A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from making widespread immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., without warrants or probable cause of imminent flight risk. The ruling, issued late Tuesday, granted a preliminary injunction sought by civil liberties groups against the Department of Homeland Security. Judge Howell found a substantial likelihood of unlawful practices, citing violations of immigration law and the department’s regulations. The judge also ordered documentation of any warrantless arrests, requiring agents to detail the facts supporting their pre-arrest probable cause, and to provide that information to the plaintiffs’ attorneys.
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RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Superior Court Intern
The incident, as it unfolds, paints a stark picture of overreach. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge, Joseph McBurney, found himself directly confronting the consequences of what seems to be a flagrant error by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The story begins with an intern at the courthouse being wrongfully detained.
Multiple sources indicate that the events leading up to the detention involved a sheriff noticing an individual, later identified as an ICE agent, taking photographs within the courthouse, including Judge McBurney’s courtroom. Despite being instructed to adhere to standard courthouse rules, including not taking photos, the agent continued their actions.… Continue reading
According to The Associated Press, the U.S. Border Patrol is operating a secretive surveillance program, monitoring millions of American drivers using license plate readers and predictive intelligence. This program analyzes travel patterns to identify and detain individuals deemed suspicious, often leading to aggressive questioning and searches based on pretextual traffic stops. The Border Patrol has expanded its reach beyond the border, collaborating with other agencies and utilizing AI, creating a mass surveillance network impacting people throughout the country. Civil liberties advocates raise concerns about the constitutionality of this program and its potential for abuse, as exemplified by cases where individuals were stopped and searched with no evidence of wrongdoing.
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**Judge permanently blocks deployment of National Guard to Portland, saying Trump exceeded his authority**
The news that a judge permanently blocked the deployment of the National Guard to Portland is a welcome development, a clear indication that a branch of government is actively scrutinizing and attempting to curtail the overreach of presidential power. This ruling, specifically citing that Trump exceeded his authority, is important and serves as a critical check and balance. The judge’s decision, based on the fact that Trump’s deployment was “untethered from the facts” and reality, should ideally be straightforward, and the fact that it is even a victory to be celebrated points to the erosion of basic legal principles in these times.… Continue reading
Speaking to U.S. troops in Japan, President Trump indicated his willingness to deploy more than the National Guard to U.S. cities to address crime and safety concerns. He claimed public support for such actions and asserted that state officials’ cooperation was not essential. This stance echoed earlier comments and followed deployments of the National Guard to various cities. Despite Trump’s claims, polls show that most Americans are opposed to using troops domestically, leading to legal challenges from Democratic governors.
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US appeals court lets Trump send troops to Portland, and the immediate reaction is, well, it’s pretty clear that people are not thrilled. The general sentiment seems to be a mixture of disbelief, anger, and a deep sense of betrayal. The fact that the US appeals court sided with the former president and essentially greenlit the deployment of troops to Portland – a move widely seen as politically motivated – has ignited a firestorm of criticism. The very idea of the military being deployed against American citizens is, for many, a stark violation of democratic principles.
The central issue appears to be the judicial deference granted to the president’s decision.… Continue reading
Across the nation, millions of Americans are preparing to participate in “No Kings” rallies on October 18th, potentially becoming the largest protest in US history. These demonstrations, planned in over 2,500 communities, are a response to concerns about the perceived authoritarian actions of the Trump administration, including attacks on democratic institutions and civil liberties. Organizers highlight a broad coalition of participants, from faith leaders to veterans, who are united in their opposition to perceived overreach and the erosion of democratic norms. Despite attempts to discredit the movement, protesters emphasize their commitment to peaceful demonstrations and the exercise of First Amendment rights.
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Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani has announced plans to combat anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment by pledging to deploy hundreds of lawyers if elected. The self-described democratic socialist, who unexpectedly won the Democratic primary, aims to make New York City an LGBTQ+ sanctuary, allocating millions of dollars to housing and gender-affirming care services. Speaking from the historic Christopher Street Pier, Mamdani highlighted the life of trans activist Sylvia Rivera, emphasizing the need to support marginalized communities against targeted attacks. The campaign aims to honor Rivera’s legacy by fostering an inclusive environment within the city.
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The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked the Trump administration from deploying the National Guard in Illinois, while allowing federalization to remain in place. This decision follows the Trump administration’s appeal of a previous ruling that temporarily halted the deployment of troops. The action comes as President Trump considers using the Insurrection Act and has faced pushback from Democratic leaders in Illinois and Oregon, who are challenging the deployment of National Guard troops in their states through ongoing litigation. Furthermore, a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel in California is currently reviewing a similar case involving the deployment of National Guard troops in Oregon.
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AP News reports that a U.S. citizen in Portland, Oregon, Frank Miranda, was detained by masked ICE agents on October 2nd. Despite asserting his U.S. citizenship and questioning the agents, Miranda was handcuffed, taken to an ICE building, and held for several hours. His attorney, Michael Fuller, stated this was the first such detention he was aware of in Oregon and has since sent a tort claim notice and requested documentation from the Department of Homeland Security, hoping for a clear explanation for the incident.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Court Intern, Threatens Judge
RI Judge Intervenes After ICE Wrongfully Detains Superior Court Intern
The incident, as it unfolds, paints a stark picture of overreach. A Rhode Island Superior Court judge, Joseph McBurney, found himself directly confronting the consequences of what seems to be a flagrant error by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The story begins with an intern at the courthouse being wrongfully detained.
Multiple sources indicate that the events leading up to the detention involved a sheriff noticing an individual, later identified as an ICE agent, taking photographs within the courthouse, including Judge McBurney’s courtroom. Despite being instructed to adhere to standard courthouse rules, including not taking photos, the agent continued their actions.… Continue reading