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# Trump Administration Begins Crackdown on Undocumented Immigrants
  Last updated: 2025/01/24 at 11:07 AM     Published January 24, 2025  Share      2 Min Read ! SHARE
The Trump administration has initiated its mass deportation policy for undocumented immigrants, fulfilling a major campaign promise. On Thursday, January 23rd, three days after Donald Trump’s inauguration, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched its first raids targeting undocumented individuals.
Elite ICE units carried out pre-dawn operations in Boston and Chicago, both designated as “sanctuary cities” due to their Democratic leadership’s refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. The raids aimed to apprehend undocumented individuals in workplaces, schools, and places of worship.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned the raids, calling them “unacceptable and reprehensible,” and vowed to resist federal intimidation. Meanwhile, Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed “Border Czar,” threatened legal action against Johnson for obstructing the deportation efforts.
These initial operations targeted individuals with prior convictions for violent crimes, signaling a dual focus on public safety and striking at Democratic strongholds. According to White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, the raids resulted in the arrest of 538 undocumented migrants, described as “criminals,” with hundreds deported via military aircraft.
Simultaneously, Trump’s controversial executive order challenging birthright citizenship was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in Seattle. The order, which seeks to revoke automatic citizenship granted under the 14th Amendment, has sparked widespread legal opposition from 22 states and numerous advocacy groups. While its constitutionality faces judicial scrutiny, the administration has signaled its intent to fulfill its campaign pledge to combat what Trump calls “birth tourism.”
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 Reading: EU Support Boosts Private Sector Efforts in Madagascar’s Rural Electrification  Share        Notification Show More Latest News  
 Have an existing account?  Follow US   >  >  > EU Support Boosts Private Sector Efforts in Madagascar’s Rural Electrification
# EU Support Boosts Private Sector Efforts in Madagascar’s Rural Electrification
  Last updated: 2025/01/22 at 12:26 PM     Published January 22, 2025  Share      3 Min Read ! SHARE
A significant step was taken toward improving energy access in Madagascar’s rural areas. A total of €11.5 million was allocated to fund electrification projects in Atsimo-Andrefana, a remote region in the island’s southern area. This funding includes a €7.5 million grant from the European Union (EU) and the French Development Agency (AFD) aimed at supporting Anka, one of Madagascar’s leading solar mini-grid operators, in expanding its operations in the region.
The grant represents a critical boost for the underdeveloped rural electrification sector in Madagascar, which has long been overlooked by investors. Anka plans to establish 13 new mini-grids capable of supplying electricity to approximately 40 villages in Atsimo-Andrefana. This region, marked by low purchasing power and one of the country’s lowest electrification rates, has been deemed a high-risk area for investment.
Madagascar has historically been excluded from global energy investment flows, which have typically favored Anglophone countries like Tanzania, Nigeria, and Uganda. However, the EU and AFD’s support signals renewed confidence in Madagascar’s potential for renewable energy development. Dina Rajaobelina, Anka’s communications director, highlighted this shift, stating, “Receiving such funding in a country seen as economically fragile shows that this sector can grow in Madagascar. It also underscores the importance of letting the private sector determine how to utilize these resources effectively.”
Anka already supplies solar energy to hundreds of users through the island’s largest off-grid mini-grids, primarily in the southern region. Despite charging an average price of 1,800 ariary per kWh—twice the rate of the state-owned utility Jirama—Anka remains one of the most affordable operators, emphasizing the socio-economic benefits of electrification in underserved areas. However, the company’s sustainability depends on continued subsidies to maintain its operations.
“The populations of the Grand South, particularly in Atsimo-Andrefana, are among the first victims of climate change and could become Madagascar’s initial climate refugees,” explained Rajaobelina. She stressed that subsidies are vital for the private sector to maintain its role in addressing these challenges.
The rural electrification market in Madagascar is still nascent and faces financial risks and profitability challenges. While the sector is beginning to take shape, progress remains slow. Two-thirds of Madagascar’s population currently lack access to electricity, and achieving the government’s goal of universal energy access by 2030 will require an estimated $7 billion, according to the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) organization.
This recent funding marks a crucial step forward, offering hope for sustainable energy solutions in Madagascar’s most vulnerable regions.
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