A federal judge has temporarily blocked top health officials from sharing Medicaid enrollees’ personal data with immigration authorities. The ruling prevents the Department of Homeland Security from accessing Medicaid data in 20 states that sued the administration, along with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services from sharing that data with ICE. The judge found that the administration’s use of Medicaid data for immigration enforcement threatened to disrupt the program. This decision comes amidst concerns that ICE’s access to sensitive data could deter immigrants from seeking essential services.
Read More
A New Zealand citizen legally residing in the US since 2021, was detained at a Washington state border checkpoint due to an expired travel permit. Despite having valid immigration documents, her son was also taken into custody. After being denied humanitarian parole, they were transported to a detention center in Texas. This occurred due to a minor paperwork error where she failed to renew her travel permit. Her lawyer argues that her detention was unnecessary, especially given her established life in the US and lack of criminal record.
Read More
On Thursday afternoon, the building at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan was evacuated due to reports of a white powder found in the mailroom. Authorities, including first responders and hazmat units, arrived quickly and confirmed that the powder was contained in five letters. While awaiting test results, officials confirmed that at least two people were exposed and that the building was evacuated as per standard protocol. Preliminary testing found no dangerous substance, but the incident follows recent detainments by ICE agents and protests over detainee conditions, with a federal judge recently ordering improvements to the facility.
Read More
On Thursday, a man fleeing an immigration raid at a Monrovia Home Depot was fatally struck by a vehicle on the 210 Freeway. According to a city official, the man was attempting to escape federal agents when the collision occurred. While 13 people were reportedly detained, the city of Monrovia stated it received no prior communication from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the operation. Immigration rights advocates have expressed outrage, holding the Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security, and Home Depot accountable for the death.
Read More
A lawsuit has been filed on behalf of two mothers and their children, all U.S. citizens, alleging they were unlawfully deported to Honduras by immigration authorities. Despite having American citizenship, the children, including a 5-year-old with Stage 4 kidney cancer, were deported with their parents without proper due process or consideration for their medical needs. The suit claims the mothers were denied access to legal counsel and were not given a choice regarding their children’s deportation, despite expressing a desire for their children to remain in the U.S. The families were reportedly deported following immigration check-in appointments where they were told to bring their children and their passports. The plaintiffs are seeking a jury trial, damages, and to be returned to the United States, arguing that their deportation was unlawful.
Read More
The Ninth Circuit Appeals Court upheld a restraining order, originally issued by a California federal court, prohibiting ICE from arresting individuals based solely on their apparent race or ethnicity, Spanish language use, or presence in specific locations. This ruling confirmed the unconstitutionality of ICE’s practices, which appeared to be driven by an undocumented arrest quota, despite government claims to the contrary. However, ICE seemingly ignored this legal directive, as evidenced by a video showing agents conducting a mass arrest in a Home Depot parking lot the very next day. This blatant disregard of the court order highlights a broader issue of government agencies acting with impunity, effectively daring authorities to enforce constitutional rights.
Read More
A federal judge has ordered ICE to improve conditions at the 26 Federal Plaza facility in New York City. The order follows reports of overcrowding, inadequate food, and unsanitary conditions within the holding areas. The court mandates limiting capacity, ensuring cleanliness with frequent cell cleanings, and providing essential hygiene products and sleeping mats. These improvements were prompted by a complaint from lawyers, citing “crowded, squalid, and punitive conditions,” and specific testimonies of detainees detailing the facility’s deplorable state. The government’s response acknowledged the need for humane conditions, with the court order seeking to ensure access to legal representation through confidential phone calls.
Read More
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s investment in Palantir Technologies has seen a significant surge of 142% since April, coinciding with a $30 million contract awarded to the company by ICE. This occurred shortly after her investment, which raised questions given her position on the House Homeland Security Committee overseeing ICE. Greene has stated her financial advisor manages her investments and that her trades are reported with full transparency. This situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding stock trading by members of Congress and potential conflicts of interest, further complicated by the recent sale of Trump Media stock by White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino, just before the announcement of tariffs and market declines.
Read More
Bill from Michigan’s Thanedar would end qualified immunity for ICE agents, and it’s a move that sparks some interesting thoughts. It seems like a pretty straightforward concept: if you’re an agent of the law, and you’re doing something that harms someone, you should be held accountable. No special pass, no “qualified immunity” shielding you from the consequences of your actions. That’s the core of the bill.
It’s important to remember that this isn’t just about ICE agents. The sentiment expressed suggests a broader perspective: that qualified immunity shouldn’t protect *anyone* in a position of authority, be it a cop, a federal agent, or anyone else who wields power.… Continue reading
Marie Ange Blaise, a Haitian national detained at the Broward Transitional Center (BTC), died of a heart attack on April 25th, with her son reporting that she was denied medical care for chest pains on the day of her death. An ICE report indicates a history of high blood pressure and kidney disease but also claims Blaise refused medication, though other detainees at the facility observed a delayed response from staff when she collapsed. Detainees and lawyers have repeatedly alleged medical neglect at ICE facilities in South Florida, and these allegations include claims that staff regularly withheld necessary medication from those in custody. Her death has led to calls for investigations and condemnations from public officials.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood