Citizens

Iowa Secretary of State Sued Over Ballot Challenges for Naturalized Citizens Alleging Voter Suppression

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DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate faces a federal lawsuit for instructing election officials to question the eligibility of over 2,000 voters, primarily targeting those who were issued driver’s licenses as legal residents but may not currently hold U.S. citizenship. The legal battle, initiated by the League of United Latin American Citizens alongside four naturalized citizens, puts a spotlight on the challenges and bureaucratic hurdles new U.S. citizens encounter when exercising their voting rights. Among those affected is Orcun Selcuk, a political science professor at Luther College in Decorah, originally from … Read more

Rui Pires’s ‘Palace of Citizens’ Clinches Best Portuguese Film at Doclisboa Festival Amidst Diverse Array of International Winners

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Lisbon, Portugal – The Doclisboa Film Festival recently concluded its 22nd edition, unveiling a plethora of winners in several competitive categories. Among the highlights, Rui Pires’s “Palace of Citizens” clinched the MAX Award for Best Portuguese Film, while Masha Chernaya’s “The Shards” emerged victorious in the international circuit, bagging the prestigious City of Lisbon Award for Best International Competition Film. The festival, a staple in Lisbon’s cultural calendar, also recognized innovative contributions from around the globe. In the international segment, two films shared the CUPRA International Competition Jury Award: Lucia Seles’s “Fire Supply” from Argentina … Read more

China-Born US Citizens Weigh Political Shifts in Response to State Alien Land Laws

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Des Moines, Iowa — Recent legislation targeting foreign land ownership has prompted a number of Chinese-born American citizens to reassess their political allegiances and community engagement. These state alien land laws, which restrict non-citizen ownership of property, are particularly affecting Chinese Americans who feel targeted by these measures. The laws, enacted in various states across the United States, are described by supporters as necessary for national security, especially to curb foreign influence on American soil. Critics, however, argue that such laws exacerbate racial stereotypes and instill an environment of xenophobia. Among those impacted is Mei … Read more

Italy Enacts Legislation Prohibiting Citizens from Engaging in Surrogacy Services Abroad

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Rome, Italy – Italy has implemented a new regulation that prohibits its citizens from engaging in surrogacy arrangements outside its borders, highlighting the nation’s stringent stance on reproductive matters. The Italian Parliament ratified the law following increased scrutiny and debate over the ethical and legal implications of surrogacy. The law, which was approved last Thursday, extends the existing prohibition of commercial surrogacy within Italy to include international arrangements. Under the new legislation, any Italian citizen found to be using a surrogate from another country could face severe penalties, including hefty fines and up to three … Read more