The Monocle Minute

Donald Trump has been running an anti-immigration campaign since he first entered the political arena nine years ago and his rhetoric has only become more extreme. Many of his claims are false, including his recent remarks claiming that Haitian migrants are eating pets in Springfield, Ohio. During my recent travels across the US, which included reporting trips to many border communities and swing states, one thing has become clear: the people most concerned about immigration are those least affected by it.

People in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – states that are thousands of miles away from the US’s southern border – brought up the topic of illegal immigration more often than those more directly affected by the issue. They blamed migrants for increased rates of crime and violence or for stealing jobs from Americans.

Residents of El Paso or Eagle Pass, both of which are in Texas, seemed to have bigger priorities. These communities have strong economic and cultural ties to their Mexican neighbours and, for some, crossing the border is a daily commute. Though global conflicts have led to an increase in illegal border crossings, most Americans in places such as El Paso don’t see migrants as a threat.

There’s plenty of talk about coming to the US “the right way” – standing in line, so to speak, to get a shot at the American dream. But for many today, there is no line to stand in. The US is a country built by immigrants and it used to embrace this history. In 1883 poet Emma Lazarus penned “The New Colossus” to help raise money for the construction of a pedestal for the Statue of Liberty. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” she wrote, referring to the large numbers of immigrants arriving in the country in the late 19th century. The US should continue this legacy of diversity and inclusion. It doesn’t need a wall or a migrant ban – but it needs policy reform.

Washington-based journalist HJ Mai is a regular Monocle Radio contributor. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

As we inch closer to a crucial US election, Arizona has re-emerged as a battleground with significant potential to tip the scales. Donald Trump won the state in 2016 by nearly four percentage points but Joe Biden narrowly claimed it in 2020. Once a Republican stronghold, a growing Latin-American electorate and an influx of coastal transplants have shifted the state’s loyalties. Both parties are courting this eclectic mix of voters, eyeing Arizona’s 11 electoral votes.

On the ground, there are issues that urgently need addressing. A severe drought is threatening the agricultural heartland and there is growing alarm over future access to water from the Colorado river. Immigration remains contentious, partly as a result of the state’s position along the US-Mexico border. Meanwhile, a ballot measure on abortion rights could have far-reaching effects on the way people vote. With the outcome hanging in the balance, expect a few surprises up ahead.

One of Bangkok’s most celebrated street-food chefs has decided to hang up her apron, signature ski goggles and beanie hat to pursue new opportunities in the food industry. Earlier this week, Supinya Junsuta, better known as Jay Fai, revealed that she will be retiring from cooking wok-fried seafood dishes at her stall in the historic Pratu Phi neighbourhood as early as next year. Customers are willing to queue several hours for her Michelin-starred crab omelettes; news of the beloved stall’s impending closure after four decades has led to plenty of hand-wringing across Thailand’s hospitality and tourism industries.

Junsuta’s decision to retire is largely to do with her advanced age – she is now 81 years old – but local headlines have blamed the rising cost of food prices. Even after her stall is shuttered, however, you’ll still be able to spot her likeness on supermarket shelves. She recently launched a collaboration with South Korean instant-noodle brand Shin Ramyun. A taste of Thailand, without the three-hour wait.

Fitness-tracking app Strava, which has long been criticised for its location-sharing features, is now at the centre of a new controversy over possible security breaches for world leaders. According to a recent investigation by Le Monde newspaper, the whereabouts of Emmanuel Macron, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump and others can be ascertained by using the app to identify the location of their security teams. This is especially concerning in the light of the recent attempts on the Republican candidate’s life.

Macron’s office has dismissed the risk as “non-existent” but is nevertheless instructing its staff not to use the software. The US Secret Service, meanwhile, has said that it will be investigating employees’ use of the app. This security flaw shows that even the protection of our leaders can fall by the wayside when it comes to bodyguards’ pursuit of a new personal best.

Norway’s capital is not to be overlooked if you want a taste of the best that the Nordics have to offer. Much like its people, Oslo’s culinary scene is not brash or showy, so its most notable restaurants and bars can be easy to miss. Here, Monocle’s resident Norwegian, Gunnar Gronlid, helps us uncover some of the city’s best spots.