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.



Trump Administration Ends Humanitarian Visa Program for Haitian Refugees

The Trump administration will terminate humanitarian immigration visas offered to Haitian refugees. Reports from Politico indicate that Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke was forced to make a decision on the migrants by Thanksgiving Day. After mulling over whether to extend “temporary protected status” permits to Haitians, Duke declined to renew an authorization.


Michigan Rep. John Conyers Outed for Sexual Harassment Settlement

U.S. Representative John Conyers reportedly paid a woman $27,000 to settle a sexual harassment claim. The Detroit Democrat reportedly made the confidential offer after the woman claimed to have been fired from his staff after rejecting a sexual advance. BuzzFeed News and The Associated Press report the money used for the settlement came from Conyers’


Cook County Approves $3.25m Settlement for Woman Raped in Courthouse

Cook County approved a $3.25 million settlement for a woman who’d been raped in a suburban Chicago holding cell. The 52-year old woman was attacked twice in succession. Originally confined by herself, the victim was left alone with two male detainees. A series of decisions termed “incomprehensible” by a Sheriff’s Office official led to the



DHS Backtracks on Dreamers Decision

The Department of Homeland Security is issuing new instructions for Dreamers who missed an important deadline due to postal delays. The New York Times recently reported that nearly 100 beneficiaries of the terminated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program were rendered illegal after they missed an October 5th deadline for renewing temporary residency and work




NTSB Blames Amtrak for Fatal Crash

A federal agency blamed the safety culture at Amtrak for last year’s fatal crash near Philadelphia, which left two railway employees dead along the tracks. Traveling at 106 miles per hour – just below its authorized speed – the train collided with a piece of construction equipment parked close to the rail line. Immediately after


Grays Harbor County Settles Suit Over Use of Solitary Confinement for Kids

Grays Harbor County in Washington agreed to pay damages and make policy changes after a suit challenged its use of solitary confinement in juvenile detention centers. According to U.S. News, the lawsuit was originally filed by a local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union in March. The organization provided legal counsel to the mother