The United States has deported five individuals convicted of serious crimes to Eswatini, expanding a controversial third-country deportation program. These individuals, citizens of various nations, were reportedly considered too dangerous for their home countries to accept. The Eswatini government confirmed the men were in transit, to be returned to their countries of origin with the aid of the U.S. and the U.N. migration agency. This practice has sparked criticism due to Eswatini’s human rights record and the secretive nature of such agreements, as well as concerns about the individuals’ safety upon return.
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Jaime Alanís, a farmworker, tragically died from injuries sustained after falling from a greenhouse roof during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at Glass House Farms in California. The 57-year-old, described as a hardworking family man and the sole provider for his wife and daughter, was reportedly hiding from agents when he fell. The raid, part of increased federal enforcement, led to the arrest of hundreds of workers and has sparked outrage. Despite the Department of Homeland Security’s claims, Alanís was not in custody but was immediately given medical attention at the scene.
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A new ICE memo outlines a policy enabling the deportation of immigrants to countries where they have no prior connection, potentially with as little as six hours’ notice. The memo, issued by acting Director Todd Lyons, provides guidance to ICE employees, permitting deportations even when there’s a risk of persecution or torture. While the memo emphasizes diplomatic assurances from the receiving country, it allows for expedited removals in “exigent circumstances,” raising concerns about due process, especially if these assurances are not in place. Critics like Trina Realmuto argue that the policy disregards legal requirements and may lead to serious consequences for those deported.
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A federal court in Southern California has ruled that ICE agents cannot rely solely on race or language to detain individuals, citing violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. The court’s temporary restraining order follows a lawsuit and mandates that officers must have a reasonable suspicion of a violation of immigration law before stopping someone. This decision, while specific to the Central District of California, curtails ICE’s practices of targeting individuals based on ethnicity or location and denying them access to legal counsel. The ruling underscores that racism is not a valid basis for reasonable suspicion, and prevents ICE from continuing its previous practices.
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An appeals court has intervened to maintain work and deportation protections for nearly 12,000 Afghan nationals in the U.S., which were slated to expire under the Department of Homeland Security’s decision. The court’s stay, prompted by a lawsuit from a non-profit immigrant advocacy group, will remain in effect for one week while the court considers the case. The lawsuit challenged the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, who were initially deemed safe to return to their home country. The decision to end TPS has faced criticism, especially considering that many of the Afghans provided assistance to U.S. forces during the war in Afghanistan.
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Millions of undocumented immigrants will no longer be eligible for bond hearings, according to an ICE memo. That phrase alone should set off alarm bells for anyone concerned about due process and the rule of law. The fact that a memo, a piece of internal communication, can seemingly circumvent the courts and established legal procedures is deeply troubling. It’s as if fundamental rights, carefully enshrined in the Constitution, can be brushed aside with a stroke of a pen.
The implications of this are far-reaching. Without bond hearings, individuals are essentially detained indefinitely while their immigration cases are processed. This raises serious questions about fairness and the potential for abuse.… Continue reading
Senator Ron Wyden has introduced the VISIBLE Act of 2025, legislation mandating that immigration enforcement officers display clear identification during public actions. The bill aims to prevent officers from concealing their identities with unmarked gear and face coverings, requiring visible identification, including agency name and last name or badge number, from at least 25 feet. Criticizing previous administrations, Wyden highlighted the need for transparency, emphasizing that anonymous enforcement undermines democratic oversight. The proposed legislation, co-sponsored by other Democratic senators and endorsed by organizations like the ACLU, seeks to address public fear and confusion stemming from unidentified officers.
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Russia plans to import up to one million workers by the end of the year to address labor shortages, particularly in highly industrialized regions like Sverdlovsk. A new Consulate General is opening in Yekaterinburg to manage this influx, with Indian specialists expected to make up a significant portion of the incoming workforce. The need for skilled workers has intensified due to factors such as the ongoing military operations in Ukraine and a lack of young people entering the factories. Russia is also exploring options to invite workers from Sri Lanka and North Korea to further address the predicted workforce shortage.
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Despite President Trump’s rhetoric of deporting the “worst of the worst,” government data reveals that the majority of individuals detained by ICE have no criminal convictions. Statistics from June 29 showed that 71.7% of the 57,861 detainees lacked criminal records. Furthermore, ICE has significantly increased arrests, with quotas implemented by the administration. This surge in enforcement, driven by an “arbitrary arrest quota,” has led to controversial raids and tragic incidents like the recent death of a farmworker during a raid in California.
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With $75 billion in new funding, ICE will expand its operations to round up and deport millions of people over the next few years. This influx of money will lead to increased enforcement, potentially targeting long-term residents and those with minor infractions, similar to the arrest quotas seen in police states. Detention centers are planned to hold approximately 120,000 people daily, indicating a vast expansion of the existing system. The new policies will lead to the deportation of migrants working in fields not protected by the current administration. Despite the potential for pushback, the funding for ICE seems secure, with little expectation of cuts.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood