US Crackdown on Deportations Escalates as EU Fashion Faces Tariff Strain and AI Voice Rules Spark Discontent

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The United States has intensified its deportation measures, returning some migrants directly to their countries of origin despite initially threatening to transfer them to third countries. Meanwhile, European fashion brands are under pressure to absorb significant new U.S. tariffs, and voice actors across Europe have criticised recently adopted artificial intelligence (AI) regulations for failing to protect their livelihoods.

Under the Trump administration’s revived immigration policies, several migrants who were told they could be sent to third countries such as Guatemala or El Salvador have instead been returned directly to their home nations. The policy, viewed by supporters as a firm deterrent against illegal entry, has drawn renewed attention from legal analysts and immigration enforcement officials. U.S. authorities argue the approach serves as a more efficient way to prevent abuse of the asylum system and discourage unlawful border crossings.

The measures are part of a broader effort to restore stricter immigration enforcement after years of looser policies. While opponents have voiced concerns over the speed and transparency of deportation proceedings, supporters maintain that a robust system is necessary to preserve national sovereignty and prevent economic and social strain.

Across the Atlantic, European fashion companies are struggling to navigate steep new tariffs imposed by Washington on beauty and luxury goods. The levies, introduced amid growing transatlantic trade tensions, target high-end exports such as cosmetics, skincare products, and fragrances, sectors dominated by French and Italian firms.

With tariffs as high as 25% on select products, industry leaders warn that passing on costs to consumers may be unavoidable. Smaller brands in particular face difficult choices between absorbing losses, reducing U.S. market presence, or raising retail prices. Trade associations have urged European Union (EU) leaders to engage with U.S. counterparts to de-escalate the trade dispute, but a swift resolution remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the EU’s latest AI regulatory framework has sparked concern among voice actors and audio professionals, who claim the rules fail to adequately safeguard their rights and income. The legislation, designed to oversee the development and use of AI systems, does not include specific provisions to prevent the unauthorised cloning or replication of human voices, a growing practice in automated customer service, advertising, and entertainment.

Unions and advocacy groups across Germany, France, and Spain have called for stronger protections, including mandatory consent and compensation for the use of an individual’s vocal likeness. Without clearer safeguards, they argue, thousands of jobs could be at risk as companies turn to AI-generated voice models to cut costs.

As AI continues to reshape industries and regulatory frameworks lag behind, tensions are rising between technological innovation and the rights of individual workers, a debate that is likely to intensify in the coming months.