Welcome to a new week, Philly. Expect rain for the next few days, starting in late morning.
Haverford College, the University of Pennsylvania, and other schools nationwide are warning international students to return to campus before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. Some of these students say they’re concerned about how new immigration policies may affect their ability to stay in the United States.
And encampment residents along the Delaware River Trail are bracing for a clearing. But they don’t know when or how it will happen.
Read on for the latest news from the region.
— Julie Zeglen (morningnewsletter@inquirer.com)
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Trump’s promise to take a hard-line approach to immigration policy has some international students wary about increased scrutiny, processing delays, and their ability to stay and work in the United States when their education is completed.
By the numbers: More than 1.1 million international students are enrolled at American college campuses, last year bringing an economic impact of $43 billion. More than half come from China and India.
Trump threats: The president-elect has vowed to reinstate his first-term travel ban that barred people from predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. and to revoke the visas of pro-Palestinian protesters who have rallied on campuses and beyond. He has also pledged to deport all undocumented immigrants, which could affect the 400,000 who are enrolled as higher ed students here.
A school’s response: At Delaware County’s Haverford, where about 13% of the student population are foreign, officials advised students to return to campus before Trump’s inauguration and to be mindful of their online presence, which can be subject to review by authorities.
What you should know today
Philadelphia counts more than 5,000 people experiencing homelessness. For those who live under tents and tarps within a makeshift home base along Philadelphia’s Delaware River Trail and its vacant piers, rumors of widespread encampment clearings have instilled fear of displacement.
Adding to that uncertainty, it’s not always obvious who owns the properties to be cleared, who is in charge of enacting these sweeps, when they will happen — or if they’re actually coming.
“We’re like a community, and going into shelters and breaking up is not healthy,” said one woman who lives in an encampment alongside about a dozen other people. “This is our family. We obviously need some people in our lives or else we wouldn’t be here to begin with.”
Meanwhile, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation warns that the piers aren’t safe for human occupancy. But, encampment residents say, neither are the city’s shelters.
Reporter Ximena Conde has the details on the confusion over sweeps in South Philadelphia.
🧠 Trivia time
Continuing its mission to support first-time homebuyers through affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia is now doing what?
A) Offering financial literacy classes
B) Selling condos
C) Covering down payments
D) Restoring used furniture
Think you know? Check your answer.
What we’re…
🦅 Adoring: Lincoln, the bald eagle that soars over the Linc.
👐 Supporting: Free grocery distributor and youth-focused nonprofit YEAH Philly.
🍹 Drinking: At these 37 new bars in the Philly area.
🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Several games of the 2025 Club _ _ will be played at Philly’s Lincoln Financial Field.
CURD PLOW
Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here. Cheers to Pete Skilton, who solved Sunday’s anagram: Jalen Hurts. The quarterback leads the Eagles in rushing touchdowns this season. (Also: On Sunday, Philly will host a look-alike contest for the dashing player in Washington Square Park, but we know who might win.)
Photo of the day
Your “only in Philly” story
📬 Think back to the night that changed your life that could only happen in Philly, a true example of the Philly spirit, the time you finally felt like you belonged in Philly if you’re not a lifer, something that made you fall in love with Philly all over again — or proud to be from here if you are. Then email it to us for a chance to be featured in the Monday edition of this newsletter.
This “only in Philly” story comes from reader Deb Olsen, who recalls a yearly highlight of past Christmases:
One of my fondest memories at Christmastime in Philly was going into Center City to see the light show at John Wanamaker Department Store. When you walked through the doors, some well-dressed woman would spray you with perfume to entice you to make a purchase.
We’d walk past the makeup and jewelry counters to the giant bronze eagle statue in the cavernous main hall and lay on the floor with lots of other kids, looking up at the wall of lights that would soon come to life.
The store was noisy with families and shoppers, but when the first few notes of music would announce the show was ready to begin, all became quiet. John Facenda’s voice washed over us with a fatherly tone. The story of Frosty, the Nutcracker, the Magic Clock shop, and Santa’s toy train unfolded in a colorful tableau. The tree and lights would sparkle, and the fountains would spray water in varying shooting geysers in time to the music.
There were other attractions back then — Santa on his throne, a monorail in the toy department, the Enchanted Village at Lit Brothers. But for me, nothing compared to the light show at Wanamaker’s. It’s a Macy’s now and there is no more fountain. A few changes have been made over the years. John Facenda’s voice is gone. But we can still enjoy the lights. It is truly an “only in Philly” experience.
👋 Thanks for starting your week with The Inquirer. I hope you have a great Monday.
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