A new bill introduced by Democratic lawmakers would mandate that federal immigration agents wear visible identification during public enforcement operations. The VISIBLE Act, proposed by Senators Alex Padilla and Cory Booker, requires agents from ICE and CBP to display their agency name or acronym and prohibits most face coverings. This legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability, addressing concerns about agents conducting operations in plain clothes and without proper identification. The White House has criticized the bill, while supporters argue it’s necessary for building trust and ensuring a safe immigration enforcement system.
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A 21-year-old Norwegian tourist was detained at Newark Airport and subsequently returned to Norway, allegedly due to a doctored photo of J.D. Vance found on his phone. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) claimed the detainment was due to admitted drug use, as they also found a photo of the tourist with a weed pipe. The CBP’s public response to the story, rather than ignoring it, led to widespread dissemination of the image, demonstrating a failure to understand the Streisand Effect. As a result, the image of Vance is now prevalent.
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The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has refuted claims that a Norwegian traveler, Mads Mikkelsen, was denied entry due to a meme depicting Vice President JD Vance. According to CBP, Mikkelsen was denied entry for admitting to drug use, not for political reasons. Despite the CBP’s statement, the traveler claims that officials reviewed his phone, saw the meme, and denied him entry, raising questions about potential heightened scrutiny. This incident is part of a broader trend of increased denials and scrutiny by the Department of Homeland Security, fueled by stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration and has caused some countries to issue travel warnings.
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Nicolle Saroukos, a newlywed Australian visiting her U.S. Army husband in Honolulu, was unexpectedly detained and deported after U.S. border officials subjected her to aggressive questioning, a body cavity search, and overnight imprisonment at the Federal Detention Center. The officials cited concerns about her visa and the quantity of her belongings, despite her marriage to a U.S. serviceman. Saroukos was ultimately deported without contacting her husband or receiving adequate food or communication privileges. This incident highlights potential pitfalls for travelers and raises questions regarding CBP procedures.
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The Trump administration planned to impose daily fines of $998 on migrants with final deportation orders who remained in the U.S., potentially seizing their assets to cover unpaid amounts. This plan, based on a 1996 law, would retroactively apply for up to five years, leading to fines exceeding $1 million in some cases. The White House, particularly Stephen Miller, pushed for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to implement the policy and handle asset seizures, despite CBP raising concerns about feasibility and significant resource requirements. The Biden administration subsequently halted these measures.
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Dearborn attorney Amir Makled was detained at Detroit Metro Airport upon returning from a family vacation and questioned about his clients, specifically his representation of a University of Michigan pro-Palestinian protester. CBP denied targeting Makled due to political beliefs, citing national security concerns as the basis for electronic device searches. Makled, however, believes the incident was politically motivated, reflecting a broader trend of the current administration targeting lawyers involved in cases challenging its policies. He refused to surrender his phone but allowed agents to review his contact list.
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BP chair Helge Lund will step down in 2026, following shareholder pressure and a reversal of the company’s net-zero strategy. This decision comes after activist investor Elliott built a large stake in BP, protesting the company’s shift toward green energy. The strategy, spearheaded by former CEO Bernard Looney, was ultimately abandoned in favor of increased fossil fuel production, a move that angered climate activists. Lund’s departure follows a “fundamental reset” of BP’s strategy aimed at improving performance and shareholder value. A search for his successor, led by senior independent director Amanda Blanc, is now underway.
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Two U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, Farlis Almonte and Ricardo Rodriguez, stationed at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, have been indicted on bribery charges. The officers allegedly accepted thousands of dollars to allow undocumented individuals entry into the United States, facilitated by communication with Mexican human traffickers and confirmed through surveillance footage and financial records. The investigation stemmed from information provided by arrested smugglers, and Almonte faces potential additional charges. This incident marks the fifth such corruption case involving San Diego-area CBP officers in the past two years.
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John Q. Hosedrinker