News Dump: A Long List of Important Immigration Stories By Our Competitors
From Fresno to Chattanooga, El Paso to Missouri, here's the latest immigration news you might have missed
Good afternoon! Predictably, we’ve been tracking a lot of news stories on the immigration beat. The list of news we’re tracking has grown so vast, we feel it’s time to flush it through with one huge listicle which you can find below. Let’s jump in—
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WASHINGTON BULLETS
CAMERAS OFF: U.S. Border Patrol pulled body cameras after discovering they could be tracked remotely, highlighting security concerns.
TRANSLATORS OUT: A new memo scraps language interpreter policies, raising concerns about fairness for non-English speakers in immigration court.
OVERHAUL: Proposed changes to the citizenship test may make it harder, with new sections and multiple-choice questions.
TAX LIABILITIES: IRS is set to collaborate with with Homeland Security to use tax filings to track undocumented immigrants.
MISSOURI: A controversial bill offering a $1,000 bounty on undocumented immigrants, with fears of racial profiling.
TENNESSEE: New bills could make helping undocumented immigrants a felony, affecting charitable organizations.
NEW EOs: Executive orders and policies shifting the immigration landscape, including changes to visa processing and enforcement strategies.
MINORS, UNPROTECTED: ICE expanding its reach with new databases and enforcement policies, including concerns over unaccompanied minors.
LOCAL BEATS: Various states and localities, like Florida, Oklahoma, and Missouri, pushing new, stricter immigration-related laws.
IMMIGRATION NEWS FROM OTHER OUTLETS
THE WASHINGTON POST: We’ve broken a lot of news on the Guantanamo migrant detainee beat, but the latest reporting from WaPo takes the cake as the best story we’ve seen so far on the story. They got the names, dates, and quotes to establish what we’ve been saying all along: The migrants at Gitmo are not the violent criminals with gang ties that DHS claims they are. (Read every word here)
FOX NEWS: U.S. Border Patrol agents are ditching their body cameras after a social media post revealed that Bluetooth scanners could track them from 100 yards away—because apparently, even high-tech gadgets can betray you. CBP quickly hit the panic button, yanking the cameras from use while they investigate the security risk. Meanwhile, under President Trump’s ramped-up border policies, illegal crossings have nosedived, proving that sometimes, the biggest plot twists happen off-camera. (Yes, read Fox News for this info).
THE NATIONAL NEWS DESK: Big changes may be coming to the U.S. citizenship test, including a new section where applicants describe pictures of everyday things—because nothing says "ready for America" like identifying a cheeseburger. The civics portion may also switch from spoken answers to multiple choice, making it trickier since applicants must recognize the correct answer among several options. While officials will test these updates before rolling them out, some worry they could make naturalization harder—even though, ironically, many native-born Americans would likely struggle to pass the test themselves. (Read more about it here).
ABC 30 FRESNO: Undocumented taxpayers might have more to fear this tax season as the IRS and Homeland Security consider teaming up, potentially using past tax filings to track down immigrants. Critics argue this move weaponizes the ITIN program—designed to let undocumented workers pay taxes—while supporters claim it's necessary to curb illegal immigration’s financial toll. With fear spreading, some immigrants are skipping work, school, and possibly even tax filings, proving once again that nothing sends people running faster than a surprise visit from the IRS. (read more here).
MISSOURI INDEPENDENT: Missouri lawmakers are debating a bill that would put a $1,000 bounty on undocumented immigrants, allowing bounty hunters to track them down and potentially sentence them to life in prison if federal authorities don’t intervene. Critics say the proposal promotes racial profiling, turns neighbors against each other, and fosters a climate of fear, while supporters argue it’s necessary to combat crime linked to illegal immigration. With Missouri’s undocumented population contributing millions in taxes and billions to the state economy, the big question remains: is the state willing to trade economic stability for mass arrests? (Also, Pablo and Nico are from Missouri, so we have to apologize to all immigrants on behalf of our State for this ridiculous bill. Anyway, read more about it here).
CHATTANOOGA TIMES FREE PRESS: Tennessee is seemingly unable to get a break. After their State House passed the controversial bill basically kicking undocumented children from schools, they put before the floor new anti-immigrant bills. Tennessee lawmakers are on a mission to make charity a crime—at least when it comes to helping undocumented immigrants. New bills could slap churches and nonprofits with felony charges for doing radical things like... giving people a place to sleep, a bus pass, or even a sandwich. Faith leaders are baffled, pointing out that their job is to help people, not check passports at the soup kitchen. Meanwhile, one senator defended the bills by comparing heaven to a gated community with strict immigration policies (because apparently, St. Peter runs border patrol now). Will Tennessee churches have to start smuggling Bibles and burritos? Stay tuned. (Read more here).
IMMIGRATION POLICY TRACKING PROJECT: In a plot twist for non-English speakers in immigration court, the EOIR Acting Director has scrapped a policy ensuring interpreters and translation services, calling it "inappropriate" and legally "questionable." The new memo argues that some immigrants might not even need language help—or might just wave it off like a bad restaurant menu. Instead of the old 2004 guidance, EOIR will now lean on the freshly updated DOJ Language Access Plan, because nothing says clarity like shifting policies mid-case. (Read the full directive here).
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THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS: Trump’s latest executive order has chopped visa interview waivers from 48 months down to 12 months, causing wait times to stretch longer than a Netflix binge. High-risk countries, including India, might see extra scrutiny, making that visa feel as elusive as a unicorn. If you’ve got an H-1B or a B1/B2 visa, don’t pack your bags too quickly; you might need some patience first. Read more here.
MEMPHIS: Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) is concerned about the lack of transparency surrounding ICE's enforcement policies, particularly regarding who they are detaining. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, he questioned whether detained individuals had criminal records, specifically violent crimes, and sought clarification on ICE’s priorities. Cohen emphasized focusing on “the worst of the worst” but pointed out that ICE’s data doesn’t match their claims, asking for more clarity on the agency's activities. Link to full article.
NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO: ICE officers have gained access to a database containing information about unaccompanied minors who cross the U.S. border, sparking concerns about potential immigration enforcement. While the move follows a policy shift from the Trump administration, critics worry it could jeopardize the safety of children and their sponsors. Some see this as a backdoor method for immigration enforcement, despite official claims to the contrary. Link to full article.
NBC NEWS: The Trump administration is considering using Defense Department funds to speed up deportations by hiring contractors to expand detention facilities and boost transportation. This move follows frustrations with the slow pace of ICE deportations and a lack of budget for the necessary resources. Legal challenges are expected over using defense funding for immigration enforcement, with the administration justifying it through national emergency powers. Link to full article.
WASHINGTON EXAMINER: House Republicans are pushing a bill to extend U.S. Customs and Border Protection's maritime jurisdiction from 12 to 24 miles, hoping to catch smugglers and traffickers further out at sea. The bill, backed by Rep. Maria Salazar, aims to increase enforcement against drug smuggling and human trafficking. The legislation has passed the House with strong bipartisan support and is expected to gain traction in the Senate, with drug control, especially fentanyl, as a key focus. Full article here.
THE OKLAHOMAN: Governor Kevin Stitt is finalizing an immigration agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, allowing Oklahoma state troopers to assist ICE in making arrests. The deal is aimed at increasing law enforcement collaboration to remove illegal immigrants and enhance public safety in Oklahoma. The agreement will also support Operation Guardian, a federal initiative focused on apprehending dangerous individuals. Read more here.
WASHINGTON POST: Governor DeSantis has signed sweeping immigration laws in Florida, expanding penalties for undocumented immigrants and pushing the state to assist in Trump’s immigration crackdown. The legislation includes the death penalty for certain crimes by undocumented individuals, and cuts in-state tuition for undocumented students. This move mirrors a national trend as other states, like Alabama and Georgia, ramp up similar policies. Read more here.
EL PASO MATTERS: Two migrant siblings from Honduras, Pedro and Elizabeth, who were living and working legally in New Mexico, were detained by ICE for two weeks despite having authorization to be in the U.S. and no criminal records. They were arrested while on their way to work, without clear explanation or warrant from ICE. This raises concerns about the fairness of ICE’s actions and whether such detentions are properly targeted at individuals with criminal backgrounds. Read the full article here.
RICHMOND SUNSET NEWS: On February 12, the neighborhood in Outer Richmond got a surprise wake-up call with a mini army of DHS agents in unmarked SUVs and heavily armed with enough firepower to film an action movie. There were no arrests, no shots fired—just a lot of people walking by, blissfully unaware of the tactical display. By 10 a.m., the agents packed up and left, leaving only mild shock and confusion in their wake. Yes, all that money for nothing. Check out the article here.
CBS NEWS: Denver Public Schools is taking on the Department of Homeland Security, suing to keep ICE out of schools, arguing that the new policy on immigration enforcement is a "bad idea" and "scary" for students. Superintendent Alex Marrero shared how an ICE raid caused attendance to plummet in a classroom—barely 20% showed up! The district wants to keep the focus on educating, not dodging federal agents, and they’ve enlisted a law firm to do it for free. Read more about it here.
REUTERS: President Trump’s executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for children born to non-citizens has hit yet another roadblock, with a fourth judge declaring it unconstitutional. The judge made it clear that no amount of "I’m the boss" posturing would rewrite the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all born in the U.S. Trump’s team plans to appeal, so expect this legal rollercoaster to continue. Read more here.
JURIST NEWS: Twenty-seven religious groups in Georgia are suing the Trump administration over its new policy allowing ICE to conduct immigration enforcement at places of worship. The plaintiffs argue that the policy violates their right to practice religion freely, especially after ICE disrupted a church service in Georgia. The faith-based groups are hoping to get a ruling that keeps the feds out of their sanctuaries. Read more about it here.
IN OTHER NEWS
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