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This is some I, Tonya drama right here!

The International Skating Union has determined there was “no evidence” that American figure skater Mariah Bell had deliberately kicked South Korean competitor Lim Eun-Soo during warm-ups at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships.

On Wednesday, the 22-year-old allegedly cut the calf of the 16-year-old with the blade of her skate while the two were preparing for the women’s short program in Saitama, Japan — a move that some thought might have been intentional.

All That Sports, the company that reps the Korean skater, told press that it asked the Korean Skating Union to lodge a formal complaint on Lim’s behalf with the ISU, along with a request for an investigation.

After reviewing the incident, however, both the Korean Skating Union and the ISU concur that no foul play was detected… at least not from what they saw in the video footage. Noting that Lim’s parents also brought up the incident, the KSU said in a statement:

“At this stage, we can’t conclude Bell caused the injury on purpose. It is hard to tell just by watching the video footage of the incident.”

The ISU agreed, telling press:

“The incident was verbally reported to the ISU by the Korean Team Leader; however, no formal complaint has been received. Based on the evidence at hand at this point in time, which includes a video, there is no evidence that Ms. Bell intended any harm to Ms. Lim. The ISU met with delegates from both [the] USA and Korea and urged both parties to find an amicable solution. The ISU maintains this remains the appropriate approach… We believe this is not a minor situation that can happen in an official rehearsal.”

But All That Sports believes otherwise.

The agency said it believed the slash was intentional because Bell collided with Lim, who was competing in her first senior worlds, from behind when she was skating close to the wall of the rink, away from the rest of the skaters, claiming:

“Lim was slowly skating on the edge of the rink after completing her turn. Mariah Bell, who was scheduled to rehearse after Lim, suddenly kicked and stabbed Lim’s calf with her skate blades. Mariah Bell didn’t apologize to Lim Eun-Soo after the incident and instead continued to rehearse for her routine.”

It appears the two have somewhat of a competitive relationship with each other. Both women train under Rafael Arutuian in Los Angeles, and, the agency alleges, Bell had been “bullying Lim for months.”

Intentional or not, Lim didn’t let the injury affect her performance. She was treated and competed in the event, going on to score a personal best of 72.91 points and placing fifth. Bell, meanwhile, scored 71.26 points and placed sixth.

You can see the bandage on Lim’s lower left calf in the video of her near-flawless performance (below):

When they go low… show them the f**k up on the rink!

[Image via ISU/Instagram]

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

The polar vortex has kept Lake Michigan frozen for the most part of winter. For example, in Chicago, Illinois, temperatures reached -30C (-23F) during the peak of the cold, causing ice shelves to form on the lake – hills formed from waves crashing over existing ice piles. But everything eventually comes to an end. Spring is bringing warmer weather to the area, destroying the ice and transforming the region into a magical wonderland.

Moving water underneath the ice is pushing the sheets to the surface, shattering them into mesmerizing patterns, visible along South Haven’s pier. But as much as people want to capture this beautiful phenomenon in photos, the US Coast Guard has warned that the ice should only be viewed from afar, as it is dangerous to stand or walk on the unstable surface. “No ice is safe ice especially this time of year,” US Coast Guard BMC Grant Heffner told MLive. “The ice is certainly deteriorating and breaking up.”

This isn’t the first time when Mother Nature is toying with Lake Michigan. Photographers have been following the site for years.

Image credits: Gunner’s Pixs

Image credits: Greg VandeLeest

Image credits: Gunner’s Pixs

Lake Michigan is one of the five Great Lakes of North America and the only one located entirely within the United States. The other four Great Lakes are shared by the U.S. and Canada. It is the second-biggest of the Great Lakes by volume (1,180 cu mi or 4,900 km3) and the third-largest by surface area (22,404 sq mi or 58,030 km2), after Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

Image credits: Marit & Toomas Hinnosaar

Image credits: Konstantin Papushin

Some of the earliest people that lived in the region were the Hopewell Indians. Their culture declined after 800 AD, and for the next few hundred years, the area was the home of peoples known as the Late Woodland Indians. Now, about twelve million people live along Lake Michigan’s shores, mainly in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas.

Image credits: Gunner’s Pixs

Image credits: Kate Ter Haar

People were mesmerized by the beautiful sight

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We already know that crossing America from one coast to another is not an expensive prospect, especially if you snatch a deal like this traveler who showed how you can do it for less than $200. However, while you could see quite a lot of scenic routes while on a train, the suggested path doesn’t exactly show off everything that the USA has to offer. And there are plenty of things each of the 50 states has to offer. From stunning valleys to canyons to lakes, there are plenty of places worth visiting in each state, and here are 50 most scenic locations for each of them. While not many could argue that the choices aren’t beautiful, the final judgement is, of course, subjective. So if you think that there are more stunning places a state could offer, suggest your pic in the comments! Oh, and don’t forget to vote for your favorites!

#1 Ladew Topiary Gardens, Maryland

Located in Monkton, Maryland, Ladew Topiary Gardens are a 22 acre (8.9 ha) nonprofit gardens that feature many creative topiary. The gardens were established in the 30s by Harvey S. Ladew, who enjoyed fox hunting. Thus, many topiaries depict a fox hunt with horses, riders, dogs, as well as a selection of other animals. The gardens are open from April to October.

#2 Old Man’s Cave, Ohio

Old Man’s Cave is located in Hocking Hills State Park, in the Hocking Hills region of Hocking County, Ohio. It’s one of the most scenic hiking trails in the park and features 5 main areas: Upper Falls, Upper Gorge, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and Lower Gorge. Scattered across the trail are gorge and waterfalls that offer a unique look at the earth’s subsurface.

#3 Sand Harbor Island, Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Sand Harbor Island in Lake Tahoe–Nevada State Park shows some of the key elements of Lake Tahoe’s scenery. The different hues of lake water, the rocks scattered throughout the shore and the greenery that frames everything into one breathtaking picture.

#4 Angel Oak, South Carolina

This spectacular tree is located on Johns Island near Charleston, South Carolina. Angel Oak is around  66.5 ft (20 m) tall, measures 28 ft (8.5 m) in circumference and produces shade that is about 17,200 square feet (1,600 m2) wide. The Southern live oak  is estimated to be 400-500 years old. Don’t forget to grab a picnic basket or a book and enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the tree!

#5 Glacier National Park, Montana

Located on the Canada–United States border, Glacier National Park covers a stunning area of 1,013,322 acres (4,100.77 km2). The park includes parts of two mountain ranges, over 130 named lakes, more than 1,000 different species of plants, and hundreds of species of animals. It’s no wonder that about 3 million people visit the site annually.

#6 Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

Located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Grand Prismatic Spring is a 160 feet (50 m) deep hot spring, the largest in the United States (as well as 3rd largest in the world!). Its name is the perfect description for the spring, since its coloring of red, orange, yellow, green, and blue look just like the rainbow dispersion of white light by an optical prism. With a stunning blue water in the center, the edges shift colors from red to green thanks to microbial mats around the edges. The spring is around 160 °F (70 °C) hot.

#7 Horseshoe Bend, Arizona

As its name suggests, this incised meander in Arizona is shaped like a horseshoe and is located 5 miles (8.0 km) downstream from the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. The glimmering waters of the Colorado River make for a stunning landmark from the overlook 1,000-foot (300 m) above.The Horseshoe Bend is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that includes Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Reflection Canyon and more, which make it a perfect destination to see in Arizona.

#8 Lake Mohonk, New York

Even if New York has such landmarks like the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building to offer, there are some hidden gems hidden away from the Big Apple. Lake Mohonk is one of them. While it’s relatively small (one-half mile (800 m) long and 60 feet (18 m) deep), the lake is framed by an endless sea of greenery, making its shoreline an Instagram user’s dream.

#9 Glacier Bay National Park And Preserve, Alaska

Located in in Southeast Alaska west of Juneau, Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve is a 3,223,384 acres (13,044.57 km2) land with 1,045 tidewater and terrestrial glaciers that makes for one sublime view. The stunning white glaciers contrast with the blue waters of Glacier Bay and the Pacific ocean and the sky, creating a natural “crack” in between that is perfect for holiday pictures.

#10 Yosemite Valley, California

Californians’ favorite hiking spot, Yosemite National Park covers 748,436 acres (3,028.81 km2) and features breathtaking granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, lakes and mountains that all add up to form one unforgettable sight. Yosemite Valley is a a glacial valley that is around 7.5 miles (12 km) long and approximately 3000–3500 feet deep. It is surrounded by high granite summits like Half Dome and framed by a dense blanket of pines. Another feature of an already beautiful picture is the amount of waterfalls in the valley, like Yosemite Falls that are 2,425 feet (739 m) high.

#11 Monument Rocks, Kansas

The first landmark chosen by the US Department of the Interior as a National Natural Landmark, Monument Rocks are also known as Chalk Pyramids and reach up to 70 ft (21 m). Experts estimate that the chalk formations have been formed 80 million years ago. They were also named as one of 8 Wonders of Kansas in 2008.

#12 New River Gorge Bridge, West Virginia

This stunning 3,030 ft (924 m) long and 69.3 ft (21.1 m) wide structure that stands 876 feet (267 m) above the New River is the New River Gorge Bridge. Located in Fayette County, West Virginia, this bridge was built in the 70s and cost $37 million to construct. The bridge is not only a picturesque sight itself, but it also allows to take in the sublime panorama of the New River Gorge.

#13 Skagit Valley, Washington

Probably the best time to visit this valley is in April, as the annual Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is hosted during that time. Red, orange, yellow, pink, red and many more flowers paint the valley in most vibrant shades, creating the perfect opportunity not only to enjoy the smell and sight of this beauty, but to snap a memorable picture as well. The festival claims that beautiful tulips draw over a million visitors every year and we’re not surprised as the visual is simply stunning!

#14 Thor’s Well At Cape Perpetua, Oregon

Best seen approximately an hour before high tide to an hour after high tide, Thor’s Well is a sinkhole in a rock located in Cape Perpetua, Oregon. The coastal area of Cape Perpetua is pretty breathtaking on its own, however, Thor’s Well is a sight everyone should consider when visiting this state. As spectacular as it is a high tide, the hole is actually pretty dangerous considering the merciless waters around, despite being only about 20 feet (6 m) deep.

#15 Nā Pali Coast State Park, Hawaii

Covering 6,175 acres (2,499 ha), the Nā Pali Coast State Park is located on the northwest side of Kauaʻi, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island. Although it’s not possible to reach it by car, one can experience the beauty of this state park by following hiking trails, taking a helicopter ride or simply kayaking to it from the ocean side. And while it seems like a lot of effort, it’s definitely worth the trouble as the view from The na pali cliffs that reach as far as 4,000 feet (1,200 m) offer a sublime view of the coastline and the Pacific ocean.

#16 White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

Perhaps one of the most unique places on this list, White Sands National Monument in New Mexico, showcases the vast white dunes that look extraordinary when vaulted by a blue sky. The sand dunes are composed of of gypsum crystals, giving it a unique pale color. It’s small wonder that many films like Transformers (2007) were filmed on this site.

#17 Apostle Islands Caves, Wisconsin

Although not always open, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has plenty of excellent sights to offer. Located in Lake Superior, off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin, 22 Apostle Islands are quite stunning on their own with many caves etched in stone. However, if temperatures in winter fall low enough, the many holes and caverns turn into breathtaking ice caves that look like they’re straight out of a fairy tale.

#18 Pikes Peak State Park, Iowa

The 960 acre (390 ha) state park in Iowa, Pikes Peak State Park features impressive sights overlooking the Upper Mississippi River. The park gets its name from Pikes Peak which is a particularly high point overlooking the gorge of the Upper Mississippi, and like Pikes Peak in Colorado, is named for explorer Zebulon Pike.

#19 Acadia National Park, Maine

Located southwest of Bar Harbor, Maine, Acadia National Park is 49,075 acres (198.60 km2) large and features Mount Desert Island and many smaller islands. The land is not only impressive to look at, it is also rich in history as Native Americans have inhabited the area called Acadia for at least 12,000 years. Bass Harbor Head Light is one of the attractions in the park, framed by the sea, forest and rock.

#20 Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

On the shore of Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan lies Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, covering 73,236 acres (296.38 km2) and attracting about half a million visitors annually. This National Lakeshore is one of the many places perfect for photos, as the region features stunning rock formations, waterfalls, and sand dunes.

#21 Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

The water gap called Delaware Water Gap is situated on the state border between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where the Delaware River cuts through a large ridge of the Appalachian Mountains. With the contrasting heights of the mountains, the gap makes for a scenic view as well as offers many activities like canoeing, swimming, fishing, hiking, and rock climbing.

#22 Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia

A 2,689-acre (1,088 ha) Georgia state park adjacent to Tallulah Falls, this State Park surrounds Tallulah Gorge, a 1,000-foot (300 m) deep gorge formed by the action of the river. The greatest attractions in the park are the six waterfalls known as the Tallulah Falls, which cause the river to drop 500 feet over one mile (150 m over 1.6 km).

#23 Sawtooth National Recreation Area, Idaho

At the heart of Idaho lies the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, a 730,864 acre (295,770 ha) National Recreation Area featuring such stunning sights like Stanley Lake and McGown Peak. The peak is 9,860 feet (3,010 m) above sea level and creates a memorable view when paired with the clear waters of the lake, a perfect place to take in just how sublime nature is.

#24 Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park covers an area of 52,830 acres (213.8 km2) and features portions of Mammoth Cave which is the longest cave system known in the world. The cave was discovered in 1791 and is 651.8 km (405.0 mi) long. Besides the impressive cave, the park has some other lovely sights to offer, like the Green River.

#25 Blue Ridge Parkway, Virginia

Spanning across  29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles (755 km) long and offers some truly spectacular views. With valleys and mountains scattered across the parkway, some of the highlights include Roanoke Mountain and the Peaks of Otter.

#26 Pikes Peak, Colorado

The highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak is 14,115 feet (4,302 m) high, higher than any point in the United States east of its longitude. The peak is named after Zebulon Pike, an American brigadier general and explorer, who tried to reach the summit on 2 expeditions, but was ultimately unable to do so.

#27 Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Illinois

While Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site is now a historic park, years ago it was a large pre-Columbian Native American city (circa 1050–1350 CE). The site covers 2,200 acres (8.9 km2) and includes around 120 manmade earthen mounds in a wide range of sizes. At some point in history it was the largest and most influential urban settlement of the Mississippian culture. In 1982 it was named as one of only 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the United States.

#28 Brown County State Park, Indiana

A perfect location to take a hike, Brown County State Park covers 15,776 acres (63.84 km2) making it the largest of 24 state parks in Indiana. The wide variety of of trees on the scenic hills of southern Indiana make an excellent photo opportunity for those seeking mosaic shots, as the area is colored in patches of green, yellow and red in autumn. Of course, if you don’t like the fall chill and have no allergies to worry about, the park is also beautiful in spring, when many blossoms appear on trees in springtime.

#29 Everglades National Park, Florida

The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades covers a vast area of 1,508,976 acres (6,106.61 km2). It’s an important natural habitat to some unique species like the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther. The Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1979 by UNESCO.

#30 Franconia Notch State Park, New Hampshire

Although the park’s ‘star’ Old Man of the Mountain (a series of five granite cliff ledges that appeared to be the jagged profile of a face) collapsed in 2003, Franconia Notch State Park in New Hampshire still has a lot to offer. From mesmerizing Flume Gorge to striking Cannon Mountain, the park is an excellent place for hikes and, of course, snapping gorgeous pictures for your album!

#31 Outer Banks, North Carolina

A string of barrier islands and spits off the coast of North Carolina and southeastern Virginia that stretches for 200-mile-long (320 km) known as Outer Banks is one of the best travel destinations for those who love seaside and want to see something unique. As the area is vast, there are plenty of things to see and activities to choose from. From watching a one-of-a-kind sunset at Jockey’s Ridge to climbing the tallest brick lighthouse in America at Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks will have a perfect answer to any wish.

#32 Turner Falls, Oklahoma

Considered to be Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall, Turner Falls is 77 feet (23 m) tall. A perfect tourist destination during summer, Turner Falls cascade into a natural swimming pool where people visiting the site can swim and relax.

#33 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

#34 Zion National Park, Utah

146,597 acres (593.26 km2) of Zion National Park has a lot to offer to any visitor. Like 15 miles (24 km) long and up to 2,640 ft (800 m) deep Zion Canyon that you could observe from Angels Landing. Or the Virgin River, that offers a beautiful path for hikes. It seems like you could find almost everything in this park, starting with mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, and ending with rivers, slot canyons, and natural arches. It is small wonder that this site attracted over 4 million visitors in 2018 alone.

#35 Cape May, New Jersey

#36 Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

#37 Badlands National Park, South Dakota

#38 Big Bend National Park, Texas

#39 Lake Willoughby, Vermont

#40 Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware

Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware covers 5,193 acres (2,102 ha) and faces Delaware Bay, forming an impressive sight for everyone fond of the seaside. It’s a great spot for camping, although not areas are always open. Areas that are open during the day offer plenty activities for the visitors, including an area for surf-fishing, bicycle lanes, and a World War II-era watchtower.

#41 The Berkshires, Massachusetts

The Berkshires have many names, including Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Mountains, and Berkshire Plateau, with the highest point reaching 2,841 ft (866 m) at Crum Hill. The region was named among the 200 Last Great Places by The Nature Conservancy. There are plenty of trails for those fond of hiking, as well as the Berkshire Botanical Garden if you enjoy less natural formations. It’s also a perfect spot for those with a cultural taste as there are plenty museums, performing-arts institutions and festivals taking place in the Berkshires.

#42 Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

#43 Beavertail Lighthouse, Rhode Island

Built in 1856, Beavertail Lighthouse is the premier lighthouse in Rhode Island. It marks the entrance to Narragansett Bay and is 64-foot (20 m) tall, offering a spectacular look to the ocean, as well as the shoreline.

#44 Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska

Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska covers 3,005 acres (12.16 km2) that are rich not only in scenic views, but in history as well. The National Monument features historic overland trail remnants, mixed-grass prairie, rugged badlands, towering bluffs and riparian area along the North Platte River, making it the perfect place to step into our ancestor’s shoes. Scotts Bluff was an important landmark for pioneers the Oregon Trail and many more. It was named after Hiram Scott, a clerk who died near the bluff in 1828.

#45 Gillette Castle State Park, Connecticut

#46 W

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

(CNN)May the luck o’ the Irish be with you on this St. Patrick’s Day! Hope you picked out some green — so the leprechauns haven’t been able to land a pinch. Here’s what else you need to know toStart Your Week Smart.

(You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. You give us five minutes, and we give you five things you must know for your weekday, plus a Sunday edition to get your week started smart. Sign up here.)

ALL WEEK

• The top US diplomat heads back to the Mideast. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo travels to Israel, Kuwait and Lebanon. The trip comes just weeks ahead of the Israeli elections that will determine the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Pompeo visited the region in January, with a focus on ISIS and Iran.  

On ‘GPS’: Pompeo’s message to Arab allies

SUNDAY

• It’s Selection Sunday! The top 68 teams in college basketball are revealed at 6 p.m. ET on CBS. NCAA tournament play begins Tuesday.

March Madness: The business behind the bracket

• Richard Nixon’s life and times. The CNN Original Series “Tricky Dick” features never-before-seen footage as it tracks the rise, fall, comeback and political destruction of the 37th President. It premieres at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Preview of ‘Tricky Dick’ series: Nixon and Trump had mutual admiration

MONDAY

• An ex-President welcomes new US citizens. George W. Bush and Laura Bush will be on hand when new Americans are sworn in in Dallas. Both will speak about “significant contributions of immigrants to our society and economy and the importance of border security” — hot-button subjects in Washington.

George W. Bush disturbed by immigration debate

TUESDAY

• The ex-cop accused of killing Antwon Rose II goes on trial. Authorities in Pittsburgh are on high alert as the trial is set to begin for Michael Rosfeld, who’s charged with homicide in last year’s fatal shooting of the 17-year-old. Rose was black and unarmed; Rosfeld is white. The killing sparked big protests at the time.

Trial set to begin for ex-officer who shot teen

• Brazil’s President visits the White House. Jair Bolsonaro, known for making racist, sexist and homophobic remarks, is President Donald Trump’s guest. The leaders both have taken hard lines on immigration and moved to reverse their nations’ climate change policies.

A look at Brazil’s President

WEDNESDAY

• Another week of Brexit woes. The deadline arrives for the UK Parliament to vote for a third time on Prime Minister Theresa May’s plan for her nation to exit the European Union. If it passes, she’ll ask EU leaders on Thursday to delay the departure until June 30. If either request fails, Brexit will happen March 29, with or without a deal.

Here’s what you need to know about Brexit

• Welcome, spring! The vernal equinox begins when the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator and the length of day and night are equal. A supermoon also shines on that night.

Why we have daylight saving time

THURSDAY

• The Special Olympics World Games comes to an end. From badminton to volleyball, top athletes with intellectual disabilities have been going for gold in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It also happens to be World Down Syndrome Day.

Swimmer with Down syndrome defies the odds

FRIDAY

• R. Kelly legal drama continues in court. The singer, who’s accused of sexually abusing teens, is due back in court in Chicago. He also faces a legal battle over child support. Kelly has long denied allegations of abusing women and being sexually involved with underage girls. A recent docuseries put a fresh spotlight on the accusations.

R. Kelly’s publicist: The Gayle King interview helped

• Latin American leaders meet amid Venezuela crisis. Venezuela’s self-declared president, opposition leader Juan Guaido, is expected at the first summit of a group of Latin American leaders known as Prosur.

Guaido: Venezuela has collapsed after major blackouts

The South American county is in chaos as Guaido wrestles for control with President Nicolas Maduro, who’s overseen a period of hyperinflation and poverty.

Original Article : HERE ; This post was curated & posted using : RealSpecific

Policy shifts such as more in-person interviews, stricter guidance on denying student visas, travel bans and lower refugee caps have reduced immigration

When Moshe Schulmans then fiancee visited the United States consulate in Casablanca, he believed that she would leave her interview for a K-1 visa with permission to return to New York and they could finally stop conducting their relationship long-distance.

Instead, she walked out with even more paperwork.

The supplementary form she was assigned DS-5535 is a brainchild of Donald Trumps administration. After an executive order and memorandum from the White House calling for enhanced vetting of foreign nationals, the state department also announced a three-page document for visa applicants whom consular officers believe could pose terrorist or national security threats.

That experience in finding sudden new barriers to legal immigration to the US is hardly unique. From more in-person interviews, to stricter guidance on denying student visas, to travel bans, to lower refugee caps, experts say recent policy shifts have impacted the number of foreign nationals who are coming to America. On top of that is recent news that the Trump administration wants to close all international offices of US Citizenship and Immigration Services, shifting the paperwork back to the US but almost certainly adding to delays for those seeking to come to America from abroad.

As more data from the last two years become available, the long-term effects of such actions are finally coming into focus.

During the first nine months of fiscal year 2018, immigration application denials increased by 37% since fiscal year 2016, according to the Cato Institutes immigration policy analyst David Bier. Reuters reported that more than 37,000 visa applications were refused in 2018 as a direct result of the administrations travel ban on primarily Muslim-majority countries.

K-1 visas for fiances of US citizens dropped 35.7% in fiscal year 2018, compared to 2016, and student visas declined by 23%, according to state department data.

The key is that this is no longer speculation. Were now seeing the consequences of the rhetoric and the policy, said Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

Schulmans partner who asked to remain anonymous spent a year in the US for an internship and completed her masters degree in France. But her history in the west didnt prevent her from being flagged for additional vetting.

Schulman suspects his partners obviously Arabic name had something to do with why she was targeted.

To me, its Islamophobia. Its racist, in my opinion, Schulman told the Guardian.

A myriad of changes under the Trump administration have made it more difficult for people to enter and stay in the country through lawful means. Photograph: REX/Shutterstock

An estimated 65,000 visa applicants annually now have to fill out DS-5535, which requires a 15-year travel log, social media handles, a list of prior addresses and a 15-year employment history, among other information. The document is just one of myriad changes under the current administration that have made it more difficult for people to enter and stay in the country through lawful means even as Trump says publicly that he wants foreigners in the US, but they have to come in legally.

Some students are now opting to study elsewhere, avoiding an immigration climate that feels unwelcoming and hostile to foreigners. Among those who still want an American education, certain populations appear to be especially at risk of scrutiny.

Masume Assaf, the director of international student and scholar advising at Penn State University, has noticed Chinese nationals are suddenly being funneled into administrative processing for further review. She has watched as Iranian students have been unable to visit Iran; one of her PhD candidates who went home for a brothers wedding was barred from re-entering the US for months.

But perhaps the most dramatic testament to the administrations perceived aversion to foreigners is the major drop in refugee resettlement. In fiscal year 2016, the US admitted nearly 85,000 refugees. Two years later, that number plummeted to 22,491.

Is it deliberate? I would say that theres nothing being done to facilitate more efficient processing, said Denise Bell, the researcher for refugee and migrant rights at Amnesty International USA.

On a research mission to Lebanon and Jordan in November, Bell met refugees who had been stranded because of Trump-era policies. Among them were Fawzi, his wife and two sons, who fled Iraq for Lebanon in 2013 because they feared retaliation for being Christian.

In August 2016, Fawzi and his family say they received a letter with conditional approval to resettle in the US. The letter warned it would be a minimum of four months before they could get on a plane.

Four months, Fawzis family told the Guardian, and we are now in two years and [a] half.

Every time they ask officials about why they are stuck in Lebanon, they get the same answer: security procedure. Its a similar rationale that justifies the administrations extreme vetting protocols for visa applicants.

However, experts in immigration policy say theres no evidence many of the new vetting policies affecting foreign nationals work. Bier said the requirements have been devised primarily to obstruct legal immigration.

The ultimate goal is making it more difficult to live in the United States legally, Bier said.

Im not sure any if these steps actually improve our security, added Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum. These are political moves by the administration to reduce immigration.

Noorani and Schulman expressed frustration that people who are trying to follow the law must now jump through cumbersome hoops as the administration cracks down on legal as well as undocumented immigration. But at least his partners visa was eventually approved.

She traveled to the US on 29 December, and they married at a court in Brooklyn four days later. Then they spent the next two and a half weeks poring over forms to continue her legalization process.

I think the average American doesnt know the time, the money and the energy it takes to actually do legal immigration, Schulman said. I think people dont give enough credit to the folks who are doing that.

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The Council on Islamic-American Relations called on advertisers Monday to boycott Fox News until the network axes host Jeanine Pirro.

The call comes just days after Pirro’s Saturday night program, “Justice With Judge Jeanine,” was yanked by Fox after she said in the previous episode that the hijab worn by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) may be “antithetical to the Constitution.” In fact, the Constitution guarantees the right of free expression of religion.

It’s not clear what Pirro’s future is on the network. Fox has refused to comment on “internal scheduling matters,” though it earlier issued a statement “strongly” condemning Pirro’s statement.

CAIR, the largest Muslim advocacy and civil rights group in America, is also calling for advertisers to demand that Fox drop Tucker Carlson in the wake of unearthed audiotapes of the news host making racist and sexist comments on a radio program. Some advertisers have already abandoned the program.

“Fox News must clearly state that Jeanine Pirro will not be allowed back on the air after her long history of Islamophobic hate rhetoric, and the network must also take similar action against other Islamophobic hosts like Tucker Carlson,” Nihad Awad, CAIR’s national executive director, said in a statement provided to HuffPost. “All existing advertisers should drop their ads on Fox News to ensure that they are not associated with the promotion of hate.” 

At least four advertisers — Botox-maker Allergan, online marketplace Letgo, personal finance company NerdWallet and pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk — have all indicated they’re pulling their ads from Pirro’s program, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

President Donald Trump on Sunday called on Fox to bring Pirro back on the air. 

Also Monday, the cable news network announced it had hired former Democrat National Committee chair and CNN contributor Donna Brazile as a Fox political commentator.

In an appearance on Dana Perino’s Fox News show Monday, Brazile said that she was joining the network as an opportunity to listen and reach out to the “Fox family” adding: “This is a critical period in our country. It’s a time for dialogue, it’s a time for civility. We’re not going to get ahead by yelling at each other and sending nasty tweets.”

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