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Faith leaders call on community to resist ICE expansion | Opinion

Faith leaders call on community to resist ICE expansion | Opinion

Clergy and faith leaders from many traditions across the region speak out against how immigration enforcement is being handled in Tennessee.
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DHS Extends 'Mass Influx' Finding, Expands State and Local Immigration Enforcement Cooperation

DHS Extends 'Mass Influx' Finding, Expands State and Local Immigration Enforcement Cooperation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended its formal 'Finding of Mass Influx of Aliens' for an additional 180 days, effective September 21, 2026. This finding, first issued on January 23, 2025, and extended multiple times, asserts that an actual or imminent mass influx of aliens is occurring at the southern border, warranting continued federal action. In conjunction with this extension, DHS has formally requested assistance from state and local governments across all 50 states. The agency cited factors such as border encounters, detention capacity, interior immigration enforcement demands, and the number of individuals with final removal orders on ICE's non-detained docket. As of August 12, 2026, ICE reported a detention population of 67,022 against a maximum capacity of 80,700, and over 2.1 million people with final orders of removal on ICE's non-detained docket as of August 11.
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Venezuelan delegation in NY seeks debt, energy deals

Venezuelan delegation in NY seeks debt, energy deals

By Marianna Parraga and Vivian Sequera Sept 21 (Reuters) - A Venezuelan delegation led by interim President Delcy Rodriguez that is taking part in the United Nations General Assembly this week began discussing energy, debt and mining issues with counterparties in the US on Monday, officials and
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Man shot by ICE agents in Texas says he is in detention with bullet in back

Man shot by ICE agents in Texas says he is in detention with bullet in back

By Brad Brooks and Kanishka Singh Sept 21 (Reuters) - A man identified as the Venezuelan who was shot and wounded by a federal immigration agent in Texas said on Monday that he was in pain and being held at an ICE detention center with a bullet lodged in his back.
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ICE Conceals Locations of Detainees with Final Removal Orders, Hindering Legal Access

ICE Conceals Locations of Detainees with Final Removal Orders, Hindering Legal Access

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ceased publicly disclosing the locations of thousands of detainees who have received final deportation orders. This unannounced policy change, implemented on September 15, has made it significantly more challenging for lawyers and family members to locate these individuals. The move was confirmed by current and former ICE officials who spoke anonymously and has been noted by immigration lawyers whose clients have disappeared from the online detainee locator system. The American Immigration Lawyers Association has issued a warning to its members regarding this development. This practice marks a departure from previous procedures and is seen as part of the Trump administration's stringent immigration enforcement approach. The change primarily affects detainees with final removal orders from an immigration court, potentially accelerating deportations by complicating last-minute legal challenges. Nearly 16,000 individuals arrested and booked into ICE detention...
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Maine Enacts 'ICE Out of Policing' Law Limiting Local Law Enforcement Collaboration with Federal Immigration Agencies

Maine Enacts 'ICE Out of Policing' Law Limiting Local Law Enforcement Collaboration with Federal Immigration Agencies

The state of Maine has enacted a new law, effective July 29, 2026, titled 'ICE Out of Policing.' This legislation significantly restricts the ability of state and local law enforcement agencies to use their resources to assist federal immigration enforcement agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The law was passed in response to increased ICE activity in Maine, which included violent arrests during 'Operation Catch of Day' in January 2026 and the killing of Johan Duran Guerrero in Biddeford in July 2026. Federal immigration agencies have historically relied on local government collaboration through formal contracts for detention, notifications of immigrant releases from jails, and the issuance of detainers to hold individuals for federal custody. The ACLU of Maine, which advocated for the law, submitted FOAA requests to county jails to assess their compliance, finding that some had already implemented new policies while others still maintained ...
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New Zealand Advocates for Nuclear Disarmament and Multilateralism on Global Stage

New Zealand Advocates for Nuclear Disarmament and Multilateralism on Global Stage

New Zealand is actively asserting its diplomatic influence on the global stage, particularly through its strong advocacy for nuclear disarmament, multilateralism, and a rules-based international order. Despite being a smaller nation, it leverages its alliances, including the Five Eyes intelligence-sharing agreement and its close relationship with Australia, to promote its core values of human rights and environmental protection. New Zealand maintains a pragmatic and independent foreign policy, often navigating between the spheres of influence of larger powers like China and the United States. This approach allows it to champion its principles effectively, contributing to global discussions on critical issues.
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New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect, Impacting Lawful Permanent Residency Applicants

New Public Charge Rule Takes Effect, Impacting Lawful Permanent Residency Applicants

A new public charge rule went into effect on September 18, 2026, impacting individuals applying for lawful permanent residency (green cards) or admission to the United States. This rule allows immigration officers to consider a broader range of means-tested public benefits when determining if an applicant is likely to become a 'public charge.' The Washington State Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance has reviewed the rule, noting that it may affect diversity visa immigrants and those seeking to renew, change, or extend visas. However, the rule does not apply to all immigrants, specifically exempting refugees, asylees, Amerasian immigrants, Afghan and Iraqi Special Immigrant Visa Holders, Cuban/Haitian Entrants, humanitarian parolees, victims of human trafficking (T-Visa), victims of criminal activity (U-Visa), Special Immigrant Juveniles, and VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) self-petitioners. Benefits received before September 18, 2026, will be considered under the previous 2022 rule.
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Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says

Italy to ban veils in schools, limit foreign students per class, Meloni says

MILAN, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Italy is preparing to ban face coverings in schools and to cap the number of foreign students per class, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Sunday as she played up her right-wing credentials at a youth event organised by her party.
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Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms

Meloni plans to ban burqas and niqabs in Italian schools, and cap foreign students in classrooms

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says she’ll soon introduce a measure to her government that would cap the number of foreign students in classrooms and ban face burqas and niqabs in schools
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Pennsylvania Lawmakers Intervene to Halt Deportation of Haitian Pastor

Pennsylvania Lawmakers Intervene to Halt Deportation of Haitian Pastor

Pastor Molis Augustave, a Haitian pastor residing in Pennsylvania, was removed from a deportation flight to Haiti at the last minute following intervention from several U.S. lawmakers. Augustave, who entered the U.S. illegally in 2016 and had a final order of removal, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in early September. His deportation was fast-tracked after a traffic stop on September 5. Despite having Temporary Protected Status (TPS) previously, its termination for Haiti reactivated his removal order. Augustave has been pursuing a green card since 2024. The intervention involved bipartisan efforts from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Senator John Fetterman, Senator Dave McCormick, and Representative Lloyd Smucker, who directly advocated with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership. Augustave is currently being held at an ICE processing facility in Louisiana while his green card application is under review.