Ryan Farrick is a freelance writer and small business advertising consultant based out of mid-Michigan. Passionate about international politics and world affairs, he’s an avid traveler with a keen interest in the connections between South Asia and the United States. Ryan studied neuroscience and has spent the last several years working as an operations manager in transportation logistics.


State Department Discards Passport Applications for Hispanic Americans

The State Department is refusing thousands of passport applications from people born along the border, accusing Hispanic applicants of citizenship fraud. Texas legislators say the government’s policy is a systematic problem, demonstrative of bias against the United States’ large Hispanic minority. Antipathy toward individuals of Mexican, Central and South American backgrounds has featured prominently throughout


Guatemalan Mother Sues ICE After Toddler Dies Post-Treatment

A Guatemalan mother detained at an ICE facility is suing the government for her toddler’s death, claiming “unsafe conditions, neglectful medical care, and inadequate supervision” ran rampant in a family detention center. Human Rights Watch reports that 20-year Yazmin Juarez crossed the U.S.-Mexico border with her young daughter, Mariee, in March. Both were detained by



Massachusetts Murderer Sues Prison Commissioner Over Sex Change Surgery

A Massachusetts murderer is suing the state prison commissioner to receive a facility change along with sexual reassignment surgery. Boston’s local CBS network says Michelle Kosilek filed the suit against Correction Commissioner Thomas Turco in federal court last week. The motion demands that Kosilek be immediately transferred from a men’s prison in Norfolk, MA, to


Survivors of Jacksonville, FL Shooting to Launch Negligence Lawsuit

Several survivors of Sunday’s deadly shooting spree in Jacksonville, Florida are launching a probable negligence lawsuit against the venue which hosted a virtual sports event. The gunman who opened fire inside of an ‘e-sports’ bar at Jacksonville Landing mall injured 11 people and killed two others. Attorney Matt Morgan, of Morgan & Morgan, told reporters


Convicted Murderer Osbaldo Jose-Nicholas Awarded Quarter-Million in Brutality Suit

Illinois inmate and convicted murder Osbaldo Jose-Nicholas was awarded close to a quarter-million dollars in an excessive force lawsuit against prison guards. The St.-Louis Post Dispatch reports that last week’s verdict included $1,000 in compensatory damages for Nicholas and $251,000 in punitive damages against prison employees. Jose-Nicholas, writes the Dispatch, says he was brutalized partway


Student Loan Watchdog Steps Down, Blasts Trump Administration for Enabling Predatory Lenders

The federal official tasked with protecting student loan borrowers from predatory lenders left his post on Monday. According to National Public Radio, former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau student loan ombudsmen Seth Frotman the Trump administration has “turned its back on young people and their financial futures.” Written as part of a ‘scathing’ resignation letter, the


Family of Late Singer Prince Sues Physician Over Opioid Prescriptions

The family of late singer and rock star Prince is suing the man’s former physician, claiming the doctor’s decisions led to an opioid overdose. Prince Rogers Nelson, writes The New York Times, ‘died of an accidental overdose of fentanyl’ on 15 April, 2016. Authorities investigating Prince’s death say his doctor, Michael Schulenberg, admitted prescribing opioids


Lawsuits Loom as Betsy DeVos Mulls Over Using Federal Funds to Arm Teachers

Civil rights and gun control watchdogs are preparing to sue the U.S. Department of Education over a controversial proposal that’d allow schools to use federal funding to arm teachers. “Our complaint will seek a declaration that allowing these federal funds to be spent on guns instead of activities meant to make schools feel safe is


American Muslim Woman Sues U.S. Customs Over Confiscated iPhone

An American Muslim is suing U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, alleging officials took her iPhone and copied its data without good cause. Rejhane Lazoja, 39, says she was stopped at Newark Liberty International in February. Accompanied by her 6-year old daughter, Lazoja was returned home to the United States from Switzerland. The suit, filed on