Following a tragic event in Washington, President Trump’s rhetoric intensified, with announcements of pausing migration from “third-world” countries and potentially ending federal benefits for non-citizens. These pronouncements have sparked fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities, including those with legal status. Such policies could significantly impact millions of families and appear to be damaging Trump’s approval ratings, particularly among minority voters. Amidst the rising tension, the article highlights the impact of these policies with real-life examples and notes a widening of the immigration dragnet by ICE, leading to widespread trauma within affected communities.
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Donald Trump is considering the deportation of the family of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in the shooting of two National Guard members. Trump also announced that his administration will “permanently pause” migration from all “Third World Countries” in response to the shooting. Lakanwal, an Afghan national, reportedly entered the U.S. in 2021 through Operation Allies Welcome. One of the National Guard members, Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, has died from her injuries.
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A college freshman was deported to Honduras in violation of a court order while trying to fly from Boston to Texas for Thanksgiving. Nineteen-year-old Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a student at Babson College, was detained by immigration officials at Boston Logan International Airport on November 20th and deported within two days. Her attorney claims she was unaware of any deportation order, which was allegedly issued in 2015, and a federal judge had issued an emergency order prohibiting her removal. ICE has not commented on the violation of the order.
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Following an alleged shooting by an Afghan national, President Trump announced a suspension of migration from “third world countries.” This decision includes a re-examination of all Green Cards from “countries of concern,” a list of 19 nations previously targeted by a travel ban. Furthermore, the administration plans to eliminate federal benefits for non-citizens and deport foreign nationals deemed security risks or incompatible with “Western Civilization,” effectively intensifying existing anti-migrant policies. Trump framed these actions as necessary to reduce “illegal and disruptive populations” and stated that the current foreign population, of 53 million, are a strain on the country.
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Trump says US will permanently pause migration from ‘Third World Countries,’ and right off the bat, we’re talking about a pretty loaded statement. “Permanently pause” – does that mean “ban”? It sure feels like a ban, doesn’t it? The language is carefully chosen, but the intent seems clear: to drastically restrict who can come to the United States.
This “pause,” according to the information, applies to people from specific countries. A presidential proclamation apparently lists nineteen countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, and others. The list includes both immigrants and non-immigrants, meaning this would affect people visiting, studying, or working here, not just those looking to settle.… Continue reading
GOP senator calls to ban, deport ‘Islam’ immigrants over National Guard shooting. The reaction to this proposed policy is, unsurprisingly, strong and varied, reflecting the deep divisions within the country. It’s almost unbelievable that, in the wake of a National Guard shooting, a US Senator would suggest such a sweeping and discriminatory action. The core idea, that an entire group of people – in this case, immigrants who practice Islam – should be banned and deported because of the actions of a single individual, immediately raises red flags. It’s a suggestion that taps into deeply rooted prejudices and plays on fear, and many see it as a blatant example of Islamophobia.… Continue reading
Israel has approved a plan to bring the remaining 5,800 members of the Bnei Menashe community from India to Israel by 2030, marking the largest organized immigration effort for this group. The Jewish Agency for Israel will oversee the entire immigration process, including eligibility, flights, and absorption, with an estimated cost of 90 million shekels. A team of rabbis will begin interviewing potential immigrants soon, and new arrivals are expected to be settled in northern Israeli towns. This initiative aims to strengthen Jewish unity and complete the Aliyah of the Bnei Menashe, who trace their roots to one of the lost tribes of Israel.
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Following the shooting of two National Guard soldiers near the White House by an Afghan national, the US has halted all immigration requests from Afghanistan. The suspect, who entered the US in September 2021 under a program for Afghan refugees, had previously been granted asylum. In response, President Trump has stated the need to reassess all Afghan immigrants, and the Pentagon is deploying additional National Guard members to the capital. This action follows the implementation of a travel ban and the termination of a program offering deportation protections for Afghans.
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The Cato Institute released data challenging the Trump administration’s claims about prioritizing dangerous criminals in immigration operations. Data from October 1 to November 15 revealed that 73% of those booked into ICE custody had no criminal convictions, with around two-thirds of those having no pending charges either. Further analysis showed that the number of arrests of immigrants without convictions or pending charges surged significantly under Trump, despite the administration’s stated goals. In response, DHS officials dismissed the data as propaganda, drawing criticism from immigration advocates who pointed to the data’s credibility and its basis in publicly available information.
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A federal judge has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Colorado have been making unlawful arrests of suspected illegal immigrants. The judge found that ICE was making warrantless arrests without probable cause, specifically lacking evidence of a flight risk, and rebuked the agency for detaining individuals with strong community ties. The court sided with four plaintiffs represented by the ACLU, ordering ICE to halt these practices and potentially repay bond money. ICE has indicated it will appeal the decision, arguing against the ruling’s impact on deporting criminal illegal aliens.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
College Freshman Deported Despite Court Order: Legal System Under Scrutiny
A college freshman was deported to Honduras in violation of a court order while trying to fly from Boston to Texas for Thanksgiving. Nineteen-year-old Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a student at Babson College, was detained by immigration officials at Boston Logan International Airport on November 20th and deported within two days. Her attorney claims she was unaware of any deportation order, which was allegedly issued in 2015, and a federal judge had issued an emergency order prohibiting her removal. ICE has not commented on the violation of the order.
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