• I visited Le Café, Louis Vuitton's first eatery in the US, at its flagship store in New York City.
• The menu mainly includes French and Mediterranean dishes alongside American classics like burgers.
• For $210, I had a drink and four dishes, including the monogrammed waffle and Dover sole meunière.

Louis Vuitton may have experienced a slump in sales last quarter, but at its new Fifth Avenue store, especially in its new café, business feels like it is booming.

During my visit to its café in December, I noticed everyone, from wide-eyed tourists to locals, hoping for a taste of the brand. The most asked question of the night was, "Do you have a table available?"

Fashion labels like Tiffany, Armani, and Dior have used in-store dining to provide an experience for their guests beyond solely purchasing products. It comes as brands seek to increase their appeal in Gen Z circles, who increasingly value experiences over items.

And their strategy, at least in the case of Louis Vuitton, seems to be working, with the café fully booked for weeks.

It's not just brands that benefit; these partnerships work for restauranteurs, too.

At Louis Vuitton's café, a "luxury snacking" menu has been created in partnership with Philadelphia-based hospitality group Starr Restaurants, executive chef Christophe Bellanca, executive pastry chef Mary George, and French chefs Arnaud Donckele and Maxime Frédéric.

For me, the visit felt like stepping into a cozy private club that was expertly curated, at least, in part, for Instagram. But I liked that I didn't have to spend a grand to enjoy a meal here and could still get a taste of luxury.

Although it's not a place I'll be setting reservation alarms for again, I will think about some of its dishes, like the pomme mousseline, for a long time.

Here's what it was like to eat at Le Café, Louis Vuitton's first restaurant concept in the US, inside its new Fifth Avenue store in New York City.

Le Café is on the fourth floor of Louis Vuitton's new flagship store on Fifth Avenue.

Louis Vuitton opened the new flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City in November. The five-floor store will temporarily house the brand while its old outpost, across the street, undergoes renovation.

Inside, each floor represents a different collection. The first floor features the house's leather goods, followed by its womenswear collections on the second floor and menswear on the third.

On the fourth is Le Café, the brand's first restaurant concept in the US, which opened its doors on the same day as the store.

The fifth floor is separated into three private salons and includes space for Louis Vuitton's high-design and tableware collections, Objets Nomades and Art de la Table.

On the day I visited, there was a long line outside the store.

I visited the café the Saturday before Christmas Day. Since it was peak tourist season in New York City, I wasn't surprised to see a long line outside the store despite the cold.

However, since I had a reservation, I used an alternate entrance next to the main door, showed my confirmation to the guard, and was let in immediately.

Upon entering the store, I was greeted by an expansive atrium lined with four sky-high trunk towers.

As soon as I stepped inside, I observed — and then copied — other visitors as they strained their necks to get a full view of the atrium, which was home to four stacks of trunks measuring nearly 52-foot tall.

The towering trunks, an instant hit with the influencer crowd, made for a mesmerizing sight, much like the New York skyline by which they were inspired.

They were designed by Shohei Shigematsu — who's also designed exhibitions for Prada, the Venice Architecture Biennale, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and more — of architecture studio OMA.

Pro tip: For the best view of the store (and the trunks), peek over the railings by the restaurant's reception on the fourth floor.

On each floor, I saw distinct stand-alone pieces from previous collaborations.

Since I was early for my reservation, I decided to squeeze in a quick store tour.

A standout feature at the back of every floor was the brand's photo wall, which featured popular pieces from previous collaborations with artists and brands such as Richard Prince, Yayoi Kusama, Supreme, Takashi Murakami, and Stephen Sprouse.

The holiday hustle was in full swing, and while I made my way past different sections, I watched visitors taking selfies of the store alongside people shopping for last-minute gifts.

Leading to the restaurant's reception was Le Chocolat, a chocolate kiosk conceptualized by pastry chef Maxime Frédéric.

The chocolate shop — its fourth globally after Paris, Singapore, and Shanghai — is full of beautiful themed chocolate creations.

When I reached the fourth floor, I was greeted by a long line of visitors — alongside the fashion house's iconic monograms, lines seemed to be a recurring theme at the store.

Some people were waiting to see the chocolate shop, while others hoped to snag one of the six sought-after open spots by the café's bar.

I couldn't jump the queue, so I only got a glimpse of the chocolate shop from afar but the chocolates looked artfully crafted. Each piece blended Frédéric's style and the brand's aesthetics, like the Damier Ebène checkerboard print on chocolate bars.

The reception featured elegant floral displays and a selection of books by Louis Vuitton.

Since I was early for my 7 p.m. reservation, I was asked to wait while my table was set.

In the meantime, the hostess checked my coat, and I took a moment to soak in the atmosphere. From my spot, I got a full view of the store and saw shoppers browsing through monogrammed goods.

The restaurant feels like one of the most coveted reservations in New York City.

As I waited, the one question I heard at least 10 people ask every few minutes was, "Do you have a table available for tonight?"

While the hostess' job is to check in guests and manage seating, her real role, I thought to myself, was saying "no" to the many hopefuls who thought they'd land a last-minute table at the café. (A lucky few can get seats at the bar, but only before 7 p.m. as the café closes at 8:30 p.m.)

Getting a reservation at Le Café, like most coveted spots in New York, is a battle. The reservations are released on Resy and are available 28 days in advance.

It took a week in November to get mine: I set alarms and had Resy tabs open every night before I finally snagged a spot for a month later. In under 60 seconds, most slots were gone.

Inside, the 70-seat dining room was symmetrically designed, with every item featuring an LV motif.

There was a 15-minute delay in seating me, but given that it was only a month-old establishment, I assumed it might have been an operational hiccup. I was led to my table once it was ready.

Stepping into the dining area, I felt like I had entered a chic private club. The lights had been dimmed for the evening service, and the space was illuminated by neon lights hooked to columns throughout the room. Pops of orange and turquoise added a playful twist to the café.

Some tables were lined with a beautifully arranged bookshelf, which, per the brand, features over 650 titles that guests can browse while dining in.

To maintain its intimate ambiance, the 70-seat venue usually hosts up to 60 diners at once.

Overall, the atmosphere felt romantic, making it the perfect setting for date nights or special celebrations.

A rounded bar at the front of the restaurant evoked a sleek, upscale vibe.

At the front of the café sat an eight-seat bar. It had a curved countertop, allowing guests dining at the bar enough space.

It was framed by plush, leather-upholstered stools in the brand's signature orange, complementing the dark glass top. Behind the bar, a variety of alcoholic beverages were neatly staked and illuminated by bright-yellow lights.

Another reference to the brand was visible on the restaurant's ceiling, which was lined with scores of branded bag tags.

If you thought I was exaggerating when I said every corner of the space was decked in the brand's motifs, I really wasn't; even the ceiling has been converted into a display space.

Rows of hanging branded bag tags added a unique touch to the space.

Before I arrived, my cozy table for two had been set with placemats, menus, and cutlery.

Every element, from the leather placemats stamped with metal rivets bearing the brand's name to the dishware lined in the house's floral motifs, reflected an attention to detail that felt uniquely Louis Vuitton but also a standard I expected from the brand.

The café's menu is divided into two sections: breakfast items, such as truffle eggs "à la a coque" and avocado tartine, and more elaborate fare for lunch or dinner, like the crab Louis and tuna tartare.

I decided to try a variety of dishes — including a few signature items — from its evening menu, which features a mix of French and Mediterranean items with some local influences, like its lobster rolls and "Le burger 1989." Signature dishes were marked with an LV logo, so it was easy to spot them.

To begin, I ordered a signature, mezcal-based, Speedy Spicy cocktail.

The cocktail cost $24, excluding tax and tip. While expensive, it felt in line with the cost of craft cocktails at other high-end bars in New York City.

When it was served, a block of ice embossed with the Louis Vuitton flower floated in the drink.

The cocktail had a kick from the Montelobos mezcal, which was balanced by zesty flavors of passionfruit and lime juice, and the subtle heat from the piment d'espelette — pepper powder — added a nice spicy twist.

Other options on the menu include classics such as a Manhattan, dirty martini, and daiquiri.

For food, I started with a monogrammed waffle with tzatziki and a complimentary side of bread and butter.

When I was served a side of complimentary bread and butter, I appreciated how artfully the butter had been set into the brand's flower monogram.

The bread was nice and toasty on the outside but soft inside.

By the time I finished my meal, I'd devoured the entire four-piece bread basket and was seriously impressed the butter had not melted.

The waffle, despite its crisp look, was slightly soggy.

Before visiting, I'd seen many people recommend the monogrammed waffle — pictured above in a photograph from the brand — in reviews online, and I was excited to try this all-day staple.

Unfortunately, the $32 only-just-bigger-than-bite-size waffle was a miss for me.

While it had a lovely crisp exterior, the inside was a bit soggy and had a strong smell of eggs, which threw me off a bit.

I paired my waffle with a bowl of tzatziki — made using Greek yogurt and cucumber — but guests can also opt for a side of crème fraîche topped with caviar for an additional cost.

The tzatziki, which was served in cute glassware with tiny cucumber balls, paired well and offered a cool, refreshing contrast.

For my entrée, I chose the Dover sole meunière and paired it with pomme mousseline Louis Vuitton.

At $62 — and the most expensive item on the entrée menu — the sole felt like a splurge but, as someone who loves grilled fish, it was also the most exciting for me.

When I received the plate, the fish was perfectly golden-brown. It was served with a slice of lemon and mint, and the server poured some lemon butter sauce over the top.

The fish was perfectly crisp on the outside and soft on the inside.

The texture of the Dover sole was the highlight of this dish for me.

It's all too easy to overcook fish, especially when grilling, and I've had my fair share of missteps. But at Le Café, the fish was cooked to perfection. The outside had a delicate crispness, offering just the right crunch, while the inside remained soft and tender.

The accompanying sauce was creamy and citrusy, which complemented the grilled fish.

The sauce had a slight buttery richness and complemented the fish beautifully. Its creamy texture, with a subtle hint of lemon, added a nice tang that enhanced the sole without overpowering it.

I chose to lightly dip my fish into the sauce to keep the focus on the fish, but there was plenty of sauce on the side for anyone who enjoys a more indulgent, sauce-soaked bite.

Speaking about his process behind including this dish in the menu, executive chef Christophe Bellanca told Business Insider over email that he "wanted to create a menu that captured both the elegance of France while blending local New York flavors."

But the star, for me, was the silky pomme mousseline.

The pomme mousseline, which I ordered for a side and cost $22, was easily the best dish I had that night and perhaps the most inventive take on mashed potatoes I've ever experienced.

The potatoes were creamy, earthy, and melted in my mouth. Each spoonful felt indulgent yet light, making it the perfect pairing with the fish.

What stood out most was the dish's unexpected texture. Unlike the smooth consistency I expected, it combined silky potato purée with tiny, crispy fried chunks of potato topped with drops of truffle sauce.

It almost felt like I was eating several different items at once, but really, it was all just potatoes!

For dessert, I chose the hazelnut entremet.

There are three signature desserts on the menu, all of which cost $24.

The menu, crafted by executive pastry chef Mary George, was inspired by her time in France and her "culinary philosophy of utilizing fewer, high-quality ingredients and emphasizing them in ways to create depth and richness," she told BI.

When it came to ordering, I was conflicted between two entremets — one satisfied my love for dark chocolate, while the other incorporated hazelnuts. I asked my server for a recommendation, and she said that if I were a Ferrero Rocher fan, I would enjoy the hazelnut entremet.

And so, given that her previous suggestion of pairing my Dover sole with the pomme mousseline had been a hit, I decided to follow her lead.

The monogrammed sweet was perfectly layered.

And once again, her suggestion was spot on.

The hazelnut entremet arrived looking almost too beautiful to eat, adorned with Louis Vuitton's signature monogram.

Each bite revealed different layers: a glossy hazelnut glaze, velvety mousse, crunchy praline, and a nutty cake. The hazelnut butter on top was slightly too sweet for my liking, but that's because I don't enjoy anything too sugary.

This dessert perfectly embodied George's fewer but high-quality ingredients philosophy.

Le Café is not your everyday dining outpost, but still well worth a one-time reservation … if you can get it.

In the end, I paid $210 for my meal (including tax and tip), and though it felt a bit steep for "snacking," it felt appropriate for a special occasion or one-time treat. (At least that's what I told myself in the spirit of the festive season.)

The café, with its chic vibe and meticulous design, is undeniably Instagrammable and is accessible to more than just Louis Vuitton's core shoppers.

To New Yorkers, it's worth attempting to get a reservation and checking out once to enjoy the atmosphere and food and snap that perfect shot for your socials. I enjoyed the restaurant's service and loved some dishes, like its inventive take on mashed potatoes in its pomme mousseline.

But for those visiting the city, I think several other iconic New York City food establishments should be much higher on your list of spots to visit. While the restaurant delivers on style and presentation, the appeal feels more rooted in the novelty of the setting and the big brand name attached to it.

The food, though enjoyable, doesn't break new ground. For me, it's a one-time spot partly because of the hassle of getting a reservation but mainly because there are countless other dining spots in the city with more innovative and exciting menus that are truly worth setting alarms for.

As President-elect Donald Trump continues to express interest in the U.S. acquiring Greenland, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., conveyed a willingness to entertain the concept.

Fetterman noted that he would not support forcibly seizing Greenland — but the senator, who made the comments during an appearance on Fox News Channel's "Special Report," pointed to historical American land acquisitions, including the Louisiana purchase and the purchase of Alaska.

Trump declared in a post on Truth Social last month, "For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity."

DANISH PRIME MINISTER HAS BLUNT MESSAGE FOR TRUMP: GREENLAND IS NOT FOR SALE

"Greenland is an incredible place, and the people will benefit tremendously if, and when, it becomes part of our Nation. We will protect it, and cherish it, from a very vicious outside World. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!" he said in a Truth Social post on Monday.

Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland on Tuesday.

The icy island "has its own extensive local government, but it is also part of the Realm of Denmark," according to denmark.dk. "Greenland was a Danish colony until 1953, when it was redefined as a district of Denmark. In addition to its own local government, Greenland has two representatives in the Danish Parliament, the Folketing."

TRUMP ESCALATES PLANS TO ACQUIRE GREENLAND AFTER RESIDENT PLEADS: ‘DENMARK’S USING US'

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act in a bipartisan 264-159 vote on Tuesday, and Fetterman said that he plans to support passage in the Senate. 

The measure is named after the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student slain last year by an illegal alien in Georgia.

The legislation calls for the Homeland Security secretary to issue a detainer for an illegal alien who admits to, or is charged with, arrested, or convicted of actions that comprise the key elements of theft or similar offenses, and to take custody of the person if they have not been detained by federal, state, or local authorities. 

Fetterman said he doesn't know why anyone finds it controversial that people illegally in the U.S. who commit crimes "need to go."

"Do you think that this was one of, if not the biggest issue for this election?" Fox News' Brett Baier asked Fetterman.

The senator replied that if Senate Democrats cannot muster 7 votes in support of the measure, that is one of the reasons they lost. 

The Tennessee Titans have their choice at the cream of the crop with the No. 1 pick in April, and there's a fairly decent chance it will be Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

That's who Shawne Merriman would personally go with – although Travis Hunter is a close second – but Merriman knows all too well that the No. 1 pick doesn't necessarily guarantee you get your guy.

Merriman, of course, was eventually part of the infamous Eli Manning-Phillip Rivers trade in 2004. Manning was adamant about never playing for the Chargers, but the team, then in San Diego, drafted him anyway with the first overall pick.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Eventually, after the Giants drafted Rivers, the Big Blue sent Rivers, a 2004 third-rounder, and a 2005 first-rounder to San Diego for Manning. That first-round pick became Merriman (although, the Giants aren't complaining).

The Giants were in a great position to own the No. 1 pick, which led to Sanders himself actually being gifted a pair of Giants cleats for his bowl game. New York then won their third game of the season, losing control of the top selection, and they are now slated to pick third.

But, Merriman seems to believe there's a chance that Sanders' father and head coach, Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, could play a role in repeating history with the same team from 21 years ago.

TITANS, WITH NO. 1 DRAFT PICK, FIRE GENERAL MANAGER RAN CARTHON

"I think Deion is smart by putting it out there that teams need to tread lightly, as far as what they plan on doing… I think Prime is smart enough to at least put the word out there that we're not just going with anybody, right?" Merriman said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "But again, when you get drafted, I think things change, and anywhere in that top-five pick man is really a blessing for anybody."

Deion himself did say that "multiple IDIOTS… will say things that totally aren’t true regarding where I would like" his sons to play at the next level – but he didn't exactly rule out that he wouldn't influence it.

"If I say it I will say it directly to whom it may concern not a attention seeker," he said on X last week.

Merriman will get one more look at Sanders before the draft at the East-West Shrine Bowl, as his very own production company, Lights Out Sports TV, will live stream the game's practices later this month. Merriman got into television after his playing days were over a decade ago and felt the Shrine Bowl was a perfect opportunity to showcase his second dream.

"To get the opportunity now to have the live-streaming rights exclusively for us for the East-West Shrine Bowl practices, it's like, I wanted to play football as a kid. I dreamed about it. I wanted to play NFL, and to now be in this space that now, it's my ideas, it's my production, I'm putting together everything, and to have the ability to get in this space and get someone like the East-West shrine bowl, the 100th annual, it's a massive, massive deal for us. and we want go out and make this the most interactive practice week that anybody's ever seen," Merriman said.

The top pick figures to be either Sanders or Cam Ward, the latter of whom some sportsbooks have as the odds-on favorite at the moment. The Cleveland Browns, who own the second pick, are a true wild card with Deshaun Watson still rostered, so perhaps there is a chance Sanders will fall to the G-Men anyway. Deion also played professional baseball with the New York Yankees, so there is already a tie to the Big Apple.

The Giants announced on Monday that both general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll will be back for a fourth season despite going 9-25 in their last two seasons combined. Since joining the team ahead of the 2022 season, they have yet to draft a quarterback.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

The Mexican government is working hard to break up migrant caravans trying to make the treacherous journey north to the U.S. ahead of President-elect Trump’s inauguration in less than two weeks' time.

Faced with the prospect of massive tariffs on goods under the new administration, Mexico has been dispersing migrants throughout the country to keep them far from the U.S. border, including dropping them off at the once vibrant tourist hotspot of Acapulco, a beach resort town on Mexico's Pacific coast made famous by the jet set in the 1950s and ’60s.

Once a crown jewel of Mexico's tourism industry, the city now suffers under the thumb of organized crime and is still struggling to climb back after taking a direct hit from powerful Hurricane Otis in 2023. It now has one of Mexico's highest rates of homicides.

MORE MIGRANTS LIKELY TO RUSH BORDER DESPITE REPORTS OF SPLINTERING CARAVAN: EXPERTS

Yet authorities are dropping busloads of migrants there with little support and few options. 

The Mexican government has embraced a policy of "dispersion and exhaustion" to reduce the number of migrants reaching the U.S. border. Authorities let migrants walk for days until they're exhausted and then offer to bus them to various cities where they say their immigration status will be reviewed.

The migrants tell the Associated Press that they accepted an offer from immigration officials to come to the city under the premise that they could continue their journey north toward the U.S. border, but instead they have essentially been abandoned there. 

On Monday, desperate migrants could be seen sleeping in the streets in tents and say they fear Mexico's drug cartels could target them for kidnapping and extortion, though many migrants say authorities extort them too.

"Immigration (officials) told us they were going to give us a permit to transit the country freely for 10, 15 days and it wasn't like that," 28-year-old Venezuelan, Ender Antonio Castañeda, told the Associated Press. "They left us dumped here without any way to get out. They won't sell us (bus) tickets. They won't sell us anything."

MORE MIGRANTS LIKELY TO RUSH BORDER DESPITE REPORTS OF SPLINTERING CARAVAN: EXPERTS

Castañeda, is one of thousands of other migrants who had left the southern city of Tapachula near the Guatemalan border in recent weeks in the hope of crossing the Mexican border into the U.S. before Trump takes office.

It would take an adult migrant about 16 days of non-stop walking to get to the most southern point of the U.S. border is at the crossing at Matamoros, near Brownsville, Texas. Migrants prefer traveling in caravans because they believe there is safety in numbers as it is hard or impossible for immigration agents to detain large groups of hundreds of migrants.

Trump has threatened Mexico with a 25% tariff on imported goods from Mexico, and the country hopes the lower numbers will give them some defense from Trump's pressures.

Trump is expected to clamp down heavily on illegal crossings, which have soared under the Biden-Harris administration. He has also vowed to carry out the largest deportation operation in the history of the U.S. and has appointed hardliner South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to serve as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while Tom Homan will be the new "Border Czar." 

Additionally, he has also pledged to end the use of parole programs by the Biden administration that allow migrants to enter via the expanded "lawful pathways."

On Tuesday, Trump reiterated his threat in a press briefing where he also said he would change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.

"Mexico has to stop allowing millions of people to pour into our country. They can stop them. And we’re going to put very serious tariffs on Mexico and Canada, because Canada, they come through Canada too, and the drugs that are coming through are at record numbers, record numbers. So we’re going to make up for that by putting tariffs on Mexico and Canada, substantial tariffs," he said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

• When Dapo Bankole moved to Canada in 2012, he had years of IT experience under his belt.
• But he struggled to find a professional job for months and did minimum wage work to make ends meet.
• Bankole said he thinks companies weren't hiring him because he lacked Canadian experience.

This as-told-to essay is based on a transcribed conversation with Dapo Bankole, 47, about moving to Canada from Nigeria. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

My Canadian Dream began in 1993. I was living in Nigeria, where I was born, and had to sit an exam. My brother's friend drove me there. A few months later, I asked after him and was told he moved to Canada.

It was the first time I heard about someone relocating to a new country. I dreamed of doing the same.

I studied biochemistry at university and completed a postgraduate program in computer science. I worked in IT for around 12 years in Nigeria, where I gained experience in computer engineering, billing administration, and team management

My desire to relocate heavily influenced my life. When I courted my wife, I told her about my dream because I didn't want it to be a problem for her. I started getting myself ready to move by gaining IT certifications through a Canadian society.

In 2012, I moved to Canada with my wife and two children after successfully applying for permanent residency in the country.

But it ended up taking me around nine months to find a professional job. I struggled to get my foot in the door and provide for my family's basic needs. I feel I was overlooked because I didn't have Canadian work experience.

I applied for professional jobs in Canada but didn't hear back

We arrived in Canada in 2012 and stayed with my sister, who had moved there ahead of me, for two months before we got an apartment.

My wife worked in a bank in Nigeria, but when we moved she decided to pursue her hobby of making clothes, so she went back to school to go into fashion design. Meanwhile, I started job-hunting.

I applied for professional jobs, such as analyst and project manager positions, but it mostly was crickets. I wasn't hearing anything back.

Peers who were also immigrants asked to look at my résumé. I'd put Nigeria all over the place, someone suggested I remove it. When I did, I started getting follow-up calls.

I felt I wasn't getting opportunities because of my lack of Canadian work experience. Recruiters didn't say it directly — it was subtle. In phone conversations, recruiters would ask where my experience was based. I'd explain it wasn't in Canada, and the conversation would continue, but they'd never get back to me.

It became glaring that companies weren't hiring me because I lacked local experience, but I'd never get it if they didn't hire me. It's a chicken-and-egg situation.

I took on minimum-wage work. We struggled with our basic needs.

After a month or so of job-seeking, I started applying to lower-wage jobs as well. Living in Canada wasn't cheap, and I needed to stop depleting my savings.

I worked at a call center for CA $10 an hour for around two months. Then, I got a job as a grocery store clerk doing night shifts. I also did evening shifts unloading cargo from planes at the airport.

I kept my days free to pursue more professional opportunities. I didn't want to get stuck in a low-wage job. But it meant I hardly saw my kids. They were asleep when I got home and went to school when I was asleep. They started speaking to me less, and it made me question why we left Nigeria.

We were comfortable in Nigeria, but we lived in a basement in Canada. We struggled to cover our basic needs. There was a day when I only had around $10 left and had to decide whether I'd use it to buy food or put gas in the car. I'd never been in that situation.

Moving back to Nigeria at that stage would have meant starting all over again there, so we decided to push through the pain of integration.

I received help from a mentorship program and was eventually hired as a business analyst

During my struggle to get a professional job, my confidence levels crashed and I started to doubt myself.

Through an organization that offered loans to immigrant professionals, I received some money to attend a short training course. I interacted with professionals on the course who listened to me. I found myself leading conversations and felt my confidence being restored.

I also joined a mentorship program that reaches out to companies on your behalf. They didn't have a magic wand that automatically gave people jobs, but it leveraged social capital on behalf of immigrants like me.

They helped me get an unpaid opportunity, which led to a full-time offer for a business analyst job. I was able to keep doing my night shift work to make money in the interim and actually kept my grocery store job for months afterward for extra income.

Even though the road isn't completely smooth, it always becomes easier once you have that initial foot in the door.

I stayed in the business analyst role for around two years before I was headhunted by another company to work as a senior business analyst. In 2015, I started my own business. My team of six builds software and consults with organizations on software and implementation.

Employers should give people like me a chance

The program I did gave me an in-route for Canadian experience, but I don't think it's right to filter out candidates who don't have Canadian experience.

You don't need Canadian experience to succeed in Canada. You only need experienced people who are ready to do whatever it takes to fit in and deliver on the work priorities. We should give people a chance to prove themselves.

Immigration shouldn't make people suffer. It should help them transfer their skills, which can positively impact the economy.

Do you have a story about how relocating to a new place impacted your career? Email Charissa Cheong at [email protected]

FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., became the second Democrat to co-sponsor the Laken Riley Act, which will get a vote on the Senate floor Friday after passing the House on Tuesday. 

The measure would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement to arrest and detain illegal immigrants that have committed theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. Under the bill, states would also have standing to take civil action against members of the federal government who do not enforce immigration law. 

"Arizonans know the real-life consequences of today’s border crisis," Gallego told Fox News Digital in a statement. "We must give law enforcement the means to take action when illegal immigrants break the law, to prevent situations like what occurred to Laken Riley."

"I will continue to fight for the safety of Arizonans by pushing for comprehensive immigration reform and increased border security." 

RFK JR TO MEET WITH SLEW OF DEMS INCLUDING ELIZABETH WARREN, BERNIE SANDERS

The bill was re-introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in the House and Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., in the Senate. It was named for the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia campus in February. Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty on 10 total counts, including felony murder. He initially pleaded not guilty.

He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November. 

The House passed the bill, 264 to 159, on Tuesday, with 48 Democrats joining Republicans.

TRUMP, GOP SENATORS TO HUDDLE AT CAPITOL, WEIGH STRATEGY ON BUDGET, TAXES AND BORDER

"I’d like to thank Senator Gallego for cosponsoring the bipartisan Laken Riley Act. This commonsense legislation would keep American families safe, and every single senator should support it," Britt said in a statement after Gallego joined the bill. 

The Alabama senator reintroduced the bill in the Senate on Tuesday after first debuting it last year. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., quickly teed the measure up for a floor vote on Friday. 

Britt's bill has the full backing of every Republican in the Senate and is now co-sponsored by Democrat Sens. John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Gallego. 

MIDWESTERN STATE SENATOR REVIVES DOGE-ALIGNED BILLS AS GOP PREPARES FOR DC TAKEOVER

Gallego notably voted in favor of the bill in the House last year, one of a few dozen Democrats to do so. 

The Arizona Democrat won the swing state's Senate race in November, taking over the seat vacated by former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., who did not run for re-election. Gallego defeated Trump ally Kari Lake in the election, despite President-elect Donald Trump carrying the battleground state. 

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., revealed to Fox News Digital he would be voting in favor of the measure. The Democrat is up for re-election in Michigan in 2026, another state won by Trump. 

TRANSGENDER BILL BARRING MEN FROM WOMEN'S SPORTS TO GET FLOOR VOTE IN NEWLY GOP-LED SENATE

Republicans will ultimately have a 53-seat majority in the Senate. However, because Sen.-elect Jim Justice of West Virginia delayed his swearing-in, the conference only has a 52-seat majority. 

To overcome the legislative filibuster, the bill needs 60 votes. The measure's fate is thus expected to come down to the votes of a handful of Democrats.

In particular, the vote will put a spotlight on the Georgia Senate delegation, as Riley was a constituent of theirs. All eyes will be on Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who has his own re-election battle in 2026 in yet another Trump-won state.

Ossoff did not provide comment to Fox News Digital in time for publication.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he will step down as the country’s leader, capping off nearly 10 years in office that included a handful of public blunders and controversies. 

"I intend to resign as party leader, as prime minister, after the party selects its next leader through a robust nationwide competitive process," Trudeau told reporters Monday. "Last night, I asked the president of the Liberal Party to begin that process. This country deserves a real choice in the next election, and it has become clear to me that if I'm having to fight internal battles, I cannot be the best option in that election."

His resignation comes after pressure from his own party, ​​the Liberal Party, mounted over his handling of the economy and immigration.

Fox News Digital took a look at Trudeau’s years in office and compiled his top five biggest blunders that sparked condemnation from Canadians and other nations. 

JUSTIN TRUDEAU'S RESIGNATION MET WITH GLEEFUL REACTION FROM CONSERVATIVES ONLINE: 'THE WINNING CONTINUES!'

Trudeau found himself in a scandal in 2019 after photos surfaced of him wearing blackface in 2001. The prime minister said in an interview after the fact that he could not give a definitive number on how many times he had worn blackface. 

"Darkening your face, regardless of the context or the circumstances, is always unacceptable because of the racist history of blackface," he said in 2019.

CANADIAN MP SLAMS TRUDEAU FOR 'BLACKFACE' WHILE ACCUSING 'PATRIOTIC' FREEDOM CONVOY OF RACISM

"I should have understood that then, and I never should have done it."

One photo from 2001 showed Trudeau at an Arabian Nights-themed gala wearing brownface. He also admitted that while in high school he wore blackface while singing the popular Jamaican song "Day-O." In another instance, video footage from the 1990s showed Trudeau in blackface. The prime minister said at the time he could not recall how many times he wore blackface or brownface, a comment that haunted him in the following years as right-leaning lawmakers unleashed on Trudeau for his handling of the coronavirus in the 2020 era.

"I will ask the prime minister, who may I remind this House wore blackface on more times than he can remember, apologize to the peace-loving, patriotic Canadians who are outside right now," Conservative Member of Parliament Candice Bergen said of Trudeau in 2022 while demanding that he apologize to protesters who spoke out against the country’s strict coronavirus mandates.

Canada had some of the strictest coronavirus mandates and requirements in the world, including making vaccinations mandatory in federally regulated workplaces, shutting down businesses for months and arresting citizens if they violated lockdown protocols. 

In response to the lockdowns that disrupted the economy and day-to-day life, Canadians staged multiple protests across the country in 2022. Known as the "Freedom Convoy," thousands of 18-wheelers and other trucks traveled to cities, as well as the Ambassador Bridge between Canada and Michigan, to protest vaccine mandates.

Trudeau slammed the truckers and protesters as spreading "hateful rhetoric" while heaping praise on Black Lives Matter, which was at the forefront of the "defund the police" protests that rocked the U.S. in 2020.

TRUDEAU SLAMS 'FREEDOM CONVOY' FOR 'HATEFUL RHETORIC,' PREFERS TO SUPPORT BLM PROTESTERS

"I have attended protests and rallies in the past when I agreed with the goals, when I supported the people expressing their concerns and their issues. Black Lives Matter is an excellent example of that," Trudeau said in 2022. 

"But I have also chosen to not go anywhere near protests that have expressed hateful rhetoric, violence toward fellow citizens, and a disrespect not just of science but of the front-line health workers and, quite frankly, the 90% of truckers who have been doing the right thing to keep Canadians safe, to put food on our tables. Canadians know where I stand. This is a moment for responsible leaders to think carefully about where they stand and who they stand with," he continued.

The Freedom Convoy protests were reported as being overwhelmingly peaceful by local media.

Canadian pastor Artur Pawlowski was repeatedly arrested, fined and imprisoned for breaking lockdown measures during the pandemic, sparking fierce condemnation from Christians and others worldwide. 

In one viral video from 2021, police in Alberta were seen arresting and charging Pawlowski for "organizing an illegal in-person gathering" during Holy Week ahead of Easter.

"Shame on you guys, this is not Communist China. Don't you have family and kids? Whatever happened to 'Canada, God keep our land glorious and free'?" Pawlowski told the arresting officers. 

Amid his legal battles, Pawlowski slammed Trudeau for his arrests.

CHARGES DROPPED AGAINST CANADIAN PASTORS WHO HELD SERVICES DURING PANDEMIC: 'PLEASANTLY SURPRISED'

"I am a Canadian, a free Canadian, free to worship as I see fit, free to stand up for what I believe is right," Pawlowski told Fox Digital in 2023. "Should we throw all of that out and move to Saudi Arabia? I think Justin Trudeau would fit in perfectly over there. Or maybe North Korea would be better for him. He loves dictatorship. I'll buy him a ticket. Go, please enjoy it."

Restaurants and other business owners in the country were rocked by lockdown orders, including some businesses bucking the mandates and opening their doors during the pandemic. 

In Toronto, one restaurant owner was seen handcuffed by police for defying the orders in 2020, while other business owners launched lawsuits at their government for imposing mandates on businesses during the pandemic.

A report published in 2023 found an increase in restaurants that filed for bankruptcy as they dealt with a "post-pandemic hangover phase," the CBC reported at the time.

Trudeau, while describing himself as a "proud feminist," admonished U.S. voters for electing President-elect Donald Trump after his decisive win over Vice President Harris in November.

"We were supposed to be on a steady, if difficult, march towards progress," Trudeau said in December. "And yet, just a few weeks ago, the United States voted for a second time to not elect its first woman president."

TRUDEAU DECLARES HIMSELF ‘PROUD FEMINIST’ AFTER LAMENTING HARRIS LOSS TO TRUMP AS SETBACK FOR WOMEN

"Everywhere, women’s rights and women’s progress is under attack, overtly and subtly," Trudeau continued. "I want you to know that I am, and always will be, a proud feminist. You will always have an ally in me and in my government."

The remarks came after Trudeau's meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. Trump reportedly suggested to Trudeau during the meeting that Canada become the 51st state and has since publicly referred to Canada as such.

The Canadian Parliament came under fire in 2023 when members gave a man who fought for the Nazis a standing ovation. Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy were both present in parliament when the man, 99-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, received applause. 

CANADA UNDER FIRE FOR APPLAUDING 'LITERAL NAZI' IN PARLIAMENT DURING ZELENSKYY VISIT

Hunka, a Ukrainian-Canadian who fought in the SS Division Galicia for the Nazis, was invited to Parliament to attend Zelenskyy's address to government officials. Members of Parliament from political parties on either side of the aisle stood and applauded Hunka for his military service before news broke that he fought on behalf of Nazi Germany. 

Trudeau apologized for the embarrassment, while the speaker of Canada's House of Commons stepped down for inviting Hunka. 

"This is a mistake that deeply embarrassed Parliament and Canada," Trudeau said at the time.

"All of us who were in this House on Friday regret deeply having stood and clapped even though we did so unaware of the context," he added. "It was a horrendous violation of the memory of the millions of people who died in the Holocaust."

• The parent company of fast-casual chain Panera Bread has a new CEO.
• The restaurant has undergone a menu overhaul and seen lawsuits over highly caffeinated beverages.
• It's the latest in a series of leadership switches at restaurant chains over the past 12 months.

The parent company of fast-casual chain Panera Bread is getting a new chief executive, the latest in a series of CEO transitions at major restaurant chains.

Panera Brands said Tuesday that current CEO José Alberto Dueñas, who has held the job for the last 1 ½ years, would step down immediately but remain as a "special advisor" to the new CEO until the end of March. Paul Carbone, Panera's CFO, will serve as interim CEO as the company looks for a permanent leader.

"I am immensely proud of leading Panera during this transformative period for the Company," Dueñas said. Panera Brands includes the eponymous chain as well as Caribou Coffee and bagel chain Einstein Bros.

Dueñas joined Panera in mid-2023, with the chain describing his appointment as its "next generation of CEO leadership and Board governance in preparation for its eventual IPO." While the company reportedly filed confidentially to go public in late 2023, it has yet to list.

Dueñas also oversaw the Panera chain's "largest menu transformation ever" in 2024, which included more focus on items like mac and cheese and sandwiches and bigger portion sizes.

The menu changes also eliminated Panera's Charged Sips range of beverages, which contained high levels of caffeine. The drinks were the subject of multiple lawsuits, which alleged that they left some customers with permanent injuries and problems such as body shakes.

The executive change at Panera is the latest of several CEO switches at major restaurant chains over the past year amid a tough consumer spending environment for brands from McDonald's to Nike.

Brian Niccol, formerly the CEO of Mexican grill chain Chipotle, took over the top job at Starbucks in September in an abrupt end to former CEO Laxman Narasimhan's time in the role. Starbucks has reported falling sales in key markets, including the US and China, for much of the past year.

Scott Boatwright, previously Chipotle's COO, took over as interim CEO in August.

Meanwhile, former P.F. Chang's CEO Damola Adamolekun has helmed Red Lobster since September, the same month that the seafood-focused chain emerged from bankruptcy.

Subway CEO John Chidsey retired at the end of 2024, the year after he oversaw the sandwich chain's sale to private equity firm Roark Capital in a deal worth about $9 billion.

Do you work at Panera and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected]

While most fans may not agree with the New York Giants’ decision to stick with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen following another disappointing season, the announcement was met with praise by one of the organization’s greats. 

Former quarterback Eli Manning said in an interview with USA Today on Monday that Giants co-owner John Mara made "the right decision" in maintaining the organization’s leadership despite the 3-14 record because he believes the vicious coaching cycle can often work against a team. 

"You've got to have that continuity," Manning said. "To change things up has not worked. It has not worked for the Giants these last 10 years of changing every two or three years.

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"I think Brian Daboll has showed that he has won, two years ago in the playoffs. So I think the opportunity for them to go in, they've got to figure out the quarterback situation this year, but they have talent," he continued. 

"They have guys around that are playing at a high level. It's just building that great team culture. That just takes time, and I think it's the right move to give him that time to do that."

Mara released a statement Monday acknowledging that the season was "disappointing," but added that he remains "confident" in Schoen and Daboll. 

GIANTS' JOHN MARA JOKES HE WAS UPSET WITH SAQUON BARKLEY OVER AD, WANTED TO BE INVOLVED

"Now that our season is over, we felt it necessary to make this statement. Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will continue in their respective roles with the organization. As disappointing as the results of the season have been, Steve (Tisch) and I remain confident in the process that Joe and Brian have implemented and their vision for our team. We look forward to the future and achieving the results we all desire."

Speaking to reporters from the practice facility on Monday, Mara expressed his desire for the two to turn things around quickly. 

"It better not take too long," he said, "because I’ve just about run out of patience."

There was little that went right for the Giants this season which was highlighted by their struggles with the quarterback position. After releasing Daniel Jones and failing to find consistency in their current quarterback room, Mara said it will be their top priority in the offseason. 

"That's obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason, is to find our quarterback of the future," he said. "Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it's going to be up to [Schoen and Daboll] to decide, ultimately."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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The piano-mover puzzle involves trying to transport an oddly shaped load across a constricted environment with various obstructions. It's one of several variations on classic computational motion-planning problems, a key element in numerous robotics applications. But what would happen if you pitted human beings against ants in a competition to solve the piano-mover puzzle?

According to a paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, humans have superior cognitive abilities and, hence, would be expected to outperform the ants. However, depriving people of verbal or nonverbal communication can level the playing field, with ants performing better in some trials. And while ants improved their cognitive performance when acting collectively as a group, the same did not hold true for humans.

Co-author Ofer Feinerman of the Weizmann Institute of Science and colleagues saw an opportunity to use the piano-mover puzzle to shed light on group decision-making, as well as the question of whether it is better to cooperate as a group or maintain individuality. "It allows us to compare problem-solving skills and performances across group sizes and down to a single individual and also enables a comparison of collective problem-solving across species," the authors wrote.

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FIRST ON FOX – Rep. Claudia Tenney, R-N.Y., introduced a bill that would pull federal highway funding from states such as New York that issue driver's licenses and identification cards to illegal immigrants. 

Tenney, who co-chaired the House Election Integrity Caucus amid the 2024 race that ended in President-elect Trump's victory, re-introduced her bill – named the Red Light Act – at the start of the new Congress. 

The proposal says it aims to "withhold federal highway funds from States that provide drivers licenses or identification cards to aliens who are unlawfully present in the United States, and for other purposes." 

"Our nation is grappling with an unprecedented migrant crisis, yet some states, like New York, are incentivizing and rewarding criminals with driver's licenses and identification cards," Tenney said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "In New York, the Green Light Law has given licenses to illegal immigrants, allowing these dangerous individuals to roam freely in our country, brutally attacking, raping, and murdering members of our community. In addition, this law also restricts law enforcement from accessing DMV records, preventing the enforcement of our nation's immigration laws. This legislation ensures states that refuse to comply with our nation's immigration policies are not rewarded with federal funding." 

TRUMP BORDER CZAR BLASTS NY GOVERNOR FOR TOUTING SUBWAY SAFETY HOURS AFTER HORRIFIC MURDER: 'SHAME ON YOU'

Passed by the state legislature in 2019 and signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the Green Light Law allows New York to issue driver's licenses to undocumented individuals. As part of a sanctuary policy intended to block deportations, it also directed the state Department of Motor Vehicles to withhold records from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal law enforcement without a court order or judicial warrant signed by a judge for such information. 

Law enforcement leaders have blasted the law as legislating obstruction. 

Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan, a native of upstate New York, floated the idea of blocking vehicles with New York license plates from entering the U.S. from the Canadian border if the state does not repeal the Green Light Law. 

"To me, this is a high priority," Homan told the Buffalo News. "I grew up in New York state, I still own a home in the state. What happens in New York means a lot to me." 

TOM HOMAN TOUTS MAYOR ADAMS' COMMITMENT TO WORKING WITH TRUMP ADMIN ON BORDER CRISIS

"That would be bizarre to me that anyone thinks that stopping our vehicles from coming in and out of our country, keeping New Yorkers in a foreign country, is a smart path forward," New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said at an unrelated press conference on Monday, responding to Homan's proposal. "I'd like to sit down and have that conversation." 

Tenney's bill would grant the secretary of transportation authority to withhold 100% of the amount required to be apportioned to a state's federal highway system for fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year afterward. 

The measure also allows the secretary to reapportion the funding to states that repeal any such laws that provide driver's licenses or identification cards to aliens who are unlawfully present in the U.S. 

FIRST ON FOX: Senate Republicans are preparing to take up several measures in the new year that were denied votes by Democrats in the last Congress. The first of these is the Laken Riley Act, being reintroduced by Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., and teed up for a vote by the end of the week. 

The measure was named for the 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student who was found dead on the University of Georgia's campus in February. Jose Ibarra, a 26-year-old illegal immigrant, was found guilty of 10 total counts, including felony murder. He initially pleaded not guilty. 

He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in November. 

The bill would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest and detain illegal immigrants that have committed theft, burglary or shoplifting until they are deported. Additionally, states would have standing under the legislation to take civil action against members of the federal government that do not enforce immigration law. 

KAMALA HARRIS MAKES TRUMP'S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL WIN OFFICIAL DURING JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

"It’s impossible to fully describe what was taken from Laken and from our family on February 22, 2024. Laken’s life was abundantly and exceptionally full of promise. She was a beautiful, shining beacon in the life of everyone who knew her. Not only did the people who knew and loved Laken lose a beautiful soul, but so did our world. Laken shared her love for Jesus with everyone she encountered. Laken's passion for sharing her faith through acts of kindness were felt by everyone she met. Laken was selfless, hardworking and made those around her feel special. Laken did not just talk about her faith, she led by example," said Allyson and John Phillips, Laken Riley’s mother and stepfather, in a statement. 

"The Laken Riley Act has our full support because it would help save innocent lives and prevent more families from going through the kind of heartbreak we’ve experienced. Laken would have been 23 on January 10th.  There is no greater gift that could be given to her and our country than to continue her legacy by saving lives through this bill. Every single member of Congress should be able to get behind this purely commonsense bill that will make our country and communities safer. We thank Congressman Mike Collins, Senator Katie Britt, and Senator Ted Budd for continuing to work to honor Laken’s legacy and get this legislation enacted into law."

It was first introduced in the House by Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., in March and in the Senate by Britt. 

PRO-ISRAEL DEM COULD TIP SCALES IN KEY SENATE COMMITTEE AS MIDDLE EAST WAR CONTINUES

However, the bill never received a Senate floor vote relating to the standalone legislation. 

Republicans have an incoming trifecta in the federal government, unified in its prioritization of the southern border and tackling illegal immigration, and GOP lawmakers see a big opportunity to push through key legislation. 

"Last year, Laken Riley was stolen from this earth—from her family and friends and from achieving her dreams—by a brutal, heartless killer. Make no mistake—he never should have been in the United States, much less allowed to freely roam American streets after being charged with multiple crimes. Laken’s murder was the direct consequence of willful open border policies," Britt said in a statement to Fox News Digital. 

HOUSE REPUBLICANS REJOICE OVER QUICK SPEAKER VOTE WITH ONLY ONE DEFECTOR

"The American people did not just deliver a mandate on November 5, they delivered a verdict. They made it clear they want to remove criminal illegal aliens and protect American families. We will soon know whether Democrats hear, respect, and obey that verdict. Congress has an obligation to Laken, her family, and to families in every corner of our country to do everything in our power to help prevent this type of tragedy from occurring again. That’s why it’s imperative we pass the commonsense Laken Riley Act with all due haste. No other American family needs to feel the pain Laken’s family still feels 320 days after losing her," she added. 

Collins said in his own statement, "An illegal criminal came into my district and killed Laken Riley because our local law enforcement did not have the tools to stop him. Laken fought until her last breath, and so will I until this bill crosses the finish line and lands on the President’s desk."

The measure was co-led in the Senate by Sen. Tedd Budd, R-N.C., who said in a statement, "What happened to Laken Riley should never happen to any American citizen. As we turn the page from the disastrous open-border policies of Joe Biden, the Laken Riley Act will empower the Trump administration to enforce our laws, keep our nation secure, and prevent tragedies. I thank Senator Britt for her partnership and her leadership in this bipartisan effort."

Now that Republicans control the Senate, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., at the helm, a vote is expected on the bill, and in short measure. 

'LIVES DEPEND ON IT': REPUBLICANS PUSH FOR PROMPT TRUMP CONFIRMATIONS IN WAKE OF NEW ORLEANS ATTACK

A source familiar shared with Fox News Digital that a vote in the upper chamber is likely to take place on Friday, and Democrats will be forced to go on the record. 

If the measure is only backed by Republicans, it will fail to overcome the legislative filibuster, which requires that bills garner 60 votes in order to end debate and proceed. Notably, new Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., voted in favor of the bill in the House last year. 

The vote will put a spotlight on the Georgia Senate delegation, as Riley was a constituent of theirs. In particular, all eyes will be on Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., who is up for re-election in 2026 in the state that President-elect Donald Trump won. 

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested a Dominican illegal immigrant charged with sex crimes and kidnapping in Boston, after he was released from local custody despite a request by the agency to hand him over.

In a statement, ICE said it had arrested Emilio Jose Pena-Casilla, a 46-year-old, who is charged with assault to rape, kidnapping, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older, and intimidation of an official, witness, or juror, was arrested Dec. 17 in Boston.

Pena-Casilla entered the U.S. illegally near Eagle Pass, Texas, in January 2023, and was enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program. Under that program, migrants are monitored by a GPS tracking device or check in via an app. He was removed from the program a month later.

‘SHEER INSANITY’: CONSERVATIVE WATCHDOG PUTS ‘SANCTUARY’ OFFICIALS ON NOTICE AHEAD OF TRUMP DEPORTATION PUSH

In July this year, he was arraigned in Massachusetts. ICE says its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston issued a detainer, but it was ignored by the district court and he was released on GPS on bail. ICE would eventually track him down in December.

"Emilio Jose Pena-Casilla stands accused of some very serious offenses against a Massachusetts resident," acting Field Office Director Patricia Hyde of ERO Boston said in a statement. "We hold a sacred duty to protect the residents of our communities, and we will continue to do so by apprehending and removing egregious noncitizen offenders from our neighborhoods. Today, another victim in Massachusetts no longer needs to fear their predator."

Boston is one of a number of "sanctuary" cities that limit or forbid cooperation by local law enforcement with ICE. Supporters of sanctuary policies say they allow illegal immigrants to cooperate with local law enforcement, but opponents say they result in the release of criminal illegal immigrants back onto the streets.

Boston City Council recently doubled down on its sanctuary policies, voting in favor of a resolution to limit ICE cooperation and to ban police from keeping migrants in custody for possible deportation unless there is a criminal warrant.

The resolution adopted by the council states that "proposals for mass deportations represent a direct attack on Boston’s immigrant families, and threaten to tear communities apart."

TRUMP'S INCOMING BORDER CZAR HAILS MEETING WITH MAYOR ERIC ADAMS: ‘NYC IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT SAFER’

Sanctuary policies have been back in the spotlight with the approaching Trump administration, which has promised to ramp up deportations and launch a historic operation to potentially remove millions of illegal immigrants.

A number of Democratic officials in states, including Massachusetts, have said they will not cooperate in the deportation push. President-elect Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, has hinted there could be legal consequences for those who get in the way of the operation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Recently, America First Legal notified nearly 250 officials in jurisdictions that limit or forbid local law enforcement cooperation with ICE that there could be legal consequences for interfering with the feds or for concealing illegal immigrants.

"We have identified your jurisdiction as a sanctuary jurisdiction that is violating federal law. Such lawlessness subjects you and your subordinates to significant risk of criminal and civil liability. Accordingly, we are sending this letter to put you on notice of this risk and insist that you comply with our nation’s laws," the letter says.

New York Giants co-owner John Mara joked Monday he was upset with Saquon Barkley over the commercial he did, which seemingly took a shot at the end of his tenure with the team.

Mara famously said during an episode of "Hard Knocks" earlier this year he would have trouble sleeping if Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. Sure enough, Barkley signed with the Eagles and helped them to an NFC East title.

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Barkley’s commercial aired last weekend, and Mara talked about it after he announced the team would retain general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for the 2025 season.

"I called him before the game and told him I was very upset with him based on our relationship of so many years. He said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said at least you could’ve done was ask me to be in the commercial with you," Mara said.

"I said I coulda been tossing and turning. I said there is an acting gene in our family. It’s not just my nieces."

BROWNS' DESHAUN WATSON SUFFERED SETBACK IN ACHILLES INJURY RECOVERY, GM SAYS

Mara is the uncle of actresses Rooney and Kata Mara.

Barkley’s commercial for Unisom was released on Thursday.

"I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby," Barkley said in the ad. "Rockabye baby, awake in your bed, as the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head. It sure is tough to lose sleep over football – not for me, though. Good night to you all."

Barkley finished 101 yards short of the single-season rushing yards record. 

Philadelphia will play the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.

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• Football season is a time for chain restaurants to draw in customers.
• We tried classic cheeseburgers from four chains to determine the best option for game day.
• Buffalo Wild Wings impressed us with its juicy, double-stacked burger.

Football season is in full swing, and restaurant chains are rolling out crowd-pleasing tailgate favorites to win over fans.

In our series "Tailgate Taste-off," Business Insider is pitting these chains against each other to uncover the best versions of popular game-day dishes.

Nothing says football season like a juicy, classic cheeseburger from your favorite local chain, and while chicken products are one of the biggest fast-food and casual-dining trends as we kick off 2025, the burger still reigns supreme among many US consumers.

Restaurant Business reported that limited-service chains where burgers are a core menu item generated $110 billion in total sales in 2023, more than double the sales generated by limited-service chicken chains like Popeyes and Chick-fil-A.

In 2024, casual dining chains capitalized on America's need for beef.

Chili's and Applebee's introduced value meals that highlighted burgers. Chili's added its Big Smasher, a play on the McDonald's Big Mac, to its "3 For Me" value menu, while Applebee's released the "Really Big Meal Deal," which included a chicken sandwich or bacon cheeseburger, bottomless fries, and a drink for $9.99.

"We've always had incredible burgers on our menu, but for about a year now, we've been hearing more and more frustration from fast-food fans over rising costs," Chili's director of culinary, Brian Paquette, told Business Insider last spring, adding it's one of the reasons the chain is leaning into burgers and drawing inspiration from fast-food favorites.

We ranked classic cheeseburgers from four chain restaurants — Applebee's, Chili's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and TGI Fridays — based on taste and value.

Here's how the four chain restaurants' cheeseburgers ranked, from our least to most favorite.

My least favorite burger came from TGI Fridays.

I ordered the cheeseburger at the restaurant I visited in Massachusetts. It cost $12.49, excluding taxes and fees, and came with a side of french fries.

I live in New York City, but I had to travel further afield to try the chain's burger because many of my local TGI Fridays restaurants have closed.

In early November, the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and Reuters reported that it was facing $37 million in debt, which led to some underperforming restaurants closing.

The TGI Fridays location I visited in Massachusetts is locally franchised and owned, so it's not included in the larger brand's bankruptcy filing.

The cheeseburger was topped with two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, and red onion.

The burger, like the other burgers I tried in this taste test, was served on a brioche bun. When I lifted the burger to examine the toppings, I noticed that the very soft bun had partially stuck to the melted cheese.

This wasn't necessarily a knock on its own, but adding a sauce or butter to the bun could have made it less dry.

There's no sauce on the burger, but there's ketchup provided on every table, or you could request mustard or ketchup on it if you desired. However, I tried it completely on its own.

The burger was a touch overdone, even though I ordered it medium.

I requested my burger to be cooked medium, but it came out closer to well-done and was quite dry. That said, I did enjoy the flavor of the meat, which I found to be peppery and well-seasoned.

The sliced tomato tasted fairly fresh, but I found the lettuce limp and forgettable. The burger had a generous serving of pickles and onions, which I enjoyed. However, overall, I found this burger to be lacking in flavor, and a layer of sauce could have gone a long way.

The fries were also well-seasoned, and I enjoyed them.

Next up was the Oldtimer with cheese from Chili's.

At the Massachusetts location I visited, the most classic cheeseburger on Chili's menu cost $13.29, plus tax.

Though Chili's is not primarily a burger restaurant, burgers are a major part of the brand's strategy, which appears to be working.

"Over the past two and a half years, we've removed around a quarter of our menu to focus on our core four offerings: burgers, crispers, fajitas, and margaritas, which now represent 47% of our business," Kevin Hochman, the president and CEO of Chili's parent company Brinker International Inc., said in October.

In the chain's third-quarter earnings report, Chili's reported a 14% increase in same-restaurant sales and a 6.5% increase in traffic last summer compared to the same three-month period in 2023.

The Oldtimer Burger was topped with cheddar cheese, pickles, shredded lettuce, sliced tomato, diced red onions, and mustard.

The cheddar cheese was perfectly melted, and the burger patty also had a nice char on the outside. The burger was definitely cooked medium and had a nice juiciness to it while remaining slightly crispy on the outside.

When I lifted the top bun, I saw a light smear of mustard on top of the cheese. While it wasn't an enormous amount of mustard, it permeated each bite.

I thought the mustard could have been dialed back a bit.

The mustard was quite sharp, and while I do like mustard, it was a bit too much for me.

However, the rest of the burger really impressed me. The char on the smashed patty was perfectly crispy, and the other ingredients were fresh. The red onion brought a nice bite, and the brioche bun held everything together. I also liked the choice of shredded lettuce, which added a crispy freshness.

The fries were also solid: warm, crispy, and well-seasoned.

Overall, it was a good classic burger, but I've had Chili's burgers I've enjoyed more in the past, like the Big Smasher, which is their take on a McDonald's Big Mac, and the chain's southwestern-inspired Alex's Santa Fe burger.

My second favorite burger came from Applebee's.

I ordered the burger as part of the chain's "2 for $2X" deal, which also allowed me to get an order of boneless wings and a chicken tender basket.

However, the burger typically costs $16.99, excluding tax, at the location I visited in Brooklyn, New York.

This year, Applebee's teamed up with the NFL as the league's official grill and bar partner, recognizing a strong overlap between their customer base and NFL viewers.

"We know our guests are football fans," Applebee's chief marketing officer Joel Yashinsky told Business Insider, adding, "This season, we've been all in on the NFL."

Data collected by Applebee's in April revealed that 64% of its guests were interested in or very interested in the NFL, and around 34% had watched the NFL in the past year, which helped shape the chain's strategy for the football season, Yashinsky said.

The Classic Cheeseburger came with two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, and pickles on a brioche bun.

There was a thick, gooey layer of cheese melted onto the burger. I thought the two slices of cheese did a lot to elevate this burger.

The outside of the burger patty was quite dark, which made me concerned it might have been cooked beyond the medium level I requested.

However, I found the burger was supremely juicy and cooked even slightly on the side of medium-rare.

The burger was slightly less done than the others I tried. I didn't mind one bit.

The melted, tangy cheese covered every square inch of this burger, making for a balanced bite. The thickly sliced red onion also added a lot of flavor, and I thought the lettuce and tomato tasted fresh.

This burger didn't have any sauce, but it wasn't dry at all thanks to the cheese and buttery bun that seemed to melt in my mouth.

Though it was very similar in ingredients to the TGI Fridays burger, it just tasted better, juicier, and fresher.

My favorite burger came from Buffalo Wild Wings.

I ordered the All-American Cheeseburger at my local Buffalo Wild Wings in Brooklyn, New York. It cost $14.49, excluding tax.

Since Buffalo Wild Wings is primarily known for its traditional and boneless wings, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this classic cheeseburger.

The burger came with two beef patties, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, mayonnaise, and mustard.

I was impressed that this burger came with two burger patties. Each patty was crispy on the outside and coated in gooey melted cheese.

When it arrived at the table, the bun was glistening, and inside was a hearty smear of mustard and mayonnaise.

The fries were tasty, thin, and well-salted, but I had to admit I preferred some of the other chains' thicker fries.

I thought this burger was a great value, and I scarfed down every delicious bite.

The mayonnaise and mustard added a lot of moisture and flavor to this burger, but it truly didn't need it.

The beef patties were juicy yet crispy, and the cheese was perfectly melted, adding a tangy, savory flavor to each bite. It felt like a more elevated version of a fast-food cheeseburger, and instantly transported me back to my childhood with its classic, fresh-tasting toppings and indulgent flavor.

The addition of the second patty really enhanced the burger. For just under $15, I also thought it was the best value of all the burgers I tried.

This burger delivered a winning bite, hitting all the right notes for a satisfying meal. I would definitely go back to try more of the chain's burgers — football season or not.