A nearly century-old trade rule that allowed Americans to import small packages without paying duties has been eliminated by President Donald Trump‘s administration, which could disproportionately affect low-income households.
Why It Matters
The “de minimis” exemption, which applied to packages worth under $800 coming into the U.S., had long allowed goods to bypass customs duties and complex paperwork. On August 29, the Trump administration officially ended the rule, which covered 1.36 billion shipments valued at $64.6 billion in fiscal year 2024.
While the end of de minimis came for China—the largest inbound source of such shipments—and Hong Kong earlier this year, the August 29 change impacts every U.S. trading partner. As a result, more than 30 countries’ postal operators restricted or suspended shipments to the U.S. ahead of the policy change, including major trade partners such as India, Mexico, and Japan.
Supporters of the policy shift argue that it levels the playing field for domestic businesses and addresses concerns over unsafe imports. Trump described the de minimis exemption as “a big scam going on against our country, against really small businesses, and we’ve ended it.” The White House said the rule had also been exploited to evade tariffs and enables the import of illegal substances such as fentanyl.
What To Know
According to a 2024 National Bureau of Economic Research paper, eliminating de minimis could reduce consumer welfare by up to $13 billion each year, with lower-income households feeling the greatest impact.
The research found that the de minimis rule is a “pro-poor trade policy,” but its elimination flips it “from pro-poor to pro-rich.”
Shipments to the lowest-income zip codes face an average tariff of just 0.5 percent, compared with 1.5 percent for the wealthiest areas, the research says. In scrapping the rule, that balance flips, with tariffs for low-income communities projected jump to nearly 12 percent, while wealthier areas would see an increase of about 6.5 percent.
On top of that, every package would be charged an administrative fee, a cost that the research says would fall hardest on low-income households since they make more use of de minimis shipments.
“Lower-income households that rely on inexpensive imported goods such as clothing, household items, and phone accessories will be hardest hit,” Usha Haley, Barton distinguished chair in international business at Wichita State University, told Newsweek.
“For these consumers, even small increases in the prices of everyday items are a larger share of their discretionary spending, making the policy regressive in practice.”
Commercial carriers, which handle the majority of these parcels, must now file customs entries and pay tariffs. For postal services, flat fees of $80 to $200 are allowed temporarily, and will soon switch to the origin country’s applicable tariff rate. In many cases, sellers will pass on the cost of this to the consumer.
Sean Henry, CEO and co-founder at supply chain company Stord, agreed the burden of higher prices will be particularly visible in poorer communities. “A disproportionate amount of shipments entering the U.S. under the de minimis program were going to lower-income zip codes,” he told Newsweek.
“Consumers of a lower-income level have often found these extremely cheap products from platforms like Shein and Temu, and those product categories will feel the impact most acutely.”
Why Is De Minimis Being Axed?
The White House and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have both contended that de minimis rules have been exploited by bad actors.
According to the CBP, smugglers have exploited de minimis shipments to move drugs and weapons into the country. They often undervalue or mislabel goods, disguising dangerous items as harmless.
The White House has made similar assertions, saying that de minimis has encourages the evasion of tariffs and allowed the funneling of “deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products that harm American workers and businesses into the United States.”
What Happens Next
The end of de minimis won’t just impact America’s poorest, with all consumers facing price hikes on goods made outside of the U.S.
“In the short term, consumers are likely to see immediate price hikes,” Robert Khachatryan, CEO at Freight Right Global Logistics, told Newsweek. “Low-dollar items such as $10 accessories or fast-fashion staples will face double-digit percentage increases once merchandise processing fees and duties are applied.”
https://www.newsweek.com/lower-income-americans-warning-trump-de-minimis-2122766
A federal judge on Tuesday barred President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in California to execute law-enforcement actions there, including making arrests, searching locations, and crowd control.
The ruling came in connection with a lawsuit by the state of California challenging Trump’s and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s deployment of the Guard to deal with protests in Los Angeles over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
Judge Charles Breyer said that Trump’s deployment of the troops violated the federal Posse Comitatus Act, which bars U.S. Military forces from enforcing the law domestically.
Breyer’s ruling in U.S. District Court in San Francisco is limited to California.
But it comes as Trump has considered deploying National Guard troops to other U.S. cities to deal with crime.
“Congress spoke clearly in 1878 when it passed the Posse Comitatus Act, prohibiting the use of the U.S. military to execute domestic law,” Breyer wrote.
“Nearly 140 years later, Defendants — President Trump, Secretary of Defense Hegseth, and the Department of Defense — deployed the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, ostensibly to quell a rebellion and ensure that federal immigration law was enforced,” the judge wrote.
“There were indeed protests in Los Angeles, and some individuals engaged in violence,” Breyer wrote.
“Yet there was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law.”
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/trump-national-guard-california-newsom.html
Mexican immigrant Sergio Serna Ramirez and his wife, Kristina Ramirez, were reportedly detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) after the couple accidentally drove toward the Canadian border in Michigan. Advocates argued the case shows overreach and have called for humanitarian parole. Serna Ramirez has remained in ICE custody pending a final hearing, and Kristina claims she was held by CBP for three days.
The case remains ongoing and unresolved. Sergio Serna Ramirez is reportedly still in ICE custody at the Monroe County Jail near Detroit, Michigan, where he has been held for nearly three months. A final immigration court hearing could result in an order of removal to Mexico.
Ramirez said, “When we were detained, my husband, they said, ‘oh we’re going to let him out in 48 hours.’” She added, “My husband is not a murderer, my husband is not a criminal. My husband is a very loving and good person. I just am very upset, outraged by the injustice in this world. It just wrong how they have him there.”
Ramirez stated, “We have followed every law, we have jumped through every hoop and our lives are being derailed because we took one wrong turn.”
Serna Ramirez was reportedly transferred to an ICE facility at Monroe County Jail near Detroit. Serna Ramirez has lived in the Chicago area for around two decades and has a pending U.S. visa application.
ACLU of Illinois Communications Director Ed Yohnka and Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez have called for Serna Ramirez’s release on humanitarian grounds and criticized the case’s handling.
Yohnka said, “This is a human tragedy about one family but is also an example of system that has run amok.”
Ramirez said, “Without him, I’m heartbroken. I’m torn.” She stated, “It’s just totally unfair, not right.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/totally-unfair-aclu-calls-for-migrant-s-release/ar-AA1LFN1S
The operator of immigration detention facility “Alligator Alcatraz” has denied reports of an uprising at the site.
Stephanie Hartman, spokesperson for Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), which runs the facility for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), told the Guardian: “These reports are manufactured. There is no uprising happening at Alligator Alcatraz. Detainees are given clean, safe living conditions and guards are properly trained on all state and federal protocols.”
Newsweek has contacted the FDEM for comment via email.
Why It Matters
The reports emerged amid ongoing protests outside the facility, where demonstrators have maintained a near-constant presence over concerns about detainee treatment and living conditions. Protesters argue that conditions at the facility are harsh and have called for increased oversight.
What To Know
According to at least three detainees who spoke with Miami’s Spanish-language news channel Noticias 23, guards at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ immigration facility reportedly used tear gas and physical force during a disturbance.
The outlet also reported that a fire alarm was sounding continuously and that a helicopter was circling overhead. The incident occurred as authorities worked to vacate the remote Everglades facility in compliance with a federal judge’s order to close the camp.
A federal judge in Miami last week ordered the facility to close within 60 days for violating environmental laws. The ruling cited improper waste disposal and construction that had affected protected wetlands near the site. On Wednesday, the same judge refused a motion by attorneys representing the state of Florida and the Trump administration to stay her order, meaning the closure timeline remains in effect.
The state of Florida is committed to $245 million toward the construction of ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ the Everglades immigration detention facility, which is set to close in the coming days.
According to the FDEM, the state has signed contracts totaling at least $245 million for work at the facility, which was developed by repurposing the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee.
The largest contract, valued at $78.5 million, was awarded to Jacksonville-based Critical Response Strategies for staffing, including corrections officers, camp managers, and IT personnel. Longview Solutions Group received $25.6 million for site preparation and construction, while IT company Gothams secured a $21.1 million contract to provide services such as access badges and detainee wristbands, according to FDEM.
What People Are Saying
A DHS official in a statement to Newsweek: “This activist judge’s order is yet another attempt to prevent the President from fulfilling the American people’s mandate to remove the worst of the worst—including gang members, murderers, pedophiles, terrorists, and rapists from our country. Not to mention this ruling ignores the fact that this land has already been developed for a decade.
What Happens Next
Florida officials will continue efforts to empty the camp in line with a federal judge’s order to close the remote Everglades facility.
Lies, lies, lies — I wouldn’t believe a single word from these people. For starters, if everything were above board, they’d welcome inspections from Congress and others.
https://www.newsweek.com/florida-denies-uprising-alligator-alcatraz-2122577
The Department of Defense (DoD) is reportedly encouraging civilian employees to volunteer with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to assist Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Advocacy groups have voiced concerns regarding the program’s potential effects on immigrant communities. Under the plan, volunteers may serve for up to 180 days, mainly supporting data entry and logistical operations.
A DoD email reads, “Selected Department employees will have a chance to offer critical support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as they fulfill the President’s intent to ensure a safe and orderly immigration system.”
The USA Jobs listing requires commitment to efficiency and rule of law. Some travel costs may be reimbursed, but no relocation aid is offered, and volunteers must be ready to deploy within 96 hours.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized DoD civilians to aid DHS for up to 120 days. The volunteer roles offer no promotions, may require heavy overtime, and do not need clearances or drug tests.
Hegseth stated, “In support of the President’s priority of securing our borders, I am authorizing the detail of DoD civilian employees to the DHS to support its operations at the United States southern border and with internal immigration enforcement.”
Applications are reportedly open with no set deadline, allowing extensions if needed. A DoD spokesperson stated, “ICE, CBP, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Defense are embracing President Trump’s whole-of-government approach to protecting the American people.”
The DoD spokesperson added, “DOD civilians — who have already undergone rigorous vetting and demonstrated their commitment to serving this nation — are invited to volunteer for temporary ICE assignments to help make America safe again and remove national security threats—including gang members and terrorists from our country.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/defense-dept-authorizes-temporary-ice-assignments/ss-AA1Ly8hj
