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21-year-old Yunseo Chung moved to the U.S. from South Korea with her family when she was seven. A student at Columbia, she became a lawful permanent resident in 2021.
Chung was arrested last month for participating in a protest at Barnard College. Four days later, Department of Homeland Security agents visited her parents’ home. Days after that, they executed a search warrant of Chung’s dorm.
But Chung’s attorneys say the government application for the warrant cited a federal “harboring” statute that makes it illegal to house people who are in the country unlawfully — which Chung is not.
Now, her lawyers are questioning whether the Trump administration “provided incorrect or false information” to a judge.
Read more here about the green card holder questioning the basis of the warrant used to search her dorm.
Weather ☀️
Sunny and breezy, highs in the mid 40s.
MTA 🚇
The Manhattan-bound F train runs express in Brooklyn from Avenue X to 18 Ave from 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the rest of the week. Find all the MTA’s planned changes and the latest delays here.
Alternate side parking 🚙
It’s in effect today, April 8.
By the way…
You can learn Urban Farming 101 for free with The Battery Conservancy — sign up here for one of their workshops this week.
Our Other Top Stories
In the nearly nine years since off-duty police officer Wayne Isaacs shot and killed 37-year-old Delrawn Small in an alleged road rage incident in Brooklyn, a criminal prosecution, an acquittal, two lawsuits, an appeal and three investigations have unfolded. But so far, there has been no NYPD disciplinary trial for Isaacs. That’s about to change.
For years, workers at Citywide Mobile Response, a Bronx-based ambulance service, griped about what they described as their absentee union. Whenever medical equipment and safe trucks were in low supply, they said their complaints to management fell on deaf ears — and their union was nowhere to be found. Their frustrations led to a campaign to kick out the union and join a new one — but they only had 30 days to make their escape.
Reporter’s Notebook
Health Department Admits ‘Error’ Undercounting Heat Deaths
Far more New Yorkers have died of heat-related causes than previously announced — with 568 on average each year, not 340, the city health department disclosed last week.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene issued corrections to its 2023 and 2024 heat mortality reports, attributing the significant upward swing to “a typo in the estimation of heat-exacerbated deaths.”
“We apologize for the error,” the department said in a memo.
The department also narrowed the timeframe it tracks, measuring averages over a period of five years, down from nine years. That change, implemented in 2023, was to “better identify shorter-term changes in temperature and heat-related mortality trends” as temperatures increase, the department stated.
New York City is poised to become much hotter due to climate change, with heat waves that will also become more frequent and last longer, posing a greater health risk.
The higher fatality figures may get the attention of City Council members at a hearing today on the city’s cooling center program, activated during heat waves.
— Samantha Maldonado
Tariffs Shake NYC Businesses
President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs announced last week are rattling New York businesses, according to a flash poll conducted by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Ninety percent of the 68 businesses responding to the Chamber said they were “extremely concerned” about the tariffs impact on their companies. The Chamber says it has been “inundated” with questions about how the tariffs will work. The poll showed the biggest areas of concern are rapid cost increases, the loss of customers, reduced consumer spending and whether the tariffs will reduce tourism and international investment in New York.
“Simply put, it could put me out of business. All or most of my costs will increase,” said one respondent.
In addition, local economists are carefully watching the stock market meltdown and its potential impact on Wall Street, which accounts for more than 20% of all the income in the city and 20% of all the taxes collected by New York State. Mergers and acquisitions, a very lucrative sector for the securities firms, in the first quarter fell to their lowest level since 2020.
— Greg David
Things To Do
Here are some free and low-cost things to do around the city this week.
Tuesday, April 8: It’s free cone day at Ben & Jerry’s! Get a free ice cream cone at any Ben & Jerry’s locations.
Tuesday, April 8: Modge podge a flower pot in celebration of Spring. Forest Park, Queens, 3 p.m.
Wednesday, April 9: Can you still survive as an artist in NYC? The 10th annual Lillian Wald Symposium discusses whether the city can remain a haven for creatives when the cost of living is so high — tickets are free but going fast! Abrons Arts Center on the Lower East Side, doors at 5:30 p.m.
New York businesses bullish on their growth, despite cautious outlook for local economy
New York business leaders remain optimistic about their own company’s performance and industry’s performance, as revealed by JPMorganChase’s annual Business Leaders Outlook. The majority of NY-based middle market companies are projecting increased revenue/sales (80%) and profits (75%), bolstering their plans to grow and hire this year. Possibly helping to fuel this optimism, fewer New Yorkers report labor shortages, retention and recruiting talent as top challenges (34%) compared to the national average (46%). However, when considering their outlook for the local economy, small and midsize businesses are a bit more cautious. Among NY-based small businesses, inflation remains the top concern, followed by cyber security and uncertainty of economic conditions, such as rising taxes. Read more about these key findings on jpmorgan.com.
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Q&A with One of Chase’s Small Business Consultants
JPMorganChase’s Coaching for Impact program provides complementary one-on-one coaching for thousands of small business owners. Chase Senior Business Consultant Andrea Giraldo has worked with 1,200+ entrepreneurs over two decades — here are her top three tips for small business owners:
Establish and Implement processes: ensuring that every area of your business has a well-designed process can streamline your operations and help prevent future challenges.
Know your numbers: having a deep understanding of your business financial performance should be a priority. Knowing your numbers can help you make better strategic decisions — not knowing them may hinder your growth.
Learn from mistakes: making mistakes are part of any entrepreneurial journey. They should be viewed as opportunity to grow and refine your approach.
Learn more about how Chase uplifts small businesses here.
The above information is for discussion purposes only. Participation in the Coaching for Impact Program is subject to availability. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s).
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Financial considerations for multigenerational households
Research indicates there can be financial benefits to multigenerational living, and when executed intentionally, having multiple family members under the same roof can potentially help improve health outcomes, reduce loneliness for older adults and bolster educational outcomes for children. Here are some financial considerations:
Communication is key to managing conflict and disagreement: Navigating disagreements over spending habits and adapting to changing income levels or unexpected expenses are necessary to maintain financial stability.
Having diverse financial needs: Savings and budgeting plans can be more complicated because of the wide range of ages among family members. Be flexible with your planning to accommodate different saving and budgeting needs and set short- and long-term goals for your savings with all generations in mind.
Expenses should be handled with fairness and equity: Multigenerational households have to ensure fairness by dividing costs such as mortgage or rent, utilities, groceries and household expenses based on each member's financial capacity and usage.
Find balance between cultural values and financial health: Cultural traditions and familial structures can also play a significant role in money management, and it’s important to consider how multigenerational living can impact family wealth.
Read more about financial considerations for multigenerational households here on chase.com/theknow.
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How to educate your kids now about creating long-lasting healthy money habits
Whether your kids are in elementary school, high school, or college — it’s never too early to start talking about money in a realistic way so kids can understand how it's used to support your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals and dreams. Here are tips that make it easier for kids of all ages to learn how to save, budget and begin managing their finances more independently:
Take notes and use tools: As your kids get older, explain the budgeting basics. There are many budgeting resources out there, so you can find the one that works for you and helps your kids learn to track spending.
Get organized and go digital: Find easy-to-use budgeting tools that work for kids and parents both, with different levels of parental oversight and management suitable for different age groups.
Plan for the future: Unexpected events in life can happen, so planning ahead may help reduce stress and better cope with whatever may occur. Building an emergency fund or saving for a rainy day is a crucial skill to learn.
Preparing Financially for Future Emergencies (CNP)
In an unpredictable world, financial emergencies can arise at any moment, whether due to unexpected medical expenses, job loss, or natural disasters. Sherlyn Santana, Community Manager at Chase's new Community Center Branch in the Bronx, shares some practical tips to help you prepare financially for future emergencies, empowering you to navigate life's challenges with confidence:
Start saving leftover money each month to build an emergency fund, gradually building up to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses.
Budget wisely by using budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your expenses and identify areas where you can potentially cut back.
Focus on paying off high-interest debt, such as credit card balances, and explore options to consolidate or refinance loans at lower interest rates to save money and simplify payments.
Protect your assets by ensuring you have adequate health, home, auto, and life insurance.
Plan for the long term by contributing regularly to retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) or IRA, to secure your financial future.
Today's SCOOP is brought to you by our members and JPMorgan Chase
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Start investing in your future
A student sitting in a public library using his calculator to work out a math problem.
If you’re considering investing to help reach your financial goals, consider starting as early as possible. Here are some tips to help you get started on your investment journey:
Understand the difference between saving and investing. Saving cash can help keep you covered in the short term while investing can help you reach your long-term goals. Before you get started investing, it’s important to have a cash emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses for unexpected emergencies.
Have a plan. Identify your personal financial goals and create a plan to outline how you’d like to work towards them. There are free digital tools that allow you to set multiple goals, create a plan for them and track your progress along the way.
Remember the importance of diversification. Your investment options depend on your personal timeline and tolerance for risk. That said, it’s important that your portfolio is diversified, or made up of a variety of different investments. Diversification can help even out your portfolio’s returns during periods of volatility.
Riding out the market. Market swings can be painful, but they are a natural part of investing. It’s important to take a long-term view when it comes to investing and stay focused on your strategy. Don’t let you emotions derail your plan.
Choose how to invest. You can work with a financial advisor, invest on your own or do a combination of both.
You don’t need a large sum of money to be an investor. What’s important is getting started and staying consistent over time. Making regular contributions to your investments can help you stay on track.
How do I know if I am financially ready for homeownership?
Homeownership is a dream for many, but most buyers on the sidelines don’t know that their dreams may be within reach. Some indicators that you could be ready include:
Your financial health is sound. This could mean having a regular, dependable source of income, having a good credit score – lenders typically look for a score of 620 and above, and having a low debt-to-income ratio. This allows lenders better gauge how much you may be able to afford.
You understand the true cost of homeownership: This might look like understanding not only your borrowing capacity but also the monthly payment. You also are prepared for the additional costs of buying a home, such as closing costs, property taxes, homeowners association fees, among other costs, as well as ongoing maintenance or repairs. Look for financial tools like the Chase affordability calculator to help determine buying power, based on income, and preferred monthly loan payments.
Your personal goals and timelines matchup: Think about your upcoming life events and whether it makes sense to own a home, such as retiring, relocating or a growing family.
Young Asian couple going through home finances, paying financial bills, making financial plans.
It’s never too early to start building a foundation for a healthy financial future. Here are 5 financial tips to help you start working toward long-term financial freedom:
Small steps lead to bigger opportunities: Whether it’s saving a little more each month, starting to save for the first time or monitoring your credit score, these steps can help you prepare for the unexpected while setting you up for long-term success.
Establish good credit: The main elements of securing a good credit score include paying your bills on time, the length of time you’ve had a credit history, and the amount and type of accounts you have.
Embrace digital tools: Apps, online goal sheets and budget builders are a great way to manage your finances.
Ask for help: From meeting with a banker or talking to friends or family, conversations and advice can be critical to improving financial health, such as building a budget.
Keep the conversation going: Talk with your family or a financial expert about your financial goals and how you plan to achieve them.
Establishing solid financial habits can be a lifetime process, but it’s easier if you learn the fundamentals as early as possible. It’s never too early, or too late, to begin your journey, and now is a great time to get started or recommit to your financial health. For more financial health tips, visit chase.com/financialgoals.
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JPMorganChase’s Bronx Community Manager Shares How to Achieve Financial Success.
This month, we’re celebrating the many women throughout our history who’ve worked toward achieving success, whether through leadership roles, or within their families and communities. Sherlyn Santana, Community Manager at Chase's Bronx Community Center Branch, shares steps on taking charge of your finances to help you achieve success:
First, take stock and review your spending. List out your bank accounts, investments and property, liabilities and any loans or credit card debts in your name.
Review your spending habits. Do your debts outweigh your assets? How much are you able to save each month?
Create a plan to work towards your financial goals, whether that’s paying down debt, building an emergency fund, investing in a new home, or taking out a loan to start a business.
The important thing is to stay accountable and take control of your finances to help you achieve that goals.
Automate payments and savings to help you stick to your savings plan, work with a financial planner or loved one to help you stay motivated and accountable to your goals.
Anyone has the power to take control of their finances — getting organized around where you currently are will help paint a clear picture of how to achieve your financial goals.
For more inspiration, whether it’s to help advance your own career or support women in your field, explore JPMorganChase’s Women on the Move initiative by visiting jpmorganchase.com/impact/people/women-on-the-move
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How this JPMorganChase partnership helped a Bronx student find a promising future
Born to Sudanese parents who immigrated to the Bronx, Investment Specialist Sagid Mohamed’s childhood was characterized by the constant quest for opportunities. But his future began to materialize when he took part in The Fellowship Initiative, a JPMorganChase-sponsored program that provides high-school-aged young men of color with three years of academic, social, and emotional support to help achieve personal and professional success.
“Have faith that there are people in your life who want to help you, and they'll introduce you to things they think will be good for you,” Mohamed shares.
Rent vs. own in today’s economy: Is now the best time to buy?
Homeownership has been long associated with the American Dream, yet the economic climate of recent years has left some potential homebuyers on edge.
Many potential homeowners have put their dream of buying a home on pause – or even abandoned it altogether. If you’re thinking of buying a home but aren’t sure if it makes sense for you right now, consider these pros and cons of renting versus buying:
Renting PRO: Renting is a short-term commitment. You can sign a lease and have the flexibility to move somewhere else after the lease is over.
Renting CON: There’s an overall lack of control. Renting may offer less stability. Besides the possibility of higher prices, your landlord could sell the property or change other lease terms during renewal.
Buying PRO: You can build equity by making consistent payments on your mortgage. Your equity may be a potentially valuable appreciating investment and can be used for a cash-out refinance or a HELOC, which lets you borrow against the equity you’ve built up.
Buying CON: Homebuying typically comes with significant upfront costs and fees, such as a down payment, closing costs, loan applications and more.
There are many things to consider when deciding to rent or buy a home, including how much you can afford, the length of time you plan to live there and how much responsibility you're ready to take on. You’ll want to look into the current real estate prices and interest rates in your area to see if you can afford to buy a home now.
Visit chase.com/afford to learn more about homeownership and what resources are available.
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