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Disability Organizations Urge Congress to Halt ICE and CBP Funding Amid Concerns Over Treatment of Disabled Individuals

Disability Organizations Urge Congress to Halt ICE and CBP Funding Amid Concerns Over Treatment of Disabled Individuals

A coalition of 78 disability and ally organizations is calling on Congress to vote against an additional $71 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The organizations argue that the increased funding exacerbates harm to disabled individuals, particularly those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, and immigrant families. They highlight instances of violence and detention that have disproportionately affected disabled people, including cases where individuals were denied necessary accommodations. The coalition is urging Congress to halt funding until civil rights and due process are protected, and to redirect funds back to critical programs like Medicaid and SNAP that have been cut to finance ICE and CBP activities.
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Republicans Push for $72 Billion Immigration Enforcement Funding Amidst Political Tensions

Republicans Push for $72 Billion Immigration Enforcement Funding Amidst Political Tensions

Republicans in Congress are working to pass a $72 billion funding package for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to cover the remainder of President Trump's term. This effort is being expedited through budget reconciliation, a process that allows bypassing Democratic opposition. The Democrats are against increasing funding without implementing reforms to limit the agencies' enforcement tactics. President Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with the package as it does not include funding for a White House ballroom, a point of contention among some Republicans. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, who recently lost his primary, has opposed the ballroom funding and played a key role in advancing the Iran war powers resolution. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro for his alleged involvement in the 1996 downing of two U.S. planes, which resulted in the deaths of four members of the anti-Castro group Brothers to the Rescu...
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Navy Veteran's Wife Released After Medical Emergency in ICE Custody Raises Concerns

Navy Veteran's Wife Released After Medical Emergency in ICE Custody Raises Concerns

Lydia Rabara Swinburne, a 39-year-old Filipino national and wife of a U.S. Navy veteran, was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody following a federal judge's order. Her detention during a green card interview in California and subsequent medical emergency have highlighted issues within immigration detention facilities. Swinburne reportedly suffered a medical crisis due to a medication error, leading to severe symptoms and requiring emergency medical intervention. Her husband, Robert Swinburne, described the incident as devastating for their family, including their young son. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed a medical emergency occurred, attributing it to a medication reaction, but disputes remain over the details and handling of the situation.
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Supreme Court Likely to Review Trump-Era Migrant Detention Policy Amid Circuit Split

Supreme Court Likely to Review Trump-Era Migrant Detention Policy Amid Circuit Split

The Trump administration's policy on mandatory detention for undocumented immigrants is moving closer to a potential review by the U.S. Supreme Court. This policy, which has been a cornerstone of the administration's mass-deportation agenda, has led to a split among federal appeals courts. The Fifth and Eighth Circuits have upheld the policy, while the Second, Sixth, and Eleventh Circuits have ruled against it. The policy interprets the Immigration and Nationality Act to deny bond hearings to undocumented immigrants apprehended within the U.S., a departure from nearly three decades of practice. This has resulted in an increase in the number of people detained, with over 60,000 individuals currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody. Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court is likely to take up the case due to the circuit split, which could have significant implications for millions of noncitizens living in the U.S.
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Trump Administration Proposes Tripling Deportation Fine for Missed Court Hearings

Trump Administration Proposes Tripling Deportation Fine for Missed Court Hearings

The Trump administration is proposing to increase the fine for immigrants who miss court hearings and are subsequently deported. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to raise the fine from $5,130 to $18,000, arguing that the current amount is insufficient to cover the costs incurred by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in locating, detaining, and deporting individuals. This proposal comes in response to a significant rise in missed immigration court hearings, which has placed a strain on enforcement resources. The proposed fine aims to deter individuals from skipping court hearings, encourage compliance with removal orders, and reduce the burden on enforcement resources. The proposal is open for a 30-day public comment period starting May 20, after which DHS will decide whether to finalize the rule.
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Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Highlights Social Issues Through Music

Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Highlights Social Issues Through Music

Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Highlights Social Issues Through Music
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Iranian family detained for relative's key role in 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis seeks release

Iranian family detained for relative's key role in 1979 US Embassy hostage crisis seeks release

An Iranian family that’s lived in the United States for a decade is demanding their release from immigration detention after they were arrested due to a relative’s role in the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis
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ICE Prepares for World Cup Security Amid Ticket Sales Concerns

ICE Prepares for World Cup Security Amid Ticket Sales Concerns

ICE Prepares for World Cup Security Amid Ticket Sales Concerns
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State Health Coverage for Immigrants Faces New Challenges Amid Federal Law Changes

State Health Coverage for Immigrants Faces New Challenges Amid Federal Law Changes

A report by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation highlights the challenges faced by noncitizen immigrants in accessing health coverage in the U.S. As of 2024, 24 million noncitizen immigrants, including undocumented individuals, face significant barriers to health coverage. The 2025 reconciliation law introduces increased eligibility restrictions for federally funded programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and ACA Marketplace coverage, affecting lawfully present immigrants. Some states have expanded state-funded programs to cover gaps, but budget pressures have led to reductions in these programs. As of April 2026, 15 states provide state-funded coverage for children regardless of immigration status, and seven states extend coverage to some adults. However, six states have scaled back these programs due to financial constraints.
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Trump Administration Appoints 82 New Immigration Judges to Expedite Deportation Cases

Trump Administration Appoints 82 New Immigration Judges to Expedite Deportation Cases

The Trump administration has appointed 82 new immigration judges as part of its efforts to accelerate deportation proceedings and enforce stricter immigration policies. This move, announced by the Justice Department, includes 77 permanent and 5 temporary judges, marking the largest class of immigration judges in the department's history. The appointments follow the removal of numerous judges over the past year, reducing the number of immigration judges from over 700 to below 600. The new judges, many of whom have backgrounds as ICE lawyers, prosecutors, or military officers, are expected to help manage the backlog of immigration cases, which has been exacerbated by a surge in asylum requests. Despite being part of the executive branch, immigration judges are expected to remain neutral, although the administration has referred to them as 'deportation judges' in job listings.
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Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Uses Music to Protest Anti-Immigration Policies

Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Uses Music to Protest Anti-Immigration Policies

Becky G's New Single 'EPA' Uses Music to Protest Anti-Immigration Policies
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Guatemalan Father Misses Birth of Son Due to Wrongful ICE Detention

Guatemalan Father Misses Birth of Son Due to Wrongful ICE Detention

Freddy Cortez Lugos, a Guatemalan man living in the U.S. on humanitarian parole, missed the birth of his first child due to being wrongfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite a federal court order for his immediate release, Cortez Lugos remained in custody for several days, during which his partner gave birth. The U.S. Magistrate Judge ruled that ICE violated due process by re-detaining him without notice or a hearing. Cortez Lugos had been compliant with ICE's Intensive Supervision Appearance Program and had no criminal record. The case highlights tensions between federal courts and the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly regarding ICE's authority to re-detain individuals previously released under parole.