Keeping more threats out of the US
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The former president of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, says his US visa has been revoked.
Arias, a Nobel laureate, said he was informed of the decision weeks after he had publicly criticised Donald Trump, comparing the behaviour of the US president to that of a Roman emperor.
The 84-year-old, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in brokering an end to conflicts in Central America, said US authorities had given no explanation.
Arias hinted, however, that it may be due to his rapprochement with China during the time he was president from 2006 to 2010.
Speaking at an news conference in the Costa Rican capital, San José, Arias said he had "no idea" what the reason for the cancellation was.
He said he had received a "terse" email "of a few lines" from the US government informing him of the decision.
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This guy caught a break. Or more accurately, his brother did.
A dying Venezuelan man was reunited with his brother Friday morning in an emotional reunion outside a restaurant near the ICE processing center in Broadview that federal authorities released him from so he could donate a kidney to save his brother’s life.
Alfredo Pacheco, 37, of Cicero, is facing terminal renal failure. On Wednesday, ICE agreed to release José Gregorio González, 43, to undergo the transplant, giving the siblings and those who support them much hope and relief.
“I’m extremely happy, it’s a blessing,” Pacheco told the Friday.
Last month, the Tribune was the first to report that González had been arrested by the Immigration and Customs authorities and was awaiting deportation. Elected officials, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, Sen. Dick Durbin and U.S. Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García, rallied in support of the Venezuelan brothers, with more than 1,700 people signing a petition requesting that ICE release González.
