California Governor Newsom’s recent proposal to scale back free healthcare for migrants is sparking significant debate. The core of the plan involves implementing a $100 monthly premium for undocumented adults currently enrolled in Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program.
This change is slated to begin in 2026, when the state would also halt new adult applications for the program. Importantly, the governor’s office has stated that healthcare coverage for children and limited-scope services like emergency and pregnancy care will remain unaffected. These adjustments are projected to generate state savings of $5.4 billion by 2028-2029.
The rationale behind this shift appears multifaceted. One key element is the significant strain on the Medi-Cal budget.… Continue reading
A federal judge has refused to block a Trump administration initiative allowing the IRS to share sensitive taxpayer information with ICE for immigration enforcement. The judge rejected claims from immigrant-rights groups that the data-sharing violated taxpayer confidentiality laws, finding the agreement, on its face, legally compliant. The ruling hinges on the administration’s assertion that data will only be shared for criminal investigations related to deportation, not civil matters. The groups plan to appeal, citing concerns that the agreement serves as a pretext to circumvent the law and emphasizing the potential for misuse of taxpayer information.
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Nineteen-year-old Ximena Arias-Cristobal, a Georgia college student, faces deportation after a traffic stop led to her arrest and detention at the Stewart Detention Center. Her undocumented parents brought her to the U.S. as a toddler, and she doesn’t qualify for DACA. Now, she and her father are jailed together, awaiting immigration court proceedings, despite widespread public support for legal protections for young immigrants. Local officials and a state representative are advocating for her release, highlighting the harsh impact of current immigration policies.
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In preparation for Portugal’s May 18th general election, the caretaker government announced plans to expel approximately 18,000 undocumented immigrants. The process will begin next week with voluntary departure requests for 4,500 individuals, followed by mandatory expulsion orders. This action comes amid a rise of populism in Portugal, with the far-right Chega party gaining significant influence. The current government, following a confidence vote loss, dissolved parliament and called for early elections.
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The Trump administration launched a voluntary self-deportation program offering undocumented immigrants a $1,000 stipend and travel assistance in exchange for their return to their home countries. This initiative, utilizing the CBP “Home” app for tracking, aims to reduce the average $17,121 cost of arrest and deportation per individual. Participants are de-prioritized for detention and removal while actively pursuing departure, potentially preserving future legal immigration options. One individual has already successfully completed the program’s requirements.
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A large-scale DEA raid on an underground Colorado Springs nightclub resulted in the detention of over 100 undocumented immigrants and more than a dozen active-duty military personnel allegedly involved in drug trafficking, prostitution, and other crimes. The operation, involving hundreds of agents from multiple federal agencies, uncovered cocaine, “pink cocaine,” and numerous firearms. Those found to be in violation of immigration laws were handed over to ICE, while military members were transferred to the Army Criminal Investigation Division for a joint investigation. The nightclub, under surveillance for months, was linked to various criminal gangs.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the Trump administration’s deportation policies, asserting that due process applies to all in the U.S., while simultaneously justifying the deportation of undocumented immigrants, including those with U.S. citizen children. He characterized the deportation of children with their undocumented mothers as a consequence of the mothers’ illegal status, and disputed reports that the process lacked due process. Rubio further argued that the administration’s stricter approach to immigration stemmed from a need to curb the influx of undocumented migrants. Finally, he offered a cautiously optimistic assessment of ongoing peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.
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Gladys and Nelson Gonzalez, US residents since 1989, were unexpectedly arrested and deported to Colombia after a routine immigration check-in. Despite decades of community involvement and attempts to legalize their status, they were deemed to have exhausted all legal options following a 2000 voluntary departure order, which they believed could lead to citizenship. Their deportation, after three weeks in detention, highlights the increasing strictness of current US immigration policies and the vulnerability of long-term undocumented immigrants, even those with clean records. The family is now working to rebuild their lives in Colombia, facing a ten-year bar from returning to the US.
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The IRS is nearing a deal with DHS to aid in locating undocumented migrants, involving ICE providing names and addresses to the IRS for verification. This agreement, a narrower version of an earlier proposal, would represent a significant change in IRS policy, requiring high-level DHS approval for each request. The IRS would confirm addresses, not proactively provide data to ICE, though this still raises privacy concerns given the strict confidentiality rules surrounding taxpayer information. This development follows a lawsuit from immigrant rights groups challenging the legality of such information sharing.
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The Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn nationwide injunctions blocking its attempt to end birthright citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants. Lower courts have consistently rejected the administration’s argument, deeming the executive order unconstitutional and contrary to established legal precedent interpreting the 14th Amendment. The administration’s appeal focuses on limiting the scope of the injunctions, not directly challenging the constitutionality of the policy itself, though it presented arguments questioning the long-held interpretation of birthright citizenship. The Supreme Court will likely issue a briefing schedule soon, requiring a rapid response from those opposing the administration’s efforts.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker