally granted for up to three years but typically extendable to a total of six years. Those visas typically came with fees between $2,000 and $5,000 before Trump's order, according to Reuters.
The proposed fee would apply to all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including petitions filed for some foreign students already in the United States seeking to change to H-1B status. It would not apply to cap-exempt H-1B petitions; routine extensions for current H-1B holders generally are not subject to the annual cap.
Trump has argued that the H-1B program is abused by many companies who replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. But business groups and many U.S. companies have contended that the program is needed to address a lack of qualified American workers for certain jobs and to allow American firms to bring in the most skilled workers to support the U.S. economy.
According to court filings, about 70 employers had paid the $100,000 fee on a total of 85 visa applications as of late February.
FEDERAL JUDGE BLASTS RUBIO’S 75-COUNTRY VISA FREEZE AS ‘ORWELLIAN,’ STRIKES DOWN POLICY
The fee is being challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce of Democratic-led states and a coalition of labor unions and employers.
Those complaints could be altered to challenge the rule proposed this week once it is finalized.
The Trump administration has also ordered increased vetting of H-1B applicants and proposed a new visa selection process that would favor higher-skilled and better-paid workers.
Earlier this month, DHS added fees of up to $4,500 to applications to extend the stay of H-1B workers or to transfer employees based in other countries to the U.S.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Ex-Lakers player speaks out in defense of Enes Kanter, doubles down against WNBA's trans issue
Ex-Los Angeles Lakers forward Matt Ryan isn't staying quiet after watching Enes Kanter Freedom get escorted out of Wintrust Arena on Sunday night for standing up for female athletes.
Ryan didn't hold back in Freedom's Instagram comments after the ejection, calling out the WNBA for failing to stand up for female athletes as the league's position on the trans issue keeps falling apart.
He doesn't understand why Enes is catching so much heat.
"Just insane times we are living in," Ryan commented on Freedom’s Instagram on Monday.
"Getting demonized for trying to PROTECT women's sports and calling out the absurdity that the WNBA cannot define what the W is... just unreal and sad. Hopefully you'll force them to come to their senses, be REAL leaders, and protect the future young women."
CLUELESS WNBA ATTACKS 'BAD-FAITH' FANS WHO DON'T WANT BIOLOGICAL MEN RUINING WOMEN'S SPORTS
Ryan's support for Enes came after Freedom was booted late in the third quarter following a heated courtside exchange with Sky guard Natasha Cloud.
Kanter Freedom was sitting baseline in support of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, an outspoken advocate for protecting women's sports.
ENES KANTER FREEDOM OPENS UP ON CONFRONTATION WITH NATASHA CLOUD THAT LED TO EJECTION, WNBA PURSUIT
Before tip-off, Freedom was met by a hostile crowd outside the arena.
Rather than walking back his words after they went viral, Ryan pulled a Sophie Cunningham, heading over to X to double down on his message.
"Yes. This is an '80-20' topic, with [more than] 80% of the country having the most basic of common sense - being able to clearly define what a woman is, and recognizing someone not born as a woman should not participate in women’s sports. There is no transphobia involved in this stance. Every human in the US is free to live as they choose. However, others should not be forced to adhere to absurdity for the sake of feelings.
"The W has a golden opportunity to be PRO- women and protect their league’s integrity. It shouldn’t be difficult. Enes has ZERO intention of stepping foot on a WNBA court - if you can’t recognize that l, I’m not sure how to help you. He’s simply, and very publicly, challenging the highest league in women’s basketball to do what is right."
In an interview with Fox News Digital's Jackson Thompson following his ejection, Freedom explained what triggered the altercation.
WNBA PLAYER NATASHA CLOUD FIRES OFF PRO-TRANS MESSAGE FOLLOWING ALTERCATION WITH ENES KANTER FREEDOM
According to Freedom, the drama began after a routine play by Cunningham.
"Sophie Cunningham shot a three, and I put my hands up to celebrate," Freedom said to Fox News Digital. "Literally, a couple possessions later, Natasha came back and started screaming and yelling and said, 'She's not gonna sleep with you.' And I was like, 'I am not trying to sleep with her. I'm just here to protect women and support her.'"
ENES KANTER FREEDOM EXPOSES NATASHA CLOUD'S PROFANE TIRADE ON 'INGRAHAM ANGLE' AFTER WNBA EJECTION
Freedom said Cloud immediately escalated the exchange with explicit language in front of family audiences.
"She started to use some very heavy language, she started to actually cuss," Freedom said. "I was very shocked that there were a lot of kids and teenagers at that game... using those F-bombs in front of all these kids. That’s not a WNBA athlete reaction."
The courtside exchange nearly stole the spotlight from Indiana’s 113-90 blowout victory. Afterward, Fever superstar Caitlin Clark said she did not see the incident and referred questions to Chicago. Fever head coach Stephanie White dismissed the incident as a "social media thing," while Sky forward Azura Stevens called it a routine "fan incident."
Regardless of those attempts to downplay the scene, Freedom made clear that WNBA leadership is facing a reckoning it can no longer dodge.
"The WNBA has no idea what they're about to face," Freedom noted. "They're still trying to figure out what a woman is. So let's see if they can figure that out... let's see what kind of rules that they're gonna come up with."
With players like Ryan publicly backing Freedom and calling out the league's ideological confusion, the WNBA's attempt to sweep the arena fallout under the rug is failing fast.
Send us your thoughts: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow along on X: @alejandroaveela
Rob Manfred addresses possibility of cancelling 2027 Major League Baseball season: 'We want to play'
The 2026 Major League Baseball season is rapidly drawing to a close, and there are multiple compelling storylines to follow.
Impressively, the American League is potentially set to make the wrong kind of history with several teams under .500 in postseason position. For once, there's a legitimate competition for National League MVP, with Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong giving now-annual winner Shohei Ohtani a run for his money.
Speaking of Ohtani, his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, have recovered from a lengthy losing streak to put themselves in position to secure a first round bye. As baseball's new villains, the Dodgers' fate in October will be the most talked about storyline. Win a third straight championship and fans, incorrectly, will complain about competitive balance in baseball. Lose in the NLDS or NLCS? They'll be "chokers" that deserve eternal scorn.
WITH ONE MONTH LEFT, AMERICAN LEAGUE TEAMS ARE HEADING TOWARDS AN EMBARRASSING, HISTORIC LOW
And that outcome might determine the likelihood of a 2027 season too. Not for any legitimate reason, but because the league's billionaire owners are committed to using misguided fan sentiment to push for their ultimate dream: increasing profits and reducing the percentage of revenue that goes to players through a salary cap. With the Collective Bargaining Agreement set to expire at the end of the year, there's a possibility, if not likelihood, that the owners lock the players out on December 1.
During Sunday night's Little League Classic game between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers, commissioner Rob Manfred joined the broadcast and wasn't exactly reassuring when talking about the possibility that the lockout could drag on well into the 2027 season.
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS A HUGE PROBLEM BREWING FOR THE 2026-2027 OFFSEASON
"We're meeting regularly, which is good," Manfred said during the ESPN broadcast. "Every week, we've had days where we've met with the players. It's early, but we've got a lot of work to do, and we're at it."
Sounds good, right? Meetings are happening. Conversations are happening. Maybe there's hope. Well, about that.
"Look, our goal is to make a deal. We want to make a deal. We want to play baseball next year. We're planning on playing baseball next year," Manfred said.
"We want," is not "we will." "We're planning" is also not "we will."
WORLD SERIES CHAMPION JOHN SMOLTZ WARNS MLB 'CANNOT AFFORD' A WORK STOPPAGE WITH CBA SET TO EXPIRE
Obviously, the two sides are engaged in active negotiations, and as such, Manfred may not want to weaken his bargaining position by giving too much away. He's also smart enough to know the position baseball is in right now, with attendance and ratings growing and the Dodgers giving the other 29 fanbases a compelling foil.
But it's still a bit disconcerting to hear "want" and "planning" when the future popularity of the sport is at stake. Baseball can't afford a lengthy work stoppage or, God forbid, the cancellation of the 2027 season. Young, exciting players like Crow-Armstrong, Bobby Witt Jr., Konnor Griffin, Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, Junior Caminero, Jordan Walker, Gunnar Henderson, J.J. Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle are helping the league build momentum.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Losing out on a year of development, growth, and excitement is simply not an option. Hopefully Manfred realizes that, public comments aside.
More details about Jed York's arrest in a prostitution sting come to light and begs questions about the 49ers
More details continue to pour in about the "engaging in prostitution" arrest charges and subsequent conviction on lesser charges of San Francisco 49ers majority owner Jed York.
York was arrested in his native Ohio on Sunday on one charge of "engaging in prostitution" and another charge of "possessing criminal tools." And while the more salacious charge was downgraded to "disorderly conduct" in a plea deal with the prosecutor, it is that initial charge on which York was arrested and arraigned that sticks in the minds fans, media, everybody.
It's the embarrassing charge that raises eyebrows because York is reportedly worth $500 million and the family fortune is believed to hover around $8.5 billion, but he allegedly tried to enlist the services of a prostitute for $140.
Did we tell you that York's legal team immediately filed a motion to seal court records?
The motion was denied.
And so here comes the details not in the original OutKick story that have since come to light via reporting:
York responded to an advertisement on Sunday from what police say is a known prostitution website in Columbiana County, Ohio. He allegedly "arranged to have sexual activity with a female in exchange for $140," per police.
The meeting with the prostitute was supposed to happen near the Wheat Hill Mobile Home Community – a trailer park in East Palestine, Ohio.
In fact, York had fallen for a police sting by the Mahoning Valley Human Trafficking Task Force and the NFL owner was intercepted by officers when he approached the trailer park.
FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL SUBPOENAS NFL AS PART OF NEW PROBE INTO ROONEY RULE AND OTHER DEI PROGRAMS
York was taken into custody by the East Palestine police.
The mobile home park, by the way, claims it is a victim of circumstances. It's Facebook account posted that Park addresses were not being used in the sting operation, but rather that's where cops happened to catch up to York.
"This news of this arrest in our quiet community is just as shocking to us as to the rest of you," the post reads.
York was taken into custody when he was found in possession of the cell phone that was used to set up the alleged rendezvous with the person he allegedly believed to be a hooker.
The phone in York's possession "was used to arrange the criminal act," according to court records and that is the reason he was also charged with "possessing criminal tools."
York pleaded no contest to the misdemeanor plea deal charges of disorderly conduct and possessing criminal tools, per court records.
The NFL previously told OutKick that this matter will be reviewed by the league under the Personal Conduct Policy.
In 2014, the NFL updated its conduct policy and specifically warned those beyond the field that it applies to them.
"It is a privilege to be part of the National Football League," the policy states. "Everyone who is part of the league must refrain from conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL. This includes owners, coaches, players, other team employees, game officials, and employees of the league office, NFL Films, NFL Network or any other NFL business."
The policy also leaves little room to question whether York will simply walk away from this incident without a penalty from the league.
"If you are convicted of a crime or subject to a disposition of a criminal proceeding, you are subject to discipline," the policy states. "But even if your conduct does not result in a criminal conviction, if the league finds that you have engaged in conduct [prohibited by the policy], you will be subject to discipline."
York got arrested. He pleaded no contest on two criminal charges. And he has brought negative attention to the NFL.
The 49ers on Monday declined to comment on the York arrest and plea deal, citing the episode is closed.
But this won't be over until the NFL rules.
And it represents an ongoing set of curious events involving this club.
Coach Kyle Shanahan on July 14 was involved in a head-on crash in Palo Alto, California, when he admittedly dropped his phone, and took his eyes off the road and hands off the wheel of his Tesla.
Shanahan said he had the vehicle's autopilot engaged but hit an oncoming car head on. He was eventually found at fault in the accident. Both the coach and the driver of the other car suffered injuries.
Receiver Brandon Aiyuk was issued a Santa Clara County arrest warrant on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed in June after he posted video of himself driving more than 100 mph near Levi’s Stadium on a road with a 40-mph limit.
As was noted on social media about the team's set of misdemeanor charges recently:
York 2.
Aiyuk 1.
Syria off US terror blacklist after nearly 50 years as Trump admin clears investment hurdle
The United States on Monday formally removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a move Secretary of State Marco Rubio said eliminates the final major barriers to investment and economic recovery in the country.
Rubio said in a statement that he had authorized the formal rescission after a mandatory 45-day congressional notification period ended.
President Donald Trump had initiated the countdown in July after confirming to Congress that Syria’s government had ceased supporting acts of international terrorism.
"I have also delisted Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham’s (HTS) designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)," Rubio said Monday.
FORMER ASSAD-ERA PRISON CHIEF CONVICTED OF TORTURE IN US FEDERAL COURT, MARKING A HISTORIC FIRST
The actions, he said, represent "another historic step by President Trump to give the Syrian people a path to prosperity."
Rubio said Washington had taken unprecedented steps over the past year to provide sanctions relief to the Syrian people.
He pointed to Trump’s June 2025 executive order, "Providing for the Revocation of Syria Sanctions," which accelerated sanctions relief by terminating the Syria Sanctions Program and the national emergency with respect to Syria while directing reviews of other Syria-related sanctions and terrorist designations.
"These actions were all taken in recognition of the positive actions taken and further commitments by the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa to fully distance Syria from acts of international terrorism," Rubio said of the Syrian government.
Al-Sharaa ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 in an offensive led by HTS rebels. Syria had been on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list since 1979, with the designation in force throughout al-Assad’s rule.
BRIEF ALCOHOL BAN IN DAMASCUS SPARKS CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENT AL-SHARAA'S VISION FOR SYRIA
"In the past year, the Government of Syria has taken significant steps to counterterrorism, to include formally joining the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS in November and conducting operations to disrupt the terror networks of ISIS, al-Qa’ida, Hizballah, and Iran-aligned groups," Rubio said.
He added that rescinding Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism and HTS’ designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist "eliminates the final major barriers for private-sector investment in Syria and promotes Syria’s economic recovery and reintegration into the global economy."
EVANGELICAL LEADER SAYS US MUST PROTECT SYRIAN CHRISTIANS FROM ATTACKS BY JIHADI TERRORISTS
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani told Reuters on Aug. 22 that lifting the designation would help restore Syria’s links to the global financial system and encourage investment following nearly 14 years of war.
"There is no longer any obstacle to investment, doing business and rebuilding economic life in Syria," he said.
"Today’s action will help foster additional investment in Syria to promote political and economic stability," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said in a statement, adding that it is "in line with President Trump’s promise to deliver sanctions relief to Syria."
The governor of the Central Bank of Syria said Monday that lifting Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism is a "historic step that returns it to its natural place within the global economic system."
On Monday, Trump also posted a photo on Truth Social of al-Sharaa and al-Shibani holding his signed June 2025 executive order directing sanctions relief for Syria.
Cuba, Iran and North Korea remain the three countries designated by Washington as state sponsors of terrorism.
Trump admin eyes historic mass visa revocation targeting up to 200K asylum seekers: report
The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to revoke business and tourist visas held by as many as 200,000 foreigners who have applied for asylum in the U.S.
The State Department is expected to announce the sweeping action in the coming weeks, The Associated Press reported, citing internal documents and two U.S. officials.
The effort would target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to foreigners who later sought asylum. If carried out, the move would mark the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history and could face legal challenges, according to the outlet.
FOREIGN DRUNK DRIVERS COULD FACE SWIFT BOOT OUT OF COUNTRY UNDER TRUMP'S 'AMERICA FIRST' CRACKDOWN
"We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.
Pigott did not confirm how many people could be affected, saying the revocations would occur on a "rolling basis" and the total remained "dynamic," according to the AP.
The move would not automatically lead to immediate deportations.
Foreigners with pending asylum cases would generally be reclassified but would lose their status as business or tourist travelers, officials told the AP.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ORDERS GREEN CARD APPLICANTS TO LEAVE THE US, APPLY FROM THEIR HOME COUNTRIES
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Monday that asylum should not be used to bypass immigration laws.
"People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims," Landau wrote on X. "Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law."
TRUMP TELLS FOREIGN STUDENTS: OVERSTAY YOUR VISA, FACE THE CONSEQUENCES
B1 visas are typically issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical care. Currently, applicants must demonstrate that they plan to return to their home countries.
The potential revocations come as the Trump administration cracks down on what it considers abuse of the immigration system. The State Department has revoked roughly 175,000 visas over the past 18 months, according to The Associated Press.
The State Department could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Ex-NBA player tells Laura Ingraham why WNBA can't ban him: 'I identify as a woman'
Former NBA center Enes Kanter Freedom joined Laura Ingraham on "The Ingraham Angle" Monday night to set the record straight following his chaotic courtside ejection from Sunday's Indiana Fever-Chicago Sky matchup.
Freedom was escorted out of Wintrust Arena late in the third quarter after Chicago Sky guard Natasha Cloud unleashed an explicit, profanity-laced tirade against him after simply celebrating a 3-pointer by Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
Freedom, who sat baseline wearing a shirt defining "woman" as an "adult human female," explained to Ingraham that he attended purely out of love for basketball and to back Cunningham, an athlete who has faced relentless backlash for defending female sports.
ENES KANTER FREEDOM MET WITH HOSTILE WNBA FANS EN ROUTE TO FEVER-SKY MATCHUP
But after Freedom put his hands up following a made bucket, Cloud immediately confronted him with personal insults, mocking and screaming that Cunningham was "not going to sleep" with him.
"I actually loved the game and enjoyed the game," Freedom told Ingraham.
"This is my passion... first half I watched the game; it was an amazing time. They put Sophie Cunningham in. I remember around the last three-minute mark she shot the ball and I put my hand in the air to celebrate it. Then Natasha Cloud saw that. Literally the next possession, (Cloud) came back and yelled at me, '(Sophie Cunningham) is not going to sleep with you.'"
Freedom admitted the outburst left him stunned.
PAYTON MCNABB: THE BACKLASH AGAINST SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM PROVES THE GOALPOSTS HAVE MOVED
"I'm just confused at that point," Freedom said. "I'm here to protect women and support Sophie Cunningham."
Cloud escalated the confrontation with a slew of F-bombs in front of a section filled with young children, Kanter noted.
"The next possession, (Cloud) started to yell and cuss at me," Freedom said.
"I was like, there are so many kids in those stands. There are so many teenagers... a lot of F-bombs. She started to come toward me and I literally got up... I'm like, what did I do? She should be the one to be thrown out of the game."
SKY COACH PRAISES NATASHA CLOUD AFTER HEATED VERBAL ALTERCATION WITH ENES KANTER FREEDOM
Instead of penalizing Cloud for charging at Enes and dropping vulgarities, arena security escorted Freedom out of the building.
Enes’ shirt has apparently become kryptonite for a WNBA still unable to answer the most basic question in women’s sports.
What is a woman?
"I'm shocked it's a controversial topic nowadays, but it is," Freedom noted.
After Enes' appearance on Sunday, the league sneakily drew a line in the sand, telling media outlets like Front Office Sports that Kanter Freedom will not be eligible to get drafted into the WNBA.
He reminded them of their loose standard of what a woman is.
"I am a woman. I should be allowed to play," Kanter told Ingraham. "Article 13 Section 1 says if you identify as a woman, then you are allowed to play. I identify as a woman, so yes I can play."
"They're terrified because I might actually get drafted next year."
Enes' primetime appearance comes as former NBA pick Royce White warned the WNBA will likely attempt to ban Freedom from future games to protect themselves on a PR level and dodge further scrutiny over its gender policies.
While Fever head coach Stephanie White tried to play media gatekeeper postgame by labeling the chaos a mere "social media thing," Freedom's interview proves the opposite.
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