Shrinking US cities such as St. Louis are seeking immigrants to help offset population loss. But the Trump administration's restrictive policies add uncertainty — even as newcomers press on, building businesses and futures in places that say they need them.

St. Louis

St. Louis is experiencing rapid population decline, with more people leaving or passing away than being born or moving in. City leaders and community organizations have looked to immigration as a way to offset this trend, but stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration have made it more difficult for newcomers to settle and contribute to the local economy.

Immigrants and refugees in St. Louis report increased fear and uncertainty, affecting their willingness to participate in daily activities and access essential services. Despite these challenges, some continue to pursue business opportunities, supported by local grants and initiatives, as the city seeks to revitalize itself through new residents and entrepreneurs.

Trump's immigration policy hits shrinking U.S. cities hard

St. Louis is shrinking, and quickly, at one of the fastest rates among cities in America. As families move to the suburbs and deaths outpace births, fears have grown of a looming demographic winter, a future where too few people remain to sustain the local economy. Like many other cities across the United States, what St. Louis needs to remain economically viable long-term is people. And many here had hoped that welcoming immigrants and refugees would help to at least partly offset years of population decline. But more restrictive immigration policies under the Trump administration have made pursuing that strategy more difficult. Few understand that better than Blake Hamilton, CEO of the International Institute of St. Louis, a non-profit that supports immigrants and refugees. We hear stories from immigrants who are afraid to go to work, afraid to take their kids to school, afraid to seek health care for chronic conditions because of this fear that they are going to be somehow plucked up and issued deportation orders. So that creates a strain on growth, period. A recent travel ban on Afghans has been a source of distress for the growing community here, especially those with remaining loved ones back home. After the Taliban retook Afghanistan in 2021, Afghan arrivals hit historic highs in St. Louis. It makes me feel sad for my cousins, not just for my cousins, for all Afghans, especially for Afghan women. And lots of families, they wait to get their close member families in here. But by new rules or by whatever the government decided, it makes it hard. Still they consider themselves lucky, with many hoping to lay down roots and establish businesses. Today, some are pitching for a $20,000 grant sponsored by the International Institute. Nagina Shinwari wants to launch a clothing line for South Asian women. This is my idea, my own idea. Saeed Mohamed Anwar is planning to import gemstones from Afghanistan. And start your business, maybe it's the right time. They would be following in the footsteps of fellow Afghan entrepreneurs who've long established themselves in St. Louis. One of the judges of the contest is Fahim Mohamed. He's owned a restaurant here since 2005, but he says that tougher immigration policies are likely to hit him as a business owner. To be honest, I feel like we still have not recovered from the psychological shockwave that was associated with the COVID, the pandemic, the inflation, the labor. With the policies of the current administration, you know, it's really hard to have, you know, like there is definitely shortage of, you know, like workers for the, not only the restaurant, but for every other sector of the economy. And you know, when you have restricted immigration, you notice, you know, like this president policy, someday, you know, he will enforce it and the day after he will take it out. Despite the uncertainty, Fahim Mohamed has decided on optimism. So all I'm doing is just waiting, it's just three and a half more years, a little bit less than three and a half, and we'll endure it. America is resilient. Back to the contest. The $20,000 grant has gone to Nagina Shinwari and her South Asian apparel business idea. A hopeful step forward for one more immigrant in a city that says it needs people like her so it too can move forward.

Japan's ruling coalition is certain to lose control of the upper house in election, public broadcaster NHK reported, an outcome that further weakens Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power as a tariff deadline with the United States looms.

Tokyo

Japan's ruling coalition loses control of upper house

Iran's foreign minister has said the country France, Germany and the UK are looking to set a date for a meeting for nuclear talks, in what could be a step toward ending the protracted impasse over Iran's nuclear programme and Western concerns.

Tehran

Middle East Conflict

Iran and three European powers set to resume nuclear talks

The Trump administration said on Saturday (July 19) it will take action against Mexico under its "America First" policy, saying the Mexican government's earlier decision to cut flight slots in Mexico City, which affects U.S. airlines, violates a bilateral air agreement.

Washington

U.S. threatens Mexican flights over cargo, competition issues

U.S. President Donald Trump has sued the Wall Street Journal and its owners including Rupert Murdoch for at least $10 billion, over the report that his name was on a 2003 birthday greeting for Jeffrey Epstein that included a sexually suggestive drawing and a reference to secrets they shared.

Trump sues Wall Street Journal for $10 billion over Epstein report

Over 200 Venezuelans who were deported from the U.S. on allegations of gang membership earlier this year and detained in an El Salvador jail have arrived home to Caracas as part of a coordinated prisoner exchange. Ten Americans held in Venezuela returned to the U.S., officials said.

Caracas

El Salvador sends detained Venezuelans home in swap for Americans

Japanese voters headed to the polls on Sunday (July 20) in a tightly contested upper house election that could unleash political turmoil, with rising prices, immigration concerns and the emergence of a Trump-style "Japanese-first" party threatening to weaken Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's grip on power.

Japan heads to the polls for Upper House elections

The violent clashes between the Druze minority, Bedouins and other armed groups in the southern province of Sweida have left at least 900 people dead. Some reports suggest that fighting may have halted early on Sunday.

Damascus

Syrian interim president urges respect of ceasefire in Sweida clashes

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

Zelenskyy proposes new round of peace talks with Russia

Stacey Williams, a former Sports Illustrated model who briefly dated Jeffrey Epstein speaks with CNN’s Brianna Keilar and describes Epstein’s relationship with Donald Trump. She also alleges Trump once groped her in 1993, but he denies the claim.

New York

Epstein’s ex-girlfriend describes alleged incident with Trump

A vehicle rammed into a crowd of people waiting to enter an East Hollywood nightclub, injuring 30, seven of them critically, in Los Angeles on Saturday morning. Authorities say bystanders attacked the driver, who also sustained a gunshot wound.

West Hollywood

Driver crashes into line of people in Hollywood, police say he was shot

A boat full of tourists capsized during a storm in one of the country's most iconic tourist destinations, leaving at least 34 dead and eight missing. Rescue efforts continue as a new tropical storm approaches.

Hạ Long Bay

Dozens drown after tourist boat capsizes in Ha Long Bay

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As Suwayda

U.S. says Israel-Syria agree to ceasefire, clashes continue in Sweida

Ukraine has appointed a new prime minister, 39-year-old Yulia Svyrydenko, as part of a sweeping government reshuffle announced by President Volodymyr Zelenkskyy. This marks the most significant political shift since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Yulia Svyrydenko takes charge as Ukraine's new prime minister

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, currently on trial at the Supreme Court, has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. Bolsonaro is accused of leading an alleged attempt to stage a coup to overturn the 2022 election.

Rio de Janeiro

Brazil's Bolsonaro ordered to wear ankle monitor

At least three deputies were killed after an explosion at a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department training facility, officials said. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal agents were at the scene.

Los Angeles

Three killed in explosion at L.A. County Sheriff's Department facility

The UK's Labour Party has passed a landmark electoral reform, aligning with Scotland and Wales in lowering the voting age from 18 to 16. The change fulfills a key promise by the ruling party but garnered criticism from the Conservative Party.

London

UK lowers voting age from 18 to 16 in historic electoral reform

The U.S. House of Representatives approved a rescissions package to slash $9 billion in foreign aid and public broadcasting funding, sending the bill to President Donald Trump's desk.

U.S. House passes $9 billion cut to foreign aid, public broadcasting

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday night ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to help facilitate the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein as the administration faces pressure to share more materials on the case.

Trump orders release of Epstein-related grand jury transcripts

The European Union has agreed to impose a new round of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country's energy and financial sectors in a bid to tighten the screws on the Kremlin's war machine and force a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine.

Moscow

EU imposes new sanctions on Russia's oil and banks

U.S. President Donald Trump denies writing a letter signed 'Donald' beneath a nude sketch in Jeffrey Epstein’s 50th birthday album, details of which were published by the Wall Street Journal. The letter is now under review by the U.S. Justice Department.

Trump denies writing crude letter to Jeffrey Epstein

Following a call with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology, saying the only Catholic church in Gaza was hit by stray ammunition. The blast killed three civilians. Ramy Inocencio reports.

Jerusalem

Netanyahu apologizes for deadly strike on Catholic church in Gaza

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has suggested that TSA may soon end its restrictions on liquids in carry-on bags.

TSA may eliminate liquid restrictions on planes

A Tennessee judge on Thursday set Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 27, 2026. Abrego Garcia is facing human smuggling charges. CBS News justice correspondent Scott MacFarlane reports.

Tennessee

Judge sets Kilmar Abrego Garcia's criminal trial date for January 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that President Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency.

Trump diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency

Black-box recording indicates that the flight's captain switched off fuel flow to both engines of the recently crashed Air India airplane, according to media reports on Wednesday, citing preliminary U.S. assessment of evidence.

Ahmedabad

Flight captain switched off fuel flow to engines in Air India crash

The Department of Justice has fired Maurene Comey, a federal prosecutor and the daughter of ex-FBI director James Comey. This comes as the White House tries to mitigate demands for the Jeffrey Epstein files to be released.

DOJ fires Maurene Comey, who helped prosecute Jeffrey Epstein

The Senate approved a $9.4 billion rescissions request, sending it back to the House of Representatives for approval.

Breakdown