A recent Quinnipiac University poll indicates that a growing number of Americans now favor offering undocumented migrants a pathway to legal status over deportation, with 64% supporting this option. This represents an increase since before the Trump administration, which has implemented a strong anti-immigration agenda. The poll also revealed widespread disapproval of the president’s handling of deportations and of ICE’s performance, especially among Democrats. Concurrently, immigration detention numbers have reached record highs, exceeding 56,000 individuals as of June 2019.
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported the death of 49-year-old Canadian citizen Johnny Noviello while in custody at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, Florida. Noviello, a lawful permanent U.S. resident convicted of drug trafficking and racketeering, was awaiting removal after being arrested last month. Despite ICE’s assertion of providing comprehensive medical care to detainees, the cause of Noviello’s death remains under investigation. This incident adds to a concerning number of deaths in ICE custody since January 2020.
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A Canadian citizen and U.S. permanent resident, Johnny Noviello, died while in ICE custody in Miami, Florida, awaiting removal from the United States. Medical staff attempted resuscitation after finding Noviello unresponsive, but he was pronounced dead on Monday. The cause of death is under investigation and a more comprehensive report will be released within 90 days. Noviello, convicted of drug charges in 2023, was facing removal due to his conviction.
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In an unprecedented move, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against all 15 federal district court judges in Maryland, challenging a court order that paused deportations under legal challenge for 48 hours. This action, described by legal experts as an attack on judicial independence, stems from the government’s argument to preserve President Trump’s authority over immigration. The lawsuit challenges a standing order issued by Chief Judge George L. Russell III, alleging it violates Supreme Court precedents. This marks a significant escalation from previous criticisms of judges, with legal analysts noting the direct challenge to the courts’ authority and the potential ramifications.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national facing human smuggling charges, remains in jail as his attorneys and prosecutors debate his potential deportation. A federal judge has ruled for his release, but his attorneys worry about immediate detention by ICE, while prosecutors have expressed an inability to control ICE’s actions. Another federal judge denied a stay of the release order, stating the government’s predicament was “completely of its own making” and they should coordinate with DHS. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for July 16.
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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi defended senior Justice Department official Emil Bove, calling him one of the “best human beings” she knows amidst accusations of unethical behavior. These allegations stem from a Justice Department whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, who claims Bove instructed officials to disregard court orders during deportation proceedings. Bondi’s defense came during questioning by Senator Chris Van Hollen regarding Reuveni’s claims that he was fired for refusing to make untruthful statements to a court of law. Despite the pending litigation and ethical concerns surrounding Bove, who is currently awaiting confirmation for a federal judgeship, Bondi emphasized the importance of ethical and honest advocacy.
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A 68-year-old Mexican-born man died while being transported by a private company from a local jail to a federal detention center, marking the first such death in at least a decade. The cause of death is under investigation, but the events surrounding the incident are confusing, with the family seeking answers. The case raises concerns about the increasing reliance on private companies to transport detainees amid the current administration’s focus on mass deportations and a lack of oversight, which experts predict could lead to more deaths.
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Iris Dayana Monterroso-Lemus, after being detained by ICE and held at the Richwood Correctional Center in Louisiana, experienced the loss of her mid-term pregnancy after pleading for medical attention. The facility, which has a history of documented abuse, did not provide adequate care. Monterroso-Lemus was subsequently deported to Guatemala, while her partner, Gary Bivens, faced additional hardships. The article discusses the lack of transparency surrounding ICE detentions and the challenges faced by immigrants, highlighting the emotional and practical difficulties in this situation.
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In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority has allowed the Trump administration to resume expedited deportations of immigrants to countries other than their homeland, a move that the three dissenting liberal justices labeled a “gross abuse” of power. The ruling, which lacks any stated rationale from the majority, means immigrants can be deported without prior notice or the opportunity to challenge their removal, potentially exposing them to harm. This decision overturns a lower court’s order that had required migrants to be able to challenge deportations if they felt they may face torture or death. The dissent, penned by Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, decried the ruling as “incomprehensible” and “inexcusable,” arguing it rewards lawlessness.
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Despite a judge’s order for release, the US government has vowed that Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man facing human smuggling charges, “will never go free” on American soil. Ábrego García was initially deported in error but was later brought back to the US and charged by the Justice Department. While the judge acknowledged the government’s failure to demonstrate that Ábrego García posed a flight risk or danger, immigration officials are expected to detain him for deportation. The charges against him, dating back to 2016, accuse him of transporting undocumented migrants across state lines, and he has pleaded not guilty.
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John Q. Hosedrinker