US to suspend visa processing for 75 nations, State Department says, and it’s certainly a development that’s causing a lot of concern, anger, and confusion. We’re talking about a potentially significant shift in immigration policy, specifically targeting the processing of visas for citizens of a long list of countries, seemingly based on a determination of their likelihood of needing public assistance. This is a big deal, and it’s understandable why people are reacting so strongly.
It’s important to clarify that this appears to be aimed at immigrant visas, not visitor visas. So, those hoping to come to the US for tourism or other short-term stays shouldn’t be immediately affected.… Continue reading
Erfan Soltani, a 26-year-old Iranian man, is scheduled to be executed on January 15th in Tehran for participating in anti-government protests. He was arrested last week and will be the first individual executed for involvement in the demonstrations. Despite global outcry and the denial of legal counsel and a fair trial, Soltani’s family was granted a mere ten minutes to say their goodbyes. The circumstances surrounding his case have drawn condemnation from human rights organizations.
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During a protest in Santa Ana, a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at a demonstrator, leaving him permanently blind in one eye. The victim, Kaden Rummler, underwent surgery to remove shrapnel from his face, including a piece near a carotid artery, and suffered a fractured skull. The incident occurred during a demonstration against the killing of Renee Good, with videos showing agents firing at protesters. Law enforcement experts have criticized the use of force, while Homeland Security officials have defended their actions.
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The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe is demanding the immediate release of three tribal members detained by ICE agents in Minneapolis and transferred to an ICE facility. The tribe asserts that its members are U.S. citizens and outside immigration jurisdiction. Homeland Security has been unwilling to provide information about the detentions unless the tribe enters an immigration agreement with ICE, which it refuses to do. The detentions highlight a broader pattern of ICE targeting of tribal members, prompting some tribes to take measures like providing tribal ID cards.
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Representative Robin Kelly has formally introduced articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, citing obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. The move follows the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by an ICE officer and is supported by 70 members of Congress. Kelly’s charges stem from alleged obstruction of oversight, “warrantless arrests” and violence against citizens, and inappropriate use of taxpayer funds. While Democratic leaders have not endorsed the impeachment, which is unlikely to succeed, the push highlights divisions within the party regarding how to respond to the administration’s actions.
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Ford Worker Who Hurled Insult at Trump Gets Suspended, But Has No Regrets – Let’s unpack this, shall we? It seems a Ford worker, identified as Sabula, yelled something at Trump. From what I gather, it was a pretty direct accusation, referring to Trump as a “pedophile protector” in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The video, which apparently made its rounds on platforms like TMZ, caught the whole exchange.
Trump’s response was, shall we say, less than presidential. He fired back with a “Fuck You” and a pointed middle finger. The whole scene is… well, it’s something.
The immediate reaction, from what I can gather, leans heavily towards support for Sabula.… Continue reading
In Richfield, Minnesota, two U.S. citizens working at a Target store were detained by federal immigration agents, including senior U.S. Border Patrol officials, on January 8th. According to witness accounts and video footage, the agents physically assaulted the employees before bundling them into an SUV. One of the detained individuals was later found in a distressed state at a different parking lot, with the Department of Homeland Security claiming the person was arrested for assaulting federal officers. Community leaders, including Minnesota state representative Michael Howard, have criticized the actions, alleging injuries and trauma were sustained during the incident. Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security has provided comments on the incident.
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In a move condemned by press freedom groups, the FBI raided the home of a Washington Post reporter, seizing electronic devices as part of an investigation into a government contractor accused of illegally retaining classified materials. The raid, deemed “highly unusual and aggressive,” targeted Hannah Natanson and her home, despite her not being the subject of the investigation. Authorities stated the search warrant was related to classified information obtained and reported by Natanson, linked to a Pentagon contractor currently incarcerated for the leak. Press freedom advocates voiced concerns over the implications for press freedom and the potential chilling effect on investigative journalism.
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Following the fatal shooting of Renee Good, an online watchdog group, ICE List, reportedly received a leak of approximately 4,500 names and details of federal agents from a Department of Homeland Security whistleblower. The leak, believed to be the largest breach of department staff data, includes information on agents, supervisors, and incidents, and is categorized by state. The website, hosted in the Netherlands, allows users to contribute and houses information on personnel, including high-profile individuals, while facing strong opposition from the DHS. A DHS representative claims the leak puts officers and their families in serious danger and that those involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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Over 50 House Democrats have signed articles of impeachment against Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, spurred by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent. The effort, led by Representative Robin Kelly, has drawn criticism to the tactics of ICE and the Secretary. While a DHS spokesperson dismissed the efforts, Representative Kelly and others argue that Noem’s actions warrant consequences. The impeachment faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled House, although the issue may be revisited if Democrats gain control.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Detains US Citizens in Minnesota: Intimidation and Authoritarianism Concerns Rise
In Richfield, Minnesota, two U.S. citizens working at a Target store were detained by federal immigration agents, including senior U.S. Border Patrol officials, on January 8th. According to witness accounts and video footage, the agents physically assaulted the employees before bundling them into an SUV. One of the detained individuals was later found in a distressed state at a different parking lot, with the Department of Homeland Security claiming the person was arrested for assaulting federal officers. Community leaders, including Minnesota state representative Michael Howard, have criticized the actions, alleging injuries and trauma were sustained during the incident. Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security has provided comments on the incident.
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