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US Immigration Enforcement Crackdown

Mass deportation operations, ICE raids in sanctuary cities, detention expansion, and the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis

Texas university shut down artist's ICE-parody exhibition; texts show provost pushed for full removal

Illustration accompanying article: Texas university shut down artist's ICE-parody exhibition; texts show provost
  • The University of North Texas closed artist Victor "Marka27" Quiñonez's exhibition "Ni De Aquí, Ni De Allá" days after its Feb. 3 opening, according to text messages later obtained by journalist Adam Schrader through a public records request.
  • The exhibition featured resin sculptures shaped like Mexican paletas that encase handcuffs, replica guns, and rosaries, and parody the ICE seal as "U.S. Inhumane and Cruelty Enforcement."
  • Provost Michael McPherson texted President Harrison Keller that removing the full show would be "easier to manage any barking from our friends in Austin," according to records obtained by journalist Adam Schrader.
  • UNT seniors skipped the on-campus graduation show in protest, holding their own exhibition at independent venues across Denton and Dallas.
 2026-07-12 · 4 MIN READ

Walz pulls Minnesota Guard from D.C. early; Whitmer under pressure

Illustration accompanying article: Walz pulls Minnesota Guard from D.C. early; Whitmer under pressure
  • Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz ordered his National Guard troops home early from Washington after they were used on neighborhood patrols in areas beyond the America 250 events they were assigned to support.
  • Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faces increasing pressure from the D.C. City Council and activist groups to withdraw her 162 troops, which are deployed through Aug. 31.
  • All 13 members of the D.C. City Council signed a letter this week calling on Whitmer to end the deployment, citing "mission creep" and "militarization of civilian spaces."
  • More than 5,100 National Guard troops from nearly two dozen states are in D.C. under Trump's federal task force, costing an estimated $3 million per day, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
 2026-07-11 · 4 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Supreme Court TPS ruling puts 1.3 million immigrants at risk of deportation

The Receiving Office

2026-07-15

When the machine produces bodies and the world begs for an autopsy, the operator just points to the fine print.

Fifteen goddamn minutes for CPR

2026-07-12

If a US Senator blocks from the Capitol waited fifteen minutes for chest compressions, imagine what my cousin in Friendship gets.

$1,280 to salute the flag they won't let you afford

2026-07-03

Trump's DHS jacks the citizenship application fee past what working families can pay while posing for naturalization photos at Mount Vernon for the 250th — the bunting covers the invoice, the waiver line is empty, and the people the celebra

Richard Parias case highlights gaps in ICE medical care, oversight

2026-06-20

Richard Parias, a Los Angeles immigrant who was shot by federal agents during an immigration enforcement arrest in October 2025, remains in detention at the Adelanto Detention Center eight months later, with his attorneys alleging he is not receiving adequate medical care for his injuries. The case has drawn attention to limited oversight of medical care inside immigration detention facilities and the narrow avenues for legal recourse available to detainees.

Five years after federal law, Juneteenth-holiday adoption varies by state

2026-06-18

Five years after President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law, the holiday's adoption as a paid day off for public employees varies widely across the U.S., with 33 states and Washington, D.C., now recognizing it as a paid holiday and other states offering it as a floating holiday or not at all.

Criminal charge filed against cargo ship Dali's chief engineer

2026-06-17

Prosecutors have filed a criminal charge against the chief engineer of the cargo ship involved in the March 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge, accusing him of failing to notify the U.S. Coast Guard of hazardous conditions on the vessel before it lost power and struck a support column, killing six construction workers.

Trump immigration policies endanger foreign doctors, rural US healthcare

2026-06-17

The Trump administration's immigration policies are threatening the work of foreign-born doctors across the United States, placing healthcare access at risk – especially in rural, underserved areas – according to doctors, hospital administrators and medical organizations interviewed by the Guardian.

Haitian immigrants ask Supreme Court to dismiss TPS case citing new DHS evidence

2026-06-16

Lawyers for Haitian immigrants filed a motion Tuesday asking the Supreme Court to dismiss the Trump administration's attempt to end Temporary Protected Status for more than 330,000 Haitians, citing newly uncovered Department of Homeland Security documents they say show the termination was a predetermined outcome.

Chief judge rebukes ICE for 'unfounded public attack' on colleague

2026-06-16

The chief federal judge in Rhode Island on Tuesday rebuked Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials for what he called an 'unfounded public attack' on a fellow judge that 'put her in personal danger' and undermined public confidence in the federal courts, according to a letter made public Tuesday.

All detainees moved from Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz' facility, ICE says

2026-06-16

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Tuesday that all detainees held at the state-run 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention center in the Florida Everglades have been relocated to other facilities, citing hurricane season safety concerns. The agency declined to say how many people were moved or where they were taken.

Canada demands some 'Lost Canadians' return new citizenship certificates

2026-06-16

Canada's immigration ministry has sent letters to an unknown number of people who recently obtained proof of Canadian citizenship through ancestral ties, demanding they surrender their certificates pending a review of their applications and sparking confusion and disappointment among recipients and their lawyers.

LAPD fatally shoots pet dog of family celebrating Knicks win

2026-06-16

Los Angeles police officers shot and killed a family's pet dog wearing a New York Knicks jersey on Saturday night, minutes after the team won its first NBA championship in 53 years. Video of the aftermath showing a woman sobbing over the animal with officers standing nearby drew millions of views online.

Fifteen charged in Minnesota over alleged antifa plot against ICE

2026-06-16

Fifteen people in Minnesota have been charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers for their alleged involvement in antifa groups that opposed the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday.

DACA renewal delays push Dreamers out of jobs, advocates say

2026-06-15

Claudia, a 30-year-old who moved to the United States at age four, has been waiting six months for her DACA renewal — a process that for 14 years took only a few weeks. The delay has cost her a job and placed her education and career in jeopardy. She is one of more than 500,000 active DACA recipients facing prolonged processing times under the Trump administration, according to immigration advocates and a Guardian analysis.

Border wall land seizures threaten Texas families in Big Bend

2026-06-15

The Trump administration has targeted an estimated 400 landowners in Texas' Big Bend region for potential land seizures to build a border wall, sending survey notices and threatening eminent domain. Joe Carrasco, a 71-year-old retired oil field worker who has lived on his family's 40-acre ranch along the Rio Grande since childhood, is among those who received a letter from U.S. Customs and Border Protection this year asking to let contractors survey his land or risk losing it through eminent domain.

Half of AAPI adults report upheaval from Trump immigration policies, poll finds

2026-06-15

A new poll from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that about half of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults say they or someone they know have been directly affected by the Trump administration's heightened immigration policies — from detention and deportation to carrying proof of citizenship or changing travel plans.

Adoptee threatened with deportation to Iran granted asylum

2026-06-15

A federal immigration judge has granted asylum to a woman orphaned in Iran in the 1970s and adopted by an American war veteran, ending a monthslong deportation threat that immigration officials had pursued earlier this year. The ruling by Judge Andrew Fishkin likely resolves the legal ordeal for the California woman, who has lived in the United States since she was adopted as a toddler and has no criminal record.

Former ICE acting director Todd Lyons joins defense contractor

2026-06-15

Todd Lyons, who served as acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from March 2025 to May 2026, has been hired by Navigators Security and Defense as senior vice president for U.S. homeland security and international affairs, the company confirmed to NPR.

Former US chamber president detained in Myanmar after financial probe

2026-06-15

Adam Castillo, the former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Myanmar, was detained Thursday upon returning to Yangon as the chamber investigates suspicious financial transactions by ex-board members, according to an associate who spoke on condition of anonymity citing safety concerns.

Columnist proposes 'escrache' protests to name US officials

2026-06-15

Princeton professor and Guardian columnist Jan-Werner Müller has argued that Americans should consider adopting the Argentine tactic of peaceful "escrache" protests to hold unaccountable officials and former officials to public account, pointing to recent appearances by former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and disgraced Colorado election clerk Tina Peters as examples of impunity under the second Trump administration.

Visitors say Delaney Hall dress code blocked toddlers as 'too provocative'

2026-06-15

Family members visiting detainees at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, say guards have repeatedly rejected them over an arbitrary dress code — including toddlers in onesies and a 4-year-old in leggings judged 'too provocative.' The reports come as protests over conditions at the facility have drawn national attention.

One year after LA ICE raids, a city carries scars and reaches for resilience

2026-06-14

One year after armed federal immigration agents descended on Los Angeles in a massive wave of raids that swept through workplaces and neighborhoods, the city bears lasting scars. Residents described a landscape of economic loss, persistent fear, and a sense of safety that has not returned, even as many have adapted and persevered.

Trump signs $70B immigration enforcement bill into law

2026-06-13

President Donald Trump signed into law this week a roughly $70 billion package to fund immigration enforcement through the end of his second term, directing tens of billions to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection as the administration intensifies its deportation campaign.

Radio Jornalera NJ amplifies voices of detained immigrants at Newark facility

2026-06-13

A grassroots Spanish-language media outlet has emerged as the primary source of information for immigrant communities following weeks of protests, hunger strikes and police clashes at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey. Radio Jornalera NJ provides on-the-ground coverage, live updates and direct intervention with authorities to help families reach detained loved ones.

Grande asks White House to stop using her music in immigration video

2026-06-12

Pop star Ariana Grande publicly asked the White House on Monday to stop using her 2024 song "Bye" in a social media video promoting President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policies, calling the footage "barbaric, inhumane, heinous nonsense." The White House responded by defending its policies and later muted the video's audio.

Legal aid groups say ICE, HHS agents tried to enter offices serving migrant children

2026-06-12

Three organizations that provide legal assistance to children who entered the U.S. alone said Friday that federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Health and Human Services attempted to gain access to their Washington, D.C.-area offices, describing the efforts as part of a campaign to intimidate legal services providers.

Treasury tells banks to flag customers without legal status

2026-06-12

The Treasury Department on Friday issued new guidance to the nation's banks, encouraging them to rapidly share information about customers who may lack legal immigration status, a move that enlists the financial sector more deeply in President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown without explicitly mandating bank participation.

ICE detains wife of US Army veteran during scheduled immigration appointment

2026-06-12

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the wife of a retired U.S. Army staff sergeant on Wednesday during a scheduled immigration appointment in Dallas, Texas, the latest in a series of detentions of military spouses under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration enforcement.

Nearly 40 women join hunger strike at New Jersey ICE detention facility

2026-06-12

Dozens of women detained inside the Delaney Hall immigration facility in Newark, New Jersey, announced Thursday they are joining a hunger and labor strike that began last month, advocates said. The women released a new list of demands calling on Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release minors, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions, and to improve conditions inside the privately run facility.

ACLU expands scrutiny of Wyoming immigration enforcement after Laramie lawsuit

2026-06-11

A church, a nonprofit advocacy group, and a barbershop have filed a first-of-its-kind lawsuit in Wyoming challenging the Laramie County Sheriff’s Office’s 287(g) immigration enforcement agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The American Civil Liberties Union has since turned its attention to other Wyoming law enforcement agencies with similar contracts.

Florida agencies partner with ICE to aid Trump immigration crackdown

2026-06-11

A Florida Fish and Wildlife officer detained a Guatemalan man on a false charge in March and waited for federal immigration agents to take him into custody, the man's wife told the Associated Press, in what she described as one of many instances of state agencies cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement push.

US shutting out climate refugees as disasters mount, advocates say

2026-06-10

Millions of people displaced by floods, storms and droughts worsened by the climate crisis are finding the door to the United States more firmly shut than ever, as the Trump administration's immigration crackdown targets many of the countries most vulnerable to environmental disasters, according to advocates and a Guardian analysis.

ICE letter acknowledges collecting data on some protesters, observers

2026-06-10

In a previously unpublicized letter to Congress, former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Todd Lyons acknowledged that the agency collects and retains biographic, biometric, and situational information on individuals it suspects of interfering with operations—including protesters and observers who are never arrested—while continuing to deny the existence of a standalone protester database.

Burning cross found in Chicago's Grant Park shocks city

2026-06-10

A large burning cross — a historic symbol of intimidation against Black Americans — was discovered Tuesday afternoon in Chicago's Grant Park, the site where former President Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech after being elected the nation's first Black president. The Chicago Police Department said it is seeking tips from the public as it investigates the incident.

Grand jurors dismissed after disagreeing with case against 'Broadview Six'

2026-06-10

A federal grand jury in Chicago was dismissed after its members refused to indict six people arrested during an immigration enforcement operation, according to a prosecutor who appeared before the panel. The case has become the latest flashpoint in the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign.

Police ID suspect in Toledo festival shooting, seek second gunman

2026-06-10

Toledo police have named a suspect and are seeking a second gunman in connection with a shooting Saturday at the city's Old West End Festival that wounded 12 people. The first suspect, Ka Nye Taylor, 20, is wanted on 11 counts of felonious assault, authorities said Wednesday.

Watchdog report finds ICE wasted millions, endangered detainees at Texas facility

2026-06-10

A federal watchdog report has documented severe violations at Camp East Montana, one of the nation's largest immigration detention centers, including millions of dollars wasted, detainee health endangered, and the destruction or loss of evidence related to a detainee's death. The report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office focuses on the facility located on the grounds of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.

Ex-NYC comptroller Brad Lander faces trial over ICE facility protest arrest

2026-06-10

Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller and Democratic primary candidate for Congress, is scheduled to stand trial Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan stemming from his arrest in September 2025 after he and 10 other elected officials attempted to inspect holding rooms for detained immigrants at a federal immigration facility.

Navy culinary specialist sentenced to 44 years for killing fellow sailor

2026-06-10

A 21-year-old Navy culinary specialist was sentenced to 44 years in federal prison after admitting he fatally strangled a fellow sailor in his barracks at Naval Station Norfolk, violently squeezed the neck of a second woman aboard an aircraft carrier, and made secret video recordings of a third. Jermiah Copeland's guilty plea in a general court-martial covered unpremeditated murder, aggravated assault by strangulation, and indecent recording.

San Francisco immigration court shuts down, disrupting 100,000 cases

2026-06-10

The Justice Department has shuttered the main San Francisco immigration courthouse, abruptly closing 21 courtrooms and moving over 100,000 pending cases to a court in Concord, California, disrupting the work of one of the nation's busiest and most asylum-friendly immigration courts.

UK leaders call for calm after Belfast stabbing sparks protests

2026-06-10

A Sudanese man accused of a vicious stabbing in north Belfast has been charged with attempted murder, and U.K. leaders urged calm Tuesday after the attack ignited anti-immigration protests that saw demonstrators torch a bus and set cars ablaze in east Belfast.

House set to vote on $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill

2026-06-09

The House of Representatives is expected to vote Tuesday on a $70 billion bill to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection through the remainder of President Donald Trump's term, ending a months-long standoff with Democrats who have blocked the agencies' funding since January.

Vance refers House fraud report on Walz, Ellison to DOJ for investigation

2026-06-09

Vice President JD Vance has referred a House oversight committee report to the Justice Department’s fraud division for criminal investigation of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison, alleging widespread fraud in state social programs. The referral, announced Tuesday on X, escalates the Trump administration’s campaign against the Democratic leaders of a state already locked in conflict with federal immigration and funding policies.

Surveillance drone deployment on Great Lakes raises privacy concerns

2026-06-09

The US Coast Guard has deployed at least six surveillance sailing drones on the Great Lakes this summer to track illicit activity, a program that rights groups and some local boaters warn could become a broad data collection project that impinges on privacy.

Federal inspectors intercept trafficked wildlife in Alaska

2026-06-09

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport last fall intercepted thousands of pounds of shark fins concealed in boxes labeled "car parts," an episode that wildlife inspector Chris Andrews said snowballed into a nationwide seizure of 1,600 pounds of fins taken from nearly 17,000 sharks.

Judge finds man accused of killing refugee on Charlotte train incompetent to stand trial

2026-06-09

A federal judge on Tuesday found Decarlos Brown Jr., the 35-year-old man accused of fatally stabbing Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail train in August 2025, incompetent to stand trial at this time, the U.S. attorney's office for the western district of North Carolina said. Brown will remain in federal custody while receiving treatment intended to restore his competency.

Alligator attacks man fleeing police in Louisiana swamp

2026-06-09

A 40-year-old man fleeing Louisiana state troopers on Sunday was attacked by an alligator after jumping into a swamp, sustaining injuries to both arms before being captured with drone assistance, authorities said Wednesday.

Wisconsin mosque leader denied diabetes care in ICE detention, attorneys say

2026-06-09

Attorneys for the president of Wisconsin's largest mosque say he has lost 30 pounds and is being denied basic medical care for diabetes while detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident, was taken into custody in April and has no criminal record in the U.S., his lawyers told a federal judge Monday.

IRS data-sharing with ICE was unreliable, inspector general finds

2026-06-08

The Taxpayer Inspector General reported Monday that the IRS provided addresses for nearly 47,000 people to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under a data-sharing agreement, but that the matching process was inconsistent and unreliable, and that ICE failed to meet safeguarding standards for confidential taxpayer information.

Baby birds hatch in Puyallup police motorcycle nest

2026-06-08

A mother bird has hatched two eggs in an unlikely nest inside the storage compartment of a not-in-service police training motorcycle in Puyallup, Washington, the Puyallup Police Department announced Sunday.

White South African refugees in Ohio face driving rules meant for immigrants

2026-06-08

An estimated 206 Afrikaner refugees have resettled in Ohio under the Trump administration's program for white South Africans, but they have encountered major obstacles from state driving laws that require $500 and up to nine months to complete — rules enacted by the same Republican-led legislature whose party prioritized their admission.

Federal case against ICE protesters collapses amid misconduct allegations

2026-06-08

The federal government dropped all charges against five activists known as the Broadview Six after a judge sharply criticized prosecutors for grand jury manipulation, marking the latest in a series of failed prosecutions of immigration protesters during the Trump administration.

Pelley says Weiss wanted 60 Minutes to echo Trump's account of shooting

2026-06-07

Fired 60 Minutes anchor Scott Pelley accused CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss of interfering with a planned segment on the killing of Minneapolis protester Renee Good, saying Weiss demanded changes that would align the report with President Trump's description of the shooting.

Oakland Museum opens first retrospective of octogenarian artist Mildred Howard

2026-06-07

The Oakland Museum of California will open "Mildred Howard: Poetics of Memory" on June 12, the first comprehensive retrospective of the 80-year-old artist's 50-year career. The exhibition draws from Howard's Oakland warehouse home and studio, where her sculptural works — from a 10-foot-tall blindfolded Junipero Serra wrapped in red to a modernist shed-roofed glass house — sit among her living spaces.

Lammy tells Vance his Nowak murder comments were 'wrong'

2026-06-07

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said he called US Vice President JD Vance and told him his comments linking the murder of British teenager Henry Nowak to a 'mass invasion of migrants' were 'wrong.' The call came after Vance posted on X that Nowak died because European elites had abandoned their values.

Over 80 arrested at Newark immigration detention center protests in recent days

2026-06-06

More than 80 people have been arrested following a series of protests outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, since late May. Demonstrators say they are gathering in solidarity with detainees over accusations of poor living conditions, as the facility has become the latest flashpoint for opposition to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.

Police officer who joined Love Island US faces hometown backlash

2026-06-06

A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania police officer who resigned less than a year after joining the force to appear as a contestant on the reality dating show Love Island USA has drawn criticism from city officials and divided residents in his hometown.

Families describe distress over 'inhumane' conditions at New Jersey ICE jail

2026-06-06

Families of immigrants detained at Delaney Hall, a private immigration detention facility in Newark, New Jersey, described severe distress over conditions inside, including medical neglect, spoiled food, and sanitation failures, as some detainees continued a hunger and labor strike that began May 22.

Maryland teen graduates high school after ICE deported his father

2026-06-06

A 17-year-old Maryland high school student walked across the stage at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County on May 28 to receive his diploma — a milestone his father, Marco, watched via livestream from Mexico after being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement before Christmas and deported to El Salvador in March.

Congress sends Trump nearly $70B to fund deportation agenda

2026-06-05

The Senate early Friday approved nearly $70 billion in additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security, virtually without conditions, providing President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign with an essentially uninterrupted flow of money through the remainder of his term. The package now heads to the Republican-controlled House.

Treasury asks banks, casinos to flag illegal immigrant labor schemes

2026-06-05

The Treasury Department on Friday issued an advisory asking financial institutions — including banks, casinos and mortgage companies — to watch for signs that employers are illegally hiring and concealing workers not authorized to work in the United States, part of the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement push.

Acting ICE director orders agency to stop reporting deaths of recently released detainees

2026-06-05

Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director David Venturella has issued a memo ordering the agency to stop reporting and investigating deaths of detainees that occur within 30 days of their release, rescinding a Biden-era policy intended to prevent the agency from avoiding accountability by releasing severely ill people from custody.

Brendan Banfield sentenced to life in Virginia double murder

2026-06-05

A Virginia judge sentenced former IRS agent Brendan Banfield to life in prison without parole Friday for the murder of his wife, Christine Banfield, and a stranger, Joseph Ryan, in a plot with an au pair with whom he was having an affair.

Virginia man sentenced to life for double murder in au pair plot

2026-06-05

Brendan Banfield, a former IRS law enforcement officer, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Friday for the aggravated murder of his wife and a man he and the family's au pair lured to the couple's Virginia home as a fall guy. Judge Penney Azcarate called the scheme "evil and calculated."

New Jersey governor faces backlash over police response at Delaney Hall protests

2026-06-05

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is facing intensifying backlash from immigrant-rights advocates and protesters who say her administration dispatched state police in riot gear to suppress demonstrations at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, where at least 300 detainees have been on a hunger and labor strike for nearly two weeks.

Dozens of children re-separated from parents despite landmark settlement

2026-06-04

Eight years after the Trump administration’s family separation policy at the U.S.-Mexico border triggered global outrage, the government has re-separated dozens of children from their families despite a landmark legal settlement meant to keep them together, an Associated Press investigation has found.

ICE detains 48 immigrants as part of South Carolina probe into fake IDs

2026-06-04

Federal and state authorities raided a South Carolina metal casting plant on Wednesday, detaining 48 workers on alleged immigration violations and arresting two company managers on charges of knowingly hiring immigrants in the U.S. illegally, state Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Thursday.

Court orders new trials for paramedics in Elijah McClain death

2026-06-04

A Colorado appeals court on Thursday reversed homicide convictions against two paramedics who injected the sedative ketamine into Elijah McClain, a 23-year-old Black man who died after a police encounter in 2019. The court ordered new trials for Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec, both Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics.

Man arrested at Sacramento airport with bomb, prosecutors say

2026-06-04

A 49-year-old Sacramento man was arrested over the weekend after attempting to pass through a security checkpoint at Sacramento International Airport carrying what federal authorities described as an explosive device powerful enough to damage an aircraft, along with a torch lighter, knife, zip ties and other items.

Louisiana Democrat demands transparency on proposed ICE family detention center

2026-06-04

Sen. Ron Wyden, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, has demanded transparency over a proposed first-of-its-kind family and child detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana, citing conflicts of interest, environmental contamination, and the absence of a public process in the facility's planning.

Jesse Calhoun pleads not guilty to murder of fifth woman in Oregon

2026-06-04

Jesse Calhoun, an accused serial killer in Oregon, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to the second-degree murder of Ashley Real, the fifth woman he is charged with killing. The arraignment in Portland came as prosecutors said they intend to try all five killings together next year.

Eight indicted for stealing $5M in cheese, beef, cigarettes

2026-06-04

Eight people were indicted in New York this week on charges of running a retail theft ring that stole nearly $5 million worth of goods, including cheese, beef, lamb, copper wiring, and cigarettes, the Manhattan district attorney's office announced Wednesday.

UK minister: Police anti-racism document 'gives wrong impression'

2026-06-03

Policing Minister Sarah Jones said a National Police Chiefs' Council anti-racism commitment document "gives the wrong impression" as the UK government faces renewed scrutiny over police treatment of Black victims in the wake of the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton.

White House aliens.gov website fuses X-Files style with immigration enforcement

2026-06-03

The White House on Wednesday launched aliens.gov, a website that repurposes the visual language of "The X-Files" to frame immigration enforcement as a campaign against extraterrestrial "invaders," using the term "aliens" — a legal designation for noncitizens — across a page designed to mimic declassified government disclosures. The site features an animated title sequence with luminous green text against a dark starry background and declares that "THEY WALK AMONG US" before pivoting to say the threat is not extraterrestrials but immigrants in the country without authorization.

McGurn's Fictional Mob: The WSJ's Cover for ICE Violence

2026-06-03

William McGurn turned his *Wall Street Journal* "Main Street" column over this week to a simple operation: construct a violent mob from a few scattered facts, pin the blame on the governor who tried to contain the violence, and sweep the federal agency at the center of the protests out of the story almost entirely.

Chicago US attorney admits personal pitch to grand jury

2026-06-03

The top federal prosecutor in Chicago acknowledged Wednesday that he personally addressed a federal grand jury in October 2025 before it indicted protesters who opposed the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps, a rare admission of direct involvement in the secretive process.

FBI kills hostage-taker, frees 10 school employees in Bakersfield

2026-06-03

The FBI shot and killed a 41-year-old man early Wednesday morning after he took 10 employees of the Kern County Superintendent of Schools hostage inside a downtown Bakersfield office building and claimed to have explosive devices strapped to himself and several of the victims, authorities said.

Mullin tells Congress ICE training will return to 'regular standards'

2026-06-03

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told the House Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will soon have to complete more than 500 hours of training, restoring the program's original length after it was cut by nearly half during a 2025 hiring push.

Senate Republicans restart debate on $72B immigration enforcement bill

2026-06-03

Senate Republicans voted Tuesday to proceed with debate on a $72 billion reconciliation package to fund immigration enforcement agencies through fiscal year 2029, resuming the effort after a delay sparked by concerns over a Trump administration proposal to compensate individuals who allege being targeted by the federal government.

Senators debate push to strip citizenship from naturalized Americans

2026-06-03

The Justice Department has opened 34 denaturalization cases and revoked the citizenship of 11 naturalized Americans since January, a significant increase from prior practice that senators debated during a Wednesday hearing. Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution argued that denaturalizing naturalized citizens who committed fraud has been too difficult, while Democrats called the effort unconstitutional and said it reflects President Donald Trump’s broader anti-immigrant agenda.

Judge orders deportation of North Carolina teen killed in 2024 shooting

2026-06-03

An immigration judge in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 21 ordered the deportation of a 19-year-old Honduran man who was fatally shot in November 2024, ruling that he failed to appear for his hearing. The judge rejected documentation of the teen's death, including police records, according to his attorney.

Police block press from Delaney Hall protests, arrest three journalists

2026-06-03

New Jersey state police and Newark police blocked journalists from covering demonstrations near the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility last week, detaining at least three news workers and denying press credentials to independent livestreamers, according to a Guardian opinion piece by Adam Rose, deputy director of advocacy at the Freedom of the Press Foundation. The actions came amid a hunger strike by ICE detainees and ongoing protests that have drawn hundreds to the facility.

Vermont school district refuses to 'bend the knee' to Trump, ICE

2026-06-03

In the small, diverse community of Winooski, Vermont, a school district of about 800 students has refused to comply with Trump administration policies on immigration enforcement and diversity programs — a stand that drew death threats, inspired a statewide law, and left its superintendent facing detention by federal agents.

Man barricaded with hostages inside Bakersfield Chase bank, police say

2026-06-02

Police in Bakersfield, California, were negotiating Tuesday night with a man holding several people hostage inside a building that houses a Chase bank branch and a school district office. Officers responded to a bomb threat call around 1 p.m. and found the man had barricaded himself inside with multiple community members.

Pentagon appoints convicted Jan. 6 rioter to counter-terrorism role

2026-06-02

The Pentagon has appointed Elias Irizarry, a man convicted for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol, to a sensitive counter-terrorism position within the Department of Defense's special operations office, according to reports from the Washington Post and The Guardian.

EU reaches deal to ramp up deportations, build detention centers abroad

2026-06-02

The European Union has agreed to a major overhaul of its migration policy that would increase deportations of people without legal status and allow member nations to build detention centers in countries outside the bloc, in a deal rights groups are comparing to Trump-era U.S. immigration enforcement.

Seven dead in Iowa shootings police say stemmed from domestic dispute

2026-06-01

At least seven people, including the suspected shooter, are dead after a series of shootings in Muscatine, Iowa, on June 1 that authorities said stemmed from a domestic dispute. The suspect, identified as Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, of Muscatine, shot six people believed to be family members at three locations across the city before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.

25-year-old man charged with murder after fatal stabbing on Atlanta commuter train

2026-06-01

MARTA police arrested John Elijah Matthews, 25, on Saturday afternoon following the fatal stabbing of Margaret Swan, 66, on a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority train at the Oakland City Station. Chief Scott Kreher said the attack was captured on train video and described as an unprovoked, random act of violence against a stranger.

60 Minutes correspondent openly criticizes new executive producer at first staff meeting

2026-06-01

Scott Pelley, a longtime "60 Minutes" correspondent, openly criticized new Executive Producer Nick Bilton and CBS News Editor in Chief Bari Weiss during Bilton's first staff meeting with the show's producers and on-air talent Monday, according to people at the gathering. Pelley questioned Bilton's qualifications and accused Weiss of "murdering" the show, drawing applause from some attendees.

Immigrant rights groups mobilize across World Cup host cities amid ICE fears

2026-06-01

More than 120 civil society groups are issuing a travel warning to the 10 million potential visitors expected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, cautioning them about the risk of detention, deportation, and arbitrary denial of entry as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement expands its footprint ahead of the tournament.

Convicted Colorado election clerk Tina Peters released from prison Monday

2026-06-01

Tina Peters, 70, a former Mesa County clerk convicted of facilitating a breach of local voting equipment, is scheduled for release from a Colorado state prison on Monday after serving nearly two years. Gov. Jared Polis granted Peters' commutation application last month, ending her incarceration after sustained political pressure from the White House.

Wembanyama leads San Antonio Spurs to NBA finals after Game 7 victory

2026-06-01

Victor Wembanyama led the San Antonio Spurs to the NBA finals on June 1, 2026, after the team defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals. The victory secured a championship-series berth for San Antonio and concluded a playoff run that tested the French center’s physical durability.

Oregon man named Loony Toon sentenced to 20 years for shooting at police

2026-06-01

Loony John Franklin Kolb Toon, a 43-year-old Oregon resident, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to firing at law enforcement officers during a June 2025 traffic stop. The Clackamas County district attorney’s office announced the ruling, which resolved the shooting case alongside outstanding criminal charges in four neighboring counties.

Virginia deputy killed during welfare check; manhunt underway

2026-06-01

Carroll County Sheriff's Deputy Logan Utt was fatally shot Friday when a man opened fire on two deputies conducting a welfare check at a home in Hillsville, Virginia, law enforcement officials said. A search was underway for the suspect.

Family visitation partly restored at New Jersey ICE facility after week of protests

2026-05-31

Family visitation was partly restored at the Delaney Hall immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday after being suspended during a week of protests prompted by a detainee hunger and labor strike. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and the Department of Homeland Security both confirmed the restoration, though they offered competing accounts of who initiated it.

ICE officer Christian Castro arrested in Texas over Minneapolis immigration crackdown shooting

2026-05-30

A federal immigration officer wanted in the January shooting of a Venezuelan man in Minneapolis was arrested Friday in Texas, authorities said, 11 days after Hennepin County prosecutors filed assault charges against him. Christian Castro, 52, of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was taken into custody in Cameron County, the southernmost county in Texas along the Mexico border.

Ghanaian mother and son with valid visas ordered deported after Dulles airport detention

2026-05-30

Annabella Gyasi, 38, arrived at Washington Dulles International Airport on May 19 with her young son, both traveling on valid visas for a medical appointment related to the boy’s severely malformed hands. Instead of receiving the scheduled care, they were detained by immigration officers after Gyasi said they had faced persecution in Ghana and feared returning, according to her lawyers. After more than a week in a windowless detention room and two hospitalizations for pregnancy complications, Gyasi felt she had no choice but to agree to return to Ghana, the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia said in a petition filed on her behalf.

Former Arcadia mayor pleads guilty to acting as illegal Chinese agent

2026-05-30

Eileen Wang, the former mayor of Arcadia, California, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of acting in the United States as an illegal agent of the Chinese government, admitting she shared articles favorable to Beijing without notifying the U.S. government as required by law, federal prosecutors said.

Former Des Moines superintendent sentenced to 2 years in citizenship case

2026-05-29

Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Iowa’s largest school district, was sentenced to two years in federal prison Friday after pleading guilty to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms. His attorneys said they expect him to be deported to his native Guyana once the sentence is served, closing a prosecution that traced a two-decade employment history to a counterfeit Social Security card and a final removal order issued in 2024.

GOP immigration bill stalls as internal disputes spill into broader legislative agenda

2026-05-28

Republican efforts to advance a $70 billion immigration enforcement bill have stalled in Congress, tripped up by disputes over White House ballroom security funding and a $1.8 billion fund for government mistreatment claims, delaying action on what was supposed to be one of the party's easier legislative wins ahead of the midterms.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara Resigns After Investigation Finds Interference

2026-05-28

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned effective immediately on Thursday, May 28, 2026, after an investigation commissioned by Mayor Jacob Frey found he had likely interfered in an internal police misconduct investigation. O’Hara, an outsider hired in 2022 to reform a department still reeling from the murder of George Floyd, became the third chief to depart in four years, deepening a leadership void in a city that has struggled to rebuild public trust in its police.

Justice Department sues four states over undercover license plates for federal agents

2026-05-28

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Washington on Thursday, alleging those states are imposing unconstitutional restrictions by refusing to issue undercover license plates to federal agents, escalating the Trump administration’s conflict with Democratic-led states over immigration enforcement.

Protesters, ICE officers clash outside Newark detention center amid hunger strike

2026-05-28

Protesters and federal immigration officers clashed Thursday outside Delaney Hall, a detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where advocates say detainees have launched a hunger strike over poor living conditions. Families of those held at the facility reported that immigrants inside were subjected to pepper spray and physical force, while New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill said state health inspectors were denied full access to the building for a planned inspection.

Stolen as a baby during Pinochet dictatorship, Chilean American reunites with birth mother

2026-05-28

Kyle Adler, a 36-year-old Chilean American, learned he was stolen from his biological mother as an infant and was adopted by an American family in 1990, the Associated Press reported. Earlier this year he reunited with his birth mother, becoming part of a wave of hundreds of Chilean adoptees using DNA tracing and nonprofit organizations to reconstruct the families that were torn apart by the regime of General Augusto Pinochet.

Judge delays custody decision for teen charged in cruise ship killing of stepsister

2026-05-27

A federal judge in Miami postponed a decision Wednesday on whether to detain a 16-year-old charged as an adult with sexually assaulting and killing his stepsister aboard a Carnival Cruise ship. U.S. Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres said he wanted to consult with the U.S. Marshals Service about housing Timothy Hudson in central Florida rather than South Florida.

Trump administration revamps green‑card process, demanding overseas applications

2026-05-27

Washington — The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Friday that foreign nationals who are already in the United States must leave the country and apply for a green card from their home nation, barring unspecified exceptions. The policy shift, unveiled by the Trump administration, could affect hundreds of thousands of applicants each year and is expected to slow processing, immigration attorneys said. Lawyers such as Flavia Santos Lloyd described the move as a “chilling effect” that may deter some candidates, while others warned it could be a scare tactic aimed at limiting legal immigration pathways.

Democratic lawmakers visit Newark detention center, allege hunger strike and poor conditions

2026-05-27

On Wednesday, a delegation of Democratic members of Congress toured Delaney Hall, a 1,000‑bed federal immigration detention center in Newark, New Jersey, where they observed detainees on a reported hunger strike and described conditions as “inhumane.” Rep. Jerry Nadler said detainees receive food portions “very often” contaminated with maggots and that the only medication provided is Tylenol. Rep. Dan Goldman warned that people held in the facility are “living in jail conditions, and none of these people are criminals.” The visit followed a series of protests outside the facility’s security gate that began Friday and have drawn criticism of ICE’s handling of the center.

The WSJ's Protester-Props Distraction Play

2026-05-27

William McGurn's Tuesday column for the *Wall Street Journal*, "Mikie Sherrill Wrongfully Blames ICE," is a blame-redirecting institutional defense — an annotated specimen in the genre we operators used to call "loading the dock with the crowd's gear." The piece asks the reader to accept a simple reversal: the federal agents whose operations have produced at least eight deaths in the first month o...

Appeals court gives Mahmoud Khalil more time to fight deportation

2026-05-27

A federal appeals court is giving former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil more time to fight the Trump administration’s efforts to deport him, extending a legal battle that has drawn attention over free speech and immigration enforcement.

Therapy dog aids Minneapolis children months after ICE crackdown ended

2026-05-27

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS, Minn. — A therapy dog named Sage is helping elementary school students in this suburban Minneapolis community process the trauma inflicted by the Trump administration's immigration enforcement surge earlier this year, when children were kept home from school to avoid arrest and at least four students were detained and sent to a Texas detention center.

USCIS requires green card applicants to leave U.S., apply abroad

2026-05-27

The Trump administration announced late last week that most foreigners in the United States seeking permanent residency will have to depart and apply for a green card from their home country, a policy shift that immigration attorneys said has sown confusion and could delay applications for hundreds of thousands of people.

ICE detainees dying by suicide at an alarming rate, AP investigation finds

2026-05-27

Detainees in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody are dying by suicide at an accelerating rate, an Associated Press investigation has found, documenting deaths across a sprawling jail network where people in mental distress were isolated, denied medical care, and cut off from family contact.

States criminalize worship service disruptions after Minnesota church protest

2026-05-27

At least four states have enacted laws this year making it a crime to disrupt religious services, a legislative response to a January protest inside a Minnesota church that drew federal charges and national outrage. Republican lawmakers in Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kansas say the laws protect worshippers from harassment and violence, while First Amendment advocates warn the statutes are broad enough to criminalize peaceful protest.

Prosecutors drop charges against activists in Chicago immigration crackdown

2026-05-27

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor abandoned a closely watched case Thursday against four activists who protested outside a federal building during an immigration crackdown last year, after a judge highlighted allegations of grand jury misconduct within his office. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros announced the dismissal in federal court following a closed-door review of grand jury transcripts, telling U.S. District Judge April Perry he was unaware until recently of the misconduct, which included a prosecutor meeting privately with a grand juror and other jurors who disagreed with the prosecution being barred from participating.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara resigns after probe interference

2026-05-27

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara resigned Tuesday rather than face disciplinary action for interfering with an internal investigation into his conduct, Mayor Jacob Frey announced. The resignation comes as the department was navigating reforms imposed after the killing of George Floyd and a recent federal immigration crackdown.

Trump raises US refugee cap for white South Africans only

2026-05-26

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will admit 10,000 additional white South Africans as refugees this year, raising the annual cap to 17,500 but restricting the program exclusively to Afrikaners. Democrats criticized the move as abandoning other refugees, including Afghan allies and those fleeing war and persecution worldwide.

Supreme Court sides with Trump in immigration judges' speech case

2026-05-26

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sided with President Donald Trump's administration in a procedural dispute over speech restrictions for immigration judges, ruling that the judges must take their free-speech challenge through the Merit Systems Protection Board rather than federal court.

Supreme Court rejects Florida lawsuit over CDLs for immigrants

2026-05-26

The Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected Florida’s long-shot attempt to sue California and Washington state over their issuance of commercial driver licenses to immigrants who are not authorized to be in the United States. The case arose from a fatal crash last year in Florida that killed three people, involving a driver carrying a valid CDL from California.

No-bond immigrant policy echoed in Tacoma before nationwide rollout

2026-05-26

By denying bond to many immigrants held on immigration charges, four Washington immigration judges in Tacoma reached a conclusion that later mirrored a broader Trump administration policy, according to an Associated Press review. The judges’ approach began in the early 2010s at the Northwest ICE Processing Center and became national after Trump administration enforcement theories were adopted in recent years. In May 2026, a separate legal setback knocked down the administration’s policy, setting up a likely Supreme Court dispute.

Washington tourist pleads not guilty to harassing Hawaiian monk seal

2026-05-26

A Washington state tourist pleaded not guilty in federal court in Honolulu to charges accusing him of hurling a rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, according to court proceedings. U.S. Magistrate Judge Rom Trader allowed the defendant to remain free while the case proceeds, but ordered him to stay away from Hawaii beaches and marine wildlife.

Clarence B. Jones, speechwriter and attorney for MLK, dies at 95

2026-05-26

Clarence B. Jones, a former speechwriter and attorney closely associated with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., died at 95, according to a statement released by his family. Jones died Friday at a senior living community in Cupertino, California, a suburb of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Appeals court pauses deportation case of former Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil

2026-05-26

A federal appeals court has put its ruling on hold, giving former Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, extra time to challenge the Trump administration’s effort to deport him. Khalil was detained last year after participating in pro‑Palestinian protests, and a New Jersey federal judge had previously freed him on constitutional grounds. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals now ordered a stay while Khalil prepares an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Spike in ICE detainee suicides since Jan. 2025

2026-05-26

An Associated Press investigation found an “alarming” spike in suicide deaths among people held by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with at least 10 deaths since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. AP reported that nine of the 10 deaths involved Hispanic men, and that the pace of suicides has outpaced growth in the detained population.

No-bond immigration policy took root in Tacoma years before Trump adopted it

2026-05-25

Four immigration judges at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, Washington, began denying bond to detained immigrants years before the Trump administration adopted the same approach nationwide — a practice now facing a likely Supreme Court showdown after an appeals court struck it down this month.

Bystander in serious condition after shooting outside White House

2026-05-25

A bystander who was struck by gunfire after a man opened fire at a White House security checkpoint Saturday remained in serious but stable condition on Sunday, authorities said. The Secret Service said the wounded bystander was not in life-threatening condition, and the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department identified the suspect as 21-year-old Nasire Best.

Travel industry condemns Mullin idea to withhold customs at sanctuary airports

2026-05-25

The travel industry condemned a threat by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in so-called “sanctuary cities,” saying the move could jeopardize international flights. The U.S. Travel Association and major airline industry groups urged the administration not to reduce Customs staffing at major airports, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said it “doesn’t make sense” to restrict travel based on political views.

DHS’s homeland security mission traces to post-9/11 unity, history shows

2026-05-24

“Homeland security” has become a shorthand for political insecurity in Washington as lawmakers miss a funding deadline for parts of the Department of Homeland Security, NPR reported. A late-session funding impasse in the U.S. Senate left key components, including the Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, without restored money as the summer and the federal fiscal year ramp up. The NPR analysis traces how the department was originally built in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001 to unify fragmented security functions—only to become a recurring target in partisan brinkmanship.

Man fatally shot by Secret Service after opening fire near White House

2026-05-23

A man who opened fire near a White House security checkpoint Saturday evening was fatally shot by Secret Service officers, the agency said. The suspect was identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, who had a prior arrest for attempting to enter a different White House checkpoint.

Teen in San Diego mosque shooting flagged for Nazi idolization

2026-05-23

Caleb Vazquez, one of two teenagers who killed three people in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego this week, was flagged to law enforcement last year for exhibiting alarming behavior and idolizing Nazis, court records show. Officers obtained a court order in January 2025 to remove 26 guns from his home under a California law that allows firearm confiscation from people considered dangerous.

Takano links Trump immigration raids to WWII Japanese detentions

2026-05-23

In an interview with The Associated Press, Rep. Mark Takano compared current U.S. immigration raids to the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Takano said his family—his father, William, and his mother, Nancy Tsugiye Sakamoto—were detained as children, and he described what he called “similar arguments” used today about immigrants posing a threat to national security.

As Memorial Day sales surge, veterans say holiday's solemn meaning is being lost

2026-05-23

Memorial Day, the U.S. holiday established to honor fallen service members, has increasingly become defined by retail sales and summer travel rather than its original purpose of mourning the dead, according to veterans and historians. Iraq War veteran Edmundo Eugenio Martinez Jr., who lost 17 comrades during and after the war, said Americans routinely 'conflate and mix up Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, July Fourth,' a shift he argues erases the holiday's focus on those who died.

Trump’s green-card change would send some applicants abroad to apply

2026-05-23

The Trump administration announced that many foreigners in the U.S. seeking a green card will have to leave and apply from their home countries, with USCIS officers deciding whether an applicant qualifies for “extraordinary circumstances.” The shift, announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, marks a break from a decadeslong “adjustment of status” process that let many people complete the path to permanent residence while in the United States.

San Francisco immigration court closes as judges are fired, retired or resign

2026-05-23

San Francisco’s main immigration court shut its doors on May 1 after a sweeping purge of its judges, leaving the city without a primary venue for asylum hearings. The court, which once had 21 judges when President Donald Trump took office, was reduced to just two remaining judges by the time it closed, according to the Associated Press. The shutdown is the latest sign of turmoil in the federal immigration‑court system under the Trump administration.

Oklahoma’s new expungement law targets automatic clean-slate process

2026-05-23

Oklahoma lawmakers passed a bill to expand expungement access through an online request portal and an automatic expungement system, aiming for eligibility to be cleared by the end of 2029. The law, signed by Gov. Kevin Stitt in May, is expected to help people who have completed sentences whose records still block jobs, housing and other opportunities, advocates say.

Ex-judges warn feds are micromanaging Massachusetts immigration courts

2026-05-23

Two former immigration judges who worked in Massachusetts said federal actions are undermining judicial independence and increasing pressure on judges, after the Executive Office for Immigration Review terminated several judges when their two-year probation ended. Nina Fróes said she received a “NOTICE OF NON-CONVERSION” email that cut short her April 10 hearing at the Chelmsford Immigration Court. Another former judge, Sarah Cade, said she resigned after being told judges were expected to grant more stipulated removal requests and that administrative closure options were curtailed.

Ex-Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to intervene in deportation

2026-05-23

Former Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyers asked the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene after a federal appeals court declined to rehear a ruling that put the government one step closer to deporting him. The American Civil Liberties Union said Khalil will seek an order from the 3rd Circuit to pause any detention or deportation while it asks the high court to take up the case.

Michigan House OKs bill giving Mackinac Island control of ferry rates

2026-05-23

The Michigan House on Thursday passed a bill that would give Mackinac Island authority over ferry services, including prices for fares, parking, and baggage handling. The legislation now goes to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and it would take effect only if a majority of island residents approve the charter amendment.

Judge dismisses human smuggling case of Abrego Garcia, citing vindictive prosecution

2026-05-23

A federal judge in Tennessee dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a ruling that should have blocked it. The judge found evidence of “vindictive prosecution” by the Justice Department, according to a timeline of the case reported by The Associated Press.

Judge dismisses human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

2026-05-23

A federal judge dismissed a human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, saying prosecutors pursued the charges to punish him for challenging a mistaken deportation to El Salvador last year. The judge found the government’s case showed “presumptive vindictiveness,” and he dismissed the charges in Nashville, Tennessee.

Confused about Big Bend border wall plans? Here’s where things stand

2026-05-23

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has outlined 30-foot-high steel bollard wall plans for a 175-mile stretch of the U.S.-Mexico border in West Texas and said no such physical wall is planned inside Big Bend National Park, while a separate project would add vehicle barriers, sensors and patrol roads. Local officials in Brewster County, the surrounding communities and several advocacy groups say the details have changed and argue the work could harm the park’s wildlife and dark skies.

Lawmakers hear views on Trump plan to privatize TSA screening at 250 airports

2026-05-23

House Homeland Security Committee members held a hearing on Wednesday about ways to modernize the Transportation Security Administration as the Trump administration seeks to shift screening work to private contractors at about 250 smaller U.S. airports. The discussion turned on whether TSA officers would keep getting paid during future government shutdowns and on how airport screening should be funded and staffed.

Prosecutors drop charges against activists in Chicago immigration crackdown

2026-05-23

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor dropped remaining charges against four activists who protested outside a federal building during last year’s immigration crackdown, after a judge scrutinized allegations of grand jury misconduct. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros dismissed the case against Andre Martin, Brian Straw, Michael Rabbitt and Kat Abughazaleh, saying he learned recently of the alleged misconduct reflected in redacted grand jury materials.

Travel industry condemns Mullin plan to pull customs officers from sanctuary airports

2026-05-23

The travel industry condemned Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin after he reiterated a threat to withdraw U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from airports in “sanctuary cities,” a move the industry says could disrupt international flights. The U.S. Travel Association said Mullin confirmed in a meeting that he is considering the change, which the group and major airlines called detrimental to travel and tourism.

Trump administration to require many green-card applicants to apply abroad

2026-05-23

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration said foreigners in the U.S. who want a green card will generally have to leave and apply in their home country, in a change announced Friday by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The agency said nonimmigrants should not use a temporary stay as the first step in the green-card process, while immigration lawyers and aid groups said the policy could disrupt families and affect people already in the green-card pipeline.

Teen flagged in mosque shooting; court records show prior gun confiscation

2026-05-22

One of the teenagers who killed three people at a San Diego mosque this week was flagged to law enforcement last year for alarming behavior and idolizing Nazis, according to court records. Police obtained a court order in January 2025 to remove 26 guns from the teen’s home under a California law that allows confiscation of firearms from people considered dangerous.

GOP rift over Trump $1.8B settlement fund delays immigration bill

2026-05-22

Senate Republicans left Washington on Thursday without voting on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, citing frustration with the White House and a dispute over whether to try to block a $1.776 billion settlement fund tied to the Justice Department’s resolution of a lawsuit by Trump allies. The delay followed a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and growing anger within the GOP over Trump’s involvement in politics, including his endorsement in a Texas Senate primary runoff.

Trump immigration raids remind Rep. Mark Takano of WWII Japanese detentions

2026-05-22

Rep. Mark Takano said immigration raids in communities in Southern California have stirred memories of the World War II detention of his parents as “enemy aliens.” He said his father and mother were each sent as young children to incarceration sites after the U.S. forcibly relocated people of Japanese ancestry.

Judge dismisses Abrego Garcia charges, citing vindictive prosecution

2026-05-22

A federal judge in Tennessee on Thursday dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ruling that the Justice Department engaged in "vindictive prosecution" of the Salvadoran national. The decision closes the criminal case against Abrego Garcia, whose immigration saga has drawn national attention since he was deported to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a court order blocking his removal.

Judge dismisses human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia

2026-05-22

A federal judge in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday dismissed the Justice Department’s human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, finding the prosecution was brought in retaliation for Abrego Garcia’s successful challenge to his mistaken deportation to El Salvador last year. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw ruled the charges amounted to selective or vindictive prosecution and said the evidence reflected “an abuse of prosecuting power.” The ruling is an extraordinary rebuke of a Justice Department that, under President Donald Trump, has faced repeated accusations of targeting defendants for political purposes.

First Big Bend border wall contracts awarded amid shifting, undisclosed changes

2026-05-22

Three federal contracts totaling more than $3.1 billion have been awarded for the first-ever construction of border walls in West Texas’s Big Bend region, but the Trump administration has disclosed few details about the project’s shifting route and timeline, according to reporting by Marfa Public Radio and the Associated Press.

New Oklahoma law aims to make criminal record expungement automatic

2026-05-22

A sweeping new Oklahoma law seeks to transform the state's criminal record expungement system from an application-based process to an automatic one, a change advocates say will remove barriers to housing and employment for hundreds of thousands of residents with past convictions.

Congress delays vote on ICE funding after GOP infighting flares

2026-05-22

Congress delayed a vote on immigration enforcement funding after Republican infighting disrupted a planned path to pass the measure through a reconciliation bill, NPR reported. House and Senate Republicans left for a weeklong recess without meeting President Trump’s June 1 deadline for the next three years of ICE funding.

DHS says ICE has no relationship with Paragon Solutions spyware maker

2026-05-22

The Department of Homeland Security told NPR that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has “no relationship” with spyware company Paragon Solutions. The clarification follows questions about whether ICE reactivated a previously paused Paragon contract and whether it complied with a 2023 executive order restricting federal agencies’ use of commercial spyware.

GOP senators delay immigration funding as anti-weaponization fund raises doubts

2026-05-22

Congress is set to leave for a weeklong recess without passing a Republican-backed plan to fund immigration enforcement for the next three years, NPR reported. NPR said some Senate Republicans withdrew support after President Donald Trump announced a separate $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” with expectations that any change in funding timelines depends on whether that issue is resolved.

Trump’s Latino vote gains face test as ICE raids and costs bite

2026-05-22

Phoenix voters who supported Donald Trump in 2024 are weighing whether to stick with him as immigration enforcement and the cost of living reshape their views. An Associated Press reporting trip in south Phoenix found some Trump supporters describing regret after seeing immigration raids and saying prices have squeezed household budgets. At the national level, polling cited by Pew Research Center shows a sharper drop in approval among Latinos who voted for Trump than among non-Latino voters.

Ex-Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil asks Supreme Court to intervene

2026-05-22

Former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in his effort to block deportation after a federal appeals court declined to rehear his case. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia voted 6-5 against a full-court review, according to his lawyers and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Trump administration mandates green card applicants leave U.S. to apply abroad

2026-05-22

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Friday that foreigners who are temporarily in the United States and wish to become lawful permanent residents must return to their home country to file a green‑card application, except in “extraordinary circumstances,” the agency said. The policy overturns a practice that for more than half a century let visa holders adjust status without leaving the country. Immigration experts warned the change could trap families and create a “catch‑22” for applicants from nations where U.S. consular services are unavailable.

Florida executes Richard Knight for 2002 killing of woman and child

2026-05-22

A Florida man convicted of fatally stabbing his cousin’s girlfriend and the couple’s 4-year-old daughter was executed Thursday evening, officials said. Richard Knight, 47, was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. after a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeal without comment earlier that day, and his statement before the injection included thanks to Yahweh.

Where things stand on Big Bend border wall plans

2026-05-22

Confused about whether the Trump administration plans a new border wall in the Big Bend region? U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s latest plans call for 30-foot-high steel bollard walls along about 175 miles of the border in Hudspeth, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties, while CBP says it is not planning a similar wall inside Big Bend National Park.

Arizona executes Leroy Dean McGill for 2002 killing by setting him on fire

2026-05-22

FLORENCE, Ariz. — Arizona put inmate Leroy Dean McGill to death Wednesday for the 2002 killing of Charles Perez, authorities said. Prosecutors said McGill threw gasoline at Perez and his girlfriend, lit them on fire, and Perez later died, while his girlfriend survived. McGill was pronounced dead at 10:26 a.m. PDT after lethal injection at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence.

Ex-judges warn federal “micromanaging” is destabilizing Massachusetts immigration courts

2026-05-22

Former immigration judges in Massachusetts said federal changes since 2025 have led to judge terminations at the end of probation, pressure to follow agency priorities, and a shrinking asylum caseload, as appellate guidance shifts and immigration courts struggle with large removal backlogs. In interviews cited by The New Bedford Light and distributed by The Associated Press, judges described internal directives, procedural constraints, and concerns that the changes are making the system harder to manage.

House panel discusses TSA modernization as Trump seeks private screening

2026-05-22

House Homeland Security Committee members held a hearing on ways to modernize the Transportation Security Administration on May 20, as the Trump administration pushes for airport screening to be handled by private contractors at some airports. Lawmakers also focused on morale and pay after TSA officers went without pay during prior funding lapses. The panel heard from aviation and airport leaders as well as from the union that represents TSA workers.

Judge dismisses human smuggling charges against man mistakenly deported to El Salvador

2026-05-22

A federal judge in Tennessee dismissed a human smuggling case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ruling prosecutors brought the charges after his mistaken deportation to El Salvador last year for what the judge described as selective or vindictive prosecution. The judge, Waverly Crenshaw, said the Justice Department’s pursuit of the case was tied to Abrego Garcia’s successful challenge to the removal, while the Justice Department said it will appeal.

Texas suspends Camp Mystic nurse license for inaction during deadly flood

2026-05-22

The Texas Board of Nursing suspended the nursing license of Camp Mystic co-director Mary Liz Eastland, a registered nurse and the camp’s medical officer, citing inaction during last year’s catastrophic Guadalupe River flood. The board said allowing Eastland to continue practicing would pose a “continuing and imminent threat to public welfare,” according to an order signed Tuesday by executive director Kristin Benton.

Turmoil shuts San Francisco immigration court, leaving asylum cases in limbo

2026-05-22

San Francisco’s main federal immigration court shut down May 1 after most of its judges were fired, retired or resigned during a White House purge, an Associated Press report said. The remaining two judges will handle cases from a different federal building in the city that is part of an immigration court across the bay in Concord, where security has tightened as filings shifted. Attorneys and court insiders said the move has disrupted asylum proceedings and increased uncertainty for people seeking protection.

GOP rift over Trump $1.8B settlement fund delays immigration bill

2026-05-21

Senate Republicans left Washington without voting Thursday on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, as frustration grew over whether to block a new $1.8 billion settlement fund tied to compensating Trump allies. The dispute followed a Justice Department announcement this week and a tense meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Democratic and Republican leaders said.

U.S. orders passenger to stay in hantavirus quarantine, sparking dispute

2026-05-21

A U.S. federal quarantine order has required an American passenger to remain confined after returning from a cruise where a hantavirus outbreak sickened passengers, NPR reported. The passenger, Angela Perryman, said in an interview that she feels “betrayed” and plans to challenge the order in court.

Education Dept hires for student aid after firing thousands

2026-05-21

The U.S. Department of Education fired thousands of workers last year, but the agency’s Office of Federal Student Aid is now adding about 380 new employees, according to internal documents obtained by NPR. The hires come as the Education Department seeks to shift some federal student-aid work to other agencies through new interagency agreements.

Catholic diocese fights federal bid to seize land for border wall

2026-05-21

A Catholic diocese is challenging a federal eminent domain lawsuit seeking to take some land associated with Mount Cristo Rey, which the diocese calls a holy site. Federal officials say the land is needed for additional border wall infrastructure, while the diocese argues the seizure would burden the free exercise of religion.

House committee weighs TSA privatization as officers endure unpaid work during shutdowns

2026-05-21

A bipartisan House Homeland Security hearing on Wednesday highlighted plans to privatize airport screening at roughly 250 smaller U.S. airports while Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers have faced weeks of work without pay during recent government shutdowns. Committee Chairman Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R‑NY) said TSA officers logged a total of 119 shutdown‑impacted days between the 2025 and 2026 shutdowns, amounting to roughly 40 % of the fiscal year, yet continued to carry out one of the nation’s most critical security missions. Lawmakers also confronted President Donald Trump’s FY 2027 budget proposal, which would allocate $477.3 million for private contractors to take over screening at the targeted airports and cut more than 4,500 TSA positions to save $529.3 million in compensation and benefits. Critics warned that the move could jeopardize aviation safety and undermine the morale of a workforce already strained by pay uncertainty.

More Republicans back Trump on immigration than economy, poll finds

2026-05-21

Republicans’ approval of President Donald Trump’s handling of the economy has fallen since February, an AP-NORC poll released May 20 finds, even as many GOP voters continue to support his approach. At the same time, the poll finds Trump’s approval rating on immigration is higher among Republicans than his approval on the economy.

Deaths at Michigan women’s prison renew concerns over medical care

2026-05-21

Michigan Department of Corrections confirmed that Rebecca Fackler, 57, died Sunday at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility, days after another inmate, Khaira Howard, 28, died, renewing scrutiny of medical care and conditions at the state’s only women’s prison in Ypsilanti. The department said it does not suspect foul play and that staff and emergency medical services performed life-saving measures in both cases. Attorneys and lawmakers said the deaths are the latest in what they describe as long-running failures tied to staffing, treatment access and facility conditions.

Ohio woman acquitted in illegal voting case after entrapment finding

2026-05-21

A judge in Franklin County, Ohio, acquitted Maria Dearaujo on May 20 of illegally voting in the 2018 election when she was not a U.S. citizen. Judge Chris Brown said a defense entrapment argument succeeded, citing Dearaujo’s testimony that she voted only after advice from a Bureau of Motor Vehicles clerk.

Prosecutors drop charges against Chicago activists in immigration case

2026-05-21

Chicago’s top federal prosecutor dismissed remaining charges against four activists who protested outside a federal building during last year’s immigration crackdown after a judge raised questions about alleged grand jury misconduct by the prosecutor’s office, the Associated Press reported.

Trump order pushes banks to check customers' citizenship status

2026-05-21

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing banks and regulators to look for signs that some customers may lack legal status. The order is part of the administration’s broader push to clamp down on people living in the country illegally, and it frames banks’ credit risk if customers are deported.

Minnesota business leaders urge de-escalation after federal shootings

2026-05-21

More than 60 Minnesota business leaders, including the CEOs of Target, Best Buy and UnitedHealth Group, issued an open letter calling for state, local and federal officials to de-escalate tensions following fatal shootings by federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation. The letter, posted on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website on Sunday, came as protests and business pressure have mounted against companies perceived as insufficiently vocal on the enforcement surge.

GOP rift over Trump $1.8B settlement fund delays immigration bill

2026-05-20

Senate Republicans abruptly left Washington on Thursday without voting on a roughly $70 billion bill to fund immigration enforcement agencies, delaying action until after Memorial Day amid GOP infighting over a proposed $1.776 billion settlement fund for Trump allies who claim political persecution.

Teens kill 3 at San Diego mosque; police investigate as hate crime

2026-05-20

Two teenage shooters opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men and then fatally shooting themselves a few blocks away, police said. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators found evidence the suspects used “generalized hate rhetoric” and are looking into what led up to the attack.

GOP rift over Trump's $1.8B settlement fund delays immigration enforcement bill

2026-05-20

Senate Republicans abruptly postponed a vote Thursday on a roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement funding bill, stymied by internal revolt over a newly announced $1.8 billion Justice Department settlement fund and an abandoned White House security package that had drawn derision as a “billion-dollar ballroom.”

Relaxed inspections may have contributed to engine coming off UPS MD-11

2026-05-20

The National Transportation Safety Board said a flaw tied to engine mounting parts went unnoticed on a UPS MD-11 before a crash last year that killed 15 people. In testimony during a two-day hearing, NTSB officials and aviation experts described how an inspection schedule had been relaxed after Boeing sought to check critical parts less often, with the FAA approving the change after a month-long review.

House committee discusses privatizing TSA screening at 250 airports

2026-05-20

House Homeland Security lawmakers held a hearing on Wednesday on how to “modernize” the Transportation Security Administration, as the Trump administration pushes to shift airport screening to private contractors at about 250 smaller airports. The discussion included bipartisan concerns about keeping TSA officers paid during government shutdowns and ensuring the agency has technology to carry out security work.

Trump order pushes banks to check customers’ citizenship status

2026-05-20

The order, signed by President Donald Trump in Washington Tuesday, directs regulators and agencies to look for signs that people without legal status are opening accounts or obtaining loans. But it is less sweeping than earlier reporting suggested, offering guidance to banks rather than making citizenship-data collection mandatory.

Arizona executes Leroy Dean McGill for killing Charles Perez with fire

2026-05-20

An Arizona inmate, Leroy Dean McGill, was executed Wednesday in Florence after being convicted of murdering Charles Perez by setting him on fire in 2002. Officials said the lethal injection proceeded without significant disruption, and McGill was pronounced dead at 10:26 a.m. PDT.

Hartford ex-officer Joseph Magnano charged in fatal knife shooting

2026-05-20

A former Hartford police officer has been charged with manslaughter in the Feb. 27 fatal shooting of Steven Jones, a 55-year-old Black man whom witnesses described as suffering a mental health crisis and holding a large knife, the Connecticut Inspector General said. Joseph Magnano was fired by the Hartford Police Department after the shooting and turned himself in to state authorities before the charge was filed.

Iranian family detained seeks release after green cards revoked over 1979 role

2026-05-20

An Iranian family detained in U.S. immigration facilities is seeking release after the government moved to deport them, saying their green cards were revoked because of ties to Masoumeh Ebtekar, known during the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis as “Sister Mary.” A federal judge has temporarily barred deportations while the family challenges the legality of their detention.

Justice Department sues Connecticut over law restricting masks and IDs for ICE

2026-05-20

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit against Connecticut over a new state law that bars federal agents from wearing masks and requires them to display identification during operations in the state. The department said the measure is “blatantly unconstitutional,” arguing that the federal government has supremacy over state rules for federal agents. Connecticut officials and lawmakers said the law is needed for public safety and assert the state has authority over policing and public areas.

Ohio judge acquits Maria Dearaujo of illegally voting as a noncitizen

2026-05-20

A judge in Franklin County, Ohio, acquitted Maria Dearaujo of illegally voting as a noncitizen, ruling that prosecutors failed to overcome an entrapment defense. The decision came Tuesday, when Franklin County Common Pleas Judge Chris Brown said Dearaujo’s testimony matched documentary evidence and that a Bureau of Motor Vehicles clerk helped lead her to register. Dearaujo was 63 at the time of the alleged conduct and later became a U.S. citizen.

Republicans weigh dropping $1B security bid for Trump’s White House ballroom

2026-05-20

Republican senators are weighing whether to drop a $1 billion security money request for the White House complex and President Donald Trump’s ballroom after it failed to win enough support inside the Republican Party. The proposal was attached to a larger roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement bill to restore funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, but GOP lawmakers raised questions about cost, limited details from the White House and U.S. Secret Service, and how the money would be used. Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday that leaders are working through “ongoing vote issues” and “ongoing parliamentarian issues” as they test whether the changes can pass under Senate rules.

Two deaths at Michigan women’s prison renew concerns over medical care

2026-05-20

Two inmates died within days of each other at Michigan’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility, the state’s only women’s prison, renewing concerns about medical care and conditions. The Michigan Department of Corrections confirmed that Khaira Howard, 28, died last Thursday and that Rebecca Fackler, 57, died on Sunday, and said both deaths are under investigation. Attorneys and lawmakers allege chronic staffing shortages, treatment failures, and problems communicating with families during medical emergencies.

Arizona executes inmate for killing a man by fire in 2002

2026-05-19

Arizona on Wednesday executed Leroy Dean McGill, 63, for the 2002 killing of Charles Perez, who died after McGill threw gasoline on him and lit a match during an attack in a north Phoenix apartment. McGill was pronounced dead at 10:26 a.m. PDT following a lethal injection at the Arizona State Prison Complex in Florence.

Minnesota charges ICE officer with assault in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-19

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty on Monday charged Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Christian Castro with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

FBI says San Diego mosque shooters met online, shared white supremacist views

2026-05-19

Two teenagers who killed three people in an attack on a San Diego mosque on May 18 met online where they shared white supremacist views and authored writings expressing hatred toward Jewish people, Muslims, Black people, the LGBTQ+ community, women, and both the political left and right, according to FBI agent Mark Remily and texts obtained by the Associated Press.

Autopsy confirms Arizona ICE detainee's death linked to dental problems

2026-05-19

An autopsy report released Monday confirmed that the death of Emmanuel Damas, a 56-year-old Haitian man who died after spending months at an Arizona immigration detention facility, was related to his severe dental problems, while also noting that he declined recommendations to have his problematic teeth removed.

Man arrested day after judge bans ICE arrests at NYC immigration courts

2026-05-19

A federal judge barred ICE agents from routinely arresting people attending immigration court proceedings in New York City, ruling that appearing for a hearing should not carry the risk of detention. A day after the order, a 21-year-old man was arrested inside a federal building covered by the ruling, raising questions about compliance.

Trump order pushes banks to check customers' citizenship status

2026-05-19

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing banks and regulators to look for signs that customers without legal status are opening accounts or obtaining credit. The order, announced Tuesday, frames the move as a way to prevent credit and financial-system risks tied to customers who could be deported.

Minnesota charges ICE agent in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-19

Hennepin County prosecutors announced charges Monday against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the Jan. 14, nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

Iranian family linked to 1979 hostage crisis seeks release from detention

2026-05-19

An Iranian family detained in immigration custody in Texas is seeking release after U.S. authorities arrested them in Los Angeles over their familial ties to Masoumeh Ebtekar, known during the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis as “Sister Mary.” A federal judge temporarily barred deportation after the family filed petitions challenging the legality of their detention.

Judge bars most ICE arrests at NYC immigration courts; man detained

2026-05-19

A federal judge in New York barred federal agents from routinely detaining people who arrive for proceedings at the city’s immigration courts, saying they should not face arrest to pursue asylum or attend deportation hearings. A day after the ruling, immigrant advocates said a 21-year-old man was arrested in a Manhattan federal building covered by the court order.

Officer charged in fatal shooting of Black man in mental distress

2026-05-19

A Connecticut state investigation has charged former Hartford police officer Joseph Magnano with manslaughter in the Feb. 27 shooting of Steven Jones, 55, who police said had a knife during a mental health crisis. Officials said Magnano failed to de-escalate and did not make reasonable attempts to use non-lethal force before firing nine shots. Jones’ family’s attorney called the charge a step toward accountability.

Pentagon watchdog to evaluate U.S. boat-strike targeting framework

2026-05-19

The Pentagon inspector general will evaluate whether the U.S. military followed a targeting framework when it carried out attacks on dozens of alleged drug-smuggling boats in Latin America, killing nearly 200 people, the Pentagon and a letter to Defense Department officials showed. The review focuses on a six-phase “Joint Targeting Cycle” described in a May 11 letter and was described by the inspector general’s office as “self-initiated.”

Teen shooters kill 3 at San Diego mosque, then themselves, police say

2026-05-19

Two teenage shooters opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men and then killing themselves a few blocks away, San Diego police said. Police said they found evidence the suspects engaged in “generalized hate rhetoric,” and investigators are treating the attack as a hate crime.

Iranian family detained over 1979 hostage crisis link demands release

2026-05-19

An Iranian family living in the United States for a decade is demanding release from immigration detention after being arrested because of their relation to Masoumeh Ebtekar, a central figure in the 1979 U.S. Embassy hostage crisis in Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in April he was revoking the family's green cards over their ties to Ebtekar, and a federal judge has temporarily barred the government from deporting them.

Autopsy links Arizona ICE detainee Emmanuel Damas’ death to dental issues

2026-05-19

An autopsy report released Monday said the death of Haitian man Emmanuel Damas after months in an Arizona immigration detention facility was related to his dental problems, following a claim by his family. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office said Damas died from complications of a chest infection with abscesses in his neck and throat and that his severe dental problems were part of the cause.

Connecticut sued over law banning masks, requiring ID for ICE agents

2026-05-19

The U.S. Department of Justice sued Connecticut and Gov. Ned Lamont and Attorney General William Tong over a new state law that bans federal immigration enforcement officers from wearing masks while on duty and requires them to display identification. The lawsuit, filed Friday, argues the law conflicts with federal authority under the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause.

Shooting at San Diego mosque kills 3; both teenage shooters are dead

2026-05-18

Two teenage gunmen opened fire at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday, killing three men, and then killed themselves a few blocks away, police said. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wahl said investigators are looking into the attack as a hate crime after finding evidence the suspects used “generalized hate rhetoric.” Officers were searching for one of the teenagers before the shooting after his mother called police, authorities said.

Federal officer shoots and kills Minneapolis man in immigration sweep

2026-05-18

A federal immigration officer shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse who had protested President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, during an enforcement operation Saturday in Minneapolis, drawing hundreds of protesters onto the streets in sub-zero weather.

Man wounded in Border Patrol exchange of gunfire near Arizona border

2026-05-18

A man was wounded on January 27 after exchanging gunfire with U.S. Border Patrol agents near the Arizona-Mexico border, according to authorities. Patrick Gary Schlegel, 34, of Arizona, fired at a Border Patrol helicopter and at agents during an apprehension attempt near Arivaca, Arizona, about 10 miles from the border. Agents returned fire, striking Schlegel, who was transported to a hospital and recovering from surgery, said Heith Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI in Phoenix.

Trump administration plans to admit more white South Africans as refugees

2026-05-18

The Trump administration said it will admit up to 17,500 Afrikaners, a group of white South Africans descended mainly from Dutch settlers, as refugees through the U.S. fiscal year ending in September. In an emergency notice to Congress, the State Department said it will admit the group because their status leaves them vulnerable to discrimination and persecution, and it cited “unforeseen developments in South Africa” that created an emergency. The administration’s plans were described by AP as it said it will consult with lawmakers later this week.

Officer Joseph Magnano charged in Steven Jones fatal knife shooting

2026-05-18

A former Hartford police officer, Joseph Magnano, has been charged with manslaughter after a Connecticut investigation into his fatal shooting of Steven Jones, a Black man in mental distress, concluded he failed to de-escalate. Magnano was fired by the Hartford Police Department after the Feb. 27 shooting. The Connecticut Inspector General said in an arrest warrant that Jones did not pose an imminent threat to bystanders and that Magnano had space to back away, but did not use non-lethal force.

San Diego mosque attack: FBI says teens met online, left hate writings

2026-05-18

Two teenagers who shot and killed three people during an attack on the Islamic Center of San Diego met online and left writings expressing hate, the FBI said. The FBI said the pair shared white supremacist views and referred to themselves as “Sons of Tarrant,” an apparent reference to the 2019 mosque attacker in Christchurch, New Zealand. Cain Clark, 17, and Caleb Vazquez, 18, killed themselves after the Monday attack, police said.

Autopsy links Haitian detainee’s Arizona death to severe dental problems

2026-05-18

PHOENIX (AP) — An autopsy report released this week found that the death of a Haitian man detained for months at an Arizona immigration detention facility was related to his dental problems, which prosecutors said began with tooth pain that progressed to a serious infection. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office concluded Emmanuel Damas died from complications of a chest infection with abscesses in his neck and throat.

Judge bans most ICE arrests near New York immigration courts, then arrest follows

2026-05-18

A federal judge in New York barred U.S. immigration agents from routinely detaining people who arrive to attend proceedings at immigration courts in Manhattan. A day after the ruling, a 21-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in a federal building covered by the court order, according to immigrant-rights advocates. The judge said the government has an interest in enforcing immigration laws but also a serious interest in letting people attend hearings without fear of arrest.

Minnesota charges ICE agent with assault in Jan. 14 shooting of Venezuelan man

2026-05-18

A Minnesota county prosecutor announced charges Monday against an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the nonfatal shooting of Venezuelan man Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The officer, Christian Castro, was charged with four counts of second-degree assault and one count of falsely reporting a crime in the Jan. 14 incident, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. Castro, 52, was not in custody, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Woman shot by Border Patrol agent pleads guilty to illegal entry

2026-05-18

A woman shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty to illegally entering the United States and was sentenced to one year of probation. Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras appeared by video from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, for the federal court hearing in Portland in January. She will not serve time in prison but will have location monitoring and nighttime curfew requirements during her probation, according to court records.

Families protest Texas detention of 5-year-old boy and father

2026-05-18

Immigrant families protested Saturday at a Texas detention facility where a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father are being held after their detention in Minnesota this week. Dozens of families gathered at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, holding signs reading 'Libertad para los niños'—'Liberty for the kids'—and calling for freedom for children, according to aerial photographs obtained by the Associated Press.

Judge refuses to block DHS policy on Congressional ICE visits

2026-05-18

A federal judge Monday refused to block a Department of Homeland Security policy requiring members of Congress to provide a week's notice before visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The decision came after three Democratic representatives from Minnesota — Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig — were turned away from an ICE facility near Minneapolis early this month, three days after an ICE officer shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee Good in the city.

Video contradicts federal account of Minneapolis nurse's death

2026-05-18

In January, Border Patrol officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Trump administration officials quickly characterized Pretti as an armed threat intent on harming agents. But bystander video obtained by The Associated Press contradicts key elements of that account.

Border wall construction desecrates sacred Indigenous sites, tribal leaders say

2026-05-17

Federal contractors are blasting and bulldozing Native American sacred sites — including a mountain revered by the Kumeyaay Nation, a 1,000-year-old geoglyph in Arizona, and a shrine atop a New Mexico peak — as the Trump administration accelerates border wall construction under waivers of environmental and cultural laws, tribal leaders and government records show.

Indigenous leaders decry US border-wall work desecrating sacred sites

2026-05-17

Indigenous leaders on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border say federal contractors blasting and bulldozing for new border-wall sections have damaged or desecrated sacred and cultural sites, including Kuuchamaa Mountain in California. The Associated Press reported that the construction has accelerated after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security waived cultural and environmental laws.

Sides negotiate to end LIRR strike ahead of Monday morning commute

2026-05-17

Negotiators were working into the night Sunday to try to end a strike that has shut down the Long Island Rail Road, North America’s largest commuter rail system, as the first weekday morning commute loomed. Unions representing rail workers and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority resumed talks earlier in the day, with the National Mediation Board and Gov. Kathy Hochul pressing for a deal before Monday.

4 crew members eject safely after 2 Navy jets collide at Idaho air show

2026-05-17

Boise, Idaho officials said all four crew members ejected safely after two U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler jets collided and crashed Sunday during an air show at Mountain Home Air Force Base in western Idaho. The base locked down immediately, canceled the remainder of the show, and the Navy is leading an investigation, according to officials.

Argentine group hosts Ratapalooza to rehome lab rats and mice

2026-05-17

Buenos Aires’ annual Ratapalooza event helps rehome lab rats and mice raised in research facilities, organizers said. Team Ratas, a Spanish-language rodent rescue group, holds the adoption-focused fair where fosters care for the animals before they are put up for adoption. The event comes as some people express concern about rodents amid Argentina’s current hantavirus outbreak.

Costa Rica receives second group of US deportees under Trump agreement

2026-05-17

Costa Rica received a second group of migrants deported from the United States in April under a bilateral agreement negotiated by the Trump administration. The group of 30 deportees included eight Costa Ricans, eight Brazilians, three Romanians, and nationals from Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, China, Ireland, India, Vietnam, and Belarus.

Ex-NYPD sergeant freed on bail during manslaughter appeal

2026-05-17

A former New York City police sergeant can remain free on bail while he appeals his conviction for throwing a cooler at a suspect who then crashed and died, a state appellate court judge ruled in April. Erik Duran, 38, was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for the 2023 death of Eric Duprey, 30, who lost control of his motorized scooter after being struck by the cooler and sustained fatal head injuries.

Senate parliamentarian blocks $1 billion White House security from immigration bill

2026-05-16

The Senate parliamentarian has ruled that a proposed $1 billion package for White House security enhancements, including funding connected to President Donald Trump’s new ballroom, cannot be included in the Republican immigration enforcement budget bill under Senate rules, dealing a setback to GOP plans. The ruling, described by Senate Democrats on Saturday night, forces Republicans to revise the narrow budget reconciliation bill, which would fund immigration agencies and border operations through the end of Trump’s term. Democrats celebrated the decision and vowed to fight any future attempts to add the security money.

Long Island Rail Road strike halts North America's busiest commuter system

2026-05-16

Union officials announced early Saturday that workers on New York's Long Island Rail Road had walked off the job, shutting down North America's busiest commuter rail system after contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority collapsed. The strike halts the LIRR, which carries roughly 250,000 weekday riders between New York City and its Long Island suburbs, forcing commuters to seek alternative routes or work from home.

LIRR strike will halt North America’s largest commuter rail system

2026-05-16

Long Island Rail Road workers are on strike, union officials said early Saturday, paralyzing the busiest commuter rail system in North America. The work stoppage follows contract talks with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority that ended Friday without an agreement, and unions said negotiations have not resumed.

Montana mechanic walks free after more than 100 days in jail on immigration charges

2026-05-16

A federal judge ordered the immediate release of Roberto Orozco-Ramirez, an undocumented diesel mechanic from Froid, Montana, on May 14, ruling that his detention of more than 100 days without bond violated his right to due process. Orozco-Ramirez walked out of the Cascade County Detention Center the next morning, embraced his son and began the drive home to the small town whose residents had raised tens of thousands of dollars for his legal defense.

Colorado governor commutes Tina Peters’ sentence after Trump pressure

2026-05-16

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters on Friday, releasing her on June 1. The Associated Press reported that Polis acted after pressure from President Donald Trump and that Trump had publicly championed Peters’ case.

ICE releases wife of US Army sergeant from federal custody in Texas

2026-05-16

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant has been released from federal immigration custody after spending about a month in detention, the Department of Homeland Security said. Deisy Rivera Ortega was detained after an April 14 appointment with immigration services, according to her husband. U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth said she contacted the Homeland Security secretary after learning of Rivera Ortega’s case and that the woman returned home Thursday evening.

Trump administration sues Catholic diocese to seize land for border barrier

2026-05-16

The Trump administration has sued a Catholic diocese in New Mexico to seize 14 acres near El Paso, aiming to build border barriers at the base of Mount Cristo Rey, a mountain that draws thousands to an annual pilgrimage. The diocese says the plan violates its First Amendment right to religious expression, warning that barriers would damage the site’s religious and cultural sanctity.

Montana mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez freed after judge rules detention unlawful

2026-05-16

A federal judge ordered that a Montana diesel mechanic held on immigration charges be released from jail, ruling that his continued detention was unlawful. On Thursday morning, Roberto Orozco-Ramirez walked out of the Cascade County Detention Center in Great Falls and embraced his oldest son after more than 100 days behind bars.

46 countries agree Chisinau Declaration on ECHR migration cases

2026-05-16

Dozens of European nations have agreed on a new interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights in migration cases, including how the treaty applies to “return hubs” or other deportation arrangements in third countries. The non-binding political declaration was adopted at a meeting in Chisinau, Moldova, after calls for stricter approaches to irregular migration.

Canadian cruise passenger tests positive for hantavirus

2026-05-16

One of four Canadians who returned home from a cruise ship where there was a hantavirus outbreak received a “presumptive positive” test result for the virus, Canadian officials said Saturday. Results from the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg to confirm the case were expected over the weekend, said Dr. Bonnie Henry, the public health officer for British Columbia.

Federal judge orders US to bring back Colombian woman deported to Congo

2026-05-15

A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to return a Colombian woman from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ruling that her deportation there was likely illegal after the Congolese government refused to accept her because it could not provide adequate medical care.

Oklahoma executes Raymond Johnson for 2007 killing of ex-girlfriend and infant daughter

2026-05-15

Oklahoma executed Raymond Johnson, 52, by lethal injection at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary on Thursday for the 2007 killings of his ex-girlfriend Brooke Whitaker, 24, and her 7-month-old daughter Kya, prison officials said. Johnson’s attorneys did not file a last-minute appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court after the state’s Pardon and Parole Board unanimously denied him clemency in April.

Washington tourist charged after video shows rock thrown at endangered Hawaiian monk seal

2026-05-15

Federal prosecutors have charged a Washington state tourist with harassing an endangered species after a witness recorded video of him throwing a coconut-sized rock at a Hawaiian monk seal near a Maui beach. Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk, 38, of Covington, Washington, made arrangements to surrender to NOAA special agents in the Seattle area on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Honolulu.

ICE detains Joe Ceballos, former Kansas mayor, over illegal voting as non-citizen

2026-05-15

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained Joe Ceballos, the former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, at a federal office in Wichita on Wednesday, after he admitted voting illegally in prior elections despite being a Mexican-born legal permanent resident. Ceballos, 55, resigned as mayor in December and pleaded guilty in April to misdemeanor election misconduct, but his attorney said the conviction should not have triggered immigration action. Supporters gathered outside, chanting '¡Dejen ir a Joe!' as he entered, while his lawyer argued the Trump administration was pursuing a 'nonsense' deportation case.

Denver runway fatality reveals airport perimeter security weakness

2026-05-15

A 41-year-old man scaled an 8-foot perimeter fence at Denver International Airport late Friday night, walked onto a runway, and was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines jet with 231 people aboard, forcing the pilot to abort takeoff and exposing a security vulnerability at one of the country’s busiest airports.

Texas town’s housing authority bungled immigrant-eviction message

2026-05-15

PORT ISABEL, Texas — A housing authority in Port Isabel sent a letter in February warning residents that the Trump administration would require proof of legal status within 30 days or face eviction, prompting a rapid exodus from public housing. The authority later sent a “clarification” saying such proof was not required, but half the residents had already left by the end of the month.

US teen Jalue Dorje is now a Buddhist lama studying in the Himalayas

2026-05-15

The Associated Press profile of Jalue Dorje, a US-born teenager who was recognized by Tibetan Buddhist leaders as a reincarnated lama, follows him from a Minneapolis-area childhood to monastic life in the Himalayas. Now 19, Dorje has been studying at Mindrolling Monastery in northern India after moving from Minnesota last year.

Utah officer faces manslaughter charge in unarmed man shooting

2026-05-15

Prosecutors charged a Utah police officer with second-degree felony manslaughter in the Oct. 9, 2024, shooting of an unarmed man, alleging the officer used excessive force when he fired through the back window of a pickup truck. The case centers on claims that Taylorsville officer Jimmy Jeremy Haas followed the pickup into a parking lot and shot after the pickup rammed his patrol SUV. If convicted, Haas faces up to 15 years in prison.

Federal court building flashpoint in NYC Democratic primary

2026-05-15

A federal immigration court in Lower Manhattan at 26 Federal Plaza has become a symbol of the Trump administration’s deportation campaign in New York City, with migrants and federal agents repeatedly colliding in and around the courtroom. Now, the building is also a backdrop to a high-stakes Democratic primary between U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman and former city Comptroller Brad Lander.

Tourist facing federal charges after video shows rock thrown at monk seal

2026-05-15

A Washington state tourist is facing federal charges after prosecutors say a video shows him hurling a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal just off a Maui beach last week. Prosecutors allege the rock narrowly missed the seal’s head and caused the animal to abruptly alter its behavior, according to a criminal complaint. Federal agents arrested the man and a judge ordered him released pending a later court appearance in Honolulu on May 27.

ICE detiene a exalcalde de Kansas que votó pese a no ser ciudadano

2026-05-15

Las autoridades de inmigración de Estados Unidos detuvieron el miércoles a Joe Ceballos, exalcalde de una localidad de Kansas, después de que reconociera haber votado en elecciones pese a no ser ciudadano. Ceballos, residente permanente legal nacido en México, fue detenido en Wichita, Kansas, informó su abogado. Dijo a reporteros que teme que lo deporten.

Tourist arrested over rock thrown at endangered Hawaiian monk seal

2026-05-15

A tourist widely condemned in Hawaii after a video showed him throwing a coconut-sized rock at an endangered Hawaiian monk seal was arrested by federal agents, the U.S. attorney’s office said Thursday. The federal complaint says the rock narrowly missed the seal’s head and caused the animal to change its behavior.

Greece says biometric scans still required for UK tourists, with eased setup

2026-05-15

Greece rejected reports that it would exempt British travelers this summer from biometric checks tied to the EU Entry-Exit System, saying the program is fully operational at Greek airports. The Foreign Ministry said it has not received clarification on any nationality-by-nationality suspension, but officials said busy airports will be allowed to shut off scanners when needed during peak periods.

Denver runway fatality exposes airport security gap after brief breach

2026-05-15

An intruder walked onto a runway at Denver International Airport and was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines jet attempting takeoff late Friday night, according to surveillance video and officials. City airport leaders said Tuesday that the airport received “perfect scores” after federal inspections, while experts described the episode as a serious airport security failure.

Lawmakers consider raising Capitol Police retirement age

2026-05-15

Congress is working to raise the retirement age for U.S. Capitol Police officers as threats against lawmakers climb and the department struggles to recruit and retain enough officers. A Senate measure would let officers extend service until age 62, while a House-passed bill would allow service until age 65. The current system sets forced retirement at 57, with waivers for officers who reach age 60 or complete 20 years of service.

Border Patrol chief Michael Banks resigns after DHS leadership change

2026-05-15

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks announced his resignation Thursday, effective immediately, in the latest shake-up of officials overseeing President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the decision, while the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Federal judge orders Trump to return Colombian woman deported to Congo

2026-05-15

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to bring back a Colombian woman who was deported to Congo even after the Congolese government said it could not accept her because of medical needs. U.S. District Judge Richard J. Leon ruled Wednesday that the deportation of Adriana Maria Quiroz Zapata was “likely illegal,” and he set deadlines for the government to report on its efforts.

Richard Glossip granted bond by Oklahoma judge, awaits new trial

2026-05-15

Hours after an Oklahoma judge set a $500,000 bond for Richard Glossip on May 14, 2026, the former death-row inmate walked out of an Oklahoma City jail and awaited a new trial. The ruling comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last year threw out his conviction and death sentence.

Gunfire erupts at Philippine Senate during effort to arrest ICC-wanted senator

2026-05-14

A burst of gunfire rang out late Wednesday in the Philippine Senate in Manila, interrupting an effort by law enforcement to detain Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is sought by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. Officials reported no casualties from the shooting, which unfolded inside the legislative complex as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the public in televised remarks to remain calm.

U.S. deportations to El Salvador nearly double as Bukele aligns with Trump

2026-05-14

The number of people deported from the United States to El Salvador nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026, according to migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press, as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has positioned himself as an ally to the Trump administration on immigration. Official data shows 5,033 Salvadorans were returned to the country in the first three months of 2026, compared with 2,547 in the same period in 2025.

Four Memphis residents sue Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force, alleging First Amendment violations

2026-05-14

Four Memphis residents filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday, accusing the Trump-ordered Memphis Safe Task Force of systematically harassing, arresting, and physically mistreating them for exercising their First Amendment rights to observe and record law enforcement activity in public. The task force, staffed by agents from 13 federal agencies as well as Tennessee State Troopers and the National Guard, has conducted over 120,000 traffic stops and more than 9,000 arrests in Memphis since late September.

Sons of convicted killer Kouri Richins tell court they fear she would hurt them if freed

2026-05-14

The three young sons of Kouri Richins, the Utah children’s author convicted of murdering their father, told a judge ahead of her sentencing they fear she would harm them if she is ever released from prison. Their victim-impact statements, filed by prosecutors, describe a woman they no longer consider a mother and a life shadowed by the killing.

ICE detains former Coldwater mayor after guilty plea for voting as noncitizen

2026-05-14

Joe Ceballos, the former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor election conduct for voting in elections as a noncitizen, his attorney said. Ceballos, 55, is a legal permanent resident who was brought to the United States from Mexico as a child and now faces potential deportation.

Dominican opposition criticizes deal with US to take third-country deportees

2026-05-14

Dominican opposition figures on Wednesday sharply criticized a newly signed agreement between the United States and the Dominican Republic that would allow the Caribbean nation to temporarily host third-country deportees before their return home, calling it a surrender of national sovereignty. The non-binding memorandum of understanding, announced Tuesday by the Dominican Foreign Ministry, has drawn fire from former officials and opposition leaders who demand transparency and full publication of the agreement’s terms.

British cruise ship confined in Bordeaux after gastrointestinal illness sickens 50

2026-05-14

French authorities confined more than 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the British cruise ship Ambition in Bordeaux on Wednesday after up to 50 people fell ill with symptoms of acute gastrointestinal infection, according to a joint statement from regional officials. The prefect of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Étienne Guyot, suspended disembarkation and restricted the vessel’s interactions with the port on the recommendation of the regional health agency. The ship’s captain had alerted authorities the previous evening. Ambassador Cruise Line said 48 passengers and one crew member were displaying gastrointestinal symptoms as of late Wednesday morning, with cases increasing after passengers boarded in Liverpool on May 9. All shore excursions at Bordeaux were canceled, and affected passengers were offered full refunds.

US teen identified as Buddhist lama blesses thousands in Nepal foothills

2026-05-14

A US-born teenage Buddhist lama, Jalue Dorje, has blessed thousands at a monastery in Nepal’s Himalayan foothills, according to an Associated Press report. The story traces how Dorje, now 19, went from playing Madden NFL in Minnesota to training for years as a monk, after the Dalai Lama recognized him as a reincarnated lama.

Bungled housing message in Texas sparked exodus amid Trump immigration rule

2026-05-14

PORT ISABEL, Texas — A public housing authority in this South Texas town told residents in February that a Trump administration proposal would require proof of legal status within 30 days or families could be evicted. Within weeks, many residents had left public housing, advocates and residents said, even after the authority later sent a “clarification.” The episode offers a snapshot of how a proposed federal immigration rule could affect housing for families with at least one ineligible member.

US deportations to El Salvador nearly double in early 2026

2026-05-14

The U.S. deported 5,033 people to El Salvador in the first three months of 2026, nearly doubling the 2,547 deportations from the same period in 2025, according to El Salvador migration authority figures obtained by The Associated Press. The increase comes as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele aligns himself with President Donald Trump’s deportation priorities and offers to help carry them out.

Lawsuit alleges Memphis Safe Task Force violated First Amendment rights

2026-05-14

Federal and Tennessee officials are facing a lawsuit from four Memphis residents who say the Memphis Safe Task Force harassed, arrested and physically mistreated them for observing and recording law enforcement in public. The suit, filed Wednesday in federal court, challenges actions allegedly taken during a Trump-ordered task force operation and also contests Tennessee’s “Halo Law,” which requires warned observers to stay at least 25 feet from officers.

Sons of Kouri Richins say they’d feel unsafe if she’s freed

2026-05-14

Utah children’s book author Kouri Richins, convicted in March of killing her husband, faces sentencing Wednesday in a case that prosecutors say involved fentanyl poisoning. In a memo submitted to the judge, her sons said they would feel unsafe if she were ever released from prison.

Ex-mayor in Kansas is in custody of U.S. immigration authorities

2026-05-14

The former mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, was taken into custody by U.S. immigration authorities Wednesday after acknowledging that he voted in elections despite not being a U.S. citizen, according to his attorney. Joe Ceballos, a legal permanent U.S. resident, was detained during a meeting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Wichita, and his lawyer said he now fears deportation.

ICE found to have violated Colorado order on warrantless arrests

2026-05-14

A federal judge ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Colorado violated an order limiting when they can arrest people without a warrant. The order, issued by U.S. District Senior Judge R. Brooke Jackson, required ICE to have probable cause that a person is in the country illegally and is likely to escape before officers can make a warrantless arrest.

“Alligator Alcatraz” detention center’s future uncertain as courts revisit case

2026-05-14

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Environmental groups said the timing of the expected closure of Florida’s immigration detention center in the Everglades — nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” — is tied to their federal lawsuit and a remand to the same judge who previously ordered the facility shut down. A federal appellate court last month kept the center open while it sent the case back for further proceedings, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he has not received “official word” that detainee transfers will stop.

Dominican opposition criticizes U.S. deal to take third-country deportees

2026-05-14

Opposition figures in the Dominican Republic criticized a memorandum of understanding the country signed with the United States to receive some third-country deportees, saying it lacks transparency and violates national sovereignty. The non-binding agreement, announced Tuesday by the Dominican Foreign Ministry, would allow the temporary entry of a limited number of third-country nationals without criminal records before they return to their home countries.

French authorities keep 1,700 on British Ambition cruise amid illness

2026-05-14

Over 1,700 passengers and crew aboard the British cruise ship Ambition were ordered to remain on board in Bordeaux, France, after French authorities said an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness sickened some people. Officials said they found no link to a separate hantavirus outbreak on another vessel that has prompted a wider health response.

Man known as “Chud the Builder” charged after courthouse shooting

2026-05-14

A man known online as “Chud the Builder” was arrested and charged with attempted murder after a shooting outside a Tennessee courthouse on Wednesday, authorities said. Dalton Eatherly, 28, was taken into custody in Clarksville, where he has drawn attention online for livestreaming racially derogatory statements in public.

$4.8 million settlement proposed in Ronald Greene’s fatal traffic stop

2026-05-14

Louisiana officials have reached a tentative $4.8 million settlement with the family of Ronald Greene, a Black motorist who died during a 2019 roadside arrest, according to two people familiar with the agreement. The settlement would end a federal wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Greene’s family, but it is subject to approval by the Louisiana Legislature.

Gunfire breaks out in Philippine Senate as arrest of ICC target nears

2026-05-14

Gunfire erupted late Wednesday in the Philippine Senate as authorities tried to arrest Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, a former national police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court. Officials said no one was hurt, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the public to stay calm.

Gunfire in Manila as Philippines seeks to arrest ICC target dela Rosa

2026-05-14

Gunfire erupted Wednesday at the Philippine Senate as authorities sought to arrest a lawmaker wanted by the International Criminal Court on a charge of murder as a crime against humanity, the Associated Press reported. No one was hurt during the tense standoff in Manila, AP said, two days after the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa.

Museum in Illinois challenges $50 ticket tied to “Knight Rider” car

2026-05-14

A replica “Knight Rider” Trans Am displayed for years at the Volo Museum near Chicago received a $50 speeding ticket from New York City, the museum said, despite the car not leaving Illinois. The ticket alleges the vehicle was clocked at 36 mph in a 25 mph Brooklyn zone on April 22.

Arcadia, California mayor resigns, will plead guilty to acting as Chinese agent

2026-05-13

The mayor of Arcadia, California, has resigned and agreed to plead guilty to a federal felony charge of acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles said Monday. Eileen Wang, 58, was charged in April with one count of failing to register as a foreign agent, stemming from her work promoting Chinese government content through a news website she co-operated.

Denver airport missed perimeter breach before man killed by plane on runway

2026-05-13

Security personnel at Denver International Airport missed a breach of a perimeter fence by a man who then walked onto a runway and was fatally struck by a Frontier Airlines jet taking off for Los Angeles, authorities said Tuesday. The 41-year-old man died by suicide, the medical examiner said, and no note was immediately recovered. The collision late Friday night caused an engine fire that forced the 231 people on board to evacuate; twelve people were injured.

85-year-old French widow recounts 16-day ICE detention, harsh conditions

2026-05-13

An 85-year-old French widow said she heard children crying and guards shouting nonstop during 16 days in a Louisiana immigration detention center, in an interview with The Associated Press that has reignited scrutiny of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement methods. Marie-Thérèse Ross, the widow of a U.S. military veteran, was arrested at her Alabama home on April 1 over an alleged visa overstay and released last month after international pressure. Her account describes officers handcuffing her in a bathrobe, the separation of mothers from their children inside the facility, and a profound shift in how she views U.S. immigration policy.

USPS unveils special bald eagle stamps for America’s 250th birthday

2026-05-13

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled special edition bald eagle stamps for America’s 250th birthday Thursday at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, and made them available for purchase across the United States. The stamps depict the bald eagle across five major life stages, from hatchling to the white-headed adult on the Great Seal. The Postal Service historian Steve Kochersperger said the series helps people look back at both the bird’s life stages and the country’s.

Arcadia mayor Eileen Wang resigns, to plead guilty in China-agent case

2026-05-13

LOS ANGELES — Arcadia Mayor Eileen Wang has resigned and agreed to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for the Chinese government, according to federal officials and city authorities. Wang, 58, was charged in April with one count of acting in the U.S. as an illegal agent of a foreign government for conduct officials said ended when she took office in December 2022.

Man shoots at drivers near Boston, wounding two, officials say

2026-05-13

A man previously convicted of firing a gun at police shot at motorists on a busy road outside Boston, seriously wounding two drivers on Monday afternoon, authorities said. The shooting happened along the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and a state trooper returned fire with a Marine veteran who had pulled over.

Baltimore Key Bridge collapse operator faces criminal charges over crash

2026-05-13

The operator of the cargo ship that struck Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge is facing criminal charges tied to actions leading up to and after the crash that killed six people, federal prosecutors announced May 12, 2026. The charges come more than two years after the Dali lost power and rammed the bridge in the early hours of March 26, 2024, closing the port for months.

85-year-old French widow recounts ICE detention in Louisiana

2026-05-13

An 85-year-old French widow, Marie-Thérèse Ross, has described her 16 days in federal immigration custody in Louisiana after she was arrested in Alabama last month on an alleged visa overstay. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ross said guards shouted and treated detainees condescendingly, and that she heard children crying, including babies, in the facility.

Debbie Gibson, Black Sabbath bass player praise plan to place Wisconsin beagles

2026-05-13

Pop star Debbie Gibson and Terry “Geezer” Butler of Black Sabbath visited a humane society in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday to praise efforts to place about 1,500 beagles previously bought for medical experiments into new homes. They spoke as Dane County Humane Society staff and partner rescue groups prepared the dogs for health checks, vaccinations and transport.

Denver airport security missed trespasser killed in Frontier runway crash

2026-05-13

Workers at Denver International Airport missed a security breach by a man who scaled a perimeter fence and crossed a runway where he was hit and killed in a fiery collision with a Frontier Airlines plane, authorities said Tuesday. The airport said the trespasser triggered an alarm late Friday night but security personnel mistakenly attributed it to nearby wildlife before the pilot notified the control tower.

Former private prison executive David Venturella to lead ICE acting

2026-05-12

The Trump administration says former private prison executive David Venturella will become the acting leader of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after ICE’s current director steps down at the end of the month. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said late Tuesday that Venturella would succeed Todd Lyons, who led the agency during the administration’s crackdown on immigration.

Former Philippine police chief vows to fight ICC arrest order

2026-05-11

Philippine Sen. Ronald dela Rosa said Tuesday that he will fight any move to send him to the International Criminal Court for prosecution over alleged crimes against humanity, insisting he will face local courts rather than “foreigners.” The ICC in The Hague unsealed an arrest warrant Monday for dela Rosa, a former police chief who led President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drugs crackdown.

Evacuated cruise ship passenger tests positive for hantavirus as travelers fly home

2026-05-10

Passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-hit cruise ship MV Hondius began flying home Sunday after the vessel anchored in the Canary Islands, Spanish authorities said. One American passenger tested positive for hantavirus but had no symptoms, while a French traveler developed symptoms during the flight home, French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said.

Tucson advocates map ICE enforcement activity as arrests surge

2026-05-10

Tucson advocates have launched an online map documenting immigration enforcement activity across the city as arrests surge under the Trump administration’s mass deportation initiative, offering a public record of incidents that often go unseen.

Miami-Dade sergeants sue Affleck and Damon over "The Rip"

2026-05-10

Two sergeants with the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office have filed a defamation lawsuit against Artists Equity, the production company of Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, claiming the Netflix thriller “The Rip” used too many real-life details from a 2016 narcotics case and harmed their reputations.

ICC unseals arrest warrant for Philippine senator in drug war killings

2026-05-10

The International Criminal Court on Monday unsealed an arrest warrant for Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa, charging the former national police chief with the crime against humanity of murder over his alleged role in the extrajudicial killings of at least 32 people during the Duterte administration's drug war.

U.S. Marshals Capture Teen Wanted in Iowa City Pedestrian Mall Shooting

2026-05-10

U.S. marshals arrested Damarian M. Jones, 17, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in Georgia on Monday, charging him with five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault in connection with an April 19 shooting on an Iowa City pedestrian mall that left five people wounded, authorities said.

Indonesian police arrest 321 foreigners in raid on banned online gambling hub in Jakarta

2026-05-10

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian police arrested 321 foreign nationals on Saturday in a raid on an alleged online gambling operation in a commercial building near Jakarta’s Chinatown, authorities said, in one of the country’s largest crackdowns on illegal digital betting networks. The operation, announced by the Indonesian National Police, targeted more than 70 gambling websites operating from the site, with investigators recovering marketing records and digital evidence suggesting the platforms catered to players outside Indonesia.

US lifts hold on immigration applications for doctors, leaves thousands waiting

2026-05-10

The Trump administration has quietly exempted physicians from a sweeping pause on green card and visa reviews, a move that could provide a lifeline for foreign-trained doctors serving rural and underserved communities. But the exemption does not guarantee approvals, and a freeze remains in place for tens of thousands of other immigrants, including researchers, entrepreneurs, and citizens of 39 high-risk countries such as Iran and Afghanistan.

US Cancels Visas for 27 Cruise Ship Workers Over Child Sexual Abuse Images

2026-05-10

U.S. Customs and Border Protection canceled the visas of 27 cruise ship workers, most from the Philippines, after boarding eight ships in late April and determining the workers were involved with child sexual abuse images, the agency said Friday. Disney Cruise Line said it cooperated with authorities and the workers are no longer with the company, while immigrant rights advocates are questioning the enforcement action's transparency and due process.

Prosecutors say Dutch man accused bomb had terrorist intent

2026-05-10

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Prosecutors said Monday that a 37-year-old man accused of bombing the Dutch premier’s party headquarters was suspected of acting with terrorist intent. The suspect was arraigned in The Hague, where a judge ordered that his detention be extended by two weeks.

Prosecutors seek death penalty for Florida man accused of killing 2 USF students

2026-05-10

Prosecutors in Tampa, Florida, filed notice seeking the death penalty for Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, accused of killing two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh. The Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office filed the notice a day after a grand jury indicted Abugharbieh on two counts of first-degree murder and other charges.

6 found dead in shipping container at Union Pacific rail yard in Texas

2026-05-10

Federal agents are investigating the deaths of six people found inside a shipping container at a Union Pacific rail yard near the Mexico border in Laredo, Texas, as a potential human smuggling event. Webb County medical examiner Dr. Corinne Stern said one victim’s autopsy found hyperthermia, or heat stroke, and she believes the others also died of heat stroke, with identities being confirmed through fingerprints and federal missing-person records.

Driver rescinds guilty plea in LA wrong-way crash that killed recruit

2026-05-10

A driver accused in a wrong-way crash that killed a Los Angeles sheriff’s recruit and injured other recruits has withdrawn his guilty plea, his lawyer said. The move came after crash victims spoke in court and a judge decided to sentence him to a year in jail, the lawyer said.

Frontier flight aborts takeoff after runway collision at Denver airport

2026-05-10

A person who jumped a perimeter fence and entered a runway at Denver International Airport was struck and killed by a Frontier Airlines plane during takeoff late Friday, airport and airline officials said. The collision triggered an engine fire, and the airline evacuated passengers using slides. Frontier’s flight 4345 was on its way from Denver to Los Angeles International Airport when it reported striking a pedestrian at about 11:19 p.m., according to airport and airline officials.

ICC unseals arrest warrant for ex-Philippine police chief dela Rosa

2026-05-10

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant Monday for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, a former Philippine national police chief and ally of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, over allegations tied to killings during the Philippines’ “war on drugs.” The warrant charges him with crimes against humanity of murder for acts prosecutors allege were committed between July 2016 and the end of April 2018.

Last Hondius cruise passengers leave for quarantine after hantavirus cases

2026-05-10

Passengers who remained on the MV Hondius after a deadly hantavirus outbreak left the Canary Islands on Monday, boarding flights to more than 20 countries for quarantine monitoring, the World Health Organization said. The French prime minister said a woman was confirmed infected and was in stable intensive care; an American’s test was initially suspected but results were inconclusive, WHO said.

Over 300 foreign nationals arrested in Indonesia online gambling raid

2026-05-10

Indonesian police on May 9 arrested 321 foreign nationals in a raid in Jakarta tied to banned online gambling, the national police said. Investigators said the operation targeted players outside Indonesia and operated through more than 70 online gambling websites. Police said those detained included 228 Vietnamese and 57 Chinese, and they estimated the operation had been running for about two months.

Tierra del Fuego officials dispute hantavirus origin as cruise probe lags

2026-05-10

Buenos Aires, Argentina — Officials in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province disputed Friday that an ongoing hantavirus outbreak that killed Dutch tourists began in Ushuaia, arguing instead that federal investigators should examine other provinces the couple visited before an Antarctic cruise. The province’s health director, Juan Facundo Petrina, said federal investigators did not contact local authorities first and that Tierra del Fuego has not recorded hantavirus cases of the Andes variant implicated in the outbreak.

US cancels cruise worker visas over child abuse image allegations

2026-05-10

U.S. immigration authorities have canceled the visas of 27 people tied to cruise ships, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said. The agency said the people were involved in the “receipt, possession, transportation, distribution, or viewing” of child sexual abuse images, and that authorities boarded eight cruise ships in late April.

US lifts visa pause for doctors, but many other applicants remain stuck

2026-05-10

The Trump administration has begun reviewing immigration applications for physicians with pending cases, a change that could help ease staffing shortages in underserved areas while other categories of applicants remain subject to a pause, according to U.S. government officials and immigration advocates. The move follows a broader halt on processing green cards and visas for people from countries considered “high-risk,” and comes as physicians and other affected applicants say uncertainty around deadlines and interviews is worsening.

Community-built map tracks ICE activity across Tucson, Arizona

2026-05-10

Tucson migrant advocates have built a community-tracking map to document immigration-related enforcement in and around the city as federal arrests surge, drawing data from residents’ observations and local reporting. The Tucson Migra Map tracks activity by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies, and classifies incidents as “confirmed” or “credible but unconfirmed.” Its creators say the project is designed to make enforcement patterns visible while raising questions about safety and transparency for people living through the raids.

Frontier flight hits pedestrian on Denver runway; NTSB opens evacuation investigation

2026-05-09

A Frontier Airlines flight struck and killed a person on the runway at Denver International Airport late Friday during takeoff, triggering an emergency evacuation as smoke filled the cabin. The National Transportation Safety Board is gathering information on the evacuation to determine whether it warrants a full safety investigation.

Suspect in Ella Mae Begay disappearance sentenced to 5 years for robbery

2026-05-09

A federal judge sentenced Preston Henry Tolth to five years in prison Friday for robbing Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, the only person ever charged in her unsolved 2021 disappearance, closing a troubled case that had renewed national focus on missing and murdered Indigenous people.

Rwanda critic Aimable Karasira dies in custody; rights group seeks probe

2026-05-09

A Rwandan academic and government critic, Aimable Karasira, died in custody as he was preparing to be freed from jail, prompting calls for an independent investigation. The death was reported as resulting from an overdose of his prescribed medication, but Human Rights Watch questioned the circumstances and urged scrutiny by a “body of experts.”

Philippines to summon ex–national police chief in Duterte killings probe

2026-05-09

The Philippines will summon former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a senator, as part of a new investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings during anti-drug crackdowns ordered by former President Rodrigo Duterte, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. said Sunday. Remulla said dela Rosa will be summoned Monday, and he described the inquiry as a first step toward accountability for what police killings became a “state policy” during Duterte’s years in office.

NTSB examining evacuation after Frontier plane hit pedestrian at Denver runway

2026-05-09

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is gathering information about the evacuation of a Frontier Airlines plane after it hit and killed a person on the runway at Denver International Airport during takeoff. The agency said the evacuation is being reviewed to determine whether it meets criteria for a safety investigation.

Suspect in Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay’s disappearance sentenced to 5 years

2026-05-09

A federal judge in Phoenix sentenced the only man charged in the 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay to five years in prison for robbing her. U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes accepted a plea agreement under which Preston Henry Tolth pleaded guilty to robbery after previously having a confession suppressed in court.

Sheriff says evidence suggests human remains at Susan Flores property

2026-05-08

A San Luis Obispo County sheriff said evidence suggests human remains were present at a home connected to Paul Flores, the man convicted of killing Kristin Smart. The search began Wednesday after authorities served a warrant at the Arroyo Grande property and used specialists in human decomposition and soil to take samples.

Second appeals court rejects Trump's no-bond immigration detentions, deepening circuit split

2026-05-08

A federal appeals court in Atlanta has ruled against the Trump administration's policy of denying bond hearings to people in immigration proceedings, further splitting the federal circuits on whether mandatory detention is legal. The 2-1 ruling from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals aligns with the 2nd Circuit but conflicts with decisions from the 5th and 8th Circuits, increasing the likelihood that the U.S. Supreme Court will take up the issue.

DeSantis says Alligator Alcatraz temporary; DHS denies closure push

2026-05-08

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday that the state’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration detention center in the Everglades was always intended to be temporary, a statement that came the same day a report surfaced that state and federal officials had begun early talks about shutting the facility down. The Department of Homeland Security denied it was urging closure, calling Florida a valuable partner, while the governor said the site had processed and deported 22,000 detainees since opening last summer.

Second appeals court rejects Trump’s no-bond immigration detentions

2026-05-08

An Atlanta-based appeals court rejected a Trump administration policy of keeping people in immigration proceedings detained without bond, a ruling that deepens a split among federal courts. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on Wednesday that the law does not give the executive branch “unfettered authority” to detain people without bond while their cases are pending.

New York to restrict ICE ties after threat from Trump border czar

2026-05-08

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will back bills that would limit how state and local authorities coordinate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, even after Trump’s border czar warned New York could face more immigration agents. Hochul said she “don’t take well to threats” and plans to include the proposals in the state budget, while a Republican candidate for governor called the approach a success elsewhere.

El Faro says Bukele froze outlet assets in what it calls persecution

2026-05-08

El Salvador’s investigative outlet El Faro said on Thursday that authorities froze two of its members’ assets, including a bank account and property, in what it called a politically motivated escalation of pressure on its reporting about President Nayib Bukele. El Faro director Carlos Dada said the move came without formal notice, and that the outlet learned of the freeze through public registry records.

DeSantis says “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center always meant to be temporary

2026-05-08

Ron DeSantis said Thursday that Florida’s immigration detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” always was meant to be temporary, adding the facility would wind down if the federal government could house detainees elsewhere. His remarks came as The New York Times reported state and federal officials were in early talks about shutting the Everglades facility down.

Activist ends 5-day protest atop DC bridge against AI, Iran war

2026-05-07

A protester who camped for five days atop the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge in Washington came down Wednesday morning, ending his stand against the use of artificial intelligence and the war in Iran. Guido Reichstadter, a Florida-based activist, was seen coming down from an arch after Washington police negotiated with him.

Many Americans say Trump’s immigration crackdown makes U.S. unwelcoming: poll

2026-05-07

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to a new AP-NORC poll, with about one-third saying they or someone they know has been affected by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The survey also finds strong support for birthright citizenship in general, but Republicans are more divided and many respondents distinguish among specific cases.

Justice Department targets slow immigration judges to clear immigration backlog

2026-05-07

The Justice Department is aiming to replace immigration judges it says are ruling too slowly or not following immigration law, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said Wednesday in Phoenix. The move is part of the Trump administration’s effort to cut a backlog of 3.7 million pending immigration cases, as it pursues faster deportations.

Man charged in DC shooting said “F—k the White House,” authorities say

2026-05-07

A man accused of firing at law enforcement officers near the Washington Monument this week was walking along the route of Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade beforehand and made hostile remarks about the White House after the shooting, according to a court filing. Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was shot multiple times during the Monday confrontation and is now facing federal charges, including assaulting officers with a dangerous weapon.

AP-NORC poll finds many Americans changed routines as Trump ramps immigration enforcement

2026-05-06

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, a new AP-NORC poll finds, as about one-third report knowing someone affected by the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The survey also shows broad public support for birthright citizenship, while opinions vary sharply by parents’ immigration status.

DOJ targets slow immigration judges as Trump pushes to cut backlog

2026-05-06

Attorney General Todd Blanche said the Justice Department is trying to remove immigration judges it says are ruling too slowly or not following the law. He made the remarks in Phoenix at an event that gathers immigration officials, law enforcement and contractors as the Trump administration seeks to reduce a backlog of 3.7 million immigration cases.

Events mark Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples awareness day

2026-05-06

Indigenous people across the United States are gathering this week to honor relatives who are missing or have been killed and to call for better data collection, law-enforcement response and reforms to make communities safer. The observance, marked as a national day of awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples movement, included marches, rallies, talking circles, self-defense classes and candlelight vigils planned for the May 5 week.

Texas man accused in DC shooting made vulgar remark about White House

2026-05-06

Michael Marx, 45, of Midland, Texas, was shot multiple times during a confrontation with law enforcement near the Washington Monument on Monday. A court filing says Marx had been walking along the path of Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade beforehand and made a vulgar remark about the White House after the shooting.

Male coyote swims from Angel Island to Alcatraz, surprising experts

2026-05-06

A lone male coyote surprised biologists and visitors when it swam to Alcatraz Island earlier this year, but DNA analysis showed it came from farther away than originally thought. National Park Service wildlife ecologist Bill Merkle said the swimmer likely left Angel Island, about 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away, rather than San Francisco, which is a little over 1 mile from Alcatraz. The coyote has not been seen again, and officials had been prepared to capture and relocate it because the island is a seabird nesting habitat.

Civil rights groups sue to block Texas immigration law ahead of May 15 start

2026-05-05

Civil rights organizations filed a new lawsuit Monday seeking to block core provisions of a Texas immigration law, Senate Bill 4, that would allow state police to arrest people suspected of crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization and empower state magistrates to order deportations. The law is scheduled to take effect May 15 after a federal appeals court lifted a years-long injunction two weeks ago.

Indigenous communities nationwide mark Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples awareness day

2026-05-05

Across the United States, Indigenous peoples gathered this week to honor relatives who are missing or have been killed and to demand better data collection, law‑enforcement response and reforms to keep their communities safer, the Associated Press reported. Events took place in cities from Albuquerque, New Mexico, to Denver, Colorado, and from Madison, Wisconsin, to Oklahoma City, with participants wearing red to signal solidarity. Advocates cite the U.S. Department of Justice’s finding that Native Americans are more than twice as likely as the general population to be victims of violent crime, and they call on federal agencies to act on longstanding legislation such as Savanna’s Act and the Not Invisible Act.

Judge questions jail’s suicide-watch placement of Trump dinner suspect

2026-05-05

Federal magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui pressed a city jail official to explain why Cole Tomas Allen, charged in a White House Correspondents’ Association dinner attack, was placed on restrictive suicide watch after his arrest. The judge’s questions came after the jail removed Allen from suicide status following his attorneys’ complaints about conditions, including being in a padded room with constant lighting and being strip-searched.

Civil rights groups sue to stop Texas immigration law

2026-05-05

Civil rights groups filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking to block parts of Texas’ immigration law, known as Senate Bill 4, that would allow state police to arrest people suspected of illegally entering the U.S. across the Mexico border. The groups—led by the Texas Civil Rights Project and the ACLU of Texas—argue the measure is unconstitutional because immigration enforcement belongs to the federal government. The law is set to take effect May 15 after a federal appeals court lifted a long-running pause, and it could still be halted by another court.

Ex-corrections officer Caleb Blair pleads guilty to manslaughter in inmate death

2026-05-05

A former corrections officer, Caleb Blair, pleaded guilty in upstate New York to manslaughter for his role in the fatal beating of inmate Messiah Nantwi at the Mid-State Correctional Facility near Utica. Blair entered the plea in Oneida County Court on Monday, before jury selection in a separate trial, and prosecutors said Nantwi’s family was OK with the deal.

Border Patrol’s driver surveillance flags “suspicious” trips, AP finds

2026-05-05

The U.S. Border Patrol has been monitoring millions of drivers nationwide through license plate readers and a predictive intelligence program, according to a new Associated Press investigation. The program uses cameras and algorithms to identify vehicles based on where they came from, where they are going and which routes they take, and it has led to stops, searches and arrests, the investigation found.

Vehicle-ramming cases highlight recurring threat to pedestrians

2026-05-05

The Associated Press reviewed recent vehicle-ramming attacks worldwide, including a suspected deliberate attack in Leipzig, Germany, that killed two people and injured three others on May 4. Prosecutors said the 33-year-old German citizen detained after the crash is under investigation on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. The roundup also cites past cases that killed dozens and left survivors badly hurt.

Man shot by ICE in California pleads not guilty to federal charges

2026-05-05

A federal grand jury indicted Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez on assaulting federal officers and damaging government property after an ICE arrest in central California, prosecutors said. Mendoza pleaded not guilty Monday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and is seeking a jury trial. His attorney said he panicked and tried to flee when agents blocked his vehicle.

Argentina’s Milei restores journalists’ access after Casa Rosada ban

2026-05-05

Argentina’s President Javier Milei restored credentialed journalists’ access to his government headquarters, the Casa Rosada, on Monday after more than a week of restrictions that included blocking some TV reporters and limiting how reporters could move inside. Manuel Adorni, Milei’s cabinet chief, said the changes were meant to “restore the (press) room’s operations” and defend security rules after authorities accused a TV channel of espionage. Press freedom advocates and lawmakers criticized the episode as a setback for free expression.

Nigeria says 130 citizens seek repatriation after protests in South Africa

2026-05-05

Nigeria’s foreign minister says the government will repatriate 130 Nigerians living in South Africa after a new wave of anti-immigration protests there. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the repatriation is voluntary and that more people are expected to sign up as the government presses South Africa over concerns, including violence against migrants.

Nigeria will repatriate 130 Nigerians in South Africa after anti-immigration protests

2026-05-05

Nigeria’s foreign minister said the government will repatriate 130 Nigerians living in South Africa after fresh anti-immigration protests, and said no Nigerian died in the violence from the previous week. The minister, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said she summoned South Africa’s interim representative in Nigeria to convey Abuja’s “deep concern.” South Africa’s foreign minister, Ronald Lamola, said he also spoke by phone with Odumegwu-Ojukwu about “irregular migration” and ways to address its drivers.

Many know someone affected by Trump immigration push: new AP-NORC poll

2026-05-05

Most U.S. adults say the United States is no longer a great place for immigrants, according to a new AP-NORC poll released Tuesday. About one-third of Americans say they or someone they know has started carrying proof of immigration status or citizenship, been detained or deported, changed travel plans, or significantly changed daily routines because of immigration enforcement.

Events mark Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples awareness day

2026-05-04

Indigenous people across the United States are gathering this week to honor relatives who are missing or have been killed and to call for better data collection and law enforcement response, ahead of a national day of awareness observed May 5. The events include marches, rallies, candlelight vigils and other activities planned for the week of May 5, organizers said.

United jet strikes light pole, damages delivery truck while landing in Newark

2026-05-04

A United Airlines passenger jet flying from Venice, Italy struck a light pole on the New Jersey Turnpike during its approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon, authorities said. No passengers or crew were injured, but a delivery truck driver was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration said the Boeing 767 landed safely after “came into contact with a light pole.”

1,500 beagles find safety after protests at Wisconsin breeding site

2026-05-04

The rescue groups Big Dog Ranch Rescue and the Center for a Humane Economy have begun taking custody of 1,500 beagles from a Wisconsin dog breeding and research facility where animal-welfare protests erupted, according to Big Dog Ranch Rescue. The groups said the first dogs were moved Friday and that the animals appeared to be seeking attention as they arrived in staging care in Wisconsin.

NYPD releases body-worn footage of machete stabbing and fatal shooting

2026-05-03

New York City police released body-worn camera footage showing detectives shooting and killing Anthony Griffin after he stabbed three people at a Grand Central subway station on April 11. The video, posted to the NYPD’s YouTube page Friday, shows officers repeatedly ordering Griffin to drop his knife before shots were fired, police said.

Federal Judge Extends Yemeni TPS, Rebukes Noem's 'Leeches' Remark

2026-05-02

A federal judge in Manhattan on Friday blocked the Trump administration from forcing roughly 3,000 Yemeni refugees to leave the U.S., ruling that the Department of Homeland Security failed to follow proper procedures when it ended their Temporary Protected Status. In a sharply worded opinion, U.S. District Judge Dale E. Ho criticized former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for describing TPS holders as 'killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies' in a social media post.

Viral “Scientology speedruns” raise security concerns in Hollywood

2026-05-02

A viral TikTok trend dubbed “Scientology speedruns” has prompted security concerns for the Church of Scientology in Hollywood, where participants have entered properties in attempts to quickly map out the organization’s buildings and operations. The Los Angeles Police Department said it has responded to multiple incidents in the past month, including one investigated as a potential hate crime.

Michigan families and officials debate responses to mental health crises

2026-05-02

A Michigan family says a 911 call for help during a mental health crisis led to their son’s arrest and jail time, highlighting concerns about how law enforcement responds when someone may be a danger to themselves or others. Bill Piersing and others cited training and earlier treatment as key gaps, as lawmakers consider changes to outpatient services and crisis systems.

Fugees rapper Pras reports to prison to begin 14-year sentence

2026-05-02

Prakazrel “Pras” Michel, a Grammy-winning rapper known for the Fugees, reported to federal prison in Arizona to begin a 14-year sentence after a conviction tied to illegally funneling foreign contributions to former President Barack Obama’s 2012 reelection campaign. Michel, 53, reported Thursday, a spokesperson said, with federal records listing him as an inmate at a low-security correctional institution in the state.

California woman charged with manslaughter after e-motorcycle crash

2026-05-02

LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) — A California woman has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after an 81-year-old man died from injuries after being struck by her 14-year-old son’s e-motorcycle, prosecutors said. The charge stems from an April 16 collision involving a Surron e-motorcycle that prosecutors said her teen son was riding illegally.

Kentucky man charged in deadly bank robbery after high-speed chase

2026-05-02

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky man who led police on a high-speed chase after a deadly bank robbery in Berea has been charged by federal investigators, federal court records show. The FBI says the robbery, at a U.S. Bank branch near Berea College, left two people dead.

Adopted kids harmed in for-profit residential programs

2026-05-02

An Associated Press investigation says adopted children are being confined in private, for-profit residential treatment and boarding programs where families believed they were getting “forever home” care. The report describes allegations of violence, restraints, strip-searching and limited communication with parents, and says experts dispute the diagnoses often used to justify confinement.

Body found in Tampa Bay identified as second missing USF doctoral student

2026-05-02

A body found in Tampa Bay has been identified as the second missing University of South Florida doctoral student from Bangladesh, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said May 1. Chronister said the killings involved two garbage bags and that DNA and dental records were used to make a positive identification.

Federal judge extends Temporary Protected Status for ~3,000 Yemen refugees

2026-05-02

A federal judge in New York blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status for about 3,000 Yemeni refugees, ruling on Friday that TPS granted to them should be extended while a lawsuit proceeds. The judge, Dale E. Ho, said TPS repeatedly granted to Yemenis and due to expire Monday must be extended again because the United States had already determined the people could face threats if returned to a country still marked by ongoing armed conflict.

Camp Mystic in Texas will not reopen this summer after all

2026-05-01

Camp Mystic in Texas has withdrawn its application to renew its license for 2026, halting plans to reopen this summer on the Guadalupe River after last year’s flood killed 25 girls and two teenage counselors. The decision came after weeks of court testimony and legislative investigations that described safety and operational failures, the Associated Press reported April 30.

Trump signs Homeland Security funding bill, ends record shutdown over ICE pay

2026-05-01

President Donald Trump signed legislation Thursday to fund much of the Department of Homeland Security, ending the longest government shutdown on record after weeks of negotiations. The bill provides Homeland Security funding but leaves out immigration enforcement operations, setting up a separate budget process for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.

Florida man executed for 1976 killing of brother’s 13-year-old stepdaughter

2026-05-01

STARKE, Fla. (AP) — James Ernest Hitchcock, 70, was executed Thursday evening for the 1976 killing of Cynthia Driggers, his brother’s 13-year-old stepdaughter. He was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. after a lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Starke, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s denial of his final appeal earlier that morning.

Argentine workers rally in Buenos Aires against Milei’s labor reforms

2026-05-01

Argentine workers in Buenos Aires protested on Thursday against President Javier Milei’s overhaul of long-standing labor protections, as May Day demonstrations coincided with anger over labor-code changes. The General Confederation of Labor, or CGT, marched to the government headquarters to “defend decent employment,” while union leaders said they would continue to challenge the law in court.

Amtrak weighs letting guns ride in lockboxes on most trains

2026-05-01

Amtrak is considering a policy change that would allow passengers to bring guns aboard many more trains by using lockboxes, despite heightened scrutiny after an alleged gunman traveled by Amtrak and opened fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. Two people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity that Amtrak has been weighing the change since early this year after pressure from Trump administration officials to ease restrictions.

Israel and Max Makoka return home after ICE detention in Mississippi

2026-05-01

Israel and Max Makoka were reunited with their guardians after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained the brothers in Mississippi last month, according to a statement attributed to the Department of Homeland Security. The siblings, who say they came to the United States legally as students, are now back with host parents in Diamondhead, Mississippi, while legal efforts continue to keep them in the country.

Truck driver found dead in Georgia after last seen at Florida rest stop

2026-05-01

The FBI is investigating the death of a truck driver whose body and semitrailer were found in different areas of southeastern Georgia after he was last seen alive at a Florida rest stop. Alejandro Jacomino Gonzalez, 41, went missing while heading to Miami, and federal agents said his tractor-trailer later turned up in Port Wentworth, west of Savannah.

House approves bill to extend FISA surveillance program for three years

2026-04-30

The Republican-controlled U.S. House on Wednesday approved a three-year extension of a foreign intelligence surveillance program that critics say falls short of warrant requirements for spying on communications. The measure passed 235-191 with support from Democrats, but its renewal still faces uncertainty in the Senate and with President Donald Trump.

Louisiana Supreme Court to weigh legality of Orleans jail “sanctuary” policy

2026-04-30

Louisiana’s Supreme Court is weighing whether Act 314 of 2024 can override a long-standing Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office policy that generally refuses to hold people in the Orleans jail at the request of federal immigration authorities. Civil rights lawyers defended the policy during arguments April 28, while state attorneys argued it violates the 2024 law aimed at so-called “sanctuary cities.”

New Orleans sheriff indicted after grand jury probes jailbreak of 10

2026-04-30

A New Orleans grand jury indicted Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson after a jailbreak that freed 10 inmates from a parish jail in February, according to Louisiana and court records. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said the state probe found Hutson’s poor management of the jail contributed to the escape, though the indictment does not accuse Hutson of personally opening doors. Hutson is scheduled to leave office on Monday, after losing her reelection bid.

Minnesota family indicted after clash with Turning Point USA journalist

2026-04-30

The federal government unsealed an indictment alleging that three family members assaulted a journalist who writes for a conservative organization during a protest against immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The indictment says Christopher and DeYanna Ostroushko and their daughter, Paige, each face a federal assault count, and it also charges Christopher and Paige with interfering with a federally protected activity.

Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to end protections for Haitian, Syrian TPS

2026-04-30

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday heard arguments in a case challenging the Trump administration’s push to end Temporary Protected Status protections for migrants from Haiti and Syria. The court appeared to confront questions about how much authority judges have to review the Trump administration’s steps to terminate the program, and whether justices will rely on prior precedent.

USF suspect charged with killing two Bangladesh doctoral students

2026-04-30

Two University of South Florida doctoral students from Bangladesh were killed in connection with the case of Hisham Abugharbieh, who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, authorities said. The Associated Press reported that family members told deputies Abugharbieh’s behavior worsened after he began smoking cannabis, including medical marijuana.

About 1,500 beagles from Wisconsin research facility sold to rescue group

2026-04-30

Animal rescue groups said they agreed to buy 1,500 beagles from Ridglan Farms, a Wisconsin dog breeding and research business that drew violent protests earlier this month. The groups said the dogs would be transported later this week for medical exams, microchips and vaccinations before being assessed for adoption.

Media dinner shooter case spotlights Amtrak train security

2026-04-30

A man arrested in connection with an attempted assassination of President Donald Trump after an event at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner arrived in Washington on an Amtrak train from California with a shotgun and a semiautomatic pistol, federal authorities said. The case has revived calls from rail worker unions and passenger advocates for changes to how firearms and other threats are screened on long-distance trains. It also drew comparisons to how airports use Transportation Security Administration screening for carry-on bags and people, while train passengers are not screened by security officials at stations.

Brazil labor prosecutors target JBS over beef tied to slavery-like labor

2026-04-30

Labor prosecutors in Brazil filed a civil lawsuit seeking nearly 119 million reais against JBS, accusing the meatpacking giant of buying cattle linked to slavery-like labor conditions on ranches in Para state. The case, filed Wednesday in a labor court, alleges that 53 workers were rescued from properties of ranchers who supplied JBS between 2014 and 2025.

Paul Revere’s midnight ride reenacted to Lexington with a modern police escort

2026-04-30

BOSTON (AP) — Paul Revere’s midnight ride to Lexington was reenacted Monday in Boston with modern-day changes, including bright daylight and a police escort. Crowds lined the route through the North End, Charlestown, Somerville, Medford and Arlington as a reenactor portrayed the silversmith and warned that British regulars were coming.

Pro-Russian activist Kémi Séba wanted in Benin appears in South Africa

2026-04-30

Kémi Séba, a pro-Russian Beninese activist wanted in his home country for “inciting rebellion,” appeared in a South African court on separate charges, including allegations he tried to illegally leave South Africa. The case came as Benin seeks his extradition after a failed coup attempt last December.

Thailand ex-PM Thaksin set for release next month after parole

2026-04-30

Bangkok’s Corrections Department said Thursday that former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be released from Klong Prem Central Prison on May 11 after a Justice Ministry panel granted him parole. The decision comes as Thaksin completes the legally required minimum of two-thirds of his one-year sentence.

Washington seeks order to let health inspectors into Geo Group ICE detention

2026-04-29

Washington state asked a federal judge on Tuesday to require private prison operator The Geo Group to allow state health inspectors into its Tacoma immigration detention center, known as the Northwest ICE Processing Center. The state said inspectors from the Washington Department of Health have repeatedly been denied entry despite a 2023 law granting Washington broad authority over contractors running private detention facilities.

Discovery of meth chemicals scrambles some exams at Michigan State

2026-04-29

Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, moved some final exams after police said they found a man inside Wells Hall with household substances that could be used to make methamphetamine, according to court filings and a campus police chief. Police charged the 31-year-old man with malicious destruction of property and possessing substances to operate a meth lab, and Wells Hall was closed after the discovery.

2nd Circuit rejects Trump no-bond detentions; case may go to Supreme Court

2026-04-29

A federal appeals court in New York ruled Tuesday that the Trump administration cannot detain immigrants without allowing them to seek bond, citing “serious constitutional questions” about what it said would otherwise be a broad mass detention-without-bond mandate. The unanimous ruling from the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals sets the stage for a possible U.S. Supreme Court review.

Exonerees face roadblocks in the journey from prison to employment

2026-04-29

Exonerees in the U.S. say the stigma of time behind bars can follow them into everyday life, making it hard to find and keep work even after wrongful convictions are overturned. The issue has drawn fresh attention in Louisiana, where voters elected Calvin Duncan as clerk of criminal court, but Republicans have moved to abolish the post as he prepares to take office.

Mexican man pleads guilty to impersonating Border Patrol agent in San Diego

2026-04-29

A Mexican man living in the United States pleaded guilty to impersonating a Border Patrol agent and following federal immigration officers in Southern California in a bid to disrupt enforcement missions, federal prosecutors said. The case stems from an incident on Jan. 8 in San Diego, where prosecutors said the man used markings and equipment meant to mimic agents and then confronted real officers after they noticed him.

Adopted kids confined by private treatment firms

2026-04-28

An Associated Press investigation found adopted children are being confined in private, for-profit residential treatment programs and boarding schools that market care for adoption-related issues, despite evidence experts say doesn’t match their claims. Adoptees interviewed by AP described being promised “forever homes” but instead placed for years in facilities they said felt like prison, with limited outside oversight.

Kid Rock and Pete Hegseth fly in Army Apache at Virginia base

2026-04-28

Kid Rock and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew in U.S. Army Apache helicopters at a base in Virginia on Monday, according to photos posted by Hegseth and public flight-tracking data. The flights came weeks after earlier Apache flights near Kid Rock’s Tennessee home and near a “No Kings” protest in Nashville prompted questions about whether they were authorized.

Washington sues to force Geo Group to allow health inspectors into Tacoma ICE jail

2026-04-28

Washington state asked a federal judge to order The Geo Group to allow state health inspectors into its for-profit immigration detention center in Tacoma, the Associated Press reported. Gov. Bob Ferguson said inspectors from the Washington Department of Health have been turned away repeatedly, including 10 times since a 2023 state law, and that the detention center houses up to about 1,600 people under a contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Utah prosecutors seek extradition of man in church parking-lot shooting

2026-04-28

Utah prosecutors are seeking the extradition of a California man, John Vea Uasike Jr., on murder charges tied to a deadly January shooting outside a church parking lot in Salt Lake City. Prosecutors said law enforcement took Uasike into custody April 14 in connection with felony charges that include two counts of murder. Court documents unsealed Monday describe the shooting as unfolding during a dispute involving people attending a funeral.

Texas appeals ruling allows police to arrest suspects under SB 4

2026-04-28

The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a lower-court injunction blocking Texas from enforcing a 2023 law that allows state police to arrest people suspected of entering the country illegally, according to the court’s order released Friday. The appellate court dismissed the lawsuit brought by Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, American Gateways and El Paso County, citing plaintiffs’ lack of standing.

South Africans protest illegal immigration in Johannesburg

2026-04-28

Hundreds of South Africans marched through Johannesburg on Wednesday to protest illegal immigration, a dispute that demonstrators say has fueled tensions between locals and foreign nationals. Shops closed during the protest amid fears of looting or opportunistic crime, according to the Associated Press.

Man gets 115 years to life for 2024 killing of NYPD officer Diller

2026-04-28

A Queens judge sentenced Guy Rivera on Monday to 115 years to life in prison for the 2024 shooting death of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller during a traffic stop, according to prosecutors and testimony. The judge told Rivera he “most certainly will” die in prison, after a jury earlier this month convicted Rivera of aggravated manslaughter but acquitted him of murder.

Mugabe’s son deported from South Africa after guilty pleas

2026-04-28

A magistrate in Johannesburg ordered Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of late Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe, to be immediately deported from South Africa after he pleaded guilty to two criminal charges earlier this month. Magistrate Renier Boshoff also ordered him to pay about $36,000 in fines or serve two years in prison.

12 prisoners charged in deadly January fight at Georgia state prison

2026-04-28

Twelve prisoners have been charged with murder and other crimes in a deadly fight at a Georgia state prison in January, corrections officials said Monday. The fight broke out Jan. 11 at Washington State Prison in Davisboro, about 130 miles southeast of Atlanta, leaving four inmates dead and a dozen injured, officials said.

House advances plan to fund Homeland Security as TSA pay nears cutoff

2026-04-28

The House took a key step Wednesday toward funding the Department of Homeland Security, as the White House warned that money used to pay Transportation Security Administration and other agency personnel will “soon run out.” House Republicans adopted a budget resolution on a party-line vote that would set up about $70 billion for immigration enforcement and deportations for the rest of President Donald Trump’s term.

Prosecutors: 2 Chicago officers shot after suspect pulled gun at hospital

2026-04-28

A judge ordered Monday that a Chicago robbery suspect who allegedly pulled a gun from under a blanket inside a hospital will remain jailed on charges of murder and attempted murder. Prosecutors said the man shot two officers who arrived to transport him for treatment after he told police he had ingested narcotics.

Salvadorans watch as Supreme Court weighs Temporary Protected Status

2026-04-28

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday on whether the Trump administration properly ended Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians and Syrians, and whether the decision unlawfully prejudiced non-white immigrants. For an estimated 200,000 Salvadorans, the case is also closely watched because Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador is set to expire unless it is renewed later this year.

Kid Rock, Hegseth fly in Army Apache weeks after earlier near-home scrutiny

2026-04-27

Kid Rock and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flew in Army Apache attack helicopters at a base in Virginia on Monday, according to the Pentagon and public flight data. The flights drew fresh scrutiny after Army pilots were questioned in March for flying near the entertainer’s Tennessee home and after the helicopters flew during a Nashville protest.

Plane crash near Minneapolis kills North Dakota lawmaker, pilot

2026-04-27

A small plane crash near Minneapolis killed North Dakota state Rep. Liz Conmy and the pilot on Saturday, authorities said. The Federal Aviation Administration said two people were aboard, and the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash of a Beech F33A.

USF students missing: Roommate faces murder charges after remains found

2026-04-26

A former University of South Florida student has been charged with killing his roommate and the roommate’s girlfriend, two doctoral students from Bangladesh who vanished earlier this month, authorities said. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, was ordered held without bond in Tampa.

Wellesley woman accused of killing two children amid custody dispute

2026-04-26

A Massachusetts woman accused of killing her two children was charged Saturday with two counts of murder, according to Massachusetts State Police and court records. Authorities said the deaths were discovered after police in Wellesley received a request for a well-being check involving family members at a home in the town.

Plane crash near Minneapolis kills North Dakota lawmaker and pilot

2026-04-26

Minneapolis police said a small plane crashed shortly after taking off from Crystal Airport north of the city on Saturday, killing North Dakota state Rep. Liz Conmy and the pilot. Brooklyn Park police said officers responded to a report of the crash at 11:51 a.m. and found an aircraft that caught fire in a park. The Federal Aviation Administration said two people were aboard, and the National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating.

Indígenas protestan en Guatemala para exigir liberación de dos líderes detenidos

2026-04-26

Autoridades de varios pueblos indígenas en Guatemala protestaron el jueves para pedir la liberación de dos líderes indígenas encarcelados desde hace un año, acusados de presunto terrorismo. La marcha incluyó una solicitud al Ministerio Público y después una exigencia ante la Corte de Constitucionalidad, mientras ambos permanecen en prisión preventiva sin una acusación firme ni juicio.

New NYC jails commissioner Stanley Richards once served time at Rikers

2026-04-26

New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Stanley Richards as the city’s Department of Correction commissioner, making him the first formerly incarcerated person to oversee the jails that include Rikers Island. Richards, 65, said he does not carry “bad feelings” about his past confinement and is focused on improving safety, care and progress toward closing Rikers.

Police officer killed, another critically injured in Chicago hospital shooting

2026-04-26

A man in police custody opened fire on officers at a Chicago hospital on Saturday, killing one officer and critically injuring another, police said. Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said the officers were transporting the individual to Swedish Hospital for an observation when the shooting occurred. The suspect fled, was later detained, and a gun was recovered, authorities said.

Santa Clara County workers put on leave amid child welfare crisis

2026-04-26

Workers in Santa Clara County, California, were put on leave as state and local officials responded to the death of 2-year-old Jaxon Juarez, with county officials saying the number of employees placed on leave rose from 10 pending personnel investigations. The county’s response follows broader scrutiny of the county’s child welfare system, including state action tied to earlier child deaths. Prosecutors have charged a teenage boy in the cousin’s killing of Juarez and said the investigation could expand.

ICE arrests drop nearly 12% after Minneapolis killings and Homan shake-up

2026-04-26

ICE arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement fell by an average of nearly 12% nationwide in the weeks after a Minneapolis killings and a shake-up of top immigration officials, according to data analyzed by the Associated Press. The drop followed a Feb. 4 drawdown announcement by “border czar” Tom Homan, who was sent to oversee immigration enforcement in Minnesota after the killings. The AP analysis also found arrest levels rose in some states during the same post-drawdown period, while others saw steep declines.

Pulitzer-winning AP photographer Jack Thornell dies at 86

2026-04-25

Jack Thornell, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Associated Press photographer whose image of a wounded James Meredith after a shotgun attack became an enduring symbol of the civil rights movement, has died. Thornell died Thursday at a hospital in the New Orleans suburb of Metairie from complications of kidney disease, his son Jay Thornell said.

Body of USF student found; roommate charged as searches continue

2026-04-25

Tampa Bay law enforcement found the body of a University of South Florida doctoral student on the Howard Frankland bridge and took his roommate into custody on preliminary charges, officials said Friday. Authorities said a woman who disappeared with him remains missing as detectives search the bay and await autopsy results to determine the manner and cause of death.

New York sues to keep $73.5M in federal highway funds tied to CDLs

2026-04-25

New York sued the U.S. government on Friday to challenge a Transportation Department decision to withhold nearly $74 million in federal highway money tied to the state’s decision not to revoke certain commercial driver’s licenses issued to immigrants. New York said it followed federal rules when the licenses were granted and that canceling the funding would harm safety investments, jobs and communities.

New law prompts Americans to seek Canadian dual citizenship

2026-04-25

Canada’s citizenship rules changed Dec. 15, and immigration lawyers and applicants say the shift has triggered a surge of Americans seeking dual Canadian citizenship based on ancestry. The new rules broaden eligibility to descendants of Canadians beyond the prior parent-to-child limit, while requiring proof for a certificate of citizenship.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol, sending it to House

2026-04-24

The Senate voted Thursday to move a budget plan that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol as lawmakers seek to restart parts of the Homeland Security Department after a shutdown that began in mid-February. The measure cleared the chamber early Thursday morning over Democratic objections and is now headed to the House.

Vermont prosecutor drops charges against six protesters in ICE raid

2026-04-24

Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah George said Wednesday she will not bring charges against six people arrested during a federal immigration raid in South Burlington last month. George said her office reviewed the cases to find where the harm was and who contributed to it.

Honolulu’s speed-camera rollout tickets few drivers as courts adapt

2026-04-24

Honolulu’s statewide speed-enforcement camera program has begun issuing speeding citations, but the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation has sent only 17 speeding tickets in the program’s first four months, according to court and state records reviewed by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed by The Associated Press. State officials said they are targeting the “worst of the worst” speeders so the expected volume will not overwhelm police, courts and the judiciary’s information systems.

Judge orders family of man charged in Boulder firebomb attack released

2026-04-24

A federal judge ordered the release from immigration custody of the family of a man charged in a 2025 firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, an Associated Press report said. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ruled Thursday that Hayam El Gamal and her five children can leave a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, if the mother and her oldest child wear electronic monitoring.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE and Border Patrol, sending it to House

2026-04-23

The Senate on Thursday voted to adopt a budget plan to fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol for three years, the first steps in a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans used the budget-reconciliation process to move the measure despite Democratic objections, and sent the plan to the House after a final vote early Thursday morning.

Man who stole Kristi Noem’s purse in DC restaurant sentenced to prison

2026-04-23

A man who stole then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s purse while she dined with family in a Washington, D.C., restaurant was sentenced to three years in prison on Wednesday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The prosecution said the purse contained credit cards and about $3,000 in cash, and that police recovered it from the man’s motel room.

Houston amends ordinance limiting ICE cooperation after Abbott funding threat

2026-04-23

Houston city leaders amended an ordinance limiting how police cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott threatened to withhold public-safety grants. The original ordinance, passed on a 2-week timeline, removed a requirement that officers wait 30 minutes for ICE agents to pick up people detained on nonjudicial administrative warrants.

Immigration officer charged with assault after protest outside Colorado ICE

2026-04-23

An immigration officer has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after an investigation into how he treated a protester outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Durango, Colorado, the district attorney said. The protester, Franci Stagi, told authorities a masked agent grabbed and put her in a chokehold during an October demonstration against the detention of three Colombian asylum-seekers.

Appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents to wear ID

2026-04-23

A federal appeals court blocked a California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification, dealing another setback to the state’s efforts to limit enforcement tactics by the Trump administration. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction pending appeal, saying the law “attempts to directly regulate the United States in its performance of governmental functions.”

California lawmakers advance bills to protect patients in ICE custody

2026-04-23

California lawmakers are pursuing two bills aimed at limiting how federal immigration enforcement officers interact with people brought to hospitals while in ICE custody, with supporters citing difficulties families and attorneys face in locating hospitalized detainees. The proposals in the Senate would seek to restrict “blackout policies,” require notice and visitation rules for patients, and set expectations for staff when agents are present, the Associated Press reported. The federal Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment.

Ex-officer planned to kill Black people at New Orleans Jazz Fest, police say

2026-04-23

Authorities in multiple states said a former North Carolina law enforcement officer planned a mass shooting targeting Black people at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Christopher Gillum, authorities said, was arrested at a Florida hotel with a handgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition and is expected to be extradited to Louisiana.

Murder retrial begins in Ohio for ex-deputy Jason Meade in Casey Goodson Jr. killing

2026-04-23

Opening statements began Thursday in the retrial of a former Franklin County, Ohio, deputy charged with murder and reckless homicide for killing a Black man as he entered his grandmother’s home, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors allege that former deputy Jason Meade shot Casey Goodson Jr. multiple times in the back on Dec. 4, 2020.

Police seek 17-year-old on attempted murder charges after Iowa City shooting

2026-04-23

Police in Iowa City are seeking a 17-year-old on attempted murder charges after a shooting early Sunday in a nightlife area near the University of Iowa campus, authorities said Wednesday. Iowa City Police Chief Dustin Liston said five people were treated for gunshot wounds, including three University of Iowa students, and one woman remained in critical condition. Authorities said an arrest warrant was issued and that Iowa law requires the 17-year-old, from Cedar Rapids, to be charged as an adult for forcible-felony offenses.

Man who stole Kristi Noem’s purse at DC restaurant sentenced to 3 years

2026-04-22

A man who stole a purse belonging to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem while she was dining in Washington was sentenced to three years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. Mario Bustamante Leiva also faces deportation after the sentence imposed by U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden.

Police seek 17-year-old for attempted murder in shooting near Iowa campus

2026-04-22

Police in Iowa City are seeking a 17-year-old on attempted murder charges after a shooting early Sunday in a nightlife district near the University of Iowa, authorities said Wednesday. Authorities said five people were treated for gunshot wounds, including three University of Iowa students.

Houston amends ICE cooperation ordinance after Abbott threatens funding

2026-04-22

Houston City Council amended a recently passed ordinance that limited some police cooperation with federal immigration agents after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott warned the city could lose public-safety grants. Council members voted 13-4 on Wednesday, with Mayor John Whitmire citing a need to protect about $114 million tied to the World Cup and other security funding.

Appeals court blocks California law requiring federal agents wear ID

2026-04-22

A federal appeals court on Wednesday blocked a California law requiring federal immigration agents to wear identification, issuing an injunction pending appeal. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the measure improperly targeted the federal government’s performance of governmental functions. California had argued the ID requirement was needed for public safety and would apply to law enforcement generally.

Immigration officer charged with assault after protest, DA says

2026-04-22

An immigration officer in Colorado has been charged with third-degree assault and criminal mischief after a protest outside a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, the Durango district attorney said. The case follows allegations that the officer grabbed and put a protester, Franci Stagi, in a chokehold during an October demonstration.

49 new Americans sworn in on Lexington’s Battle Green

2026-04-22

Lexington, Massachusetts, held a naturalization ceremony on the town’s Battle Green on April 22, with 49 people sworn in as U.S. citizens on the Revolutionary War battlefield where “the shot heard round the world” was fired. Steve Cole, a reenactor who plays Capt. John Parker at the annual Battle Green reenactment, told the new citizens, “No matter where you come from, here you belong.” U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul G. Levenson administered the Oath of Allegiance and said the oath is to the Constitution.

California Senate bills aim to stop ICE officers isolating hospitalized patients

2026-04-22

California lawmakers advanced two bills to protect patients held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after concerns that federal agents can isolate patients from families and attorneys and interfere with care. The proposals would limit “blackout” practices, require facilities to better facilitate communication and visitation, and direct staff to document when agents refuse to leave exam and treatment discussions.

Ex-officer arrested in plot targeting Black people at New Orleans festival

2026-04-22

Authorities say Christopher Gillum, a former North Carolina law enforcement officer, planned to kill Black people at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and was arrested in Florida with a handgun and ammunition. Federal investigators and law enforcement in multiple states said they warned that he was heading to Louisiana for the planned attack as the festival runs through May 3.

Murder retrial begins in Ohio for ex-deputy Jason Meade in Casey Goodson Jr. killing

2026-04-22

Opening statements began Thursday in the retrial of former Franklin County sheriff’s deputy Jason Meade, who is charged with murder and reckless homicide in the 2020 shooting death of Casey Goodson Jr. in Columbus, Ohio. Prosecutors say Meade shot Goodson multiple times in the back as he entered his grandmother’s home, while Meade’s defense argues the retired deputy feared for his life.

Navy veteran charged in Atlanta-area shootings dies in jail

2026-04-22

A man charged in a series of shootings near Atlanta that left three people dead died in jail Tuesday night, authorities said. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office said Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was found unresponsive in his cell and later pronounced dead. Officials said the official cause of death had not been determined and that they did not suspect foul play, while conducting an internal review.

Senate advances budget plan to fund ICE, Border Patrol and reopen DHS

2026-04-22

In Washington, the Senate voted early Thursday to adopt a budget plan that would fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol through the next three years, sending the resolution to the House. The action was taken after the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down since mid-February while Democrats sought policy changes following fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents.

Wife of U.S. Army sergeant detained by ICE in El Paso

2026-04-22

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant is being held by ICE at a detention facility in El Paso, Texas, while she challenges the case in federal court, according to her husband and her attorney. Jose Serrano, who said he served three tours in Afghanistan, said immigration agents arrested his wife April 14 during an immigration appointment. The case comes as DHS has moved to end a policy that treated military service in a family as a mitigating factor in immigration enforcement.

Ancient gold helmet returned to Romania after theft from Dutch museum

2026-04-22

Romania’s National History Museum received a 2,500-year-old golden helmet and three golden bracelets from the Netherlands on Tuesday, nearly a year after the artifacts were stolen from the Drents Museum while on loan. Dutch and Romanian authorities said they completed a long recovery effort after investigations, diplomatic coordination, and an ongoing trial.

Senate votes to restart bid to fund DHS and end partial shutdown

2026-04-22

The Senate voted 52-46 on Tuesday to launch a new effort to reopen the Department of Homeland Security and end the longest partial government shutdown in history, setting up a pathway Republicans hope will fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol. Republicans said they will use the budget reconciliation process, while Democrats argued the approach would pour money into immigration enforcement without reforms after fatal shootings of two protesters by federal agents.

Appeals court keeps “Alligator Alcatraz” open after environmental challenge

2026-04-22

A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that a Florida immigration detention facility in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” will remain open, rejecting a judge’s order to wind down the center. The Eleventh Circuit said the facility is not under federal control, and therefore does not require federal environmental review under the law at issue.

Navy veteran charged in Atlanta-area shootings dies in jail

2026-04-21

A man charged in a string of shootings near Atlanta that left three people dead, including a Department of Homeland Security employee walking her dog, died in jail Tuesday night, authorities said. Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, was found unresponsive in his cell at the DeKalb County jail, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, and later was pronounced dead.

Wife of U.S. Army sergeant detained in El Paso immigration facility

2026-04-21

The wife of a U.S. Army sergeant was being held Tuesday at an immigration detention facility in El Paso, Texas, after agents arrested her during a visit related to immigration paperwork, according to her husband. Her case has moved to U.S. District Court, where her attorney has sought an order to block her removal to Mexico.

Judge orders man shot by ICE in California to remain in custody

2026-04-21

A California judge on Monday ordered a man shot multiple times during an Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest to remain in custody, citing flight-risk concerns. Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez, 36, who holds dual citizenship from El Salvador and Mexico, was shot during an enforcement stop on April 7 in Patterson, about 75 miles southeast of San Francisco. He is charged with assaulting a federal officer for allegedly striking an ICE agent with his car before reversing into a law enforcement vehicle, according to court documents.

Father fatally shoots 8 children in Shreveport, deadliest in 2 years

2026-04-20

A Louisiana father fatally shot eight children, including seven of his own, in what authorities described as the deadliest mass shooting in the United States in more than two years. The attack unfolded in two homes in a Shreveport neighborhood Sunday morning, with police responding to the first report around 5:55 a.m., Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. The gunman, identified as 31-year-old Shamar Elkins, died after a police pursuit that ended with officers firing on him. Police also said Elkins shot and wounded his wife and another woman.

Third victim dies in Atlanta-area attacks; Navy veteran charged

2026-04-20

Tony Mathews, a 49-year-old homeless man, died from injuries sustained in a series of attacks across the Atlanta area, authorities said. The death marks the third fatality in the spree as police seek an additional murder charge against Adon Abel, a 26-year-old U.S. Navy veteran accused in the attacks.

Animal welfare activists demand Wisconsin close beagle breeding facility

2026-04-20

More than 100 animal welfare activists gathered outside Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' Capitol office Monday morning, chanting "Free the dogs!" and demanding that state officials take action against Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in rural Blue Mounds about 25 miles southwest of Madison. The Capitol protest followed a weekend clash at the facility Saturday in which an estimated 1,000 activists attempted to access the property, where approximately 2,000 beagles are housed.

Iranian smuggler extradited to U.S. to face 2014 sanctions charges

2026-04-20

Reza Dindar, a 44-year-old Iranian citizen indicted in 2014 for smuggling military sonar equipment to Iran in violation of U.S. sanctions, was extradited to Seattle and made his initial appearance in federal court on Monday. Dindar was arrested in Panama in July 2025 at U.S. request.

25 arrested in Wisconsin beagle facility protests; second attempt in two months

2026-04-19

Around 25 protesters were arrested Saturday as approximately 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to breach Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, about 25 miles southwest of Madison. Officers fired pepper spray and rubber bullets to repel the group, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Office.

Ohio nursing homes discharge homeless patients to shelters, federal says

2026-04-19

Ohio nursing facilities have discharged medically fragile residents to homeless shelters, federal inspectors said, in cases that ombudsmen and advocates say can lead to unsafe outcomes. In one case in Columbus, a resident was left waiting outside a shelter and later staff said they could not determine how the person ended up there, according to a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services inspection.

Ohio nursing homes send patients to homeless shelters, inspectors say

2026-04-18

Ohio nursing homes have transferred medically fragile residents to homeless shelters, federal inspectors found, in a practice advocates say is becoming more common. In one case described in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services oversight documents, inspectors said a nursing home discharged a resident to a shelter without arranging psychiatric placement or ensuring a safe transfer, prompting shelter staff to call the fire department.

85-year-old French widow returns to France after 16-day ICE detention

2026-04-18

An 85-year-old French widow returned to France on Friday after 16 days in U.S. immigration custody, her son said. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Alabama on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa. Speaking to reporters in her hometown of Orvault in western France, her son Hervé Goix said his mother needs time to recover from the detention.

Animal welfare activists clash with police at Wisconsin beagle facility

2026-04-18

About 1,000 animal welfare activists attempted to storm Ridglan Farms, a beagle breeding and research facility in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, on Saturday, but police fired rubber bullets and pepper spray to repel them, authorities said. The Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, led by Wayne Hsiung, had organized the operation to seize the approximately 2,000 beagles kept at the facility. Hsiung was arrested along with an unspecified number of other protesters.

Black patriots' overlooked role in American Revolution gets new spotlight

2026-04-18

Black and Indigenous patriots whose contributions to the American Revolution were long marginalized are now being highlighted through museum exhibitions and programs nationwide as the United States marks the war's 250th anniversary. The National Park Service estimates that more than 5,500 patriots of color served on the colonial side, including enslaved men like Prince Estabrook, who fought at Lexington on April 19, 1775, yet their stories have been largely absent from traditional accounts that focused on white leaders.

Los Angeles ordered to pay $11.8M to man blinded by police projectile

2026-04-18

A federal jury has ordered Los Angeles to pay $11.8 million to Isaac Castellanos, who was permanently blinded in one eye by a police projectile while celebrating the Dodgers' 2020 World Series championship. The jury returned the verdict Thursday after deliberating less than two hours in Castellanos' federal lawsuit alleging excessive use of force. Castellanos was a senior at California State University, Long Beach, when he was struck in the face during a peaceful downtown Los Angeles gathering on the early morning of October 28, 2020. According to his complaint, Los Angeles Police Department officers advanced toward the crowd and began firing less-lethal munitions—including rubber bullets and bean bags—without warning.

Kansas family sues over inmate's death from alleged deputy pressure

2026-04-18

Charles Adair's family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit Friday over his death in a Kansas jail, renewing demands for the public release of video showing what investigators say led to his death while in custody. Adair, arrested last July on misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear, died after deputy Richard Fatherley allegedly knelt on his back for one minute and 26 seconds while he was handcuffed in his cell, according to a Kansas Bureau of Investigation affidavit. Fatherley was charged with second-degree murder; he remains free on bond. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Adair's family, said "The public has a right to transparency when someone dies in custody in this manner." The sheriff's office declined The Associated Press's records request for the video, though Crump and co-counsel Harry Daniels have viewed it.

Ohio nursing homes send patients to homeless shelters, federal review finds

2026-04-17

Ohio regulators and federal inspectors have documented nursing homes transferring medically fragile, involuntarily discharged patients to homeless shelters instead of psychiatric placements or other care options, according to inspection reports and interviews with ombudsman officials. The cases highlighted by the reports include people with mobility limits, complex medication needs and substance-use treatment barriers, with investigators describing situations where shelter staff had to call emergency responders. The issue has drawn attention from state long-term-care advocates, who warn that shelter systems are not equipped for nursing-home care.

Concerns about backgrounds of some new ICE hires

2026-04-17

The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began work before completing background checks and had financial, legal and employment issues in their histories. The AP said it found examples by reviewing LinkedIn disclosures and public records, and that the agency keeps the identities of employees shielded from public view.

Dispute over temperature preceded Atlanta-area attacks that killed two

2026-04-17

A man accused of killing two people and critically injuring another in a series of attacks in the Atlanta area on Monday morning had, shortly before the shootings, gotten into an intense argument with a roommate over how cold he kept their shared home, according to those who lived with him. Olaolukitan Adon Abel, 26, is charged with two counts of malice murder, aggravated assault, and firearms counts in state court in DeKalb County, Georgia. He also faces federal firearms charges. Among his victims was Lauren Bullis, an auditor for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The attacks occurred over several hours Monday morning: a 31-year-old woman was shot and killed around 12:50 a.m. outside a fast-food restaurant in Decatur; a 49-year-old homeless man was shot multiple times while sleeping outside a grocery store around 2 a.m.; and Bullis, found with gunshot and stab wounds around 7 a.m. near the suspect's home, was also killed. The homeless man remained hospitalized in critical condition.

ICE acting director Todd Lyons to resign at end of May

2026-04-17

Todd Lyons, who led U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a key executor of President Donald Trump's mass deportations agenda, will resign at the end of May, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced Thursday. Lyons' last day will be May 31. The announcement comes after the agency faced mounting scrutiny over high-profile enforcement operations and the deaths of two American protesters during federal immigration officer conduct.

Abbott threatens $200 million in funding cuts to Texas cities over ICE policies

2026-04-17

Gov. Greg Abbott threatened Monday to strip nearly $200 million in state public safety funding from Houston, Dallas, and Austin, claiming their policies limiting police cooperation with federal immigration authorities make streets less safe rather than safer. Houston faces the largest potential cut at approximately $110 million. Dallas stands to lose more than $32 million in grants plus an additional $55 million in World Cup public safety funding. Austin could forfeit approximately $2.5 million. Abbott gave Houston an extended deadline to comply, while Austin and Dallas received similar letters Thursday. The threatened cuts stem from each city's policy directing police officers not to prolong detention of individuals to facilitate contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement during routine encounters like traffic stops.

Small aircraft forces UPS cargo plane to abort landing in Louisville

2026-04-17

A UPS cargo plane aborted its landing at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport early Tuesday morning after a small aircraft crossed the runway as it approached, federal authorities said. Air traffic control audio captured a controller directing the small plane, identified as Skylab 25, to stop before ordering the UPS aircraft to perform a go-around maneuver. No one was injured in the incident, which occurred around 12:10 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

ICE hired agents with questionable backgrounds

2026-04-17

An Associated Press investigation has found that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hired thousands of new officers and special agents with questionable qualifications during an unprecedented hiring spree to carry out President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign. The agency, which received a $75 billion congressional windfall, prioritized rapid recruitment over verification, resulting in the hiring of applicants with histories of financial distress, failed police academies, and prior misconduct allegations.

French widow released from ICE custody after 16 days

2026-04-17

An 85-year-old French widow who married a retired U.S. soldier decades ago has returned to France after spending 16 days in federal immigration custody. Marie-Thérèse Ross was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on April 1 for overstaying her 90-day visa, though she was in the process of applying for a green card. An Alabama judge found evidence that her stepson, a U.S. federal employee, may have used his position to trigger her detention amid a dispute over her late husband's estate.

Navy reservist returned to U.S. after fleeing to Hong Kong in wife's freezer death

2026-04-17

NORFOLK, Va. — A Navy Reservist accused of hiding his wife's body in a kitchen freezer and fleeing to Hong Kong was returned to the United States on Wednesday and remains in California facing federal charges, Norfolk police said Thursday. David Varela, 38, had been a fugitive for more than two months after the body of Lisa Maria Guerra Echavarria, 39, was found in the freezer of their Norfolk apartment on Feb. 5.

Issues in backgrounds of some new ICE hires

2026-04-16

The Associated Press reported Friday that some newly hired U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers began working before their full background checks were completed, and that several had problems in their financial, legal and employment histories. The investigation traced details through public records for more than 40 officers who posted their new jobs online and analyzed what the agency and the Department of Homeland Security said about vetting. ICE has said it keeps employee identities shielded to protect them from harassment.

House passes bill to extend Haiti immigrants’ temporary protected status

2026-04-16

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House passed legislation Thursday that would extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants in a rare bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the program, a key step before a fast-moving Supreme Court case. The vote was 224-204, and supporters said it would give hundreds of thousands of qualifying Haitians time to remain lawfully in the United States without fear of deportation.

Armed man with AR-style pistol arrested at Aetna's Hartford headquarters

2026-04-16

A man carrying a backpack containing an AR-style pistol was arrested Thursday after entering health insurer Aetna's headquarters in Hartford, Connecticut, according to police. Security guards detained him without incident within three minutes of his arrival, shortly after 10 a.m., and held him until city police officers arrived. He was charged with illegal possession of an assault weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine, and trespassing.

Suspect pleads guilty to robbery in case of missing Navajo grandmother Ella Mae Begay

2026-04-16

Preston Henry Tolth, 26, pleaded guilty to federal robbery charges Thursday in Phoenix in the case of Ella Mae Begay, a 62-year-old Navajo grandmother who disappeared from the Navajo Nation in 2021 and has never been found. Under a proposed agreement, Tolth faces a maximum of five years in federal prison with credit for three years already served. U.S. District Judge Douglas Rayes is scheduled to review the agreement in May.

Minnesota probes federal officers over two killings, wounding and highway assault

2026-04-16

Hennepin County on Thursday charged an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent with pointing a gun at a motorist and passenger on a Minneapolis highway — what a local prosecutor described as the first criminal case brought against a federal officer involved in the Twin Cities immigration enforcement operation. The charge against ICE agent Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is one of several active investigations into federal officers' conduct during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign in Minnesota, which has included two deaths, at least one other shooting and dozens of additional incidents under prosecutorial review.

Massachusetts $5M immigrant legal aid program at capacity as removal cases top 126,000

2026-04-16

A Massachusetts state program that launched at the end of 2025 to provide free legal representation to immigrants in removal proceedings reached capacity less than five months after launch, with a program hotline receiving 6,000 calls since December but finding attorneys for fewer than half of eligible callers, as pending removal cases against state residents topped 126,000, program officials said.

Venezuelan doctor detained at Texas airport before asylum interview

2026-04-16

A Venezuelan emergency room physician was detained by immigration officials at a Texas airport Saturday while attempting to join her husband for a long-awaited asylum interview, entering her sixth day in detention at the time the Associated Press reported the case. Dr. Rubeliz Bolivar, who held work authorization valid through 2030, was arrested at McAllen International Airport by Customs and Border Protection while traveling to Los Angeles where her husband, Milenko Faria, had scheduled an asylum interview Thursday after waiting more than a decade for the appointment.

Minnesota charges ICE agent with felony assault for pointing gun at highway drivers

2026-04-16

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty charged a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer with two counts of felony second-degree assault Thursday, saying the agent pointed his service weapon at two people in a car after pulling alongside them on a Minneapolis-area highway in February. The case is the first criminal charge brought against a federal officer involved in Minnesota's immigration crackdown, Moriarty said at a news conference. A nationwide warrant has been issued for the agent, Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr., 35, who had not surrendered as of Thursday.

FAA and FBI warn drone pilots after Coors Field airspace violations

2026-04-16

The Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI warned drone operators Thursday against flying near Coors Field in Denver after more than a half-dozen unauthorized drone sightings disrupted law enforcement operations during Colorado Rockies home games April 3 through April 5. No operators were arrested, but the agencies said violators could still face fines of up to $75,000 per incident.

New York to lose $73.5M in federal funds over unrevoked immigrant CDLs

2026-04-16

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Thursday it will withhold more than $73.5 million in federal funding from New York state after the state refused to revoke 32,606 non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants that a federal audit found had significant problems. More than half of the 200 licenses reviewed during the audit had serious deficiencies — including licenses that remained valid long after the holder's authorization to be in the country had expired — according to the department.

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt probe over Trump deportation flights

2026-04-15

A divided panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled Tuesday that a federal judge must stop his “intrusive” criminal contempt investigation into the Trump administration’s deportation flights to El Salvador. The court said Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion by moving forward even though the order he cited did not meet the standard for criminal contempt.

House votes to extend Haiti TPS protections, in rebuke to Trump plan

2026-04-15

The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill that would extend temporary protected status for Haitian immigrants for three years, a rare bipartisan rebuke to President Donald Trump’s effort to end the program. The measure passed 224-204 and now faces uncertainty in the Senate, where Trump would likely seek to veto it, according to the Associated Press.

Atlanta-area attacks leave 2 dead, DHS worker among victims; suspect charged

2026-04-15

Authorities say Olaolukitan Adon Abel has been charged in a series of attacks in the Atlanta suburbs that killed two women and critically injured a man, according to court and police accounts. The attacks occurred Monday in Decatur-area, Brookhaven, and Panthersville neighborhoods in the early morning hours, officials said. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin called the shootings “acts of pure evil.”

Mexico’s Sheinbaum pushes back on Trump over migrant deaths in custody

2026-04-15

Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday protested the deaths of Mexican citizens in U.S. immigration custody and vowed to press the issue through international rights bodies and U.S. lawsuits. She spoke a day after Alejandro Cabrera Clemente, 49, died in an ICE detention center in Louisiana.

Republicans plan GOP-only path to fund Homeland Security shut down

2026-04-15

Republicans in Congress are preparing to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security in a strategy Senate Majority Leader John Thune called “the hard way,” after bipartisan talks stalled, leaving the department shut down for nearly two months. Thune said the GOP plan would bypass Democrats and use budget reconciliation to pass an ICE and Customs and Border Protection funding bill with a simple majority in the 53-47 Senate. Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, said they will continue pressing for restraints and changes to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement.

America at 250: visitors reflect as Declaration stirs hope and doubt

2026-04-15

WASHINGTON (AP) — On America’s 250th anniversary, visitors to the National Archives’ Rotunda reflected on whether the country is living up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights amid political division and anxiety over representative government. Many said they still hope the nation can repair itself, while others pointed to concerns about constitutional rights and recent immigration enforcement actions.

Mississippi museums for America at 250 emphasize full, unwhitewashed history

2026-04-15

Jackson, Mississippi is spotlighting the America at 250 celebration with two adjoining museums that present state history, including slavery and racial violence, through exhibits and artifacts created to “don’t brush over anything” and “don’t whitewash anything.” The state’s approach, as described by officials and visitors, contrasts with federal changes that followed President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January 2025.

Prosecutors charge man shot by ICE in California with assaulting officer

2026-04-15

A man who was shot multiple times during an April 7 arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in central California was charged Tuesday with assaulting a federal officer, prosecutors said. The case is in federal court in Sacramento, where a magistrate judge set a $50,000 bond after ordering him released pending further review.

Wife of former NY highway official admits deleting DoorDash shooting video

2026-04-15

Selina Nelson-Reilly, the wife of former Chester, New York highway superintendent John Reilly III, pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence after admitting she deleted doorbell-camera videos of a shooting involving a DoorDash delivery driver. Prosecutors said she deleted 17 videos after investigators spoke with her the day after the May 2025 shooting, and a plea came shortly after Reilly was convicted of assault for firing at the driver’s car.

Guards accused of beating detainees at Florida's 'Alligator Alcatraz'

2026-04-15

Guards at Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention facility severely beat and pepper-sprayed detainees on April 2 after they complained about non-functioning phones, according to a court declaration filed by attorney Katherine Blankenship on behalf of two detainees held at the remote Everglades site. Blankenship said guards began taunting detainees who had raised concerns about inoperable phones — their primary means of reaching family and attorneys — before the confrontation turned physical. One of her clients was punched in the right eye, thrown to the floor, beaten by several guards, kicked in the head, and had a guard's knee pressed to his neck while being restrained, she wrote.

Illinois lawmakers refuse to accept corrections audit findings, demand agency return

2026-04-15

Illinois's Legislative Audit Commission refused Tuesday to accept a state Department of Corrections audit that found 40 failures — including a decade-old overtime scheme that cost the state $150 million in fiscal year 2024 — and ordered the agency to return with answers on its remediation progress. The bipartisan commission, which reviews audits of state agencies, questioned Corrections Director LaToya Hughes over findings that auditors said had persisted in some cases since 2014 despite repeated departmental commitments to address them. "There is literally nothing that you guys can say that I would believe," commission co-chair Sen. Chapin Rose, R-Mahomet, said. "And honestly, it's about the safety of people in the state and the safety of the men and women that work there."

Judge extends pause on Maryland warehouse immigrant detention conversion

2026-04-15

A federal judge on Wednesday extended a halt on work to convert an 825,000-square-foot Maryland warehouse into an immigrant detention facility, issuing a preliminary injunction that will remain in place until the state's lawsuit is resolved. The Department of Homeland Security purchased the building near Hagerstown for $102.4 million in January and had planned to house between 500 and 1,500 detainees there. The ruling limits contractors to only minor work — fence installation and heating and cooling upgrades — while the case proceeds.

France presses DHS to free 85-year-old widow of U.S. Army veteran from ICE custody

2026-04-15

The French government is pressing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release an 85-year-old French national from immigration custody after she was detained in Alabama for overstaying her visa. Marie-Therese Ross, the widow of a former U.S. Army captain, has been held at a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested her on April 1. France's consul general in New Orleans said the government has "fully mobilized" to secure her release.

Two killed, one critical in Atlanta-area attacks; UK-born man charged, DHS worker among dead

2026-04-15

A man has been charged in a string of early-morning attacks across the Atlanta area that killed two women and left a man in critical condition, authorities said Tuesday. One of the victims, Lauren Bullis, was an employee of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General, a development that prompted DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin to raise questions about how the suspect had obtained U.S. citizenship.

New York Islanders run jumbotron fundraiser for officer convicted of manslaughter

2026-04-15

The New York Islanders solicited fan donations via a jumbotron display during Tuesday's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes for former NYPD Sgt. Erik Duran, who was sentenced last week to three to nine years in prison for manslaughter in the 2023 death of a Bronx man. The promotion, organized by the Sergeants Benevolent Association, featured Duran's photograph, a QR code directing fans to his legal defense fund, and a message urging them to join "the fight for justice." The team also directed a quarter of proceeds from a 50/50 raffle — which took in $44,890, according to the Islanders' website — toward the cause, the union said.

Ohio nursing homes send patients to homeless shelters, federal inspectors say

2026-04-14

Federal inspectors have documented cases in Ohio in which nursing homes discharged residents to homeless shelters despite medical fragility and requirements intended to protect people leaving long-term care. In one case, inspectors said shelter staff called the fire department after a resident arrived incontinent and carrying medication. Advocates and an Ohio industry group said unstable housing and insurer pressure are making such discharges more common.

Bahamas police release Michigan man questioned after wife disappeared from boat

2026-04-14

Police in the Bahamas have released Brian Hooker, of Onsted, Michigan, after he was questioned following his wife’s disappearance from a small boat in waters off the island nation, authorities said Monday. Hooker told police that Lynette Hooker fell overboard while the couple traveled from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, according to a police statement.

House approves aviation safety bill tied to 2025 Washington midair collision

2026-04-14

The House on Tuesday approved the Alert Act, a bill aimed at strengthening aviation safety requirements after a deadly midair collision near Washington last year involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter. The measure, backed by industry groups and pushed by Rep. Sam Graves and Rep. Rick Larsen, now heads to the Senate as key senators and families of the 67 victims say it still needs changes.

Brazil ex-intelligence chief Alexandre Ramagem arrested by ICE, senator says

2026-04-14

SAO PAULO — A Brazilian senator said on Monday that former intelligence agency chief Alexandre Ramagem was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sen. Jorge Seif said he had told the U.S. embassy in Brasilia that Ramagem should not remain in custody because he is being persecuted in Brazil.

Man shot by ICE in California arrested by FBI, attorney says

2026-04-14

A man shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during an enforcement stop in central California last week has been arrested by the FBI after being discharged from a hospital, his attorney said Monday. Attorney Patrick Kolasinski said federal officials have not told him what charges Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez might face.

OSHA cites 3 companies after death of worker building ICE camp

2026-04-14

OSHA has cited three subcontractors for safety violations connected to the July 21, 2025, death of a worker building Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. A federal watchdog group said one of the companies was owned by a donor to President Donald Trump, and OSHA declined to cite the prime contractor tied to the fatal incident.

House approves aviation safety bill after deadly 2025 DC midair crash

2026-04-13

The U.S. House on April 14 approved the Alert Act, a bill aimed at reducing the risk of midair collisions after a jet and an Army helicopter crashed near Washington, leaving 67 people dead. The measure would require aircraft flying around busy airports to have locator and next-generation collision-avoidance systems, and it drew immediate calls from families and some lawmakers for stronger safeguards as it moves to the Senate.

Ohio nursing homes transfer patients to homeless shelters, federal finds

2026-04-13

Ohio nursing home patients in involuntary discharge cases have been sent to homeless shelters, federal inspectors said in a series of reviews tied to Medicare and Medicaid spending. The incidents, including a 2023 case in Columbus, raise questions about whether facilities can make discharges “safe and appropriate” for people who are medically fragile.

Bahamas police release Michigan man questioned after wife vanished

2026-04-13

Police in the Bahamas released Brian Hooker, a Michigan man who had been in custody after his wife, Lynette Hooker, disappeared from their small boat near the island nation, authorities said. Hooker told investigators he believed his wife fell overboard while they were traveling from Hope Town to Elbow Cay on April 4, and he later contacted people on shore, according to the police account.

Police fatally shoot machete man after subway stabbings at Grand Central

2026-04-12

New York police fatally shot a knife-wielding man after he attacked three people at the 42nd Street–Grand Central subway station on Saturday morning, officials said. Police received reports of stabbings at about 9:40 a.m., and the suspect later died at Bellevue Hospital, the Police Commissioner said.

British authorities charge alleged boat pilot in deaths of 4 migrants

2026-04-12

LONDON (AP) — British authorities have charged a Sudanese man they allege piloted a boat linked to the deaths of four migrants as they tried to cross the English Channel, the National Crime Agency said. The man, 27-year-old Alnour Mohamed Ali, was charged under a new British immigration law, prosecutors said.

Sheriff’s deputy shot, killed in central California during eviction notice

2026-04-11

A man fatally shot a Tulare County sheriff’s deputy on Thursday morning while officers served an eviction notice in Porterville, California, prompting a standoff that ended with authorities running him over with a vehicle, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said. The deputy later died, and residents were evacuated or told to shelter in place for hours while the confrontation unfolded.

Woman vanished in Bahamas after sailing videos; husband questioned, Coast Guard probes

2026-04-11

The U.S. Coast Guard and authorities in the Bahamas are investigating the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, who vanished while sailing between Hope Town and Elbow Cay. Police arrested her husband, Brian Hooker, and authorities said he told them she fell overboard from a small motorboat, but she has not been found. Her family and an attorney for Hooker say he has been cooperating and denies causing her disappearance.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-11

Communities across the United States have pushed back against plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers, as the Department of Homeland Security reviews contracts signed under the agency’s predecessor. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin is reviewing a plan to transform warehouses across the country to house tens of thousands of immigrants, the Associated Press reported. In several states, local officials said they were not notified in advance, and in others state or local authorities moved to block or challenge deals.

Immigration board denies Mahmoud Khalil’s appeal as federal case continues

2026-04-11

An immigration appeals board has denied Mahmoud Khalil’s bid to dismiss his deportation case, a ruling his lawyers said brings him closer to re-arrest and possible expulsion. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued the final order of removal on Thursday, according to Khalil’s attorneys, in a case that began after a federal crackdown on noncitizens who criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Iowa woman pleads not guilty in Ashley Okland killing

2026-04-11

A woman charged in the 2011 killing of real estate agent Ashley Okland pleaded not guilty in Iowa court on April 10, nearly 15 years after Okland was found dead at a model townhome during an open house. Prosecutors say the case stems from an incident Okland’s colleague was hosting in West Des Moines, and court filings described a neighbor’s account of seeing the defendant outside before she drove away and returned.

Parents sue U.S. after 8-year-old dies in CBP custody in Texas

2026-04-11

A Honduran family sued the U.S. government after an 8-year-old girl with serious medical conditions died while in Customs and Border Protection custody in Texas in 2023, according to court filings filed Friday. The suit says federal officials failed to provide proper medical care during her eight days in custody, including at a CBP facility in Donna before she was later held in Harlingen.

Trump shares video of Florida killing, pointing to deportation agenda

2026-04-11

President Donald Trump shared on Truth Social a video portraying a deadly attack in Florida that authorities allege involved a Haitian immigrant, using it to support his administration’s deportation agenda, the Associated Press reported. Rolbert Joachin, 40, was arrested and charged after a woman was killed at a gas station in Fort Myers on April 2, according to court and law-enforcement records. Critics said Trump’s post demonizes Haitian immigrants and broader immigration protections.

FAA and Pentagon approve counter-drone lasers for southern border

2026-04-11

The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that anti-drone lasers used for counter–UAS operations along the U.S. southern border are safe for commercial flights, after a review prompted airport airspace closures in Texas earlier this year. The FAA said it and the Defense Department signed an agreement outlining safety precautions for travelers, following a demonstration at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Lawmakers who questioned the Feb. uses said they still need detailed answers and a congressional briefing.

Ex-NYPD officer sentenced to 3 to 9 years for cooler-throw crash

2026-04-10

NEW YORK — A former New York City police sergeant was sentenced to three to nine years in prison for throwing a picnic cooler at a fleeing suspect in 2023, setting off a fatal crash involving a motorized scooter. Erik Duran, 38, was convicted of manslaughter in the death of Eric Duprey and was taken into custody after sentencing Thursday.

FAA investigates close call at LAX after Frontier pilot slammed brakes

2026-04-10

A Frontier Airlines pilot prevented a near collision with two trucks at Los Angeles International Airport when the vehicles crossed the plane’s path on a taxiway, the Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday. The FAA is investigating the incident, which happened late Wednesday and did not injure anyone.

US communities push back on plans for immigration detention centers

2026-04-10

Communities across the U.S. are pushing back against plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers, a move the Department of Homeland Security says it is reviewing. The backlash follows reports that the government spent $1.074 billion on 11 warehouses, most of them after ICE bought the properties without local input. In recent days, DHS paused additional purchases and began scrutiny of contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

California man shot by ICE agents denies gang ties

2026-04-10

An attorney for a man shot by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during an arrest in Patterson, California, says the man denies being a gang member as he recovers after multiple surgeries. Attorney Patrick Kolasinski said federal prosecutors told him Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez is not under arrest, raising questions about why ICE targeted him.

Maryland reaches settlement over Key Bridge crash with Dali owner and operator

2026-04-10

Maryland reached a settlement in principle with the owner and operator of the M/V Dali after the ship crashed into Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024, Attorney General Anthony Brown said. The agreement resolves a portion of the state’s claims, Brown said, and the companies said they also reached a separate settlement agreement with ACE American Insurance Company.

Husband denies wrongdoing after wife vanishes from boat in Bahamas

2026-04-10

An American man arrested in the Bahamas after his wife vanished while the couple traveled by motorboat denies any wrongdoing, his attorney said. The U.S. Coast Guard has opened a criminal investigation into the case, while Bahamian police said search efforts remain active.

Judge rejects plea deal for missing Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay case

2026-04-10

A federal judge in Phoenix rejected a plea agreement for Preston Henry Tolth, who admitted beating a Navajo elder and leaving her for dead, finding the deal would not proceed. Tolth, 26, will now face trial on charges including carjacking and assault tied to the 2021 disappearance of Ella Mae Begay. The case has drawn national attention amid broader concerns about Indigenous people who go missing or are killed.

Protesters derail Maryland plans for ICE warehouse detention facility

2026-04-10

Horns blared and protesters shouted “Stop ICE!” outside a Washington County, Maryland meeting where county officials discussed a paused plan to convert a large warehouse into an immigration detention facility. The Department of Homeland Security has paused the effort and is reviewing contracts signed by its predecessor, according to a recent court filing in the state’s lawsuit.

Rex Heuermann pleads guilty in Gilgo Beach killings, admits 8th murder

2026-04-09

A Long Island man identified as Rex Heuermann pleaded guilty this week to murder charges in the Gilgo Beach killings, resolving a case that began with a killing more than 30 years ago. The AP said Heuermann entered pleas to three counts of first-degree murder and four counts of intentional murder involving seven women, and also admitted to killing an eighth woman.

Hawaii doctor convicted of attempted manslaughter in wife’s stabbing

2026-04-09

HONOLULU (AP) — A Honolulu jury convicted anesthesiologist Gerhardt Konig, 47, of attempted manslaughter in the case accusing him of trying to kill his wife during a scenic hike with ocean views in March 2025. The jury rejected the attempted-murder charge and found Konig was acting under an extreme mental or emotional disturbance, his attorney said he plans to appeal.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-09

The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing a plan to transform warehouses across the U.S. into immigration detention facilities for tens of thousands of immigrants, an Associated Press review of documents and local responses shows. Since Markwayne Mullin was sworn in, the department has paused purchases of additional warehouses and is scrutinizing contracts signed by his predecessor, Kristi Noem.

Attorney disputes claims against man shot by ICE in central California

2026-04-09

A lawyer for Carlos Ivan Mendoza Hernandez said Mendoza did not try to drive into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents during an arrest Tuesday in Patterson, California. The Department of Homeland Security said ICE agents fired defensive shots after Mendoza attempted to drive into them. The attorney also disputed federal claims that Mendoza has an arrest warrant in El Salvador.

Minnesota school districts, teachers union seek injunction on school enforcement

2026-04-09

Two Minnesota school districts and the state’s main teachers union asked a federal judge Wednesday to block a Trump administration policy change that gave immigration authorities more flexibility to conduct enforcement actions in and near schools. Attorneys for the Fridley and Duluth districts and the Education Minnesota union said the Department of Homeland Security rescinded nationwide “sensitive locations” limits last year, prompting disruptions during a period that included “Operation Metro Surge.” The request asks U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino for a stay or preliminary injunction while the case proceeds.

Rep. Eric Swalwell vows to constrain ICE if elected California governor

2026-04-08

California Rep. Eric Swalwell said he would aggressively push back against federal immigration officers if elected governor, promising to make them ineligible for state jobs and to take away their driver’s licenses if they refuse to unmask while on duty. Speaking at a town hall in Sacramento, he said, “They think they’re invincible. They’re not,” and called himself “battle-tested” in Congress.

U.S. Army staff sergeant seeks help after wife detained for deportation

2026-04-08

A U.S. Army staff sergeant is trying to halt his wife’s deportation after federal immigration agents detained her inside a Louisiana military base, according to a report this week by The Associated Press. The case has drawn concern from military family advocates who say the detention is demoralizing and could disrupt troops’ readiness during wartime.

Offset stable after shooting outside Florida casino; what to know

2026-04-08

Offset, the former member of the hip-hop trio Migos, was shot Monday outside a Florida casino, and police in Hollywood, just north of Miami, detained two people as they investigated who may have fired. The rapper was in stable condition at a hospital Tuesday, authorities said. Here’s a look at his career, his relationship with Cardi B, and past violence tied to the group.

US communities push back on plans to convert warehouses into detention centers

2026-04-08

Communities across the United States are pushing back on federal plans to convert warehouses into immigration detention centers for tens of thousands of immigrants, as the new Homeland Security secretary reviews contracts signed by his predecessor. The Department of Homeland Security has also paused new warehouse purchases while it scrutinizes those agreements, according to the Associated Press.

Judge says customs officer improperly canceled Harvard researcher’s visa

2026-04-08

A U.S. judge ruled that a customs officer improperly canceled the visa of a Russian-born scientist and Harvard University researcher accused of smuggling frog embryos into the country. In a written ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss said Customs and Border Protection lacked authority to cancel visas based on suspected biological-sample smuggling.

Offset stable after being shot outside Florida casino, spokesperson says

2026-04-08

The rapper Offset was shot outside a Florida casino and was in stable condition Monday night, a spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday. Police said the injuries were not life-threatening after a shooting that followed a fight at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, just north of Miami.

Michigan youth sent out of state for mental health care as beds close

2026-04-08

Michigan is sending some youth in severe mental health crises to out-of-state facilities as local treatment options shrink, according to reporting that cites state data. The placements involve children in direct-placement and court-supervised programs, and families say the travel and limited contact complicate visits and care.

Shots fired at Indianapolis councilman’s home; ‘No Data Centers’ note left

2026-04-08

Ron Gibson, an Indianapolis councilman, said someone fired 13 shots at his home and left a note reading “No Data Centers” on his doorstep. Gibson said he and his 8-year-old son were awakened early Monday but were not injured. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said officers found evidence of gunshots at a home on East 41st Street after 9 a.m. and that no injuries were reported.

Immigration officers say they shot suspected gang member in California

2026-04-08

A man was shot and wounded during an ICE immigration arrest in central California on Tuesday, federal authorities said. The Department of Homeland Security said agents fired defensive shots after the suspect tried to run over an officer with his car, and he was later taken to a hospital.

Hawaiʻi weighs shorter probation and lighter drug punishment

2026-04-08

Hawaiʻi lawmakers are considering changes to the state’s criminal code that would shorten probation for some non-violent felonies and reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of drugs. The proposals are part of Senate Bill 2721 and come after research and a penal-code review process raised concerns that long probation terms can lead to unnecessary incarceration for minor violations.

Judge orders former Marine charged in NC bar shooting to undergo psychiatric treatment

2026-04-08

A North Carolina judge ordered Nigel Max Edge, a Marine veteran facing a murder case from a waterfront bar shooting last year, to undergo psychiatric treatment because prosecutors say he currently cannot understand the legal proceedings. The case had been set for a Brunswick County hearing where prosecutors planned to say whether they seek the death penalty.

Wife of U.S. soldier released from federal immigration detention

2026-04-08

A federal immigration judge in 2005 ordered a Honduran-born woman released, and she was later released Tuesday from detention where she had been held nearly a week after being taken into custody on a Louisiana military base, the woman and officials said. Annie Ramos, the wife of a U.S. Army staff sergeant preparing to deploy, was released with a GPS monitor while she faces further removal proceedings, the Department of Homeland Security said.

Timeline of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s fight over deportation

2026-04-08

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported to El Salvador despite a court ruling, has spent much of the past year in and out of detention as courts and the Trump administration fight over where he can be removed. The Associated Press compiled a timeline of key events in his legal battle, including a U.S. Supreme Court order in April 2025 and later challenges to planned “third country” removals to multiple African nations.

Traveling exhibit opens in Minneapolis to challenge stereotypes about Muslim giving

2026-04-08

A traveling exhibit called “Inspired Generosity” opened in Minneapolis this week, highlighting stories of giving from the American Muslim community and challenging stereotypes that cast Muslims as outsiders. The exhibition, first debuted in Atlanta in September 2024, arrives as advocates say suspicion of Muslim and Somali immigrants has increased amid months of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

U.S. seeks to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia despite Costa Rica deal

2026-04-08

The U.S. government told a federal judge it still intends to deport Salvadoran citizen Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, despite a new agreement with Costa Rica to accept some deportees who cannot legally be returned to their home countries. In court in Maryland, Judge Paula Xinis scheduled further briefing and a new hearing for April 28.

Court asked to lift halt on closing Everglades immigration detention center

2026-04-07

Environmental groups asked a federal appeals court panel Tuesday to lift a temporary halt on an order requiring Florida officials to close the state’s Everglades detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The request comes as judges at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals questioned when federal law applies to the state-run facility, which opened last summer to support President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Offset was shot outside Florida casino; stable, police detained two

2026-04-07

Offset, a former member of the hip-hop trio Migos, was shot outside a Florida casino in Hollywood, just north of Miami, and police were investigating who may have shot him, law enforcement said Tuesday. Police detained two people and said the shooting followed a fight at the Seminole Hard Rock casino. Offset was in stable condition at a hospital, officials said.

Report of girl killed in 1986 placed in used body bag prompts mistrial

2026-04-07

A Connecticut judge declared a mistrial in the 1986 murder case of sixth-grader Kathleen Flynn after prosecutors said a retired Norwalk police lieutenant reported receiving information that the girl’s body had been placed in a used body bag at the time. Marc Karun, now 60, is facing murder and kidnapping charges tied to Flynn’s killing in Norwalk.

Pennsylvania counties billed ICE more than $21 million for immigrant jails

2026-04-07

A Spotlight PA review found that five Pennsylvania counties earned more than $21 million in recent years by billing the federal government for detaining immigrants for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in local jails. The agreements predate the second Trump administration but are drawing new attention as the administration’s mass deportation effort relies on local partners. The payments and cooperation arrangements have sparked pushback at the local level, including changes to one county’s contract with the U.S. Marshals Service.

Savannah Guthrie returns to Today as search continues for Nancy Guthrie

2026-04-07

Savannah Guthrie returned to co-hosting NBC’s “Today” show on Monday, more than two months after her mother, Nancy Guthrie, disappeared from her Arizona home. Despite a months-long effort involving thousands of law enforcement officers and volunteers, authorities said there has been no sign of the 84-year-old mother of three since she was reported missing Feb. 1.

Video shows Minneapolis chase ending in shooting and suspension of officers

2026-04-07

Minneapolis released a city-owned security video on April 6 showing a Jan. 14 chase and scuffle involving federal immigration officers that ended in a nonfatal shooting. The footage drew scrutiny after the U.S. Justice Department dropped criminal charges against two immigrants in February, prompting a federal probe into whether officers lied under oath. Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement that the video shows the federal government’s account does not match the facts.

Nearly a century of wondering: How U.S. UFO claims evolved in reality and fiction

2026-04-06

Nearly a century after the first widely reported U.S. UFO sighting, the American story of “UFOs” has continued to evolve through government investigations, military radar and pilot reports, and waves of popular movies and TV. The saga includes a 2019 Pentagon acknowledgment of declassified footage as unidentified aerial phenomena and a 2024 Defense Department study finding no evidence of aliens or extraterrestrial intelligence.

Toddler allegedly abused while in federal immigration custody, family says

2026-04-06

The family of a 3-year-old immigrant girl says she suffered alleged sexual abuse while she was in federal custody after U.S. officials separated her from her mother following their border crossing. Her father, a legal permanent resident, said he waited months for release and only learned of the alleged abuse when attorneys began court action.

Lawsuit says 3-year-old faced alleged sexual abuse while held by ORR

2026-04-05

A 3-year-old immigrant who crossed the border near El Paso last year suffered alleged sexual abuse while in federal custody and placed in foster care, according to a lawsuit described by her legal team and her father. The father learned of the allegations only after turning to the courts. He later reunited with his daughter after attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition.

Choctaw code talker descendants unveil marker at Fort Worth veterans park

2026-04-04

Descendants of Choctaw code talkers gathered in Fort Worth for an April 1 unveiling of a new historical marker at Veterans Memorial Park. The plaque, unveiled during a ceremony hosted by the Oklahoma tribe, the Texas Historical Commission and the city’s parks and recreation department, recognizes the group’s use of Choctaw language to send encrypted messages to Allied forces during World War I.

Toddler alleges sexual abuse during federal immigration custody in Texas

2026-04-04

A father whose 3-year-old daughter was placed in federal custody after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border said her release after months in foster care came only after his case reached the courts. He alleges she suffered sexual abuse while in the foster placement, and his daughter’s lawyer said the abuse was reported to local law enforcement and that a forensic exam and interview took place.

Nevada judge blocks ICE from detaining nearly all deportation cases

2026-04-04

A federal judge in Nevada ruled this week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot detain everyone facing deportation under the Trump administration’s “mandatory detention” policy. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II, applies to a class of people held by ICE in Nevada and could allow dozens each week to seek release while their cases proceed.

Federal judge says Border Patrol California sweeps violated court order

2026-04-04

A federal judge in California ruled that Border Patrol agents continued making illegal stops and arrests after she ordered them to stop. In a decision unsealed April 3, Judge Jennifer Thurston said agents “again detained people without reasonable suspicion” in the Central Valley after she issued a preliminary injunction barring them from detaining people without documenting specific facts for the stops.

Georgia lawmakers advance bill allowing lawsuits over homelessness enforcement

2026-04-04

Georgia lawmakers passed a bill that would let property owners sue local governments if they believe policies banning people from sleeping outside and limiting “sanctuary” cooperation with federal immigration authorities were not enforced. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Houston Gaines, would allow claimants to seek compensation tied to alleged lost property value or costs, if Gov. Brian Kemp signs it.

Second suspect arrested in Brooklyn stray-bullet killing of baby

2026-04-04

A second suspect has been arrested in the stray-bullet killing of a 7-month-old girl in Brooklyn, New York, the NYPD said Friday. Police said Matthew Rodriguez, 18, was taken into custody in Pennsylvania by NYPD detectives working with U.S. Marshals, two days after a moped drive-by shooting that authorities said killed the infant.

Trump says he’ll sign order to resume pay for Homeland Security workers

2026-04-03

President Donald Trump said Thursday he will soon sign an order to pay all Department of Homeland Security employees who have gone without paychecks during the record-long partial government shutdown that has reached 48 days. His move bypasses Congress, but funding gaps for some DHS work likely remain into next week as House leaders consider a Senate-backed plan they had rejected.

Judge blocks deportation of Indian man after Pennsylvania murder conviction overturned

2026-04-03

A Pennsylvania judge cleared the way Thursday for the possible release of an Indian citizen taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after his murder conviction was overturned following four decades in prison. U.S. Immigration Judge Adam Panopoulos said the man, identified as Subramanyam Vedam, showed he was genuinely rehabilitated and would not pose a danger. A federal agency said vacating a single conviction would not stop immigration enforcement as it weighs an appeal.

Asylum seekers face “third-country” deportation orders to unknown nations

2026-04-03

Immigrants seeking asylum in the United States have been ordered deported to so-called “safe third countries” such as Uganda, Honduras and Ecuador, even when they have never lived there, the Associated Press reported. The orders have left some people unable to argue their asylum claims in court, with many also losing permission to work legally while they remain in immigration limbo.

Massachusetts police troopers plead not guilty in recruit death boxing case

2026-04-03

Worcester Superior Court heard pleas of not guilty from a supervisor and two instructors in the Massachusetts State Police tactical unit tied to the death of recruit Enrique Delgado-Garcia, who suffered a concussion during sparring and then later died after blunt-force injuries. The supervisor and the two instructors were charged by an investigator appointed by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and a fourth trooper is set for arraignment in mid-April.

Leaders call for release of Wisconsin mosque president detained by ICE

2026-04-03

Leaders in Milwaukee on Thursday called for the release of the president of Wisconsin’s largest mosque, saying federal immigration agents detained him because of his criticism of Israel. Salah Sarsour, a Palestinian-born legal permanent resident, was taken into custody Monday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after leaving his home, according to the Islamic Society of Milwaukee.

Inspection finds dozens of violations at major ICE camp in Texas

2026-04-03

Federal inspectors found dozens of violations of national detention standards at Camp East Montana, ICE’s largest immigration detention facility in Texas, according to a report released after a three-day inspection in February. The report by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight, mandated by Congress, documented 49 deficiencies involving issues including the use of force and restraints, security, and medical care.

Federal officer pleads guilty to sexually abusing teen on Northern Cheyenne Reservation

2026-04-03

A former Bureau of Indian Affairs law enforcement officer pleaded guilty Thursday to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in southern Montana, federal prosecutors said. Prosecutors said the officer raped an intoxicated teen and then tried to cover it up after investigators sought video evidence from his patrol car.

Body camera footage shows Tiger Woods’ arrest after sobriety test

2026-04-03

The Associated Press released body camera footage Thursday showing Tiger Woods’ arrest on a DUI charge after a crash last week in Florida, including a roadside sobriety test where a deputy told him his “normal faculties are impaired.” In the video, Woods is seen being handcuffed after failing the sobriety test and appearing to yawn and nod off during a ride to the sheriff’s office.

Hegseth says troops could carry personal guns on U.S. military bases

2026-04-03

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday he will allow service members to bring privately owned firearms onto military installations. He said he is signing a memo directing base commanders to allow requests “with the presumption that it is necessary for personal protection,” and that any denial must be explained in detail and in writing.

Mahmoud Khalil’s lawyers seek recusal of 3rd Circuit Judge Emil Bove

2026-04-03

Lawyers for deportation defendant Mahmoud Khalil asked Judge Emil Bove to step aside from a U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit panel reviewing an earlier decision that moved the Trump administration closer to detaining and potentially deporting the pro-Palestinian activist.

More Michigan prisoners than ever are getting education and job training

2026-04-03

Michigan’s prisons have expanded access to academic and vocational programs, with state data showing about 4,000 inmates completed education or job-training programs last fiscal year—up 66% from about 2,400 in 2020. The Michigan Department of Corrections said about 11,000 of the state’s roughly 33,000 prisoners participated in programs last year, as the state partners with colleges and universities and uses restored Pell Grants for incarcerated students.

Family says Oklahoma player died after head injury not promptly treated

2026-04-03

Oklahoma junior college student Ethan Dietz died after a head injury during a game in Texas on Nov. 22, his family’s attorneys said, alleging the team failed to provide proper medical care before putting him back on the court. The college said it was unaware of any active or pending litigation and declined to comment on potential claims.

Judge blocks deportation of Pennsylvania man after murder conviction overturned

2026-04-02

A federal judge on Thursday ruled against the planned deportation of a 64-year-old Indian citizen in Pennsylvania after his 1980s murder conviction was overturned following decades in prison. The judge said Subramanyam Vedam, known as Subu, proved he was rehabilitated and did not pose a danger to the public.

New DNA testing links Laura Ann Aime’s 1974 death to Ted Bundy

2026-04-02

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — New DNA testing has confirmed that serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the 1974 killing of 17-year-old Laura Ann Aime, a Utah girl who disappeared after leaving a party alone on Halloween night, the local sheriff’s office said. Investigators said Aime was found dead about a month after her abduction in American Fork Canyon, bound and beaten and without clothing.

GOP leaders announce plan to fully fund Homeland Security shutdown

2026-04-02

House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday they have a two-track approach to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, including a push to fund most of the agency first and later consider separate action for immigration-related units.

Man sentenced to nearly 4 years in cross burning hoax involving Mobolade

2026-04-02

A man who helped stage a cross burning that prosecutors said was meant to discourage Colorado Springs’ first Black mayor from running was sentenced in federal court to nearly four years in prison. U.S. District Judge Regina Rodriguez said the cross burning and racial slur on a campaign sign harmed Mayor Yemi Mobolade and his family and affected the city’s election.

Buffalo refugee death ruled a homicide after Border Patrol drop-off

2026-04-02

Authorities in Erie County, New York, ruled that the death of a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar is a homicide, saying it was caused by complications from a perforated duodenal ulcer precipitated by hypothermia and dehydration. The decision comes nearly a week after Border Patrol agents left him at a doughnut shop in February, according to records and advocates.

California DACA mother reunites with daughter after judge orders return

2026-04-02

A California woman who had lived in the U.S. for 27 years was reunited with her daughter this week after a judge ordered her return following deportation to Mexico in February. Maria de Jesús Estrada Juárez, a 42-year-old DACA recipient, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after appearing for an immigration hearing and deported the next day.

Judge dismisses lawsuit filed by parents of ‘Cop City’ activist

2026-04-02

A federal judge dismissed a civil rights lawsuit filed by the parents of Manuel Paez Terán, known as “Tortuguita,” who was killed in January 2023 during a raid of a tent camp near an Atlanta police training center site. U.S. District Judge Steven Grimberg said the officers’ use of force was “objectively reasonable” after Paez Terán fired at troopers and ignored orders.

DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse purchases while reviewing Noem contracts

2026-04-01

The Department of Homeland Security is pausing plans to buy new warehouses to detain immigrants as it scrutinizes contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a senior DHS official told The Associated Press. The pause comes days after Markwayne Mullin was sworn in as the new secretary, inheriting a detention-expansion plan aimed at increasing bed capacity.

Joseph Duggar posts $600,000 bond in Florida child molestation case

2026-04-01

Joseph Duggar, the reality TV star from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” posted a $600,000 bond in Florida and was released to fly back to Arkansas, his attorney said, after an initial court appearance in Panama City on child-molestation charges involving a child under 12.

TMZ and Trump press Congress to return early from DHS shutdown recess

2026-04-01

Congress is facing renewed pressure to cut short its regularly scheduled recess during a partial government shutdown, with the tabloid outlet TMZ posting viral images of lawmakers traveling and President Donald Trump urging leadership to bring lawmakers back. On Wednesday, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans would work to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. The renewed push comes as lawmakers and their offices weigh whether a Senate-passed funding approach can move quickly through the House.

Marine detained at Palm Springs airport after TSA finds live explosive round

2026-04-01

The Transportation Security Administration detained a U.S. Marine at Palm Springs International Airport in California after TSA personnel found a live 25 mm explosive round in the Marine’s checked baggage, police said. Palm Springs police said the explosive ordnance disposal team confirmed the round was live with X-ray technology and destroyed it in a desert area near Interstate 10.

NYC Council member and Hochul aide probed over migrant shelter bribes

2026-04-01

Federal prosecutors are investigating whether New York City Council member Farah Louis and her sister Debbie Louis, an aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, accepted bribes tied to city funds for a migrant shelter provider, according to a search-warrant copy obtained by The Associated Press. The warrant, signed March 19, also names Edu Hermelyn, the husband of state Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who chairs the Brooklyn Democratic Party.

FAA cuts SFO arrivals from 54 to 36 an hour as delays loom

2026-04-01

Travelers flying through San Francisco International Airport should expect delays after the Federal Aviation Administration this week cut a third of its arrival rate because of safety concerns and runway construction. The agency said it is also implementing a change to its rule for how aircraft are handled on closely spaced parallel runways.

Video shows woman escaping from Michigan police cruiser

2026-04-01

A woman who escaped from a handcuffed position inside a Muskegon Heights police cruiser by climbing out of a half-open rear window was arrested Tuesday, authorities said. A bystander recorded cellphone video Saturday as the woman squeezed through the window and ran away. Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson identified the suspect as Kendra Aney, 38.

DHS pauses new immigrant warehouse buys as it reviews Noem contracts

2026-03-31

The Department of Homeland Security has paused plans to purchase new warehouses intended to hold immigrants while it reviews contracts signed under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a senior DHS official said. The pause comes as Markwayne Mullin was sworn in last week to lead a department that had pushed a major expansion of detention capacity under Noem.

TMZ and Trump urge Congress to end recess amid DHS shutdown pressure

2026-03-31

The celebrity outlet TMZ and President Donald Trump are adding pressure on Congress to return from its regularly scheduled recess during a partial government shutdown. TMZ has posted videos and photos of lawmakers traveling, while Trump and White House officials have pressed congressional leaders to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security.

Georgia bill would allow DNA swabs from immigrants detained on minor charges

2026-03-31

Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would require DNA swabs from some immigrants in custody for misdemeanor and felony charges if U.S. immigration authorities issue a detainer. The proposal would apply when Immigration and Customs Enforcement does not pick up the person within 48 hours.

Joseph Duggar posts $600,000 bond in Florida child molestation case

2026-03-31

Reality TV star Joseph Duggar posted a $600,000 bond Tuesday in Florida and was set to fly back to Arkansas after his first court appearance in the case, his attorney said. Duggar, 31, is charged in Florida with lewd and lascivious molestation of a child under 12 and with lewd and lascivious contact.

Change to Florida law could affect Tiger Woods' rollover DUI case

2026-03-31

Tiger Woods faces DUI-related charges in Florida after a rollover crash in Jupiter Island, authorities said, including a count tied to his refusal of a urine test. A change to Florida law last year could allow prosecutors to pursue that refusal even without lab results, legal experts said.

Big change for California: No more SBA loans for non-citizens

2026-03-31

California’s small business owners who hold green cards are facing a federal rule change that ends their eligibility for U.S. Small Business Administration loans, and for SBA-backed lending beginning in April. The SBA said the limits are meant to expand access for U.S. citizens, while advocates warn the shift could discourage immigrant entrepreneurs and undercut job creation. The changes apply to green-card holders and to businesses with partial ownership by a lawful permanent resident.

Airports tell panicked travelers: Don’t get here so early

2026-03-31

Airports across the United States are asking travelers to avoid arriving hours ahead of their flights as security lines worsen, with some airports warning that “too early” passengers can make waits longer at peak times. John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, said the issue has been worsened by a funding standoff affecting Transportation Security Administration staffing.

Airports security lines lengthen in shutdown, travelers turn to Amtrak

2026-03-31

The Associated Press reported that during a federal shutdown, unpaid Transportation Security Administration employees in Atlanta left fewer staff screening travelers and contributed to long waits at the airport. With flights still affected, some travelers looked to alternatives such as Amtrak for longer but more predictable journeys.

TSA says airport bottlenecks ease after officers received backpay

2026-03-31

Airport security lines at U.S. airports eased Monday as Transportation Security Administration officers began receiving backpay for work during the federal government shutdown, a development TSA union officials said is reducing wait times. Checkpoint lines that at times stretched to four hours at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport shrank to waits of 10 minutes or less, the Associated Press reported.

Georgia bill would allow DNA swabs from immigrants charged with misdemeanors

2026-03-30

A Georgia bill awaiting a final vote would require DNA collection from some immigrants held after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests detention for minor offenses. Supporters say the measure would help solve crimes, while critics warn it could expand genetic surveillance tied to immigration status.

GOP leaders split as Homeland Security funding deal collapses before shutdown break

2026-03-29

After weeks of negotiations, Senate Republican leaders reached a deal on Homeland Security funding that they expected would reopen the department after a partial shutdown that began in mid-February, but the plan unraveled Friday and exposed a rare rupture between House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune. Johnson called the proposal a “joke,” Republican lawmakers said their chambers would not follow the Senate approach, and Congress was left with no quick path out of the impasse, now scheduled to continue through a two-week spring break.

TSA to get emergency pay, but long lines and ICE presence may persist

2026-03-29

President Donald Trump’s order directing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers is intended to ease long airport security lines, but major U.S. airports continued urging travelers to arrive hours early on Sunday as immigration officers brought in to help may remain longer. White House border czar Tom Homan said ICE would stay at airports “as long as they need us” until TSA returns to normal operations, while the TSA union leader warned a payment backlogs could still leave officers missing some pay.

Louisiana crawfish industry hampered by limits on foreign workers

2026-03-29

Louisiana crawfish producers say fewer foreign guest workers have arrived in time for spring processing, straining an industry that is a major part of the state’s bayou economy. In Crowley, Louisiana, crawfish processor Alan Lawson said his facility could not bring in the H-2B workers needed to shell and freeze the freshwater catch. Industry leaders and immigration-policy experts linked the shortfall to delays and limits on H-2B visas during the Trump administration.

TSA pay starting Monday may not end airport delays overnight

2026-03-29

A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump will direct the Homeland Security secretary to pay Transportation Security Administration workers immediately, potentially putting their first full paychecks in their hands as early as Monday. Experts and labor leaders said the move may ease some staffing pressure, but long security lines at some airports could persist while airports assess staffing and Congress remains split over Homeland Security funding.

Trump signs order to pay TSA employees after DHS shutdown fight

2026-03-29

President Donald Trump signed an executive action on Friday to authorize payments to Transportation Security Administration employees after Congress failed to reach a deal to end the Department of Homeland Security shutdown. Trump said the payments were intended to ease long security lines at major airports, while DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said TSA workers could begin receiving paychecks as early as Monday.

Savannah Guthrie to return to NBC's Today show on April 6

2026-03-29

Savannah Guthrie will return to NBC’s “Today” show on April 6 after nearly two months away following the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. In an interview aired Friday with Hoda Kotb, Guthrie said, “joy will be my protest.”

Minnesota judge dismisses DOJ bid to block in-state tuition programs

2026-03-29

A federal judge ruled Friday that Minnesota can keep offering in-state tuition and scholarships to some immigrants without legal status, rejecting a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. The decision by U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez followed legal fights between the federal government and Minnesota officials over immigration enforcement.

Judge orders better attorney access at Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

2026-03-29

A federal judge ruled Friday that Florida’s state-run immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz” must provide detainees better access to their attorneys. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell issued a preliminary injunction requiring officials to allow timely, free, confidential, unmonitored, and unrecorded outgoing calls, among other requirements.

TSA workers seek permanent fix after shutdown pay uncertainty

2026-03-29

WASHINGTON — TSA agents and other aviation workers are pushing Congress for legislation that would guarantee pay during future government shutdowns, saying repeated funding lapses have left them financially unstable. The call comes as President Donald Trump signed an emergency order instructing the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA agents immediately, after House Republicans defeated a Senate deal that would have funded parts of DHS. Lawmakers have repeatedly introduced bipartisan bills to protect aviation payroll during shutdowns, but the measures have stalled.

DC-area airports briefly halt flights after chemical smell at TRACON

2026-03-29

Airports serving Washington, D.C., Baltimore and parts of Virginia briefly halted all flights Friday evening after federal authorities said air traffic controllers detected a strong chemical smell at the Potomac TRACON facility that manages traffic into the region’s airports. The Federal Aviation Administration said controllers were returning to work and normal flight operations should resume soon.

Escasez de trabajadores extranjeros amenaza la industria del cangrejo de río en Luisiana

2026-03-29

La industria del cangrejo de río de Luisiana, un negocio de 300 millones de dólares, enfrenta una escasez de trabajadores extranjeros temporales que, según operadores, ha llegado tarde este año y ya afectó la temporada alta de primavera. Productores y procesadores en el área de Crowley y en el estado dicen que la demanda laboral chocó con un proceso de visas H-2B que se retrasó y autorizó menos “suplementarias” al inicio del año fiscal, empujando costos y poniendo en riesgo la oferta de restaurantes en Nueva Orleans.

Tiger Woods arrested in Florida after rollover crash, authorities say

2026-03-29

Tiger Woods was arrested Friday after a car crash in Florida in which he struck another vehicle and rolled his Land Rover near his home on Jupiter Island, authorities said. The arrest was tied to signs of impairment, his refusal to take a urine test and a Breathalyzer result that came back negative, officials said. He was charged with driving under the influence with property damage and with refusal to submit to a lawful test, both misdemeanors.

Louisiana crawfish industry hampered by limits on foreign workers

2026-03-28

CROWLEY, La. — Louisiana’s crawfish industry is facing delays and reduced access to foreign seasonal workers as the state’s spring peak season begins, operators and state officials say. Crawfish producers and processors rely on workers on H-2B visas to shell and freeze the catch, but they say the federal government did not authorize enough guest workers in time. With the season already underway, they warn that missing labor could translate into fewer products for restaurants and higher prices for consumers.

Jill Biden’s Secret Service agent accidentally shoots himself in leg

2026-03-28

A U.S. Secret Service agent assigned to protect former first lady Jill Biden accidentally shot himself in the leg at Philadelphia International Airport on Friday morning, authorities said. The agent was not in the area where Biden was, and Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the injury occurred during what he called a “negligent discharge” of the agent’s firearm.

United Airlines flight narrowly avoids military helicopter near California airport

2026-03-28

A United Airlines passenger jet avoided a collision with a military Black Hawk helicopter near John Wayne Airport in Southern California, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The FAA said the incident happened around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday and is investigating whether the agency’s newer rules for separating helicopters and planes were followed.

California lawmakers vote to audit fusion centers used in immigration policing

2026-03-28

California lawmakers voted to audit the operation of joint intelligence centers known as fusion centers, a move lawmakers and advocates say is aimed at limiting how state and local police share information with federal immigration authorities. The audit was approved Tuesday by the Joint Committee on Legislative Audit, with State Auditor Grant Parks selected to conduct the review.

Helena city commission rescinds immigration limits after Montana AG legal threat

2026-03-28

The Helena city commission voted Thursday to scrap an immigration enforcement resolution that had restricted local police from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, citing legal risk raised by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen. Commissioners rescinded the January measure in a 4-1 vote, then directed attorneys to redraft the policy and invite the attorney general’s office after public comments and deliberations that lasted more than five hours.

Swift Beef strike near Denver heads into third week as talks stall

2026-03-28

Thousands of workers at a Swift Beef Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, Colorado, will extend their strike into a third week, union leaders said Friday as they pressed for higher wages and better health care. The walkout began March 16 and has continued beyond the second week of negotiations between the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 and owner JBS USA.

Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport hit hard by government shutdown

2026-03-27

Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport has become a symbol of how a partial government shutdown has disrupted U.S. air travel, with TSA security screening causing long delays. The congestion has been most severe at the airport’s main checkpoints, where travelers reported waiting up to four hours while some TSA employees did not report to work.

Trump to sign order to pay TSA agents as DHS shutdown drags

2026-03-27

President Donald Trump said Thursday he would sign an order directing the Homeland Security secretary to immediately pay Transportation Security Administration agents as Senate negotiations drag on over a Homeland Security funding impasse. The move, announced in a social media post about “Chaos at the Airports,” comes as TSA employees miss paychecks and airport lines lengthen.

Springsteen to headline Minnesota “No Kings” protest amid anti-ICE tensions

2026-03-27

Minnesota will host the “No Kings” protest movement’s flagship rally on Saturday, with Bruce Springsteen scheduled to perform “Streets of Minneapolis” at the state Capitol in St. Paul. Organizers said they expect up to 100,000 people at the Capitol complex, amid ongoing anger over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and deaths of two residents shot by federal officers. The rally is also expected to draw support from Joan Baez and Jane Fonda, as well as Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Judge extends order for immigrant attorney access in Minnesota

2026-03-27

A federal judge in Minnesota extended a preliminary injunction requiring U.S. immigration authorities to ensure detained immigrants can contact lawyers quickly after arrest and before being transferred out of state. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel said the government had put “obstacle after obstacle” in the way of attorney access and private communication.

Migrants march in southern Mexico to protest processing delays for jobs

2026-03-27

About 500 migrants marched through southern Mexico toward better employment prospects on Wednesday, protesting long waits for paperwork and seeking authorization to move to areas with more jobs while their immigration status is processed, according to the Associated Press.

Video shows Minnesota dad and boy were moved to ICE detention by Delta

2026-03-27

A video obtained by The Associated Press shows 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father being escorted through Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and flown on a Delta Air Lines commercial flight to Texas for Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention. The father, Adrian Conejo Arias, is seeking asylum from Ecuador, and the family’s lawyer said they plan to appeal after an immigration judge denied the asylum request.

Witness describes trauma after federal officers shot Alex Pretti in Minnesota

2026-03-27

A Minneapolis woman who confronted federal immigration officers alongside Alex Pretti in January told a news conference Thursday that she watched agents shoot and kill him and described her own alleged mistreatment afterward. Georgia Savageford, who introduced herself as Wynnie, said she was shoved, tackled, handcuffed, and held at an ICE facility for about 12 hours without being charged. Lawyers also said they have filed complaints seeking potential class-action litigation over allegations of excessive force during protests and monitoring of immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

Federal charges filed in MacDill Air Force Base explosive case

2026-03-27

A man who fled to China after leaving an explosive device outside MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa has been indicted with his sister on federal charges in Florida, according to a U.S. prosecutor. Prosecutors also said their mother was detained pending deportation after overstaying her visa.

NY town official John Reilly convicted in DoorDash driver shooting

2026-03-27

A New York town highway superintendent was convicted of assault and firearms charges after shooting and wounding a lost DoorDash delivery driver, prosecutors said. John Reilly III, of Chester, is facing up to 25 years on the top charge, with sentencing set for May.

Appeals court pauses tear gas limits at Portland ICE building

2026-03-27

An appeals court has paused lower-court orders that restricted federal officers’ use of tear gas during protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland, Oregon, the Associated Press reported. A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted the Trump administration’s request for temporary administrative stays in two related cases.

Appeals court sides with Trump administration on detaining immigrants without bond

2026-03-27

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that immigrants can be detained without bond while their deportation cases proceed, siding with the Trump administration’s position on bond hearings. The decision overturned a Minnesota ruling that had required a bond hearing for Joaquin Herrera Avila, a Mexican national arrested in Minneapolis for lacking documents.

Arizona schedules May 20 execution of Leroy Dean McGill

2026-03-27

Phoenix-based authorities say Arizona’s Supreme Court has issued a warrant setting a May 20 execution date for Leroy Dean McGill, convicted in the 2002 death of Charles Perez. McGill’s attorneys asked the court to pause the warrant while they pursued legal claims, including that jurors received incorrect instructions during the sentencing phase.

Honolulu man institutionalized after mistaken identity to get $975K

2026-03-27

A Honolulu man who was wrongfully arrested and detained at a Hawai‘i state psychiatric hospital for years due to mistaken identity is set to receive a $975,000 settlement from the City and County of Honolulu, according to a lawsuit described by the Associated Press. Joshua Spriestersbach, who was arrested in 2017 for an outstanding warrant tied to another man named Thomas Castleberry, was later released on Jan. 17, 2020.

Man convicted in fatal attack of older San Francisco man avoids prison

2026-03-27

A judge on Thursday ruled that Antoine Watson, convicted in the 2021 death of Thai immigrant elder Vicha Ratanapakdee in San Francisco, can avoid prison time after receiving credit for time already served, with the remaining sentence suspended if he follows probation rules. Watson, 25, was sentenced to eight years for manslaughter in Ratanapakdee’s death.

Private contractor investigates rape allegations at Otay Mesa immigration center

2026-03-27

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez said her office lacks staff to investigate every allegation at detention facilities, after officials questioned a 2020 memorandum of understanding that appears to delegate sexual-assault investigations at the privately run Otay Mesa facility to CoreCivic. The questions follow a CalMatters and Associated Press investigation that reported at least seven reported sexual assaults at the center in 2025 were not investigated by the sheriff’s office.

Texas requires proof of legal immigration status for professional licenses

2026-03-26

Texas regulators voted to adopt a rule requiring people applying for professional licenses to provide proof of legal immigration status, with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation set to begin implementing it May 1. Commissioners approved the change unanimously after public comments raised concerns about economic impact and added burdens for immigrants. The rule is tied to federal law, but attorneys and state officials said noncitizens may still qualify for licensure if they meet eligibility criteria under longstanding federal provisions.

Michigan launches “safe prisons” initiative amid growing assaults, concerns

2026-03-26

Michigan’s Department of Corrections has launched a new “safe prisons initiative” aimed at reducing assaults in state prisons and improving conditions for inmates and officers, the department said Friday. The plan includes changes to prisoner programming, staff training and support, and review of segregation needs and housing classifications for violent inmates. Michigan prison officials also cited continuing increases in assaults against employees and prisoners last year.

Amid border changes, priest keeps ministering to migrants and deportees

2026-03-26

Texas-based Jesuit Rev. Brian Strassburger says his ministry at the U.S.-Mexico border has shifted as crossings fell under President Donald Trump, but he remains focused on accompanying migrants and people who have been detained or deported. He leads the Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, providing Mass and other sacraments in shelters and detention centers on both sides of the border, including in Texas and Mexico.

Bruce Springsteen to lead ‘No Kings’ flagship protest in Minnesota

2026-03-26

Minnesota will host the “No Kings” movement’s flagship rally on Saturday at the state Capitol in St. Paul, headlined by Bruce Springsteen. Organizers said more than 100,000 people could converge on the Capitol complex, where they are protesting President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the broader pushback they associate with his consolidation of power.

Louisiana crawfish industry hampered by limits on foreign workers

2026-03-26

In Louisiana, crawfish producers say the lack of foreign guest workers has cut into spring-season processing operations, leaving some plants without the H-2B workers they rely on to shell and freeze the harvest. The shortages, they say, reflect delays and limits in how federal agencies authorized guest workers for the season.

Montana threatens Helena with lawsuit over immigration “sanctuary” resolution

2026-03-26

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has threatened to sue Helena after accusing the city of violating a state law that bars municipalities from giving refuge to undocumented immigrants. At a Feb. 11 press conference, Knudsen said Helena’s city council was “thumbing its nose” at the legislature for a January resolution that directs the city police not to assist federal immigration agents. A special meeting is scheduled for March 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Helena Civic Center, where Helena officials are set to discuss possible changes.

Sherrill signs NJ law restricting face coverings for law enforcement

2026-03-26

Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed legislation in New Jersey on Wednesday limiting face coverings worn by law enforcement, including federal ICE agents, making the state the second this year to enact such a restriction. Sherrill said the measure is part of a package aimed at protecting privacy, rights, and trust between officers and communities, and it also requires officers to present identification before arresting or detaining someone.

TSA acting head warns some airports may shut as DHS funding fight continues

2026-03-26

The acting head of the Transportation Security Administration warned Congress on Wednesday that the agency may have to shut down operations at some airports if a Homeland Security budget impasse continues. Lisa Mascaro reports that TSA acting head Ha Nguyen McNeill described escalating hardships for unpaid TSA workers, record-length passenger lines, and concerns about security lapses as the dispute entered its 40th day.

Jesuit priest continues to minister to migrants and deportees as border crossings plunge

2026-03-25

Rev. Brian Strassburger, the head of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, has kept celebrating Mass and offering sacraments to migrants in Texas shelters and to detainees and deportees on both sides of the U.S.–Mexico border. His work has spanned the era of record‑breaking crossings under the Biden administration and the sharp decline that followed President Donald Trump’s 2025 immigration emergency declaration. Strassburger says his ministry embodies the Christian promise that “God is accompanying you on your journey,” even as asylum‑seeker numbers shrank dramatically.

Minnesota officials sue Trump administration over federal shooting deaths

2026-03-25

Minnesota officials sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, seeking court-ordered access to evidence they say they need to independently investigate three shootings by federal officers, including the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and a separate shooting that left Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis wounded.

Philadelphia airport sets record with 1,291 cheesesteaks lined up

2026-03-25

Travelers at Philadelphia International Airport expected long security lines Tuesday, but organizers’ biggest queue was the one for cheesesteaks. Organizers said Philadelphia set a Guinness World Record for the longest line of cheesesteak sandwiches, with 1,291 lined up inside a departure hall to mark National Cheesesteak Day.

Pilots killed in LaGuardia runway collision identified as Air Canada crew

2026-03-25

Federal officials said a runway warning system failed to sound an alarm moments before a collision at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. Two pilots who died in the Sunday crash have now been identified as Canadian men who were flying an Air Canada regional jet landing at the airport, the Associated Press reported.

Report links straw purchasers and Academy Sports to gun trafficking routes

2026-03-25

A new report by Everytown for Gun Safety says guns bought in southern states by “straw purchasers” are trafficked to cities and states with stricter firearms laws, sometimes through licensed retailers that advocates say ignored red flags. The report traces more than 250 guns bought over three years from nearly two dozen Academy Sports + Outdoors stores, and it cites court documents involving straw buyers. The group also points to federal ATF findings on interstate trafficking routes and urges sellers to prevent illegal sales when they have reasonable cause.

Senators consider deal to fund Homeland Security but not ICE enforcement

2026-03-25

Travel disruptions at major U.S. airports deepened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, while excluding key immigration enforcement and removal functions at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Supreme Court hears bid to revive border asylum “metering” policy

2026-03-25

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday weighed whether the Trump administration can revive an immigration policy known as “metering,” which limits asylum access at the U.S.-Mexico border. The dispute centers on whether the Immigration and Nationality Act’s requirement that asylum applicants “arrive in” the United States applies to migrants stopped on the Mexico side of the border. The court heard arguments from the Justice Department and from advocates including the American Immigration Council.

Texas commission adopts rule requiring proof of legal immigration status for licenses

2026-03-25

Texas will require many people seeking professional licenses to prove they are in the country legally, after the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation approved a rule change on Tuesday. The move, set for implementation May 1, would affect licensing across multiple industries that require state authorization, while officials said noncitizens may still qualify under federal exceptions.

Trial begins for NY guard accused in fatal inmate beating

2026-03-25

A jury trial began in upstate New York for former prison guard Jonah Levi, charged with murder in the death of inmate Messiah Nantwi after a beating at Mid-State Correctional Facility. Prosecutors said Levi repeatedly stomped on Nantwi’s head during a brutal assault by multiple guards on March 1, 2025, while a prosecutor described the death as resulting from massive head trauma. Levi’s attorney said the force used that day was justified and that Levi did not use force that led to Nantwi’s death.

TSA acting head warns of possible airport shutdowns as DHS fight drags

2026-03-25

TSA acting head Ha Nguyen McNeill warned lawmakers Wednesday that the Transportation Security Administration may have to shut down airport operations if a Homeland Security budget impasse continues. She testified that unpaid TSA workers are facing bills, eviction notices and even selling plasma, as wait times and staffing shortfalls grow amid Congress’s standoff over DHS funding and immigration enforcement.

Two charged in ambush shooting of U.S. Park Police officer in DC

2026-03-25

Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police announced Tuesday that it arrested two suspects in connection with an attack on a U.S. Park Police officer who was shot while driving in an unmarked vehicle. The officer was wounded Monday evening in a Washington neighborhood near its border with Maryland, and later was released from a local hospital, according to authorities.

What to know about the LaGuardia runway collision between jet and fire truck

2026-03-25

New York investigators are probing what caused a deadly collision on the runway at New York’s LaGuardia Airport between an Air Canada regional jet and an airport fire truck, after the vehicle was cleared to cross moments before landing. The National Transportation Safety Board said audio later captured a controller saying, “I messed up.” The NTSB has not determined a cause.

Mullin Confirmed as Homeland Security Secretary Amid TSA Funding Impasse

2026-03-24

The Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin as the new Homeland Security Secretary on Monday, as a funding standoff continues to cause airport security delays. Mullin, a Republican senator from Oklahoma, takes over the department after Kristi Noem's departure following a backlash over immigration enforcement policies.

ICE officers appear at TSA checkpoints during partial DHS shutdown

2026-03-24

Armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in tactical gear were seen Monday at TSA security checkpoints at multiple major U.S. airports, after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment during a partial government shutdown that has disrupted air travel. The AP reported observations at Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International, John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, George Bush Intercontinental and Louis Armstrong International, while other airports confirmed ICE would be on-site.

Philadelphia airport sets record with 1,291 cheesesteaks lined up

2026-03-24

Travelers at Philadelphia International Airport expected long security lines on Tuesday, but organizers say the longest line was made of cheesesteak sandwiches. Organizers said Philadelphia achieved a new Guinness World Record for the longest line of cheesesteak sandwiches, with 1,291 lined up inside a departure hall to mark National Cheesesteak Day.

Trial begins for NY guard accused in inmate death after brutal beating

2026-03-24

A former upstate New York prison guard, Jonah Levi, began a jury trial Tuesday on a murder charge tied to the March 1, 2025 death of inmate Messiah Nantwi during a beating by multiple guards at Mid-State Correctional Facility, prosecutors said. Prosecutors told jurors Levi repeatedly stomped Nantwi’s head, while defense attorneys argued the force was justified and that Levi did not cause the fatal injuries.

Senators near deal to fund Homeland Security but leave ICE enforcement unfunded

2026-03-24

Travel disruptions worsened Tuesday as senators raced to salvage a proposal to end the Homeland Security shutdown by funding much of the department, including airport workers who have been going without pay. Under the emerging plan discussed with the White House, lawmakers would fund most of the department but not the immigration enforcement and removal operations that have been central to the dispute. The talks intensified as long airport security lines stretched in cities including Houston, Atlanta and the Baltimore/Washington area, and the Transportation Security Administration faced large call-out rates.

Report traces straw purchases that move guns from stores to crime scenes

2026-03-24

A report released Tuesday by Everytown for Gun Safety describes how firearms bought legally through some U.S. retail chains end up in crime scenes after straw purchasers resell them on the black market. The report follows more than 250 guns bought over three years at nearly two dozen Academy Sports + Outdoors stores and then trafficked north to cities including Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York. It also outlines major interstate trafficking routes identified using federal gun-trace data.

Supreme Court weighs Trump administration’s bid to revive asylum metering

2026-03-24

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday on whether the Trump administration can revive a restrictive asylum policy known as “metering,” which has been used to turn back migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Conservative justices appeared receptive to the Justice Department’s request to overturn a lower-court ruling against the practice, while others questioned how it would affect people who enter illegally versus those seeking legal entry.

Two suspects charged in ambush shooting of U.S. Park Police officer

2026-03-24

Washington, D.C., police announced Tuesday that they arrested two suspects in connection with the shooting of a U.S. Park Police officer who was hurt while driving an unmarked vehicle in the District. The suspects, Darren Foster, 21, and Asheile Foster, 22, were charged with assault on a federal police officer, and the officer was released from the hospital Tuesday, police said.

South Florida judge clears officers in 2019 UPS driver hostage shooting

2026-03-24

A South Florida judge cleared three more police officers of wrongdoing in the 2019 shooting death of a UPS driver who was taken hostage during a robbery. Broward Circuit Judge Ernest Kollra ruled the officers could not be prosecuted because Florida’s “stand your ground” law justified the shooting. The Broward State Attorney’s Office said it will appeal the four rulings.

Notorious apartheid commander Eugene de Kock testifies in Cradock Four inquiry

2026-03-24

Johannesburg-based inquiry proceedings heard testimony Monday from Eugene de Kock, a former South African apartheid-era police commander known as “Prime Evil,” as investigators revisit the 1985 killing of the Cradock Four activists. De Kock denied involvement in the case, but told the court that police at the time held photographs of thousands of anti-apartheid activists labeled as “known terrorists” and should have tracked them and killed them if arrests were not possible.

Michigan prison art exhibit in Ann Arbor showcases inmates’ voices

2026-03-24

Thousands of works by incarcerated artists are on display at the University of Michigan’s Prison Creative Arts Project exhibit in Ann Arbor, running through March 31. Organizers say the 30th annual show is the largest and longest-running of its kind in the country, and they say the programs help participants rebuild identity through creative expression.

Video of ICE arrest at San Francisco airport draws Democrats' anger

2026-03-24

Democrats criticized the federal arrest of a Guatemalan-bound family at San Francisco International Airport after video showed officers detaining a crying woman while her child watched. State Sen. Scott Wiener and other California Democrats said the incident fueled fear as ICE officers were being deployed to airports during a partial shutdown and funding impasse.

Can ICE ease long lines at airports as DHS funding impasse drags on?

2026-03-24

ICE officers have been deployed to select U.S. airports to help mitigate long security lines fueled by staffing shortfalls tied to a partial government shutdown, according to a report released by the Associated Press. The move comes as President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda places ICE at the center of enforcement, raising questions about how effectively ICE can assist with aviation-related screening and crowd control.

Flight attendant survives being thrown from Air Canada plane

2026-03-24

A flight attendant who was thrown from an Air Canada plane after it collided with a fire truck at New York’s LaGuardia Airport survived, her daughter said Monday. Solange Tremblay was still strapped in her seat when the collision occurred, Sarah Lepine told Canadian media.

Nevada lacks rules for license plate reader cameras used by police

2026-03-24

Nevada does not have state laws regulating license plate reader cameras, even as multiple counties and cities have placed large networks of automated cameras in recent years. The AP reports that at least five local governments in Nevada have agreements with Flock Safety, which collects vehicle data and connects it to a national database police can use to search for vehicles across jurisdictions. Lawmakers and residents interviewed by The Nevada Independent said the technology is outpacing governance and raising privacy concerns.

Savannah Guthrie family renews pleas to Tucson for Nancy Guthrie clues

2026-03-23

In a new family statement posted Sunday, Savannah Guthrie renewed appeals to people in Tucson and southern Arizona to share any information that could help solve the disappearance of her mother, Nancy Guthrie. The family said it believes someone in the area may “hold the key to finding the resolution in this case.”

ICE officers to help TSA at airports during DHS funding impasse

2026-03-23

President Donald Trump ordered U.S. immigration enforcement officers to assist the Transportation Security Administration at airports as a partial Homeland Security shutdown drags on, a plan that has drawn concern from senators and TSA employees about added friction for travelers and screening operations. The White House border czar, Tom Homan, said the priority is large airports where waits can last “three hours,” while DHS spokeswoman Lauren Bis said “hundreds” of ICE officers would be deployed but would not name locations. Federal workers, including TSA, have gone without pay since Congress failed to renew DHS funding last month.

Chappell Roan pushes back after Jorginho claims hotel guard mistreated child

2026-03-23

Chappell Roan responded on Sunday to accusations by Brazilian-Italian soccer star Jorginho, who said a security guard mistreated his 11-year-old stepdaughter after she recognized the singer at a Sao Paulo hotel. Jorginho posted a lengthy account on Instagram Saturday, saying the guard spoke “in an extremely aggressive manner” to his wife and daughter. Roan said the guard was not her personal security and that she did not see “a woman and a child.”

Trump threatens ICE role at airports starting Monday amid DHS funding fight

2026-03-23

Trump said Saturday he would order ICE agents to intervene in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. His threat came as a partial government shutdown has lengthened airport lines and some TSA workers have continued working without pay.

Lawyers say children detained past court limits still face conditions at Dilley

2026-03-22

Lawyers for detained immigrant children say a Texas family detention facility still has concerning conditions as children’s stays stretch beyond a court-ordered 20-day custody limit, according to new court filings. The filings describe hundreds of children held at the Dilley facility in recent months without enough food, medical care or mental health services, and include accounts of staff withholding prescribed medication from at least one child.

Justin Timberlake struggles with sobriety tests in Hamptons video

2026-03-22

Police video released by Sag Harbor, New York, shows Justin Timberlake struggling with field sobriety tests after a traffic stop in the Hamptons in 2024, according to video footage released March 21 by the village’s police department. In the footage, recorded during an encounter after police suspected driving while intoxicated, Timberlake tells officers that the tests are “really hard” and asks why he is being arrested.

Hundreds of migrants vanish in the Mediterranean as authorities withhold data

2026-03-22

Bodies wash ashore and families wait without answers as migrants trying to reach Europe disappear along a Mediterranean route often described as “invisible shipwrecks.” The Associated Press reported that Italy, Tunisia and Malta have restricted or withheld information on migrant rescues and shipwrecks, leaving even the United Nations migration agency unable to verify many cases.

Trump says ICE will work airport security unless Democrats fund DHS

2026-03-22

President Donald Trump said he will order federal immigration officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to take a role in airport security starting Monday unless Democrats agree to a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Trump made the announcement in social media posts on Saturday while a partial government shutdown has contributed to long lines at some major airports.

Airline passengers press for restored TSA pay during DHS shutdown

2026-03-22

Airline passengers reported long TSA security lines Saturday and said Transportation Security Administration paychecks should be restored as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s partial shutdown continues. Several travelers tied the delays and staffing disruptions to TSA officers missing pay during the lapse that began Feb. 14.

Enfrentamiento en EE.UU. por el cierre: Trump impulsa pagar a la TSA

2026-03-22

En medio del cierre parcial del gobierno federal, el presidente Donald Trump amenazó con usar agentes del ICE en la seguridad aeroportuaria si los demócratas en el Congreso no financian a la TSA. Mientras tanto, en el aeropuerto de Atlanta, pasajeros dijeron el sábado que el principal problema es la falta de pago a los inspectores. La financiación de la agencia no avanzó el viernes en el Senado, donde el líder demócrata Chuck Schumer prometió una medida para financiar solo a la TSA.

Secretive US deal with Equatorial Guinea strands deported migrants

2026-03-22

A U.S. immigration judge ruled that a refugee could not be deported to his home country because of danger but he was later handcuffed and sent to Equatorial Guinea, where he remains detained, according to The Associated Press and interviews with a lawyer and the refugee. The AP described a broader pattern in which dozens of migrants deported to Equatorial Guinea under U.S.-Africa deals remain stuck without an asylum policy, even after U.S. judges provide protections against return to their home countries.

Vermont police defend officers’ conduct during federal immigration operation

2026-03-21

State and local law enforcement officials in Vermont defended officers’ conduct during clashes with protesters during a federal immigration operation last week in South Burlington, as lawmakers questioned whether the violence violated state police policy. At a Statehouse hearing Thursday, Col. Matthew Birmingham of the Vermont State Police and others said local officers acted professionally and were present to help keep everyone safe. Activists and lawmakers described competing accounts of how the operation escalated and who should be held responsible.

Minnesota judge grants clergy access to ICE holding facility

2026-03-21

A federal judge in Minnesota granted an injunction allowing clergy to conduct in-person pastoral visits to detainees at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding facility in Minneapolis. The ruling came after clergy groups including the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Church of Christ and a Catholic priest sued the Department of Homeland Security.

Pennsylvania juvenile court faces cases after scuffle with police chief

2026-03-21

Four to eight days after five high school protesters were detained following a Feb. 20 scuffle in Quakertown, Pennsylvania, three of the teens’ juvenile court hearings were delayed Friday while a fourth entered a six-month probation program aimed at expunging the arrest if he completes it. A fifth teen’s lawyer asked a judge to drop assault charges tied to the incident involving police chief Scott McElree, according to court proceedings and attorneys.

Timeline of events in Breonna Taylor police shooting cases

2026-03-21

Breonna Taylor was killed in her Louisville, Kentucky, home during a March 2020 police raid, and the fallout has stretched across lawsuits, criminal charges, and federal investigations into policing practices. The Associated Press compiled a timeline of key developments from the night of the shooting through court decisions and settlements in subsequent years.

Boston transit officers injured after struggle with knife-wielding man

2026-03-21

Boston transit police said a man wielding a butcher knife tried to slash bus tires and threatened to stab a bus driver at the Forest Hills station in Jamaica Plain on Friday before officers took him into custody. Richard Sullivan, superintendent of police for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, said officers were called after the man was reported late Friday morning.

DHS funding talks fail again as TSA line concerns prompt new pitch

2026-03-21

A bill to fund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security failed to advance in the Senate on Friday, as lawmakers weighed mounting complaints about long lines at airport security checkpoints. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said he would offer an alternative measure Saturday to fund only the Transportation Security Administration, which screens passengers and luggage for hazardous items.

Hundreds of TSA officers quit rather than work without pay during DHS shutdown

2026-03-21

TSA officers are quitting as a government funding standoff forces them to staff U.S. airports without pay, compounding staffing shortages that have left some travelers facing multi-hour security-line waits. Homeland Security says at least 376 TSA employees have resigned since the shutdown began on Valentine’s Day, with absenteeism climbing nationwide as officers try to earn money on the side.

Joseph Duggar waives extradition to face child molestation charge in Florida

2026-03-21

Joseph Duggar, a former reality TV star, waived his right to an extradition hearing in Arkansas, setting up his transfer to Florida to face a child molestation charge, according to an affidavit and law enforcement statements. He is accused of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a child under 12, and authorities say they filed related charges in Arkansas as well.

Bipartisan senators meet White House on DHS shutdown, talks show “small sign”

2026-03-20

A bipartisan group of senators met behind closed doors Thursday with White House border czar Tom Homan as lawmakers seek to end a Department of Homeland Security shutdown that began more than a month ago, according to the Associated Press. The meeting came as Transportation Security Administration officers working without pay were reportedly calling out sick, contributing to longer airport screening lines.

TSA wait times a wild card during DHS shutdown as staffing varies

2026-03-20

Travelers faced widely shifting TSA security checkpoint wait times on March 19 during the partial shutdown of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with the length of lines depending on how many Transportation Security Administration officers showed up for shifts. At Houston’s largest airport, some passengers reported hourslong waits before conditions eased, while officials at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport said waits ranged from moderate to low even as one checkpoint closed amid low staffing.

ICE releases Tennessee Spanish-language reporter on bond

2026-03-20

A Spanish-language reporter in Tennessee who said she was wrongly held in U.S. immigration detention for more than two weeks was released Thursday after posting a bond recently allowed by a judge, her attorneys said. Estefany Rodríguez Flórez, who was arrested March 4 during a traffic stop and held in Alabama and Louisiana, will continue fighting what her lawyers describe as a wrongful detention case.

Texas jails miss release deadlines, leaving inmates held past sentences

2026-03-20

Texas jails are failing to meet state processing deadlines for “pen packets” that counties must send to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, keeping some inmates locked up beyond their release dates, the Associated Press reports. One example is Jessica Jackson, who was held 49 days after a judge ruled she had no time left to serve in Dallas County, according to interviews and records cited in the report.

Mexican teen dies in ICE custody at Florida county jail

2026-03-20

The 19-year-old Mexican migrant Royer Perez-Jimenez died at the Glades County Detention Center in Florida while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement held him, ICE said. ICE said an officer found him unconscious and unresponsive early Monday, and the agency said staff began cardiopulmonary resuscitation before fire rescue deputies initiated life-sustaining interventions. The official cause of death remains under investigation.

Asylum claim denied for family of bunny-hat boy detained in Minneapolis

2026-03-20

An immigration judge denied the asylum claim for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old photographed in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack when he was detained with his father in a Minneapolis-area crackdown earlier this year, a family lawyer said. The judge ordered the family deported to Ecuador, and the family is appealing the ruling. The arrests and national coverage unfolded as federal immigration officers carried out a surge of raids that prompted protests and two federal shootings of American citizens.

Authorities investigating close call between Alaska Airlines jet and FedEx plane in Newark

2026-03-20

Newark Liberty International Airport is investigating a close call involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 and a FedEx Boeing 777 during landing operations, federal officials said. The National Transportation Safety Board is examining the Tuesday night incident, in which the Alaska plane overflew the FedEx aircraft on crossing runways, the FAA said.

Former suspect in missing NYC child Etan Patz case Jose Ramos dies

2026-03-20

Jose Antonio Ramos, 82, died March 7 at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan, prosecutors said in court filings tied to Pedro Hernandez’s Etan Patz case. Ramos had been suspected for decades in the 1979 disappearance of Etan, one of the first missing children whose photo appeared on milk cartons.

Joseph Duggar charged in Florida with lewd acts involving child

2026-03-20

Joseph Duggar, the former reality TV star from TLC’s “19 Kids and Counting,” was arrested and is facing a Florida charge accusing lewd and lascivious behavior involving a child under 12, according to an arrest affidavit. Police in Arkansas contacted Florida deputies after interviewing a 14-year-old girl who said Duggar molested her during a family trip to Panama City Beach when she was 9.

NYC Mayor Mamdani unveils community safety office, first step on crisis response pledge

2026-03-20

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani unveiled a new Office of Community Safety on Thursday, framing it as an initial step toward reducing police involvement in mental-health emergencies. The office will launch with two staff members and rely, at first, on expanding an existing program called B-HEARD that dispatches mental health workers to 911 calls for people in emotional distress.

States move to limit masked federal immigration agents and other police

2026-03-20

Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a Washington state law restricting law enforcement officers from wearing face coverings that obscure their identities during public interactions, following a court fight over a California ban for federal immigration agents. The move is part of a broader wave of state legislation that seeks to counter complaints that masked agents can operate with less accountability during immigration enforcement.

Mullin faces Senate pushback over his DHS nomination

2026-03-19

Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s pick for homeland security secretary, sought Senate support Wednesday while telling lawmakers he would act as “a steady hand” for a department he said should have its routine funding restored. During his confirmation hearing, senators pressed Mullin on whether he could carry out Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda and on concerns about his temperament after past comments.

U.S. adds 12 countries to visa bond list, with bonds up to $15,000

2026-03-19

The U.S. Department of State said it is adding 12 countries whose citizens must post refundable bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for U.S. visas. The requirement takes effect April 2 for passport holders from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia.

NYPD suspends off-duty officer guarding Gracie Mansion after shooting

2026-03-19

A New York City police officer who works security at Gracie Mansion was suspended without pay after the department said he shot a man in the head while off duty, police said Wednesday. The shooting happened around 9 p.m. Monday in the Bronx, and the victim, 30, was hospitalized in critical condition, police said. The officer has not been publicly named and has not been arrested or charged, police said.

Florida hospital sues to evict patient who won’t leave after discharge

2026-03-19

A Florida hospital has sued to evict a patient who it says has refused to leave a room more than five months after she was discharged. Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare filed the lawsuit in Tallahassee seeking an injunction requiring the patient to vacate the hospital room and asking the county sheriff’s office to help if needed.

FAA to use radar for helicopter-plane separation at busiest airports

2026-03-19

The Federal Aviation Administration said air traffic controllers will use radar to keep helicopters separated from airplanes by specific lateral or vertical distances at more than 150 of the nation’s busiest airports. The agency acted after a deadly Jan. 2025 midair collision near Washington, D.C., in which federal investigators said controllers relied too heavily on visual separation. Officials also cited recent near-misses in Texas and California.

Florida Air Force base on alert after suspicious package contained possible energetic materials

2026-03-19

Federal investigators said a suspicious package found outside a gate at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa contained “possible energetic materials,” prompting an initial shelter-in-place order and heightened security. The FBI said Wednesday that an analysis of the material had not been completed and that the investigation was continuing. MacDill officials said the order was lifted about two hours later but the base remained on high alert.

How to check airport security wait times as TSA goes unpaid

2026-03-19

Travelers facing long and unpredictable airport security lines amid a partial federal shutdown can check TSA wait times by using airport websites, terminals-by-terminal guidance, and timely social media updates. A former TSA wait-time app listing may not reflect current conditions, and third-party estimates can also lag during staffing strain and heavy spring break crowds.

Lawmakers struggle to end Homeland Security funding lapse

2026-03-19

Lawmakers remain far from ending a funding lapse at the Department of Homeland Security even as President Donald Trump’s nominee to run the agency, Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, urged colleagues to resolve the impasse. The DHS shutdown entered Day 33 on Wednesday, as House Democrats signed up for a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on a bill from Rep. Rosa DeLauro to fund the Transportation Security Administration and other DHS agencies while excluding some immigration enforcement priorities.

New York prison staff intercept contraband package dropped by drone

2026-03-19

A drone flew over the grounds of the Marcy Correctional Facility in upstate New York after midnight and released a package containing knives, a cellphone, bandannas and hair clippers between dormitories, officials said. Prison staff recovered the package after it was detected at 1 a.m. Saturday, and investigators were trying to determine who was responsible. Marcy is about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of New York City.

Rep. Jasmine Crockett confirms security team member killed in Dallas standoff

2026-03-18

Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett said a man killed by Dallas police in a standoff last week had worked as her security team member under a fraudulent identity. The Dallas Police Department said the man, identified as 39-year-old Robinson, had posed as “Mike King” and was killed after a hours-long standoff in a hospital parking garage.

Last immigrant detained in Trump campus crackdown is freed on bond

2026-03-18

Just over a year after the Trump administration began an immigration enforcement campaign tied to pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses, Leqaa Kordia was released on Monday after a judge’s repeated orders were not resisted further. Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman and daughter of a U.S. citizen, had been held in detention since her arrest on March 13, 2025, in New Jersey.

Gunman killed and VA employee hospitalized after Georgia clinic shooting

2026-03-18

A shooting at a Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic in Jasper, Georgia, left a gunman dead and a Veterans Affairs employee hospitalized on Tuesday afternoon, police said. Jasper police said officers confronted the suspect outside the clinic around 1:30 p.m., while the VA said the employee was taken by helicopter to a hospital.

Chavez celebrations halted as union says allegations are concerning

2026-03-18

Cesar Chavez celebrations in multiple cities were halted in recent days after the United Farm Workers distanced itself from annual events tied to the labor leader amid troubling allegations of abuse involving young women or minors. In a statement Tuesday, the union said it has not received direct reports and has no firsthand knowledge, and urged supporters to shift toward immigration justice activities and acts of service instead of Chavez commemorations.

Gregory Bovino to retire soon as Border Patrol’s El Centro chief

2026-03-18

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who became a visible face of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement, told The Associated Press on March 17 that he plans to retire in the coming weeks. Bovino, 55, has led operations across multiple cities and later headed the agency’s El Centro, California, sector.

Trump’s DHS pick Mullin poised to inherit a department beset by challenges

2026-03-16

Markwayne Mullin, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Homeland Security, would face immediate pressure on immigration enforcement and a congressional funding lapse if confirmed, Associated Press reported. The nomination comes as lawmakers argue over changes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and as airports confront long security lines tied to a monthslong fight over DHS funding.

Florida executed Michael Lee King after 2008 Denise Amber Lee killing

2026-03-16

The state of Florida executed Michael Lee King on Tuesday evening for the 2008 killing of Denise Amber Lee, a North Port mother who called 911 from her attacker’s cellphone while tied up in his car. King was pronounced dead at 6:13 p.m. following a three-drug injection at Florida State Prison near Starke.

Smithsonian museum to remove slave ship artifact from exhibit March 22

2026-03-15

In Washington, the National Museum of African American History and Culture will remove a 33-pound timber remnant from the slave ship São José-Paquete de Africa from its “Slavery and Freedom” exhibit later this month. The museum said the artifact is being prepared for transport back to its home museum in South Africa, with March 22 the last day for visitors to see it on display. The Smithsonian said the change is tied to the artifact’s loan agreement ending July 1, and it said the exhibit’s overall story will continue using remaining items from the ship.

Trump mass deportations at crossroads with DHS shake-up

2026-03-15

The Trump administration’s incoming leadership at the Department of Homeland Security is becoming a focus for lawmakers as Republicans weigh how to carry out the president’s mass-deportation agenda. A Senate confirmation process for President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the department—Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma—adds urgency to questions about whether immigration enforcement will change or expand. The debate is unfolding as the administration aims to remove about 1 million immigrants from the United States this year while Democrats seek limits on routine funding.

Supreme Court to hear case on ending TPS protections for Haiti, Syria

2026-03-15

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in April over a Trump administration push to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for people from Haiti and Syria, the Supreme Court said. On Monday, the court declined to immediately lift the protections for hundreds of thousands of people, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. legally while the case proceeds.

Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia released from U.S. immigration detention

2026-03-15

Leqaa Kordia, a 33-year-old Palestinian woman who had been held in U.S. immigration detention in Texas since last March, was released Monday after about a year in custody following immigration judge rulings that ordered her release on bond. Her case became part of a broader crackdown tied to pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses after the Trump administration’s 2025 actions, the Associated Press reported.

Kast begins work on “Border Shield” barrier to curb illegal immigration

2026-03-15

Chile’s newly inaugurated President José Antonio Kast has begun preparations for a border barrier in the country’s north, part of his “Border Shield” plan to stop illegal immigration. Less than a week after taking office, he said the effort is meant to close Chile’s border to illegal immigration, drug trafficking and organized crime.

Afghan immigrant dies in Texas hospital after ICE detention

2026-03-15

An Afghan man who had worked with the U.S. military died at a Texas hospital after immigration authorities detained him, according to federal officials and a family statement. Dallas County Medical Examiner staff said the cause of death was still pending as investigators reviewed the case after the detention began last week.

Airline CEOs urge Congress to fund DHS amid shutdown and pay TSA staff

2026-03-15

The CEOs of major U.S. airlines urged Congress to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security and find a bipartisan solution to pay federal aviation workers during a partial government shutdown. In an open letter, the executives also asked lawmakers to advance legislation they say would protect air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration officers from future funding lapses.

HRW says Salvador deportees detained in El Salvador and disappeared

2026-03-15

El Salvador has arbitrarily detained people it received after deporting them from the United States, and some have disappeared into the prison system, according to a Human Rights Watch report released Monday. The report says Salvadorans deported since January 2025 have been held without family contact or access to lawyers, including at the Central American country’s CECOT prison.

Laurel residents organize to block Montana’s proposed 32-bed forensic facility

2026-03-15

Residents in Laurel, Montana, have organized to oppose a proposed state psychiatric forensic facility that would hold 32 patients and is intended to treat people in the criminal justice system. The facility’s planned location near the town’s west side has prompted residents to file petitions, draft emergency ordinances, and seek records from city and state officials, amid a city council meeting where organizers asked lawmakers to intervene.

Lyft settlement in Minnesota requires service-animal accommodations nationwide

2026-03-15

Lyft will ensure that blind and other disabled passengers can ride with service animals under a settlement announced in Minnesota, the Associated Press reported. The agreement was reached after a state investigation found that Lyft drivers refused a college student’s service dog. The settlement also includes driver training and updates to the Lyft app so the terms apply nationwide, not only in Minnesota.

New era dawns for towns once run by imprisoned Warren Jeffs’ FLDS

2026-03-15

Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah—two towns long controlled by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—have entered a period of largely normal civic life after years of court supervision ended last summer. The towns were reorganized after federal authorities argued that they were run as an arm of the sect and that non-followers were denied basic services.

US judge pauses end of protected status for Somali immigrants

2026-03-15

A U.S. district judge in Massachusetts temporarily paused the termination of Temporary Protected Status for some Somali immigrants, setting an administrative stay as both sides prepare for further court briefing. The decision means people with TPS status or pending TPS applications retain protections, including eligibility for work authorization and protection against deportation and detention, while the case proceeds.

Afghan veteran who aided U.S. dies in Texas ICE custody within 24 hours of detention

2026-03-15

Mohommad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41‑year‑old Afghan who served alongside U.S. special forces, died at Parkland Hospital in Dallas on March 16, 2026 less than 24 hours after being taken into ICE custody. Federal officials said Paktyawal was arrested on fraud and theft charges, but his family and a local resettlement group disputed the government’s characterization and said the former baker was healthy when he arrived at the detention center. U.S. Rep. Julie Johnson, who visited the Dallas ICE field office, called the death “unanswered” and questioned why Paktyawal was targeted.

Human rights report says US-deported Salvadorans are arbitrarily detained

2026-03-15

Human Rights Watch said Salvadorans deported from the United States have been arbitrarily detained in El Salvador and have disappeared into the prison system, according to a report released Monday. The group said it interviewed relatives and lawyers of people deported between March and October 2025 who were immediately detained after arriving in El Salvador.

Palestinian protester Leqaa Kordia freed on $100,000 bond in Texas

2026-03-15

A Palestinian woman held in U.S. immigration detention in Texas for about a year was released Monday after an immigration judge granted bond, according to the Department of Homeland Security and the judge’s ruling. Leqaa Kordia, 33, had been detained since last March after the Trump administration’s 2025 crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses.

Supreme Court to hear challenge to migrant protections for Haitians, Syrians

2026-03-15

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in April on the Trump administration’s effort to end temporary legal protections for migrants from Haiti and Syria, a case that could affect hundreds of thousands of people. The court also declined to immediately lift the protections on Monday, allowing recipients to continue living and working in the United States legally while the litigation proceeds.

Trump faces pressure on mass deportations as DHS nominee heads to hearings

2026-03-15

President Donald Trump is facing new pressure over his mass-deportation agenda as Republicans consider a nominee to take over the Department of Homeland Security after Kristi Noem leaves, the Associated Press reported. The issue is set to become a focus this week when Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma appears for Senate confirmation hearings.

US judge pauses end of TPS protections for some Somali immigrants

2026-03-15

A U.S. judge in Massachusetts temporarily paused the termination of Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, averting a planned end of the designation on Tuesday. The judge said letting the TPS status expire would have “weighty” consequences, after advocates sought an emergency order. The ruling keeps TPS recipients and people with pending TPS applications eligible for work authorization and protection against deportation and detention while the court reviews the emergency motion.

Trump administration stops releasing key immigration numbers, AP finds

2026-03-14

The Trump administration has stopped updating or removed key datasets used to track immigration enforcement, leaving researchers, lawyers and journalists without figures they previously relied on, according to an Associated Press review. The Office of Homeland Security Statistics, which has tracked immigration data dating to 1872, has not updated key enforcement metrics on its website since early last year, and monthly reports were described as “delayed while it is under review.” The gaps come as the administration promotes a deportation agenda that includes goals to deport 1 million people and to report zero releases at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Trump administration stops releasing key immigration data, researchers say

2026-03-14

The Trump administration has stopped updating or fully publishing key immigration-enforcement data, leaving researchers, lawyers and journalists struggling to find reliable metrics, according to a U.S. assessment of immigration statistics and interviews. The U.S. Office of Homeland Security Statistics, which has tracked enforcement trends since 1872, has key enforcement numbers on its website delayed or not updated for months, and experts say published figures have become harder to verify.

ICE replaces prime contractor at largest detention facility

2026-03-14

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is terminating the contractor running its largest detention facility in El Paso, Texas, and replacing it with Amentum Services, the agency said. The contractor switch at Camp East Montana comes amid scrutiny of detainees’ living conditions and allegations of overcrowding, medical neglect and other problems.

Brazil revokes US diplomat Darren Beattie’s visa after prison visit bid

2026-03-14

Brazil revoked the visa of U.S. diplomat Darren Beattie after he sought to visit jailed former President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on Friday. Lula tied the move to a reciprocal measure after U.S. officials revoked visas of Brazilian officials last year, and he said Beattie would be blocked until visas for Brazil’s health minister and his family are reinstated.

Federal order seeks major capacity increase at proposed Arizona ICE center

2026-03-14

The Biden administration has released a federal procurement order seeking to increase the number of people held at a proposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Marana, Arizona, according to documents described by Arizona Luminaria and immigration advocates. A former state prison in Marana would be run by private operator Management and Training Corporation, the order says.

Federal order targets higher capacity at proposed Marana ICE detention site

2026-03-14

A federal procurement order would expand the planned capacity of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Marana, Arizona, from a state-documented 513 beds to a requested 775, according to the order and state records. Immigration attorney Daniela Ugaz said the increase would raise risks for people held there, including abuse and medical neglect.

ICE replaces contractor at largest detention camp, citing conditions

2026-03-14

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Friday it is replacing the contractor that has run its largest detention facility at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, with a new prime contractor. The move comes after scrutiny of living conditions detainees described as inhumane since the camp’s hasty construction and opening last year.

2 Ohio pastors emerge as allies for Haitian migrants during Trump crackdown

2026-03-13

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio, March 13, 2026 — Two Ohio pastors, Reginald Silencieux and Carl Ruby, have emerged as outspoken allies for Haitian migrants in Springfield who fear deportation amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. Both pastors say they have offered shelter in their churches, legal and community support, and religious services in Creole and English as the Haitian community faces threats tied to recent misinformation.

Man shot by police in Bridgeport dies after ambulance delay

2026-03-13

A man shot by Bridgeport police last year died after an ambulance delay, a newly released state investigation says. The inspector general found the shooting was justified but raised questions about what happened afterward, including that a first ambulance was redirected to transport an officer. The man’s family said the delay could have affected whether he survived.

ROTC students subdue and kill ODU shooter; FBI says it was terrorism

2026-03-13

ROTC students at Old Dominion University subdued and killed a gunman after he opened fire in a campus classroom on Thursday, leaving one person dead and two wounded, federal authorities said. The FBI said the former Army National Guard member had spent eight years in prison for attempting to aid the Islamic State and was on supervised release when he carried out the attack.

Vehicle found in Toronto US consulate shooting investigation, police say

2026-03-13

Toronto police say a white Honda CR-V sought in an investigation into a shooting at the U.S. consulate in downtown Toronto last week has been recovered. Police said the vehicle was stolen shortly before the Tuesday incident, in which two people fired a handgun at the consulate shortly before 4:30 a.m. No injuries were reported, authorities said.

Eswatini receives third batch of U.S. deportees under Trump deals

2026-03-13

Four more African migrants deported from the United States arrived in Eswatini, authorities said Thursday. The government said the latest group includes a Tanzanian, a Sudanese and two Somali nationals who are to be repatriated to their home countries, while talks continue for other people sent under U.S. third-country agreements.

Immigration lawyers accuse Vermont prisons of impeding legal access

2026-03-13

Lawyers and advocates say Vermont’s Department of Corrections has made it harder for immigration detainees to meet with attorneys and receive interpretation help inside state prisons. They point to changes they say began after Jon Murad took over as interim commissioner, including limits on device access and reduced meeting access. Murad denied the characterization and said the department is enforcing policies and improving interpretation services.

Mississippi to join Trump administration foster parent recruitment initiative

2026-03-13

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said the state will join the Trump administration’s “A Home for Every Child Initiative” to increase the number of licensed foster homes for children in state custody. Reeves said Mississippi has 52 foster homes for every 100 foster children, and officials expect to use federal support to target recruitment and reduce administrative “red tape.”

Eswatini receives fourth group of migrants deported by U.S. under Trump administration

2026-03-13

Four African migrants arrived in the landlocked kingdom of Eswatini on Thursday, the third batch the United States has sent under the Trump administration’s secret third‑country deportation agreements. The group — a Tanzanian, a Sudanese and two Somali nationals — joins more than 40 people the U.S. has transferred to African states since July 2025 as part of a hard‑line immigration policy.

Eswatini Receives Third US Deportation Flight with African Migrants

2026-03-13

Four African migrants, including a Tanzanian and two Somalis, arrived in Eswatini on Thursday as part of the Trump administration's third deportation flight to the kingdom. The deportation is part of a broader, largely secretive US agreement with at least seven African nations to accept third-country nationals.

Texas man executed for 2013 stabbing deaths of girlfriend and her son

2026-03-12

Texas executed Cedric Ricks, 51, on Wednesday evening for the 2013 fatal stabbing of his girlfriend, Roxann Sanchez, and her 8-year-old son, Anthony Figueroa, at the state prison in Huntsville. Authorities said the couple’s older son, Marcus Figueroa, survived after being stabbed multiple times and watching the execution from outside the death chamber.

San Jose tightens rules on license plate readers amid privacy lawsuit

2026-03-12

The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to adopt new safeguards for the city’s automated license plate reader network, including limits on camera placement and shorter data retention, as residents and an advocacy coalition press privacy concerns and a lawsuit. The changes reduce default storage of license plate reader data from one year to 30 days and add requirements governing how law enforcement can access the database, while the city continues to say the cameras help officers solve crimes.

Police arrest Episcopal priest on theft charges over Walmart baseball cards

2026-03-12

PITTSBURGH — Police arrested the head priest and dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh on charges accusing him of stealing baseball cards from a Walmart, according to court records. The Very Rev. Aidan Smith was arrested Feb. 27 in Economy Borough, just outside Pittsburgh, after Walmart security reported theft and video captured him taking cards on multiple prior days.

Leavenworth approves CoreCivic permit to reopen prison for immigrants

2026-03-12

Leavenworth, Kansas, approved a permit allowing CoreCivic to reopen a shuttered private prison to house immigrants detained after crossing into the U.S. without authorization. The City Commission voted 4-1 on Tuesday, approving a three-year permit with conditions including minimum staffing, a ban on housing minors and a city oversight committee.

California lawmakers grill DMV director Steve Gordon on deadly road failures

2026-03-12

California state lawmakers grilled Department of Motor Vehicles Director Steve Gordon at a Senate informational hearing Tuesday on road safety and DUI enforcement after an increase in road deaths. Lawmakers pressed Gordon on why the DMV has limited data on actions against dangerous drivers, and on how the agency investigates major crashes and repeat reckless driving offenders.

UN panel condemns Trump over racist hate speech and immigration crackdown

2026-03-12

A U.N.-backed panel of independent experts said racist hate speech by U.S. President Donald Trump and other U.S. political leaders, alongside a crackdown on immigration, has led to “grave human rights violations,” according to a decision issued Wednesday. The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it is urging the U.S. to suspend immigration enforcement operations at and near schools, hospitals and faith-based institutions while it evaluates whether immigration policies comply with international obligations.

Visa changes squeeze rural schools relying on international teachers

2026-03-11

Rural districts that fill teacher vacancies with international educators face uncertainty as the Trump administration reshapes visa programs, school leaders and teachers said. In South Carolina’s Allendale County, Superintendent Vallerie Cave said some of the district’s best teachers are having to return home as visa sponsorship costs rise and contracts come due.

Baltimore officer shot in leg during burglary call; gunman killed by second officer

2026-03-10

A Baltimore police officer was shot in the leg Tuesday while responding to a burglary call, and the gunman was killed by a second officer in a confrontation that left two civilian women endangered, Police Commissioner Richard Worley said. The wounded officer was in stable condition at University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Long airport security lines highlight problems during DHS shutdown

2026-03-10

Hourslong security lines at a handful of U.S. airports this week are drawing attention to potential disruptions when a government shutdown overlaps with spring break travel. Passengers at Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport reported wait times running more than three hours on Sunday and Monday, while other airports saw waits of more than an hour.

Pennsylvania trooper Tim O'Connor killed in traffic stop shooting

2026-03-10

Paoli, Pa., officials said a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was shot and killed after he pulled over a driver in West Caln Township on Sunday night. The state’s acting police commissioner said the man who fired then killed himself with a pistol.

DMV renewed reckless driver’s license, then resisted turning over records

2026-03-10

The California Department of Motor Vehicles renewed the license of a man prosecutors say killed a 23-month-old boy in a high-speed crash in 2022, even after the man was charged in the case, according to court records. When Placer County prosecutors subpoenaed DMV materials, the agency fought to keep them secret—then told the court it had no records of any investigation into the fatal crash.

ICE releases teen mariachi brothers after bipartisan criticism

2026-03-10

A family from South Texas said Monday that two teen brothers in a nationally recognized mariachi program were released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after bipartisan criticism of how the family was detained. The brothers, Antonio Gámez-Cuéllar, 18, and Joshua Gámez-Cuéllar, 14, were detained Feb. 25 along with their parents and their 12-year-old brother, before Antonio was released separately Monday from a facility in Raymondville, Texas.

Judge limits tear gas use during protests at Portland ICE building

2026-03-10

A federal judge in Oregon on Monday restricted federal officers from using tear gas and other chemical or projectile munitions during protests at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. The order came after a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists, who said they were sprayed with OC spray and hit with other munitions.

Man arrested after crashing van into White House security barrier

2026-03-10

A man was taken into custody after driving a van into a security barrier outside the White House early Wednesday, authorities said. The U.S. Secret Service said the crash happened just before 6:30 a.m., and the man was arrested immediately. The Secret Service said criminal charges were pending and a bomb squad checked the vehicle and determined it was safe.

Missouri man gets two-year prison term after Chiefs rally shooting

2026-03-10

A Missouri prosecutor dropped a murder charge against Dominic Miller, a man sentenced to two years in prison for a shooting after the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2024 Super Bowl win. Prosecutors said the case was complicated by Missouri’s self-defense laws and by what they said was insufficient evidence that Miller’s shot killed Lisa Lopez-Galvan, who died during the attack outside Union Station.

Global Entry resumes after DHS stopped program during shutdown

2026-03-10

The Department of Homeland Security restarted the Global Entry program on Wednesday, a little over two weeks after it halted the service during a partial government shutdown. Global Entry lets pre-approved, low-risk travelers use expedited kiosks for a fee when entering the United States from abroad.

FBI finds explosive residue in probe of NYC protest bomb attempt

2026-03-09

The FBI said Tuesday it found explosive residue in a Pennsylvania storage unit in its investigation into two men charged with bringing homemade bombs to a protest near Gracie Mansion, the home of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Prosecutors and law enforcement say Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were arrested after officers recovered devices during the incident in Manhattan on Saturday.

Man convicted in Michigan case after wife’s body found in farm tank

2026-03-09

A Michigan jury convicted Dale Warner of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence for the death of his wife, Dee Warner, whose body was found inside an empty farm tank in 2024. Dee Warner disappeared in April 2021, and prosecutors said evidence at trial showed Warner strangled her and took steps to prevent her from breathing. Jurors heard that prosecutors and investigators relied on the remains and related evidence after years when Warner was charged without locating her body.

NTSB prelim points to main-rotor issue in Arizona police helicopter crash

2026-03-09

The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report on an Arizona police helicopter crash says there were signs of a mechanical problem involving the helicopter’s main rotor, rather than bullet impacts. The crash killed Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper paramedic Hunter Bennett, 28, and pilot Robert Skankey, 61, on Feb. 4 during a police gunfight with a suspect.

Pentagon and FAA agree to test anti-drone lasers at White Sands

2026-03-09

The Pentagon and the Federal Aviation Administration have agreed to conduct anti-drone laser tests at New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range on Saturday and Sunday, the Pentagon said. The agreement follows FAA airspace closures in Texas after the military’s earlier deployment of the lasers led the agency to quickly shut down parts of the airspace.

DHS shutdown stretches airport security lines to hours during spring break

2026-03-09

Travelers at William P. Hobby Airport in Houston and Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport encountered security checkpoint waits of up to three hours Sunday, as a shortage of Transportation Security Administration agents — stemming from the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown — disrupted spring break travel. Houston Airports at one point asked travelers to arrive four to five hours before their flights.

Counterprotester threw improvised explosive at anti-Islam rally outside NYC mayor's home

2026-03-08

A counterprotester hurled an improvised explosive device into a crowd at an anti-Islam rally outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's residence on Saturday, the city's police commissioner said. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force joined the investigation on Sunday as police identified a second suspicious device in a parked vehicle, prompting street closures and limited building evacuations in Manhattan's Upper East Side.

Kansas City airport reopens after FBI clears threat as non-credible

2026-03-08

The Kansas City International Airport terminal reopened Sunday afternoon, hours after authorities evacuated roughly 2,000 passengers while the FBI investigated a potential threat. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau reviewed the threat and determined it "not to be credible."

Videos challenge DHS account of fatal shooting of US citizen by immigration agent in Texas

2026-03-07

Body camera footage released Friday calls into question the Department of Homeland Security's account that Ruben Ray Martinez intentionally rammed a federal agent with his car before he was shot and killed. The videos — made public following public records requests by The Associated Press and other news organizations — show Martinez's car moving slowly through a South Padre Island, Texas, intersection in the seconds before HSI Supervisory Special Agent Jack Stevens fired three shots through the driver's side window on March 15, 2025. Martinez, a 23-year-old U.S. citizen from San Antonio, died of his wounds.

Guthrie family's ordeal brings focus to 'ambiguous loss' felt by families of missing

2026-03-07

Nancy Guthrie, 84, vanished from her home in the Tucson, Ariz., area on Feb. 1, and the case remained unsolved more than a month later, the Associated Press reported. Her daughter, NBC "Today" co-host Savannah Guthrie, has made repeated public appeals and offered a $1 million reward for information. The disappearance has drawn attention to what researchers call ambiguous loss — a form of psychological suffering caused by an unresolved absence that leaves families neither able to mourn nor to stop hoping.

Appeals court blocks Trump bid to end TPS for 350,000 Haitians

2026-03-07

A federal appeals court ruled Friday against the Trump administration's effort to revoke Temporary Protected Status for roughly 350,000 Haitians living in the United States, dealing a setback to the administration's mass deportation campaign. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit issued the decision 2-1, upholding a lower court's ruling that had blocked the revocation.

Coast Guard rescue swimmer Tyler Jaggers dies; family fulfilled his hospital-room proposal

2026-03-07

Tyler Jaggers, a U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer based in Astoria, Oregon, died Thursday evening after sustaining injuries during a medical evacuation mission off the Washington coast, the Coast Guard reported. Before his death, his family carried out a hospital-room marriage proposal on his behalf, and the Coast Guard awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross — one of the military's highest honors for heroism in flight.

Bangladeshi man faces federal charges in Alaska over sextortion of hundreds of teens

2026-03-07

The FBI flew a Bangladeshi man to Anchorage on Thursday to face federal charges that he used social media to coerce hundreds of teenage girls into sending him sexually explicit images, threatening to distribute the material to their families and friends if they refused or tried to stop contact. Zobaidul Amin, 28, pleaded not guilty before a federal magistrate, who ordered him held in custody while the case proceeds.

Portland judge bars tear gas from reaching apartment complex near ICE facility

2026-03-07

U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio on Friday restricted federal agents from deploying chemical munitions in quantities likely to reach Gray's Landing, an affordable housing complex adjacent to Portland's U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, after the complex's property manager and tenants sued the federal government over months of involuntary tear-gas exposure during protests at the building. The ruling is the second time a federal judge in Oregon has imposed limits on tear-gas use at the Portland ICE facility; a separate court had previously issued a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists.

Faith leaders sue, press for ICE detention access during Lent and Ramadan

2026-03-07

Faith leaders from Catholic, Muslim, and Sikh communities are suing the federal government and pressing immigration authorities for greater access to detained migrants during the overlapping holy seasons of Lent and Ramadan. The number of people held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has grown to as many as 75,000 from about 40,000 since President Donald Trump began his second term, spread across more than 225 sites nationwide, according to the Associated Press. A federal judge's order allowed clergy to hold an Ash Wednesday service at an Illinois facility, and a Muslim chaplain gained entry to a Texas detention center at the start of Ramadan — but clergy from multiple faiths say access remains inconsistent and, in some cases, has been entirely cut off.

Jackson family holds intimate final farewell at Rainbow PUSH headquarters in Chicago

2026-03-07

CHICAGO — The family and closest allies of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. gathered Saturday at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition's South Side headquarters for an intimate final memorial, the capstone to a week of public and private services for the civil rights leader. A few hundred attendees — most of them family members, longtime allies and confidants — heard eulogies from Jackson's children, civil rights leaders and the presidents of two African nations who traveled to Chicago to pay their respects.

Cleveland judge sets $2M bail for woman charged in daughters' suitcase deaths

2026-03-07

A Cleveland judge set bail at $2 million Friday for Aliyah Henderson, 28, charged with two counts of aggravated murder in the deaths of her two young daughters, whose bodies were recovered from shallow graves after a dog walker alerted police to one of two suitcases buried near the city earlier in the week. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victims as Mila Chatman, who would have been 8, and her half-sister Amor Wilson, who would have been 10, with DNA relationship testing used to confirm their identities.

Minneapolis businesses still reeling from immigration surge as Noem's firing brings little relief

2026-03-07

MINNEAPOLIS — The firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has done little to ease the economic damage to immigrant-owned and immigrant-serving small businesses in Minneapolis, where business owners, activists, and educators said Friday the losses from the nation's largest immigration enforcement surge continue to mount. Daniel Hernandez, who runs Colonial Market in south Minneapolis, said 10 of the 12 Latino small businesses renting space from him remain shuttered, and only one — an Ecuadorian ice cream shop — has been able to reopen since the operation began in December. "I don't know if my business will survive, being honest," Hernandez said. "The amount of damage is so big that I am afraid."

ICE arrests Nashville Spanish-language reporter; attorney says no warrant shown

2026-03-06

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Estefany Rodriguez Florez, a reporter for Nashville Noticias, a Spanish-language news outlet in Tennessee, during a traffic stop Wednesday, according to court documents filed in federal court in Nashville. Her attorney said she was not shown any arrest warrant at the time of her detention. ICE has asked a federal judge to deny her attorney's request for her immediate release.

911 calls document deaths and neglect at ICE's largest detention camp

2026-03-06

Emergency calls to 911 from Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas documented repeated suicide attempts, two detainee deaths, seizures, and untreated injuries at the nation's largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility at a rate of nearly one call per day for five months, according to records obtained by the Associated Press. The AP reviewed 130 calls placed between mid-August 2025 and Jan. 20, 2026, along with interviews with former detainees and court filings. The records described a facility housing an average of approximately 3,000 people per day in tent quarters where diseases spread and medical care was difficult to obtain. ICE data showed 80 percent of detainees at the camp had no criminal record.

Conscious Life Expo draws 5,000 as alien channeling overtakes New Age spirituality

2026-03-06

More than 5,000 spiritual seekers gathered at the LAX Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles from Feb. 20–23 for the 24th annual Conscious Life Expo, where speakers described city-sized spacecraft, channeled alien wisdom and claimed to be incarnate galactic souls — a pronounced evolution from the event's founding focus on astrology, health and sustainability when it launched in 2002. Researchers who study the convergence of alternative spirituality and political conspiracy theories say the shift accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-institutional sentiment pushed portions of the New Age community toward more conspiratorial frameworks.

Man accused of three Utah killings had been freed without bail on Iowa charges

2026-03-06

A 22-year-old man accused of killing three women in rural Utah had been released without bail on Iowa burglary, theft, and other charges about two months before the slayings, court documents show. Ivan Miller was freed Jan. 13 on a promise to appear in court — a court date he missed because he was already in custody in Colorado, where authorities had tracked him in a vehicle he allegedly stole from one of his victims.

Sophia Negroponte sentenced to 35 years for Maryland stabbing death

2026-03-06

Sophia Negroponte, 33, the adopted daughter of former U.S. intelligence director John Negroponte, was sentenced Friday to 35 years in prison for the fatal stabbing of a 24-year-old friend after a drunken argument at a Maryland home. Montgomery County Circuit Court Judge Terrence McGann imposed the sentence in Rockville, concluding a legal proceeding that stretched across three years and two trials.

Two men attack San Francisco Mayor Lurie's bodyguards in Tenderloin

2026-03-06

Two men attacked a pair of police officers serving as bodyguards for San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie on Thursday evening in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood, officials said Friday. Lurie was unharmed. Both officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated by paramedics at the scene.

Hawaii's red flag law used 13 times in six years; lawmakers push awareness funding

2026-03-06

Hawaii's gun violence protective order law has been used only 13 times since taking effect in 2020, even as more than 430 people were killed by firearms in the state between 2018 and 2024, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Honolulu Police Department has never filed a red flag petition, and a state House bill would direct roughly $500,000 over two years to public awareness campaigns and court-processing support for the orders.

US military to exhume 88 USS Arizona unknowns for DNA identification

2026-03-06

The U.S. military plans to exhume the remains of 88 sailors and Marines killed aboard the USS Arizona during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and buried as unknowns at a Honolulu cemetery, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency announced Thursday. The disinterments are scheduled to begin in November or December, agency director Kelly McKeague said in a statement, with DNA compared against samples collected from family members of missing crew. The decision reverses years of military resistance and follows a three-year grassroots effort to assemble the family DNA database needed to make identification feasible.

911 calls and interviews raise concerns about ICE camp conditions in El Paso

2026-03-05

The Associated Press reported that 911 calls, interviews and court filings point to repeated medical and mental-health emergencies at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s largest detention camp, Camp East Montana, in El Paso, Texas. The reporting describes overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition, and distress, including repeated suicide attempts. The Department of Homeland Security rejected the claims, saying detainees receive food, water and medical care at a routinely cleaned facility.

Trump fires DHS Secretary Noem, nominates Sen. Mullin as replacement

2026-03-05

President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday, announcing via social media that Oklahoma Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin would be nominated to lead the department. Noem, the former South Dakota governor who oversaw Trump's immigration enforcement agenda, became the first Cabinet secretary to leave during the president's second term. Her departure followed a two-day congressional hearing in which Republican and Democratic lawmakers subjected her to sustained criticism over her department's spending, operations, and handling of immigration enforcement.

Haitian man dies in ICE custody in Arizona after untreated toothache

2026-03-05

A Haitian man confined at an Arizona immigration detention center died at a hospital Monday after a tooth infection was left untreated, his brother said. Emmanuel Damas, 56, told medical staff at the Florence Correctional Center in mid-February that he had a toothache, but he was not sent to a dentist, his brother said. A county medical examiner listed Damas’ cause of death as “pending” as of Wednesday, while ICE officials announced another custody death earlier Wednesday.

North Dakota Highway Patrol adds bloodhound Beau to search-and-rescue work

2026-03-05

Beau, a 12-week-old bloodhound puppy, has joined the North Dakota Highway Patrol as a newest recruit for difficult searches across the upper Midwest, the agency said. The patrol’s troopers use bloodhounds to trail missing people, including those with dementia, and to help in locating criminal suspects, including cases that can span multiple states.

What to know about the child abuse investigation into Catholic priests

2026-03-05

The Rhode Island attorney general released a new investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Providence that estimates 75 priests abused more than 300 children since 1950. The report said the diocese often transferred accused clergy and relied on treatment centers rather than promptly involving law enforcement. Diocese leaders said the findings do not reflect an ongoing problem and disputed parts of the report.

Out-of-state police access Silicon Valley license plate readers

2026-03-05

Out-of-state law enforcement agencies accessed data from Silicon Valley automated license plate reader cameras without local permission, according to records reviewed by San José Spotlight and distributed by The Associated Press. Santa Clara County supervisors voted Feb. 24 to end contracts with Flock Safety, joining Los Altos Hills and Mountain View, after concerns that the company enabled unlawful data-sharing between California agencies and out-of-state police.

Tucson Safe City links people to services, but arrests still drive strategy

2026-03-05

Tucson’s “Safe City” initiative uses monthly deployments that pair outreach organizations with law enforcement, but the process still relies on arrests. During a deployment on Feb. 25, officers arrested five people on charges including trespassing and drug paraphernalia possession, leading to video court appearances and possible community court. The initiative was described by city officials as a way to connect people to help, while outside researchers and advocates questioned the use of coercive enforcement.

Britney Spears arrested in California on suspicion of DUI

2026-03-05

Britney Spears was arrested near her Southern California home on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, authorities said Wednesday. The California Highway Patrol said she was taken to a Ventura County jail and booked early Thursday, and that chemical test results are pending. A statement from Spears’ representative called the arrest “inexcusable,” adding that she plans to comply with the law.

For US Muslims, Ramadan unfolds amid immigration crackdown and Iran war

2026-03-05

Muslims across the United States are entering Ramadan with heightened worries about immigration enforcement, rising anti-Muslim rhetoric during election season, and the Iran war affecting families with loved ones in the Middle East, Associated Press reported. In cities including Paterson, New Jersey, and Minneapolis, community leaders said fear is limiting gatherings that are central to the holiday.

Kristi Noem defends DHS immigration actions and spending in Congress

2026-03-05

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and how the department spends billions of dollars during two days of testimony before congressional committees that followed the Minneapolis deaths of two protesters. Lawmakers pressed her on whether officers used excessive force and on questions ranging from a departmental spending campaign to an inspector general letter alleging obstruction.

Mother charged with aggravated murder in Cleveland suitcase deaths

2026-03-05

CLEVELAND, Ohio — The mother of two girls whose remains were found in shallow graves inside suitcases in Cleveland was charged with aggravated murder, police said on Thursday. Aliyah Henderson, 28, is accused of killing Mila Chatman and Amor Wilson, authorities said, after the girls’ bodies were recovered following a dog walker’s discovery four days earlier.

Anti-war protester arrested at Senate hearing after scuffle injures three Capitol Police

2026-03-05

A North Carolina man was arrested Wednesday at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill after he stood up and shouted anti-war slogans, then violently resisted officers who tried to remove him from the room, Capitol Police said. Brian C. McGinnis faces three counts of assaulting a police officer, three counts of resisting arrest, and one count of unlawful demonstration. Three Capitol Police officers and McGinnis were all treated for injuries following the confrontation.

CBP investigates Bovino for alleged anti-Jewish remarks about Minnesota prosecutor

2026-03-05

U.S. Customs and Border Protection opened an internal investigation Wednesday into Gregory Bovino, once the public face of the Trump administration's city-by-city immigration sweeps, after reports that he made disparaging comments about the Jewish faith of Daniel N. Rosen, the U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota. The inquiry was opened following a congressional letter about anonymous allegations, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said. DHS said the probe "does NOT indicate any confirmation of wrongdoing."

FBI probes Austin bar shooting as terrorism; 3 dead, 19 hit outside Sixth Street venue

2026-03-05

Austin police released body camera footage Thursday showing bargoers and pedestrians ducking for cover as a gunman opened fire outside a Sixth Street bar early Sunday, killing three people and wounding 16 others in what the FBI is investigating as a potential act of terrorism. Officers arrived within 56 seconds of the first 911 call and shot and killed the gunman after he fired at police, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said. Nineteen people in total were hit by gunfire, including the three who died, and one person remained in critical condition as of Thursday.

Senate blocks DHS funding bill again as shutdown enters fourth week

2026-03-05

The Senate on Thursday failed to advance legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security, with a procedural vote of 51-45 falling well short of the 60 votes needed to proceed, as Republicans invoked the war in Iran and the risk of retaliatory terrorist attacks and Democrats held firm on demands for changes to immigration enforcement operations. The DHS shutdown, which began Feb. 14, has left thousands of federal workers beginning to miss portions of their paychecks and prompted cancellations of cybersecurity assessments and first-responder training.

Jury begins deliberating in Alexander brothers sex trafficking trial

2026-03-05

A Manhattan federal jury began deliberating Thursday in the sex trafficking case against brothers Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander, who face the possibility of life in prison if convicted. Federal prosecutors allege the three men drugged and sexually assaulted multiple women over more than a decade; defense lawyers argued the brothers were aggressive womanizers whose pursuits hurt women but did not constitute the crimes charged.

New Jersey man pleads guilty to bringing explosives to DC church before Red Mass

2026-03-05

A New Jersey man pleaded guilty Thursday to bringing more than 100 homemade explosive devices to a Washington, D.C., church that was preparing for the annual Red Mass, a Catholic ceremony marking the start of the Supreme Court's term. Louis Geri, of Vineland, N.J., admitted to two felony counts in federal court and remains jailed pending sentencing scheduled for July.

Haitian man dies in ICE custody in Arizona after untreated toothache

2026-03-04

Emmanuel Damas, 56, died at a hospital Monday after a tooth infection was left untreated while he was held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona, his brother said. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to questions, and a Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office report listed his cause of death as “pending” as of Wednesday.

Hawaii lawmakers seek tighter enforcement on “lightly infested” imports

2026-03-04

Lawmakers in Hawaiʻi are pressing the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to stop allowing some pest-infested goods into the islands after testimony suggested inspectors have been exercising discretion to let “lightly infested” shipments pass. The dispute centers on Senate Bill 2760, which would expand the department’s authority to inspect additional non-agricultural items and allow fines for violations.

New exhibit in San Francisco spotlights Nisei soldiers and WWII internment

2026-03-04

The traveling exhibit “I am an American: The Nisei Soldier Experience” opened in San Francisco’s Presidio this week, honoring Japanese Americans who fought for the United States in World War II while their families were held in government-run internment camps. The exhibit, presented by the National Veterans Network and partners including the National Museum of the United States Army, includes artifacts, family photographs and bios shared by relatives.

Judge and Minnesota prosecutor clash during contempt hearing over immigrant property

2026-03-04

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 3, 2026—A federal judge clashed with the top U.S. prosecutor in Minnesota during a contempt hearing tied to immigration cases in which judges ordered the government to return personal property to people after they were detained and then freed. The judge said the case would be a “historic low point” for the U.S. attorney’s office if he held anyone in contempt and later acknowledged the two sides had become “a little testy and frosty.” The judge said he would decide whether U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen and others should be held in contempt for failing to follow orders, but he did not give a timeline for a ruling.

Judge suspends 7-day notice rule for lawmakers to visit ICE facilities

2026-03-04

A federal judge temporarily suspended a Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give seven days’ notice before visiting immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb said Monday that Democratic lawmakers are likely to show the requirement is illegal and exceeds statutory authority.

Walz, Ellison tell House panel Trump immigration crackdown hampered Minnesota fraud fight

2026-03-04

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison defended their fraud-fighting record before the U.S. House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, arguing that the Trump administration's mass immigration enforcement operation in their state has drained the prosecutorial resources needed to pursue Medicaid and other government fraud cases. Republicans on the panel accused the pair of stalling investigations, shielding wrongdoers to avoid disrupting a politically favored community, and failing taxpayers.

IRS chief declines to answer questions on unlawful taxpayer data disclosures to ICE

2026-03-04

IRS CEO Frank Bisignano declined to answer lawmakers' questions Wednesday about the agency's unlawful sharing of confidential taxpayer data with immigration authorities, telling the House Ways and Means Committee the disclosures occurred before his tenure began. A federal judge found last month that the IRS illegally shared taxpayer information approximately 42,695 times with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Bisignano confirmed that no IRS employee has been fired or disciplined in connection with the disclosures.

Rhode Island AG report finds 75 priests abused more than 300 children since 1950

2026-03-04

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A multiyear investigation by Rhode Island's attorney general found that at least 75 Catholic clergy in the Diocese of Providence sexually abused more than 300 children since 1950, with church leaders shielding accused priests from accountability rather than protecting victims, according to a report released Wednesday. Attorney General Peter Neronha said the true scope of abuse is likely far greater than what records document. "If you're the Diocese of Providence and you're listening, this is a scandal you need to own and you need to fix," Neronha told reporters. "We can't slow walk solutions, and we can't slow walk justice."

Noem defends DHS immigration enforcement after Minneapolis deaths

2026-03-04

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended her department’s immigration enforcement tactics before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, pushing back on Democrats’ criticism that she wrongly disparaged two protesters killed by federal officers in Minneapolis earlier this year. She said her remarks were based on reports from agents at the scene and argued officers faced “a serious and escalating threat” from what she called mischaracterizations of their work.

Austin bar shooting kills 3, wounds more than a dozen; FBI probes motive

2026-03-02

A gunman opened fire at a crowded bar on Austin’s Sixth Street early Sunday and was later fatally shot by police, Austin police and the FBI said. Police said the early shooting left three people dead and wounded more than a dozen others, and that investigators were looking into whether the attack was a possible act of terrorism.

Minnesota prosecutor launches probe that could lead to charges against federal officers

2026-03-02

Minnesota’s Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced an investigation Monday that could bring charges against federal immigration officers, including Border Patrol official Greg Bovino, for alleged misconduct during a crackdown in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Moriarty’s office is examining 17 cases and will focus on incidents in Hennepin County as well as the deaths of two people killed during the operation.

Federal authorities join police search for suspect in Cincinnati nightclub shooting

2026-03-02

Federal and local authorities joined the search for a suspect after a shooting at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati left nine people wounded early Sunday, according to police and the FBI. Federal investigators offered a $5,000 reward for information identifying a suspect, and authorities said the victims’ injuries were not life-threatening.

Louisiana National Guard extends New Orleans troop deployment through August

2026-03-02

New Orleans will keep 120 Louisiana National Guard troops through August, the state Guard said on March 2, extending a deployment that began in late December. The Louisiana National Guard said the troops would serve as a visible presence to deter criminal activity as the city moves into the spring events season.

Florida executes Billy Leon Kearse for fatal shooting of officer Danny Parrish

2026-03-02

Florida executed Billy Leon Kearse on Tuesday evening at Florida State Prison near Starke after a three-drug lethal injection, becoming the third person put to death by the state this year. Kearse, 53, was convicted for the 1991 killing of Fort Pierce Police Officer Danny Parrish during a traffic stop.

Dan Sohail pleads not guilty in federal case after ramming Chabad HQ

2026-03-02

NEW YORK — Dan Sohail, 36, pleaded not guilty Monday to federal charges accusing him of intentionally damaging religious property after he repeatedly drove his car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in New York City. Prosecutors said the Jan. 28 incident damaged an entrance to the Hasidic Jewish site, without injuries, and that the government charge includes a potential maximum penalty of three years if damage exceeds $5,000.

Gunman in Austin bar shooting not known to law enforcement, FBI says

2026-03-02

The gunman who opened fire outside a crowded Austin, Texas, bar killed three people and wounded more than a dozen early Sunday, and federal and local investigators said Monday they had not known of him before the attack. The FBI is investigating the shooting as a potential act of terrorism, officials said, after the U.S. and Israel launched an attack on Iran.

Savannah Guthrie, family make first visit to Nancy Guthrie’s home

2026-03-02

Savannah Guthrie, her sister Annie Guthrie and brother-in-law Tommaso Cioni visited Nancy Guthrie’s home outside Tucson, Arizona, on Monday, their first sighting at the property since the 84-year-old went missing. The trio returned with flowers and a memorial at the edge of the property as authorities continue to investigate what happened to Nancy Guthrie.

Gunman in Austin bar shooting killed 2, wounded 14; FBI probes terrorism

2026-03-02

Early Sunday, a gunman wearing clothing with an Iranian flag design and the words “Property of Allah” killed two people and wounded 14 outside a bar in downtown Austin, Texas, authorities said. The FBI is investigating the attack as a potential terrorist act, an FBI official said. Police shot and killed the gunman, police said, and identified him as Ndiaga Diagne.

Police video shows aftermath of Rhode Island ice rink attack

2026-03-01

Police released a body-camera video showing the chaotic aftermath of a deadly shooting at a Rhode Island youth hockey rink last week, including confusion over who the shooter was and efforts by officers and bystanders to help victims. The video, released by the Pawtucket Police Department, shows an officer rushing into the arena and repeatedly asking where the gunman was as people try to stabilize those who were shot.

2 indicted on firearm charges tied to Utah church shooting

2026-03-01

A federal grand jury has indicted two men on firearm charges tied to a Jan. 7 shooting outside an LDS church in Salt Lake City that left two people dead and six others injured. The indictment unsealed Friday charges Ryan Toutai, 32, with unlawful disposition of a firearm and Fineeva Maka, 26, with felon in possession of a firearm, the U.S. attorney’s office said.

ICE’s reopened Dilley center holds more children as families allege poor care

2026-03-01

The Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement has increased the number of children and parents held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, according to an Associated Press analysis of data. The AP report says many children are detained longer than a 20-day limit set by a longstanding court order, and some parents described difficulties obtaining medical care for their children while they were held. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE disputed allegations raised by the AP.

Trump administration holds children in immigration detention for months

2026-03-01

A Texas detention center holding immigrant families has kept children detained for months, according to families, lawyers and child-rights advocates, as the Trump administration ramps up family detention again. The Associated Press described conditions at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, where several children experienced long detention beyond a 20-day court limit and families alleged poor medical care and mental-health harm. The AP also reported that ICE booked more than 3,800 children into detention during the first nine months of the administration, with many sent to Dilley.

Judge extends order protecting Minnesota refugees from arrest and deportation

2026-02-28

A federal judge in Minnesota extended an order blocking the arrest and deportation of refugees in the state who are lawfully in the U.S., as the case challenges a Trump administration policy announced this month. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim granted advocates’ request to turn a temporary restraining order issued in January into a preliminary injunction while the legal fight continues.

U.S. military used a laser to down a drone near Fort Hancock

2026-02-28

The U.S. military used a laser to shoot down a drone over near Fort Hancock, Texas, late Thursday, after lawmakers said they were told the aircraft appeared to be a threat. The Border Patrol said it was the type of drone the CBP says it typically deals with, but officials said the laser was used under a coordinated effort among the military, the FAA and CBP.

Trump administration orders new scrutiny of admitted refugees

2026-02-28

Their family spent years opposing Venezuela’s socialist system, then moved to the United States after obtaining refugee status. But in Minnesota, the Trump administration has detained and questioned refugees already admitted to the country, prompting lawsuits and a judge’s order extending protections for refugees in the state.

US military uses laser to down drone; FAA closes more El Paso airspace

2026-02-28

The U.S. military used a laser Thursday to shoot down a “seemingly threatening” drone flying near the U.S.-Mexico border, lawmakers said. The drone was reportedly operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Aviation Administration closed additional airspace around Fort Hancock, about 50 miles southeast of El Paso, in the mistaken-identity case.

Judge says IRS broke law by disclosing taxpayer addresses to ICE

2026-02-28

A federal judge said the IRS broke the law by disclosing confidential taxpayer information “approximately 42,695 times” to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly is based on an IRS declaration filed earlier this month and concerns a data-sharing agreement between the IRS and DHS. The government is appealing, and the transfers have faced additional court blocks.

Hawaii lawmakers advance bills limiting cooperation with ICE in 2026 session

2026-02-28

Hawaii lawmakers are advancing multiple bills aimed at limiting state and local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities as the 2026 legislative session reaches midterm. Advocates and lawmakers said increased federal enforcement elsewhere—including Minnesota—has shifted lawmakers toward a more aggressive approach to protect immigrants and preserve civil liberties. Bills include proposals to restrict police involvement in immigration detention and to require agencies to advise people of their rights before interviews by federal immigration agents.

Bondi announces 30 more federal charges in Minnesota church protest

2026-02-28

The U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi, announced federal charges against 30 additional people accused of civil rights violations linked to a protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in January. Bondi said 25 of the defendants were taken into custody and that more arrests are expected.

Border Patrol agents under scrutiny after Myanmar refugee found dead

2026-02-28

Border Patrol agents released a nearly blind refugee from Myanmar at a Buffalo fast-food restaurant days before he was later found dead, a case that has prompted scrutiny over what agents did after dropping him off and whether his family and lawyer were told his whereabouts, according to video and statements reported by AP.

Deadline looms for Babson student deported to Honduras as court order nears

2026-02-28

A federal deadline nears for the U.S. government to facilitate the return of a Babson College freshman mistakenly deported to Honduras, setting up renewed legal pressure on immigration officials. Her lawyers say federal agents wanted her to board a flight that could have led to detention in Texas, while the government said she failed to appear for a prearranged flight.

Exiled activist Kwok vows to keep fighting after Hong Kong jails her father

2026-02-28

Exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Anna Kwok said a Hong Kong court ruling that jailed her father for eight months has strengthened her resolve. Kwok spoke to The Associated Press days after the sentence, describing it as a personal cost tied to her activism and saying she would not back down.

Family of Renee Good mourns her death after Minneapolis ICE shooting

2026-02-28

A family grieving Renee Good said she was “slow to anger, quick to love” after the 37-year-old was fatally shot Jan. 7 in Minneapolis during a federal crackdown involving immigration agents, according to an Associated Press report. Her parents and brothers spoke in Colorado about her life and their grief, as protests followed her death and another U.S. citizen was killed weeks later.

ICE operation at Columbia sparks questions after agents posed as police

2026-02-28

New York police responded to a 911 call at Columbia University about two “suspicious” men on Feb. 26, only to find U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conducting an operation that Columbia said relied on posing as police. Immigration officials have said Ellie Aghayeva, a student from Azerbaijan, was arrested after her visa was overstayed.

Minnesota chief judge warns prosecutor and ICE: obey court orders or face contempt

2026-02-28

Federal Judge Patrick Schiltz warned Thursday that Minnesota’s top U.S. prosecutor and Immigration and Customs Enforcement must comply with court orders or face criminal contempt charges, after saying the government has repeatedly failed to follow directives. The warning followed a Feb. 9 email from U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen disputing Schiltz’s account of ICE noncompliance.

US cardinals and pope’s ambassador decry mass deportations, urge reconciling

2026-02-28

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Two American cardinals and the Vatican’s ambassador to the U.S. denounced what they called mass deportations in Minnesota tied to the federal government’s immigration crackdown, calling instead for reconciliation and humane solutions. Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark and Archbishop Bernard Hebda of St. Paul and Minneapolis spoke during a Mass for migrants on Friday. The prelates said Catholic teaching supports border control for people convicted of serious crimes, but they said seeking to deport millions—including families who have lived in the U.S. for decades—is contrary to Catholic faith and basic human dignity.

Wisconsin man sentenced to 16½ years for forged threats against Trump

2026-02-28

A judge in Madison, Wisconsin, sentenced Demetric DeShawn Scott to 16½ years in prison after a Milwaukee County jury convicted him of forging threats against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors said Scott used the forged letters as part of a scheme to have the intended victim, Ramon Morales Reyes, deported.

Trump agreed to release Columbia student detained by ICE, Mamdani says

2026-02-27

Federal immigration authorities arrested a Columbia University student early Thursday, triggering protests on campus, but she was later released the same day after President Donald Trump agreed to free her, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. Mamdani said he raised concerns about Ellie Aghayeva’s arrest during a separate meeting with Trump, and DHS/ICE permitted her to walk free shortly afterward.

Tampa airport says pajama “ban” post was a joke after backlash

2026-02-27

Tampa International Airport sparked debate online after it posted that it wanted to ban travelers from wearing pajamas at the airport in Florida. The airport later clarified the post was “another playful nod” to day-of-travel fashion debates and said it encourages passengers to travel comfortably.

Convicted stowaway Svetlana Dali arrested again after Newark-to-Milan trip

2026-02-27

A woman convicted of stowing away on an international flight was arrested again Thursday after allegedly sneaking onto a United Airlines flight from Newark, New Jersey, to Milan, Italy, according to law enforcement officials. Svetlana Dali, who was on supervised release for the prior case, was taken into custody at Milan’s Malpensa Airport, FBI spokesperson Emily Molinari said.

Abrego Garcia seeks to have smuggling charges dismissed in court

2026-02-27

A federal judge heard testimony Thursday in a human smuggling case involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man prosecutors say should have faced charges based on evidence from a 2022 traffic stop. Abrego Garcia, who has said a 2019 order blocks deportation to El Salvador, is asking the court to dismiss the prosecution as vindictive and tied to the Trump administration’s efforts after the Supreme Court ordered officials to bring him back.

NTSB chair says House bill doesn’t address its recommendations

2026-02-27

House members are considering an aviation-safety bill after a deadly midair collision near Washington last year, but the head of the National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday the House package is “watered-down” and does not match the NTSB’s recommendations. Jennifer Homendy, whose agency investigated the Jan. 29, 2025, crash that killed 67 people, said the bill’s locator-system requirements fall short of what she said is needed to prevent another tragedy.

Tennessee felony for officials voting for “sanctuary” policies ruled unconstitutional

2026-02-27

Nashville officials and metro council members reached an agreed order in a lawsuit challenging a Tennessee law that threatened local elected officials with felony charges for supporting “sanctuary” immigration policies. Nashville Chancellor Russell Perkins signed the order on Wednesday after Tennessee’s attorney general declined to defend the provision.

Trump’s State of the Union prompt leaves Democrats facing a dilemma

2026-02-27

President Donald Trump drew a sharp line for Democrats during his State of the Union address Tuesday, asking lawmakers to stand if they agreed that the government’s first duty is to protect U.S. citizens—not “illegal immigrants.” Democrats mostly remained seated in a moment that drew immediate reaction from political commentators and party leaders.

Escondido residents protest ICE training at local gun range

2026-02-26

Residents in Escondido, California, have packed City Council meetings for weeks to protest a contract that allows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to train at a city police gun range, which they say they only recently learned about.

Supreme Court rejects GEO Group appeal in Colorado forced-work suit

2026-02-26

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against GEO Group, a private prison company, in a lawsuit brought by immigration detainees who alleged forced labor in Colorado. The justices declined to let GEO Group pursue a quick appeal of a lower-court decision, which the company had sought on the grounds it is immune from such suits as a government contractor, according to the Associated Press.

Chicago man Tommy Schaefer pleads not guilty in U.S. “suitcase murder” case

2026-02-26

Tommy Schaefer, a Chicago man convicted in Indonesia for the 2014 Bali “suitcase murder” of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, pleaded not guilty in U.S. federal court on Thursday to charges tied to the case. Schaefer, who was released from prison in Indonesia this week, faces allegations that he conspired to kill and tampered with a victim.

Police chief accused of choking student during Pennsylvania immigration protest

2026-02-26

Lawyers for Quakertown high‑school protesters say the 72‑year‑old police chief who joined a scuffle with students in Pennsylvania choked a 15‑year‑old girl, and that the teens acted in self‑defense. The attorneys contend the chief, Scott McElree, entered the confrontation without identifying himself, leading to aggravated‑assault charges that they plan to contest.

Police investigate death of nearly blind Myanmar refugee after Border Patrol drop-off

2026-02-26

A nearly blind refugee from Myanmar who disappeared after U.S. Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Buffalo doughnut shop was found dead five days later, prompting a police investigation and renewed scrutiny of how federal agents handle vulnerable people, according to authorities and advocates. Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said the incident showed a “dereliction of duty,” while U.S. Customs and Border Protection defended the actions. Police said the county medical examiner ruled the death “health related,” a characterization the Erie County Department of Health later disputed.

Cross-country services for Jesse Jackson start in Chicago

2026-02-26

CHICAGO — Mourners filed into a Chicago auditorium Thursday to pay final respects to Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. as cross-country memorial services began in the city he called home. Jackson, 84, will lie in repose for two days at the headquarters of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition before services move to Washington, D.C., and South Carolina.

Trump asks Supreme Court to allow ending Syria TPS legal protections

2026-02-26

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let it end temporary legal protections for Syrian migrants, as lawsuits challenge the move. The government wants the court to lift a New York judge’s order pausing the Department of Homeland Security decision while the cases proceed, and also seek a broader ruling affecting similar immigration cases.

Video shows Vince McMahon’s high-speed Connecticut car crash

2026-02-26

Police bodycam and dashcam videos released to the media show former WWE executive Vince McMahon driving a 2024 Bentley Continental GT at more than 100 mph on the Merritt Parkway in Connecticut last July before crashing into the rear of another car. State police said McMahon was cited for reckless driving and following too closely, and a judge later allowed him to enter a pretrial probation program that could erase the charges if he completes it.

Judge blocks Trump ‘third country’ deportations to South Sudan

2026-02-26

A federal judge in Massachusetts ruled the Trump administration’s policy of deporting migrants to “third countries” where they have no ties is unlawful and must be set aside. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy suspended the ruling for 15 days so the government can appeal, and said migrants must receive “meaningful notice” and an opportunity to object before removal. The case had already reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which last year paused a prior order involving a flight of migrants to war-torn South Sudan.

Abogados buscan bloquear política de CBP que empuja a menores a autodeportarse

2026-02-26

Defensores legales presentaron una moción para frenar una política de la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) que, según dicen, presiona a menores migrantes no acompañados a regresar voluntariamente a sus países. La solicitud fue presentada el martes en el sur de Texas, y busca impedir que la CBP aplique la práctica a niños guatemaltecos y ampliar la protección a otros países, con excepción de México y Canadá.

Indonesia deports American in Bali “suitcase murder” after 11 years

2026-02-26

Indonesia freed and deported American Tommy Schaefer after he served 11 years in a Bali prison for the 2014 premeditated murder of Sheila von Wiese-Mack, prosecutors said. U.S. federal charges tied to the case are still pending after Schaefer was transported to Illinois, where a court appearance was scheduled.

Texas grand jury rejects indictments in fatal shooting by immigration agent

2026-02-26

A Texas grand jury declined to hand up indictments after a case involving the March 15, 2025, fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez by a federal immigration agent during a traffic encounter, prosecutors said. The shooting was not publicly disclosed by the Department of Homeland Security until The Associated Press and other outlets reported it last week.

Trump highlights border drop in State of the Union amid enforcement fallout

2026-02-26

President Donald Trump told Congress that the U.S. southern border is secure and said that “zero illegal aliens have been admitted to the United States” in the past nine months. The Associated Press reported that Trump’s return to office in January 2025 has coincided with declines in border arrests, a rise in ICE arrests, and changes that affect detention and asylum outcomes. The AP also said Trump mentioned little of enforcement fallout in places such as Minneapolis and Chicago, where residents have protested federal officer tactics.

Appeals court lets Harris County keep immigrant legal aid program

2026-02-26

A Texas appeals court ruled on Feb. 25 that Harris County can continue funding legal aid for undocumented immigrants, rejecting Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down the program. The 15th Court of Appeals said Paxton did not provide evidence that the county’s grants harmed residents and said the state failed to explain why providing counsel to indigent people facing deportation is unconstitutional.

House rejects ROTOR Act requiring ADS-B In locator systems after crash

2026-02-25

The U.S. House on Tuesday rejected the ROTOR Act, a bill designed to require aircraft operating around busy airports to use additional locator technology to prevent midair collisions, such as the January 2025 crash near Washington, D.C. House and Senate leaders said they will keep working on a broader aviation-safety package, but the House vote underscored a dispute over whether the final bill should mandate “ADS-B In” systems that can help provide pilots with detailed traffic information.

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to end Syrian migrants' legal protections

2026-02-25

The Justice Department on Thursday asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a New York judge’s order and allow the Trump administration to end temporary protected status for about 6,100 Syrian migrants living in the United States. The request follows a decision by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to revoke the protections, arguing that the conflict in Syria no longer meets the criteria for TPS. A response to the administration’s emergency appeal is due March 4.

Supreme Court rejects GEO Group bid to hasten appeal in forced-work suit

2026-02-25

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against private prison company GEO Group in a procedural dispute over a lawsuit alleging immigration detainees in Colorado were forced to work and paid about $1 a day. The ruling means the case can proceed only after other steps in the lower court process, not via the quick appeal GEO sought.

Attorneys seek to halt CBP policy pressuring unaccompanied children to self-deport

2026-02-25

Legal advocates filed a motion on Tuesday seeking to stop U.S. Customs and Border Protection from urging some unaccompanied immigrant children—entering the country without parents—to voluntarily deport themselves under a policy introduced last year. The advocates said the approach, which they say began in September 2025, would undercut access to immigration procedures and expand detention threats, legal advocates wrote in court filings in McAllen, Texas.

DHS official says ICE agents will not be at polling places in midterms

2026-02-25

A Department of Homeland Security official told state election administrators that federal immigration agents will not be stationed at polling locations during the November midterm elections. Deputy assistant secretary Heather Honey made the pledge during a coordination call that included other federal agencies, according to statements shared by officials in Arizona, Oregon and Kentucky.

Federal prosecutors say antifa members carried out Prairieland detention shooting

2026-02-25

Federal prosecutors opened a trial in Texas on Tuesday, telling jurors that a shooting outside the Prairieland Detention Center near Dallas last July was carried out by members of antifa. Nine people have pleaded not guilty, eight of whom face charges of providing material support to terrorists, prosecutors said.

Trump administration sues New Jersey over limits on ICE arrests

2026-02-25

The Trump administration sued New Jersey in federal court in Trenton on Monday, challenging a state order that bars federal immigration agents from making arrests in certain nonpublic areas of state property. The Justice Department lawsuit targets Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s Feb. 11 executive order, and New Jersey’s acting attorney general said the state will fight the case.

Court says IRS can share immigrants’ taxpayer data with ICE

2026-02-25

A federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., rejected a bid by an immigrant rights group to pause a tax-data sharing agreement between the IRS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The court declined to block the IRS from sharing certain names and addresses that could help identify people in the country illegally.

Witness in Texas immigration shooting case dies in car crash

2026-02-25

In San Antonio, the passenger in a car during a fatal 2025 shooting by a federal immigration agent in Texas died Saturday in a crash, according to a lawyer for the slain man’s family. Joshua Orta had given a statement to attorneys earlier that disputed the government’s account of how Ruben Ray Martinez was fatally shot.

Man fatally stabs 4 people in Washington state; suspect dies

2026-02-25

A man fatally stabbed four people in Washington state on Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies were driving to serve him with a domestic violence restraining order, authorities said. The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy shot the suspect after the man began stabbing people outside a home on the Key Peninsula.

NYC police investigating after officers hit with snowballs in fight

2026-02-25

New York City police are investigating after multiple officers were hit with snowballs during a snowball fight at Washington Square Park in Manhattan. The department said Tuesday that multiple uniformed officers were struck in the face and were removed by EMS to a nearby hospital in stable condition.

Savannah Guthrie family offers $1 million reward for Nancy Guthrie

2026-02-25

Savannah Guthrie said her family is now offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home more than three weeks ago. Guthrie said she and her family still hope her mother will be found alive but acknowledged they also realize it might be too late.

Quakertown residents demand police chief resignation after student scuffle

2026-02-25

PHILADELPHIA—Residents in the Philadelphia-area community of Quakertown are calling for the police chief’s resignation after a scuffle with high school students protesting immigration enforcement policies, including footage showing the police chief grabbing a teenage girl’s neck. Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said his office is investigating the incident.

Idaho woman accused of driving stolen ambulance into federal building

2026-02-25

Boise prosecutors charged Sarah Elizabeth George, 43, with malicious destruction of federal property after FBI allegations say she stole an ambulance and drove it into a building housing U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices, then poured accelerant in the lobby. She was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boise.

Sword and SWAT standoff in Michigan fuels fury over mental health response

2026-02-25

A SWAT standoff in Ypsilanti, Michigan, lasting more than 30 hours and involving multiple agencies drew backlash over how law enforcement handles psychiatric crises. Ruben Peeler, 53, was subdued after barricading himself in an apartment bedroom while armed with a katana sword, police said, and has been charged with multiple felonies including assault with a dangerous weapon.

ICE officer training 'deficient,' former agency lawyer tells Congress

2026-02-24

A former U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement lawyer told congressional Democrats on Monday that the agency's training program for deportation officers is "deficient, defective and broken," directly contradicting the Department of Homeland Security's assertion that recruits receive full preparation. Ryan Schwank, who managed the agency's officer training until resigning on Feb. 13, testified that the training has been dismantled and compressed far below what DHS publicly claims.

2 Missouri deputies fatally shot; suspect dies in hourslong gunbattle

2026-02-24

A man with a long criminal history fatally shot a Missouri sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop south of Highlandville on Monday and later killed a second deputy in a gunbattle hours afterward, authorities said. Two other deputies were wounded, and the suspect, Richard Dean Bird, was also killed, Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said Tuesday.

Volunteers continue searching for Nancy Guthrie despite sheriff's plea

2026-02-24

Volunteers scoured the desert near Tucson, Arizona, on Sunday for Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" show host Savannah Guthrie, defying an explicit request from the Pima County Sheriff's Department to stop. Guthrie, 84, has been missing since Jan. 31, and authorities believe she was kidnapped from her home.

Federal regulators fine Colorado dairy over six deaths from toxic gas

2026-02-24

Federal workplace safety regulators announced proposed penalties totaling $246,609 on Tuesday against a Colorado dairy and two contractors over their failure to protect six workers who died from hydrogen sulfide gas exposure in August 2025. The deaths occurred after a manure pipe disconnected in an enclosed space at Prospect Ranch in Keenesburg, about 35 miles northeast of Denver, shocking rural communities in the region.

'Abolish ICE' wins Chicago's snowplow-naming contest

2026-02-24

Chicago voters selected "Abolish ICE" as the winning name in the city's annual snowplow-naming contest, turning a municipal tradition into a political statement about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement. The name carries a double meaning: both a reference to removing snow and a protest slogan against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Woman adopted by U.S. war veteran faces deportation to Iran

2026-02-23

The Trump administration has ordered an American woman adopted from Iran as a toddler to appear for removal proceedings, according to a Department of Homeland Security letter described by the Associated Press. The woman says the government’s action could mean a death sentence because she is a Christian and Iran is dangerous for Christians.

Connecticut exhibition celebrates art created by incarcerated people

2026-02-23

The sculptures are made from items found around any home: bread, Q-Tips, thread, soap, dental floss, floor wax, coffee. With pencils, pastels, glue and other supplies, incarcerated artists across Connecticut have fashioned these household materials into sculptures of the devil, the grim reaper, a castle and Garfield the cat. The artworks are on display at Eastern Connecticut State University's art gallery as part of the Prison Arts Program's annual exhibition, running through Feb. 28.

Person shot by Border Patrol agent at New Hampshire-Canada border

2026-02-23

A person was shot by a U.S. Border Patrol agent near the New Hampshire-Canada border early Sunday in an exchange of gunfire, federal authorities said. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. in Pittsburg, a town of about 800 people in northern New Hampshire, according to the FBI.

California allocates $35 million to aid immigrants amid Trump deportations

2026-02-23

Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California will allocate $35 million in state funding to help immigrant families facing the Trump administration's deportation efforts. The money, set aside by the state Legislature in the budget, will connect immigrant families with food assistance, legal services, and other basic needs, according to Kim Johnson, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.

Homeland Security suspends Global Entry during shutdown

2026-02-22

The Department of Homeland Security suspended the Global Entry program on Sunday as a partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 entered its second week. The agency initially announced suspension of both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck but reversed the PreCheck closure hours later, keeping the security-line program operational. Global Entry, which allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to use expedited kiosks when entering the United States from abroad, is used by millions of Americans.

Gay asylum-seeker deported to Cameroon despite U.S. judge's protection order

2026-02-22

A 21-year-old gay woman from Morocco was deported to Cameroon in February 2026 despite an explicit protection order from a U.S. immigration judge. Farah, identified by first name only for her safety, said she was handcuffed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents three days before a scheduled hearing on her release and flown to a country where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison.

US commercial driver’s license tests must be taken in English

2026-02-21

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced Friday that the Trump administration will require all truck and bus drivers to take commercial driver’s license tests in English as part of a safety crackdown. Duffy said the changes aim to ensure drivers can read road signs and communicate with law enforcement during traffic stops and inspections.

ICE quietly buys warehouses for detention center expansion

2026-02-21

The Department of Homeland Security has secretly purchased at least seven warehouses across Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Texas for immigration detention centers, spending $122.8 million on a single 826,000-square-foot facility in Socorro, Texas. Local officials say they learned about the purchases only after deed filings or news reports — with no federal notification before the deals closed.

Students in Savannah grieve teacher killed in crash with driver pursued by ICE

2026-02-21

Students in Linda Davis’ kindergarten and first-grade classes in Savannah, Georgia, mourned Thursday after the teacher was killed Monday in a crash involving a driver fleeing a traffic stop by U.S. immigration officers, authorities said. Local officials questioned whether the pursuit was necessary, and federal immigration officials said the driver was illegally in the country.

Federal agent killed Texas man during 2025 traffic stop, records show

2026-02-21

A 23-year-old Texas man was fatally shot by a federal immigration agent during a traffic control operation on South Padre Island in March 2025, according to documents released Friday by the Department of Homeland Security. The shooting of Ruben Ray Martinez had been reported by local media at the time, but the involvement of a federal Homeland Security Investigations agent was not disclosed until The Associated Press reported on the newly released records.

ICE purchases warehouses nationwide for expanded detention capacity

2026-02-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has purchased warehouses in more than 20 towns across the United States as part of a $45 billion expansion of detention capacity. In many cases, local officials were not notified until after deals were completed. Some warehouse owners have refused to finalize sales after learning of ICE's intended use.

Hero at Rhode Island ice rink stopped gunman, but family died, police say

2026-02-20

Thousands of people in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, learned of a shooting at a youth hockey arena after a gunman opened fire during an event Monday and was later killed, according to Pawtucket police and witnesses. Michael Black, who was in the stands, said he realized the sounds were gunfire and lunged toward the shooter’s handgun to help stop the attack.

Suspect pours accelerant on stolen ambulance in Idaho, flees

2026-02-20

Authorities in Idaho were searching for a suspect who stole an ambulance outside a hospital and drove it into a nearby building that houses U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices. Police said the suspect poured an accelerant on the ambulance and that office entrance doors were shattered.

Alaska plans new bridge that will preserve Black Veterans Memorial spans

2026-02-20

Alaska plans to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Gerstle River near Delta Junction with a new span that will open in 2031, state officials said. The state will keep two of the bridge’s nine trestles in place as a refashioned memorial while offering seven trestles for free to be maintained elsewhere, with proposals due March 6.

Democrats urge Census to drop citizenship question from 2026 practice

2026-02-20

Congressional Democrats urged the Census Bureau to remove a citizenship question from a 2026 practice test that would use the American Community Survey, warning it could deter immigrants from participating. The on-the-ground tests in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, are scheduled to begin next month, congressional Democrats said.

Federal judge slams Trump immigration crackdown in scathing ruling

2026-02-20

A federal judge on Wednesday sharply criticized the Trump administration’s approach to immigrant detention and deportations, saying the government is violating the law and due process. In a ruling by Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, California, the judge ordered the Homeland Security Department to notify many detained immigrants they may be eligible for bond and to give them access to a phone to call an attorney within an hour.

HUD proposes rule to require citizenship or eligible status in public housing

2026-02-20

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday proposed a rule that would limit HUD-funded public housing to citizens and eligible noncitizens, requiring residents to show proof of citizenship or eligibility. Housing advocates warned the proposal could lead to tens of thousands of evictions, including for mixed-status families where some household members are eligible.

Zizians group member bailed out in Maryland as six deaths remain linked

2026-02-20

Daniel Blank posted $15,000 bail and was released from a Maryland jail Friday, according to court documents. Blank is a member of a group known as the Zizians that law enforcement has linked to six deaths across California, Pennsylvania and Vermont. His release comes with conditions that he must live alone and submit to GPS tracking.

Federal agent fatally shot Texas man during traffic stop, documents show

2026-02-20

A federal immigration agent fatally shot a U.S. citizen on South Padre Island, Texas on March 15, 2025, newly released documents show. The Department of Homeland Security did not publicly disclose the death of Ruben Ray Martinez, 23, until this week. DHS said the driver intentionally struck the agent, but a state investigator indicated video evidence contradicted that account.

Police in Nancy Guthrie case consider DNA genealogy database searches

2026-02-19

Arizona authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie said they are considering DNA “investigative genetic genealogy” options after DNA collected so far has not produced matches in CODIS. The missing woman is the mother of NBC “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie.

New Trump order could lead to arrest of tens of thousands of refugees

2026-02-19

The Trump administration has issued a sweeping order that could allow federal agents to arrest tens of thousands of refugees who are lawfully in the U.S. but do not yet have permanent residency, according to a memo filed by the Department of Homeland Security. The order applies to refugees in Minnesota ahead of a Thursday hearing before U.S. District Judge John Tunheim over whether to extend protections that stop the arrests and deportations. Advocates and lawmakers said the government failed to offer a coherent legal basis for the policy.

Transportation Department orders closure of over 550 CDL driving schools

2026-02-19

The federal Transportation Department said more than 550 commercial driving schools must close after investigators found they hired unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety problems. The department said the decision follows 1,426 site visits completed in December and is intended to improve safety in the trucking industry.

US Rep. Joaquin Castro says ICE deported a sick 2-month-old baby

2026-02-19

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said U.S. immigration authorities deported a 2-month-old baby with bronchitis to Mexico along with his family. Castro made the claim in an X post Tuesday, saying the child was unresponsive shortly before being discharged from a hospital. A Homeland Security spokesperson said the baby was in stable condition and medically cleared for removal.

Defendants catch a break as prosecutors exit in Minnesota

2026-02-19

A federal prosecutor’s office in Minnesota has been left understaffed after a wave of career officials resigned or retired, according to an Associated Press report. The personnel turmoil contributed to the dismissal of a meth trafficking case against Cory Allen McKay, a defendant described as a longtime violent offender, who walked free on Jan. 31.

Alaska to replace Black Veterans Memorial Bridge, keep two spans as tribute

2026-02-19

Alaska plans to replace the Black Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Gerstle River near Delta Junction, and will keep two of its nine trestles in place as a refashioned memorial, the state transportation department said. The 1,885-foot bridge, renamed in 1993, will be replaced with a new span expected to open in 2031, while seven trestles will be offered for free to qualified applicants.

Federal judge slams Trump administration immigration crackdown in ruling

2026-02-19

A federal judge on Wednesday issued a scathing decision criticizing the Trump administration’s approach to immigration detention and deportations, saying it illegally denied detained people a path to bond and violated a prior order. U.S. District Judge Sunshine Sykes in Riverside, California ordered the Department of Homeland Security to notify certain immigrants about potential eligibility for bond and to provide them phone access to contact attorneys within an hour.

Savannah students mourn teacher killed in crash after ICE pursuit

2026-02-19

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Students in kindergarten and first grade classes at Herman W. Hesse K-8 School mourned the teacher who was killed Monday when a pickup truck crashed into her car during a pursuit by U.S. immigration officers, local and federal authorities said. Linda Davis, 52, was killed less than a half mile (0.8 kilometers) from the school where she worked with special needs students.

Suspect pours accelerant on stolen ambulance in Idaho, flees scene

2026-02-19

Authorities in Meridian, Idaho, said a suspect stole an ambulance from St. Luke’s hospital, poured an accelerant on it, and drove it into a nearby office building that houses U.S. Department of Homeland Security offices. Police said the incident occurred at about 11:10 p.m. Wednesday and that a suspect remains at large as investigators work with federal agencies.

California high-speed rail chief Ian Choudri takes leave after arrest

2026-02-19

California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO Ian Choudri is taking a leave of absence after he was arrested earlier this month on allegations of domestic violence in the Sacramento area, the authority said Tuesday. Prosecutors said they are not pressing charges, citing a lack of evidence. The arrest adds to scrutiny of the state’s long-delayed, costlier high-speed rail project.

DEA Supervisor Arrested for Visa Bribery Scheme; Office Shuttered

2026-02-19

A Drug Enforcement Administration supervisor, Meliton Cordero, has been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes to expedite visa applications at the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. The U.S. government abruptly closed the DEA office in the Dominican Republic following the arrest.

Panel of UN experts links Guatemala’s prosecutor Consuelo Porras to illegal adoptions

2026-02-19

Un panel de expertos de la ONU dijo el lunes que está alarmado por información que vincula a la fiscal general de Guatemala, María Consuelo Porras, con presuntas adopciones ilegales cuando ella era directora de una casa hogar durante el conflicto armado del país. Los expertos emitieron el comunicado cuando Porras se acerca al final de su gestión como fiscal general y postulaba para otro cargo público. En su comunicado, pidieron que no se preseleccione ni se nombre a personas con alegaciones “creíbles” de violaciones de derechos humanos hasta que haya una investigación independiente y exhaustiva.

Rhode Island ice rink shooter killed ex-wife, police say

2026-02-18

A person opened fire Monday during a youth hockey game at an ice rink in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, police said, targeting family members and killing an ex-wife and a son. Pawtucket Chief of Police Tina Goncalves said the shooter also killed three other people’s relatives and injured others before dying from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.

Democrats seek limits on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota

2026-02-18

Minnesota’s Legislature opened its session Tuesday with Democrats seeking new limits on federal immigration officers in the state while Republicans plan to focus on fraud in taxpayer-funded programs. The political fight comes as federal immigration enforcement winds down but its effects continue to reverberate at the Minnesota Capitol through the session that runs through May.

Hawaii seeks funding to add mental health staff and curb prison suicides

2026-02-18

Hawaii corrections officials are asking lawmakers for more than $2.6 million to expand mental health services in state prisons and jails, after state oversight data and public records showed suicides accounted for more than half of deaths at the state’s largest prison over the past two years. DCR Director Tommy Johnson said the department also plans pilots that include a suicide-risk assessment tool and electronic monitoring for people identified as high risk.

Actor Shia LaBeouf faces charges in New Orleans after alleged Mardi Gras fight

2026-02-18

Shia LaBeouf was arrested in New Orleans after police said he was accused of hitting two men early Tuesday during Mardi Gras celebrations, and he now faces two counts of simple battery. Officers were called to a business in the French Quarter at about 12:45 a.m. after police said he was “causing a disturbance and becoming increasingly aggressive.” After being taken to a hospital for injuries that were described as unknown, LaBeouf was released and later arrested by police.

Driver fleeing ICE traffic stop crashes, kills teacher near Georgia school

2026-02-18

A Guatemalan driver accused of fleeing a Georgia traffic stop by federal immigration officers crashed outside Savannah on Monday, killing Linda Davis, a special education teacher headed to work, authorities and school officials said. The driver, Oscar Vasquez Lopez, remained jailed Tuesday on charges including vehicular homicide, reckless driving and driving without a valid license.

Judge rules ICE cannot re-detaine Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ending detention

2026-02-18

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran deportee and long-running legal fight involving U.S. immigration authorities, is no longer being held in immigration detention, a Maryland federal judge ruled Feb. 17, 2026. The decision blocks Immigration and Customs Enforcement from re-detaining him after an earlier Maryland order requiring his immediate release.

Authorities investigate alleged ICE beating that left man with skull fractures

2026-02-18

Minnesota and federal authorities are investigating an allegation that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers beat a Mexican citizen during an arrest in St. Paul last month, leaving him with eight skull fractures and hospitalization in an intensive care unit. The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of whether surveillance footage from the arrest site captured what happened. ICE has said the man injured himself while handcuffed, but hospital staff told The Associated Press that the injuries were not consistent with a fall.

Elevate Prize winners get $300K each as storytelling becomes funding tool

2026-02-18

Elevate Prize winners announced Tuesday will receive $300,000 each in unrestricted funding plus organizational support, as the foundation looks to boost leaders’ public profiles. Among this year’s 10 winners is Mónica Ramírez, whose Justice for Migrant Women is based in Fremont, Ohio.

Immigration judge halts deportation of Mohsen Mahdawi in procedural ruling

2026-02-18

A U.S. immigration judge blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian legal permanent resident who led protests at Columbia University against the war in Gaza. The judge, Nina Froes, said the case was terminated because government attorneys failed to properly certify an official document they planned to use as evidence.

New Maryland law halts some ICE cooperation by local sheriffs

2026-02-18

Maryland’s Democratic Gov. Wes Moore signed a law this week that bars state and local law enforcement agencies from entering cooperative agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of the federal 287(g) program, according to the Associated Press. The change is expected to affect multiple Maryland sheriffs and counties that have been turning detainees over to ICE under deputization-style arrangements.

Capitol Police arrest man who ran toward U.S. Capitol with shotgun

2026-02-18

U.S. Capitol Police in Washington arrested an 18-year-old man after he ran several hundred yards toward the west side of the Capitol building holding a shotgun, the department said. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan said the man had tactical gear in his vehicle and that the shotgun was loaded.

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and bridge to lasting change, dies at 84

2026-02-17

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader who helped connect the movement’s early Southern fight against Jim Crow to later battles over racial inequality, died Tuesday at 84, his family said. Jackson kept advocating for civil and human rights for more than five decades, including through economic and political efforts and public health drives during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also remained visible at major moments of racial justice, including during the protests after George Floyd’s killing in Minneapolis.

Pennsylvania man in immigration custody after conviction overturned

2026-02-17

A Pennsylvania man whose murder conviction was overturned after 43 years in prison is being held by federal immigration authorities while he fights deportation. Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson denied bail during a Tuesday hearing in New Jersey, according to court records and a lawyer. Subramanyam Vedam will remain in custody while he appeals a 1999 deportation order.

US deports more third-country migrants to Cameroon, lawyers say

2026-02-17

Lawyers for some deported migrants told The Associated Press that a second deportation flight from the United States to Cameroon arrived in Yaounde on Monday, days after a report said nine people were sent secretly last month to a country where they have no ties.

Defamation case against Australian writer in Thailand withdrawn after mediation

2026-02-17

A Thai court cleared an Australian writer of a defamation charge tied to Malaysia after Malaysia’s telecom regulator formally withdrew the case following mediation, his lawyer said. The mediation agreement was confidential, but the man said he apologized and retracted about 10 online articles and that the criminal case was withdrawn without costs or penalties.

Austrian prosecutors charge man over alleged IS plot targeting Swift concerts

2026-02-17

Austrian public prosecutors filed terrorism-related charges Monday against a 21-year-old man they say planned to attack a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna in August 2024, prosecutors said. Authorities canceled three Swift shows after what they described as foiling the threat, and Austrian officials said the U.S. shared intelligence that helped enable the disruption.

Imran Khan’s physician can’t verify report of eyesight improvement

2026-02-17

Pakistan’s Supreme Court ordered Imran Khan be examined in prison after supporters raised concerns about his eyesight, and a video message from his physician on Monday said a reported “improvement” cannot be verified without access to the imprisoned former prime minister. Dr. Aasim Yusuf said prison doctors told him by phone about what they said Khan received and about “improvement,” but he could neither confirm nor deny the assessment. The case has renewed pressure from Khan’s allies for him to be transferred to a hospital in Islamabad.

Search for Nancy Guthrie shines a light on families still waiting

2026-02-17

For nearly two weeks after Nancy Guthrie disappeared from her affluent neighborhood in Arizona, hundreds of federal and local agents have searched for the missing woman, with investigators also processing thousands of public tips. As the search expands, other families of abducted people say they see how elusive answers can be—and how difficult it can be to obtain sustained help when a case is not high-profile.

What to know about the investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance

2026-02-16

Law enforcement in Tucson, Arizona, is continuing its search for clues in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, 84, now in its third week after she was reported missing following her Jan. 31 disappearance from her home. The investigation has included FBI surveillance video, DNA collection and lab analysis, a high volume of tips, and additional searches and road closures, the FBI and Pima County Sheriff’s Department said.

Homan says “small” security force will remain in Minnesota

2026-02-16

Tom Homan, the White House border czar, said more than 1,000 immigration agents have left the Twin Cities area and that additional agents will depart in the coming days as the Trump administration draws down its immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota. Homan told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that a “small” security force will remain for a short period to protect remaining agents, while officers will keep investigating fraud allegations and responding to protests.

No clear path to ending partial shutdown as DHS oversight talks stall

2026-02-16

Lawmakers and the White House offered no sign of compromise Sunday in a fight over oversight of federal immigration officers that has led to a pause in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, the Associated Press reported. A partial government shutdown began Saturday after congressional Democrats and President Donald Trump’s team failed to reach a deal to fund the department through September.

What to know about TSA screening and airport lines during DHS shutdown

2026-02-16

The Homeland Security shutdown that began early Saturday affects the Transportation Security Administration, which is expected to have many officers working without pay across U.S. airports, raising questions about how quickly travelers will get through screening. White House negotiations with Democratic lawmakers have not produced a deal by the end of the week, and aviation and travel industry officials warn that disruptions could build as the episode continues.

Homeland Security funding lapse begins amid ICE and TSA dispute

2026-02-16

Funding for the Department of Homeland Security expired Saturday, starting a new, narrowly confined government shutdown as White House and Democrats miss a deal. Democrats are linking future DHS money to limits on President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda after fatal shootings in Minneapolis last month.

Chicago teen whose father was held in immigration case dies from cancer

2026-02-16

Ofelia Giselle Torres Hidalgo, 16, died Friday after battling stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, her family said. The teen had spoken publicly for the release of her father, Ruben Torres Maldonado, who was held in a Chicago-area deportation case tied to “Operation Midway Blitz.” An immigration judge in Chicago ruled days before her death that Maldonado was conditionally eligible for “cancellation of removal,” according to an attorney representing him.

Video evidence contradicts immigration officials’ accounts of shootings

2026-02-15

Federal authorities launched an investigation into two immigration officers after video evidence raised questions about whether they made untruthful statements under oath about a Minneapolis shooting. The probe came hours after a federal judge dismissed felony assault charges in a separate case after prosecutors said new video contradicted allegations in the criminal complaint.

More law enforcement agencies will soon have counter-drone technology

2026-02-15

U.S. authorities abruptly shut down airspace over El Paso, Texas, this week after a laser counter-drone system was used to neutralize an incoming threat, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded aircraft in the area over concerns about the safety of the laser system being used near commercial planes, the people said. More law enforcement agencies have been granted authority to take down drones in recent legislation, a change officials and experts say could make similar incidents more common.

Feds investigate if ICE officers lied about Minneapolis shooting

2026-02-14

Federal authorities opened a criminal probe into whether two immigration officers lied under oath about a shooting in Minneapolis last month, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director said this week. All charges were dropped earlier Friday against two Venezuelan men accused of assaulting an ICE officer during the Jan. 14 incident.

Brazilian au pair sentenced to maximum term in Virginia double homicide

2026-02-14

An au pair from Brazil who pleaded guilty in the 2023 killing of Joseph Ryan received a 10-year prison sentence in Fairfax, Virginia, after a judge ruled she instead should serve the maximum. Prosecutors had sought that she walk free after she testified against IRS agent-turned-lover Brendan Banfield, who was convicted earlier this month in the deaths of Ryan and his wife, Christine.

4 indicted in Minneapolis clashes, including woman accused of biting finger

2026-02-14

Four people were indicted on federal charges tied to clashes with federal officers in Minneapolis, including a woman accused of biting off an immigration officer’s fingertip, the Justice Department said. Another three defendants were charged in connection with threats and communications sent to FBI agents after the agents’ personal information was stolen and posted online, according to court filings.

ICE plans $38.3B detention expansion to reach about 92,000 beds by November

2026-02-14

Federal immigration officials plan to spend $38.3 billion to expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention capacity, according to a document released Friday that lays out a mix of new regional processing centers and existing “turnkey” sites. The plan calls for up to about 92,600 beds by November as ICE purchases warehouses to convert them into detention and processing facilities.

Arizona man indicted on murder charges after state helicopter crash

2026-02-14

A grand jury indicted Terrell Storey on murder charges tied to a fatal Arizona state helicopter crash during a police shootout, authorities said Feb. 13. Prosecutors brought two counts of first-degree felony murder and dozens of additional charges after the Feb. 4 confrontation in Flagstaff. Storey is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 23, and officials said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash.

Charges dismissed against Connecticut officers in paralyzed prisoner case

2026-02-14

A judge dismissed criminal charges against three current and former New Haven police officers accused of mistreating prisoner Richard “Randy” Cox after he was paralyzed in the back of a police van in 2022. Judge David Zagaja dismissed the cases after the officers entered a probation program that can erase the charges from their records, and the prosecution said Cox and prosecutors did not object.

Federal judge orders return of Babson student deported to Honduras

2026-02-14

A federal judge in Boston ordered the U.S. government to return a Babson College student deported to Honduras while traveling for Thanksgiving, granting the government two weeks to retrieve her. The judge said he hoped the Trump administration would find a solution after acknowledging a mistaken deportation.

Don Lemon pleads not guilty in Minnesota church protest

2026-02-14

Former CNN host turned independent journalist Don Lemon pleaded not guilty Friday to federal civil rights charges tied to a protest at a Minnesota church where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor. Four other people also entered not-guilty pleas, and one civil rights attorney representing the defendants said they plan to seek transcripts from a normally secret grand jury.

Trump administration spent $40M on third-country deportations, report says

2026-02-14

The Trump administration spent at least $40 million to deport roughly 300 migrants to countries other than their own, Democratic staff on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee found. The report says the practice was expanded over the past year to help carry out President Donald Trump’s goals of removing immigrants from the United States quickly.

Trump’s immigration surge ends in Twin Cities, but its effects linger

2026-02-14

Minneapolis and St. Paul officials said relief is tempered by lingering financial strain after the Trump administration ended its Operation Metro Surge in the Twin Cities. The Department of Homeland Security said it was the largest immigration enforcement operation ever, but the pushback intensified after the shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

Investigators ask Tucson residents for videos in Nancy Guthrie case

2026-02-13

Investigators in Arizona are asking residents near Nancy Guthrie’s home in Tucson to share surveillance footage of any suspicious cars or people from the month before she disappeared, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. The department said the alert went out across a 2-mile radius in nearby neighborhoods, as federal and local officers continue searching and analyzing evidence.

Federal judge orders DHS to give Minnesota detainees access to lawyers

2026-02-13

A federal judge has ordered the Department of Homeland Security to give immigrants detained in Minnesota prompt access to attorneys after they are taken into custody and before they are transferred out of state. The judge said detainees at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building faced barriers to contacting legal counsel, citing logistical problems and limits that she found interfered with constitutional rights.

Palestinian woman held in Texas ICE jail says she suffered seizure after fainting

2026-02-13

Palestinian immigration detainee Leqaa Kordia said she suffered a seizure after fainting and hitting her head while being held for nearly a year in a privately run immigration detention facility in Texas. Kordia, 33, said she was hospitalized for three days after the episode and returned to the Prairieland Detention Facility. The Department of Homeland Security said she was not being mistreated and was receiving proper medical care.

Justice moving slowly for 7 jailed Zizians group members in 3 states

2026-02-13

Jury selection was set to begin this week in Maryland for three members of the Zizians group accused in a case tied to the violent deaths of six people in the past year, according to court filings and pretrial testimony. The trial was delayed until June after one defendant fired her lawyer and later replaced counsel, while the other members’ prosecutions remain spread across California, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The seven members are awaiting trial in three states, after authorities linked them to multiple incidents involving firearms.

AP-NORC poll finds independents increasingly disapprove of Trump immigration tactics

2026-02-13

In a new AP-NORC poll, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults say President Donald Trump has “gone too far” in sending federal immigration agents into American cities and using federal law enforcement at public protests. The survey, conducted Feb. 5-8, finds Trump’s approval on immigration remains steady overall, but his standing among independents has worsened since last spring.

Nancy Guthrie disappearance investigation prompts roadblock near Tucson home

2026-02-13

Law enforcement investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Arizona sealed off a road near her home late Friday night, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said. Authorities set the roadblock about 2 miles from the house as sheriff’s and FBI vehicles, including forensics vehicles, moved through the area. A federal, court-ordered search warrant was executed at the home, and no arrests were reported.

Timeline of Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota

2026-02-13

The Trump administration has announced the end of a major immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota after about two and a half months, a reported 4,000 arrests and two fatal shootings by immigration officers in the Twin Cities, the Associated Press reported. The crackdown, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, drew daily protests and clashes in Minneapolis-St. Paul and included arrests tied to a separate, Minnesota housing services fraud case, according to the timeline.

Border czar Tom Homan says Minnesota immigration crackdown is ending

2026-02-13

Minneapolis-area and other Minnesota communities will see the end of the Trump administration’s “Operation Metro Surge,” border czar Tom Homan said Thursday. The drawdown follows thousands of arrests, mass protests and the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens during the crackdown, which began in December, Homan said. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz urged continued vigilance as lawmakers debate whether to impose restraints on immigration officers tied to DHS funding.

Minneapolis weighs next steps for memorials at federal officers’ shooting sites

2026-02-13

Minneapolis is leaving in place two makeshift memorials for Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens killed by federal agents last month, as officials consider how to manage the sites as grieving continues. City leaders said the locations will remain accessible in the short term while Minneapolis “actively [works] on next steps” through community engagement, and a mayor’s spokesperson said it is “too early” to decide whether the memorials will be made permanent.

Sen. Rand Paul shows video of Alex Pretti’s death in ICE hearing

2026-02-13

In a tense Senate hearing on Feb. 12, Sen. Rand Paul questioned federal immigration officers’ tactics after Alex Pretti was shot and killed in Minneapolis. Paul told the immigration chiefs to watch a video of Pretti’s death moment by moment, while the acting ICE director and CBP chief disputed Paul’s characterization and said investigations into excessive force are under way.

Homeland Security shutdown seems certain as DHS funding talks stall

2026-02-13

Homeland Security shutdown appears likely as negotiations between the White House and Senate and House Democrats stall over demands for limits on immigration enforcement. Lawmakers were preparing to leave Washington for a 10-day break, setting up a potential funding lapse, Democrats said. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said the latest White House offer did not include sufficient curbs on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after two protesters were fatally shot last month.

TSA agents work without pay as DHS shutdown delays airport security

2026-02-13

The TSA workforce is expected to work without pay after a U.S. Department of Homeland Security shutdown took effect early Saturday, potentially affecting airport security screening nationwide. The situation is unfolding as lawmakers continue to miss the deadline for DHS’s annual funding.

Immigration judge dismisses deportation case for Mexican father of U.S. Marines

2026-02-13

An immigration judge dismissed a deportation case against Narciso Barranco, a Mexican landscaper arrested in Southern California, clearing the way for him to pursue legal status in the U.S. Judge Kristin S. Piepmeier ordered the case terminated in an order dated Jan. 28, saying Barranco had provided evidence he is the father of three U.S.-born sons serving in the military. The Department of Homeland Security said it would appeal.

Judge orders Trump to let some Venezuelans return from El Salvador prison

2026-02-13

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to make arrangements for some Venezuelans deported to a prison in El Salvador to return to the United States at the government’s expense, and to allow them to challenge their removals. In Thursday’s ruling, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg criticized the government’s responses to an earlier order that sought a process for the men to contest deportation decisions.

Legal hurdles persist for detainee access at Florida “Alligator Alcatraz”

2026-02-13

Attorneys for detainees at a state-run immigration facility in the Florida Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” said Thursday they still face obstacles reaching clients as a federal judge weighs their request for broader lawyer access. The attorneys told a U.S. district court in Fort Myers that detainees could not call them using staff cellphones and that the attorneys could not make unannounced visits, despite state claims the barriers have been removed.

Senate hearing spotlights ADS-B reforms after DC midair crash

2026-02-13

Grieving families and lawmakers on Thursday urged Congress to move faster on aviation safety changes they say could have helped prevent last year’s midair collision near Washington, a crash that killed 67 people, including 28 members of the figure skating community. A Senate Commerce Committee hearing examined National Transportation Safety Board recommendations—dating to 2008—that would require aircraft around busy airports to use both parts of the ADS-B locator system.

Court filing says IRS mistakenly shared taxpayer data with DHS

2026-02-12

The IRS erroneously shared taxpayer information of thousands of people with the Department of Homeland Security, according to a court filing made public Feb. 11. The filing says the disclosure happened under a data-sharing agreement aimed at helping Immigration and Customs Enforcement identify and deport people in the U.S. illegally.

Judge refuses to pause TPS rollback for Haitians, reads threats in court

2026-02-12

A federal judge in Washington on Thursday declined to pause her ruling blocking the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for Haitians in the U.S. During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes read out death threats and profane messages she said she received after the decision. Reyes said she would not be intimidated as a lawsuit challenging the administration’s effort moves forward.

Seattle reaches $29M settlement in death of grad student Jaahnavi Kandula

2026-02-12

Seattle reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was struck and killed by a speeding police officer in 2023. The agreement was filed in King County Superior Court, the city said, in a case that drew national attention after recordings surfaced of officers making disparaging remarks about Kandula’s death. City Attorney Erika Evans said the settlement was intended to bring “some sense of closure.”

Target faces pressure as anti-ICE store protests move beyond Minnesota

2026-02-12

Activists planned protests at more than two dozen Target stores across the United States on Wednesday to pressure the discount retailer to take a public stand against a recent immigration crackdown in Minnesota. The ICE Out Minnesota coalition called for sit-ins and other demonstrations at Target locations for a full week, including outside stores in Minneapolis and in St. Paul.

Attorneys say records contradict government account in Chicago Border Patrol shooting

2026-02-12

A Chicago woman shot by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration crackdown last year is suing the federal government after attorneys released records they say contradict the government’s account of the case and its investigation. Attorneys said videos showed an agent steering his vehicle into Marimar Martinez’s car, and they released emails and other materials they say show the Department of Homeland Security spread misinformation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said use-of-force incidents are thoroughly investigated and the agent involved, Charles Exum, was placed on administrative leave.

Homeland Security shutdown looms as lawmakers weigh TSA pay, FEMA planning

2026-02-12

Officials at the Department of Homeland Security told a House panel on Wednesday that a shutdown could disrupt disaster reimbursement to states, delay cybersecurity response and training, and leave some Transportation Security Administration workers without pay. The department was funded only through Friday as Congress and the White House negotiated immigration enforcement changes tied to broader Homeland Security legislation.

Former Jets player Darron Lee jailed without bond in murder case

2026-02-12

A judge in Tennessee kept former New York Jets linebacker Darron Lee jailed without bond as he faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, court testimony showed. Hamilton County Criminal Court Judge Tori Smith made the decision during a Wednesday hearing, after prosecutors argued Lee’s explanation to investigators did not make sense. Lee also faces a charge of tampering with or fabricating evidence, and is set to return to court for a preliminary hearing on March 9.

FBI searches desert near Nancy Guthrie’s home after detained suspect released

2026-02-12

In Tucson, Arizona, the FBI and Pima County authorities searched homes and desert terrain for clues in the Feb. 1 disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of NBC’s “Today” host Savannah Guthrie. Authorities said they had detained a man near the U.S.-Mexico border for questioning, then released him after hours, leaving investigators with fewer leads than a prior surge of activity had suggested.

Florida detectives link Lauderdale and Sarasota shootings that killed 7

2026-02-12

A double homicide discovered during a well-being check in Fort Lauderdale was later linked by Florida investigators to a shooting rampage in a gated community in Sarasota that left five more people dead, including the suspected shooter, officials said. The sheriff’s office said the suspect’s motivation for targeting the Sarasota victims was unknown.

Former prosecutor who quit now representing Don Lemon in Minnesota case

2026-02-12

Former federal prosecutor Joe Thompson has been hired to represent Don Lemon, who faces federal civil-rights charges tied to an alleged disruption of a Minnesota church service where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was a pastor, according to a court filing. Lemon, a former CNN host, is scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Helena investigated for potential Montana sanctuary-city ban violation

2026-02-12

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said he is investigating Helena for possible violations of the state’s sanctuary city ban after the city passed a resolution discouraging cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Knudsen said Helena could face a fine of up to $10,000 for every five days it is found to be in violation of a 2021 state law requiring local cooperation with federal immigration agents.

ICE agent arrests raise questions on misconduct risk and oversight

2026-02-12

Investigators and experts cited by The Associated Press said several Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been arrested on charges including physical and sexual abuse, corruption and other abuses of authority. The AP review found that at least two dozen ICE personnel and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020. The report comes as Congress approved last year a $75 billion increase to expand ICE staffing and detention capacity.

Italy’s Meloni government approves bill enabling naval blockades on migrant ships

2026-02-12

ROME (AP) — Italy’s conservative government led by Premier Giorgia Meloni on Wednesday approved a migration bill that would add new measures to fight illegal immigration, including a “naval blockade” against migrant ships trying to reach Italian shores. The cabinet gave the go-ahead late in the day, and the bill now must go to parliament for discussion and approval in both chambers.

Pentagon allowed CBP to use anti-drone laser before FAA closed El Paso airspace

2026-02-12

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon allowed U.S. Customs and Border Protection to use an anti-drone laser this week near Fort Bliss, before the Federal Aviation Administration abruptly closed airspace over El Paso, Texas, for a short period, according to two people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity. The FAA later lifted the closure after canceling seven arrivals and seven departures, though medical evacuation flights were also diverted.

Thousands flee Cambodia scam compounds but few shelters can help

2026-02-12

BANGKOK — Thousands of people have poured out of scam compounds in Cambodia after a government crackdown and mass releases, but many say they are finding little help once they escape. The Caritas shelter that supports victims who leave the compounds has been overwhelmed and has had to turn away more than 300 people, according to Mark Taylor, who works on human trafficking issues in Cambodia.

Walz says federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota could end soon

2026-02-11

Gov. Tim Walz said Tuesday that he expects the federal immigration crackdown in Minnesota will end in “days, not weeks and months,” based on recent conversations with top Trump administration officials. Walz said he spoke Monday with border czar Tom Homan and Tuesday morning with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and he urged the administration to conclude the operation quickly.

ICE acting chief Todd Lyons questioned in Congress on immigration policies

2026-02-11

Todd Lyons, the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, faced sharp questions in a House Homeland Security Committee hearing Tuesday about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations. Lyons and other agency leaders declined to answer some questions about two shooting deaths in Minneapolis, saying investigations were ongoing, and he also rejected calls to require officers to remove masks.

Crimes charged against ICE personnel since 2020

2026-02-11

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020 in a pattern that includes physical and sexual abuse, corruption and other alleged misuses of authority, an Associated Press review found. The AP said such misconduct could become more common as ICE expands its enforcement workforce, following a congressional move last year to fund the agency’s growth.

Seattle reaches $29 million settlement with family of Jaahnavi Kandula

2026-02-11

SEATTLE reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India who was struck and killed by a speeding police officer as she crossed a street in 2023, according to city and court records. The city said the agreement is meant to provide “some sense of closure” to the family.

Person detained for questioning in kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie

2026-02-11

A person was detained for questioning Tuesday in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie in Rio Rico, Arizona, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said. The detention came as the FBI released the first surveillance images from the night Guthrie vanished, showing a masked person outside her front door.

Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk case: immigration court blocks deportation

2026-02-11

An immigration court blocked the deportation of Turkish Tufts University PhD student Rümeysa Öztürk, her attorneys said. The court determined on Jan. 29 that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had not proved Öztürk should be removed, according to court documents filed as the case is reviewed by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Rugby team inside Chile’s Valparaíso prison helps men reintegrate

2026-02-11

Three coaches run rugby training three times a week inside the Valparaíso Penitentiary Complex in Chile, where Rugby Unión Libertad has grown from a workshop into an official club. The program aims to prepare incarcerated men for social reintegration after they serve their sentences, and participants credit rugby with helping them manage anger and build discipline.

“God bless America”: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show resonated beyond the US

2026-02-11

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance, including his use of the phrase “God bless America” and a sequence of references to countries across the Americas, prompted reactions that stretched beyond the United States, with celebrations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Latino communities. In Mexico City, fans described the moment as pride and inclusion, while others said the cultural visibility does not erase deeper inequalities.

Mother seeks accountability for U.S. Airman Roger Fortson shot by Fla. deputy

2026-02-11

Nearly two years after U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roger Fortson was fatally shot by a Florida deputy responding to a disturbance call at his apartment, his mother said she still wants answers and accountability. At a news conference in Florida on Tuesday, her family’s lawyer, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, said silence, delay and distance have a human cost as the case proceeds in federal court.

Advocacy groups urge California to remove covert license plate readers

2026-02-11

More than two dozen privacy and advocacy organizations on Tuesday urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to remove a network of covert license plate readers deployed across Southern California, saying the devices feed data into a U.S. Border Patrol predictive intelligence program. The groups said they have identified dozens of readers in San Diego and Imperial counties, including units hidden in construction barrels.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show lands as hemisphere-wide Latino moment

2026-02-11

Bad Bunny told viewers “God bless America” during the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday night and then named countries across the Americas, a moment that drew cheers in Mexico City bars and among Puerto Rico watch parties. In interviews, fans and cultural observers in Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States described the Spanish-language performance as a sign of visibility for Latino audiences, even as some said cultural pride does not automatically resolve political or discrimination pressures.

Colony Ridge reaches $68 million settlement with Texas and DOJ over loan claims

2026-02-11

Colony Ridge, a Houston-area developer accused by Texas and federal authorities of running a predatory lending and land-sale scheme, has reached a $68 million legal settlement with the state and the U.S. Department of Justice. The agreement, announced Tuesday, would require changes to Colony Ridge’s buyer documentation, advertising and marketing practices, and residential plat approval process, alongside spending on infrastructure and law enforcement.

ICE acting chief defends officers before Congress after deaths of 2 protesters

2026-02-11

Todd Lyons, the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, defended agency tactics before Congress Tuesday, saying officers conducting immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s agenda “will not be intimidated” even after the deaths of two Americans in shootings involving federal officers.

Immigrant groups seek to dismiss Missouri bid to exclude noncitizens from census

2026-02-11

Immigrant rights groups asked a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway that seeks to prevent the U.S. Census Bureau from counting people in the country illegally during the 2030 census. The groups, represented by multiple ACLU Foundation chapters, said the bid would violate the law and force a costly recount using 2020 census figures.

Judge blocks California mask ban for federal immigration agents

2026-02-11

A federal judge blocked a California law that would have barred federal immigration enforcement agents from wearing face masks while on duty, but ruled the agents must wear clear identification showing their agency and badge number. The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder, takes effect immediately and allows the state to require visible identification.

Richmond police cleared in death of restrained, sedated California man

2026-02-11

A federal civil jury on Monday cleared three Richmond police officers of liability in the 2021 in-custody death of Ivan Gutzalenko, a 47-year-old man from Concord, after he was restrained and forcibly sedated. The jury returned its verdict in less than two hours after closing arguments in a trial that began Feb. 2 in San Francisco.

US citizens detained in Idaho immigration raid claim unconstitutional tactics

2026-02-11

Three Idaho families who are U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents are suing over an aggressive immigration raid at a rural horse racing track in October, saying federal and state agencies used unconstitutional tactics and detained people for hours. They allege officers detained people based on whether they appeared Latino, kept adults and some children in zip ties for hours without access to food, water or bathrooms, and searched individuals without reasonable suspicion. The lawsuit seeks class-action status, a declaration of civil-rights violations and damages.

Officials deny seeking end to asylum claims for 5-year-old Liam Ramos

2026-02-10

Federal immigration authorities have denied they tried to expedite the end of asylum proceedings for a Minneapolis family that includes a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos. The denials came after images of the child in a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack were shared during a detention that drew outrage in the area.

Prolonged ICE detention rises in Trump’s second term, advocates say

2026-02-10

Prolonged immigration detention has become more common during President Donald Trump’s second term, with detainees and lawyers describing extended waits for immigration judges and worsening conditions in facilities in Florida, Texas and California. In one case, Nicaraguan asylum-seeker Felipe Hernandez Espinosa spent more than six months in custody before receiving a hearing date of Feb. 26, according to the Associated Press.

Masks in ICE operations become flashpoint as DHS shutdown deadline nears

2026-02-10

Federal immigration officers’ use of face masks has become a flashpoint in Congress as lawmakers weigh Homeland Security funding ahead of a partial shutdown deadline. Democrats are demanding “masks off” federal officers taking part in ICE operations, and are also pressing for body cameras, while ICE says officers wear masks to prevent doxing and that they identify themselves when required.

Congress seeks DHS funding deal as Democrats press ICE reform demands

2026-02-10

Congressional leaders said Tuesday a deal could still be reached with the White House on funding for the Department of Homeland Security before it expires this weekend, but Democrats and Republicans remained far apart. Democrats said they have rejected a White House counteroffer and are seeking new restrictions tied to how ICE and other federal officers conduct operations. With a shutdown threatening to start Saturday, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries laid out demands including judicial warrants, officer identification, and changes to use-of-force rules.

Misconduct charges against ICE employees and contractors

2026-02-10

A review by The Associated Press found that at least two dozen Immigration and Customs Enforcement employees and contractors have been charged with crimes since 2020, including alleged physical and sexual abuse and misuse of authority. The AP said ICE’s rapid expansion after Congress last year approved $75 billion for the agency could increase the risk of further abuses as more officers join and carry out enforcement. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said wrongdoing is not widespread and that ICE takes allegations seriously.

Target CEO Michael Fiddelke reshuffles leadership and cuts 500 jobs

2026-02-10

Target CEO Michael Fiddelke reshuffled the retailer’s leadership team in his first major moves since taking over earlier this month, the company said. The changes include shifting roles for three top executives and moving Lisa Roath into the chief operating officer job that Fiddelke previously held.

Judges say Trump immigration cases are overwhelming federal courts

2026-02-10

Federal judges say they are scrambling to manage an influx of habeas corpus lawsuits from immigrants detained under the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, with some warning of a growing “administrative judicial emergency.” In multiple districts, judges have issued orders aimed at securing bond hearings or temporary limits on removals after ruling that the administration’s mandatory detention policy conflicts with the law.

Policía arresta a docenas de manifestantes en protesta por la muerte de Renee Good

2026-02-10

Varias docenas de manifestantes fueron arrestados el sábado frente al Edificio Federal Bishop Henry Whipple en Minneapolis, después de que la policía disolviera una protesta por el primer mes del fallecimiento de Renee Good a manos de un agente de inmigración. El incidente ocurrió cuando la multitud lanzó botellas y hielo contra las fuerzas de seguridad, según autoridades locales.

2 murder suspects escape from Georgia jail; search ongoing

2026-02-10

Two inmates facing charges including murder escaped from the Sumter County Jail in Americus, Georgia, around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office said. Sheriff Eric Bryant said the suspects appeared to have escaped through a maintenance door on the ceiling that was not properly locked, then used ductwork to get outside.

City officials release new video from day of Brown University shooting

2026-02-10

Providence, Rhode Island, released new video footage from the day of a fatal Brown University shooting on Monday, after officials said they had withheld other public records and redacted the most graphic images. Mayor Brett Smiley said the city balanced transparency requests with what he called the potential downside effects of releasing certain footage.

Fact check: ICE detainee was not child shown with Bad Bunny

2026-02-10

Social media posts falsely identified a boy in Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as a 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota. An AP fact check found the boy was instead Lincoln Fox Ramadan, a child actor from California, according to his Instagram.

Indictments follow Massachusetts recruit death in boxing training

2026-02-10

Massachusetts State Police officials were indicted in connection with the death of a recruit after a boxing match during training, an independent investigator appointed by the state attorney general said Monday. The officials were charged with involuntary manslaughter and causing serious bodily injury, and the unit supervisor was also charged with perjury.

Minnesotans crowdsource rent aid for immigrant families amid ICE pressure

2026-02-10

Minnesotans have launched a rapid wave of rent-relief efforts aimed at immigrant families facing eviction, as ongoing enforcement by ICE and other federal law enforcement keeps some residents from working. The Associated Press reports that Minneapolis resident Ashley Fairbanks started a social-media campaign that helped pay 12 families’ rent within hours and grew to dozens more within a day.

Reports of immigration agents in disguise stoke fears in Minnesota

2026-02-10

Minnesota residents and local advocates say federal immigration officers have impersonated construction workers, delivery drivers and others amid an immigration crackdown, including an encounter in the suburbs where a restaurant worker confronted two men he believed were pretending to be utility workers. A Homeland Security and ICE spokesperson did not respond to questions about whether the men were federal agents. Legal observers say the reports—some not verified—are increasing distrust and confusion about law enforcement activity.

Savannah Guthrie pleads for mother’s return after FBI says no talks

2026-02-10

Savannah Guthrie pleaded for her mother Nancy Guthrie’s return Tuesday as the FBI said it is not aware of any ongoing communication between the family and suspected kidnappers more than a week after Nancy Guthrie went missing near Tucson, Arizona. The FBI said it has not identified suspects or persons of interest and is running a 24-hour command post while asking the public for information.

Trump’s immigration agenda sparks political storm at Winter Olympics

2026-02-10

At the Winter Olympics in Milan, U.S. athletes’ remarks about President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda have become a point of political contention as the games opened. Vice President JD Vance called the event “one of the few things that unites the entire country,” but that message was quickly challenged after American skier Hunter Hess spoke about “mixed emotions” over representing the U.S.

Fifth Circuit backs Trump administration on immigrant detention without bond

2026-02-08

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Trump administration can detain some immigrants without bond hearings, a decision that preserves a key element of the administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. In a 2-1 ruling, judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said the Department of Homeland Security properly interpreted federal immigration law to bar bond for “unadmitted aliens” arrested anywhere in the United States.

How law enforcement handles hostage crises: Insights from Guthrie case

2026-02-08

In the days since Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie, was taken from her home outside Tucson, Arizona, law enforcement has received messages that appear connected to the case. Two emails shown to be linked to the situation demanded money and included details such as her Apple Watch and floodlights, but officials have not confirmed the ransom note’s authenticity or named a suspect.

Judge orders Trump administration to return 3 deported families

2026-02-08

A federal judge in San Diego ordered the Trump administration to return three families deported to Honduras after the government said they had left the United States voluntarily, according to a court order. The judge said the deportations were based on “lies, deception and coercion,” and required the government to pay for the families’ return travel costs.

Italian police fire tear gas as protesters clash near Olympic venue

2026-02-08

Italian police fired tear gas and a water cannon at dozens of protesters who clashed near a Winter Olympics hockey venue in Milan on Feb. 7, an Associated Press report said. The confrontation followed a peaceful march against the Games’ environmental impact and against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents providing security to a U.S. delegation.

Sheriff frustrated no video captured during Nancy Guthrie disappearance

2026-02-08

Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos said he was frustrated the video systems at Nancy Guthrie’s home did not capture images of anyone the day the 84-year-old was reported missing. Investigators say a doorbell camera was disconnected early Sunday, and the home’s software data later recorded movement minutes afterward, but the footage could not be recovered because Nancy Guthrie did not have an active subscription.

Savannah Guthrie pleads for safe return of missing mother; says ‘We will pay’

2026-02-08

Savannah Guthrie urged potential kidnappers of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, to return her, saying the family is “prepared to pay” for the 84-year-old Arizona resident’s safe return. The plea came in a video posted Saturday as investigators search for Nancy Guthrie, who vanished from her home outside Tucson last weekend.

Minneapolis arrests protesters marking 1-month anniversary of Renee Good death

2026-02-08

Several dozen protesters were arrested Saturday outside a federal building in Minneapolis while marking the one-month anniversary of Renee Good, a Minnesota woman who was killed by an immigration officer in January, according to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s office. Protesters threw bottles and sex toys, and later threw chunks of ice, prompting police to declare the gathering unlawful and order people to leave, the sheriff’s office said. Organizers also held a separate memorial event in a Minneapolis park.

Court records show U.S. helped Marine adopt Afghan war orphan despite objections

2026-02-08

A federal judge’s decision to grant adoption of an Afghan war orphan to U.S. Marine Joshua Mast and his wife became a diplomatic fight, and recently released court and government records show U.S. officials helped move the case forward even as the U.S. government later argued it was unlawful. The records, disclosed after The Associated Press sought access for years, describe how prosecutors, military and State Department officials worked to connect the child with Americans while U.S. officials simultaneously tried to reunite her with Afghan relatives.

ICE beating allegation leads to calls for inquiry in Minnesota

2026-02-08

The case centers on Alberto Castañeda Mondragón, 31, who told the Associated Press he was badly beaten by U.S. immigration officers during an arrest in Minnesota on Jan. 8, suffering eight skull fractures and multiple life-threatening brain hemorrhages. ICE personnel told nurses he “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall,” but a CT scan showed injuries doctors said were inconsistent with a fall, according to court filings and medical records described by AP. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to repeated requests for comment, and Minnesota elected officials and local prosecutors have urged further action.

Federal government faces deadline in Minnesota ICE facility case

2026-02-07

Federal attorneys face a deadline next week to reach an agreement with human-rights lawyers over access to legal counsel for people detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota, a judge said. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel set the deadline after hearing arguments Friday from both sides, including conflicting claims about whether detainees can meet with lawyers and make calls without ICE monitoring.

Investigation continues into missing Nancy Guthrie

2026-02-07

The investigation into the apparent kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, continued Sunday in the Tucson, Arizona area, a week after she was reported missing, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said. Savannah Guthrie released a social media video Saturday that addressed the potential kidnappers, saying the family had received their message and would pay for her safe return.

Minnesota immigration crackdown puts school attendance out of reach

2026-02-06

In Minnesota, immigrant families say federal immigration enforcement operations have turned day-to-day school attendance into a risk they manage through prayer, driving changes and sometimes keeping children home. The Associated Press reported that children have been detained after leaving school, including a 5-year-old who was sent to a detention facility in Texas and later released after a judge ordered it.

Man arrested over alleged cyberstalking in Minnesota ICE crackdown

2026-02-06

A Minneapolis man was arrested after federal prosecutors said he made online threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and against a person who supported ICE during a federal crackdown in Minnesota, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday. Prosecutors said the man used an Instagram account to dox a “pro-ICE individual” by publishing personal details, and then posted messages urging followers to confront and assault federal officers, the complaint says.

NY attorney general to deploy legal observers overseeing federal immigration agents

2026-02-06

La fiscal general de Nueva York, Letitia James, anunció planes para desplegar observadores legales que supervisen las medidas federales de control migratorio en el estado, con el objetivo de reunir información que pueda servir de base para futuras acciones legales. Los observadores llevarán chalecos morados y se enviarán a zonas donde se reporte actividad migratoria, dijo James. La iniciativa llega en medio de una escalada de tensiones por la campaña migratoria del presidente Donald Trump, tras la muerte a tiros de dos ciudadanos estadounidenses en Minnesota.

Ugandan minister Steven Tendo detained by ICE in Vermont

2026-02-06

Steven Tendo, a Ugandan minister and nursing assistant who came to Vermont while seeking asylum, was detained Wednesday morning in Shelburne by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to a union representing his workplace and the advocacy group Migrant Justice. ICE transferred him to a facility in Manchester, New Hampshire, and as of Wednesday evening he was held at the Strafford County Jail in Dover, New Hampshire, the sources said.

Kansas jurors award $8.3 million to foster teen’s family after death

2026-02-06

Jurors in federal court in Wichita on Wednesday awarded $8.3 million to the family of a Kansas foster teen who died in 2021 after officers held him facedown for nearly 40 minutes during a mental-health crisis at a juvenile intake center. The teen, Cedric “C.J.” Lofton, died two days after staff placed him on his stomach on the floor after a WRAP restraint was removed, according to the lawsuit record described at trial.

Arizona helicopter crash kills DPS pilot, trooper during 2-hour shootout

2026-02-06

An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter crashed while assisting officers responding to a shootout in Flagstaff that lasted nearly two hours, killing the pilot and a trooper on board, authorities said. The confrontation began after officers responded to a domestic violence call on Wednesday evening, and police said the suspect fired from multiple rooftops before being taken into custody. The state and federal aviation agencies are investigating.

DNA matches Nancy Guthrie; FBI ups reward in monthlong search

2026-02-06

Authorities investigating the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie outside Tucson have identified her from DNA found on blood on the front porch, and the FBI has increased its reward for information. The search began after Guthrie was last seen Jan. 31 and reported missing the next day, with investigators working through doorbell-camera failures, door-to-door canvassing, and multiple messages tied to the case.

Noem says immigration officers in Minneapolis will wear body cameras

2026-02-05

WASHINGTON — U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Monday that every Homeland Security officer on the ground in Minneapolis, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, will be issued body-worn cameras. Noem said the program will expand nationwide as funding becomes available, citing a need for quicker acquisition and deployment after recent shootings of two U.S. citizens during immigration enforcement activity in the city.

Federal judge restricts warrantless immigration arrests in Oregon

2026-02-05

A federal judge in Oregon ruled U.S. immigration agents must not arrest people without warrants unless authorities can show a likelihood of escape, issuing a preliminary injunction on Wednesday. The order stems from a proposed class-action lawsuit challenging arrests during immigration enforcement operations. The judge said actions by agents in Oregon were “violent and brutal,” and he warned that the government has been undermining due process.

Savannah Guthrie’s brother records new message for kidnapper

2026-02-05

Savannah Guthrie’s brother recorded a new video appeal on Thursday for his mother’s kidnapper to contact the family, hours after a sheriff said investigators lack proof Nancy Guthrie is alive but believe she is “still out there.” The 84-year-old was taken from her Tucson-area home over the weekend, authorities said, and investigators have not identified suspects or persons of interest.

New Orleans police deny wrongdoing after recruit detained by ICE

2026-02-05

New Orleans police said they did not violate federal immigration law after a recruit, Larry Temah, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said ICE arrested Temah, who has a final removal order, while he was in the police academy.

DHS lawyer removed after telling judge 'this job sucks' in Minnesota

2026-02-05

A government lawyer assigned to handle immigration cases in Minnesota was removed from her Justice Department post after comments in court in which she told a federal judge, “This job sucks.” The remarks came during a Tuesday hearing in St. Paul for several immigration cases amid a surge in immigration enforcement in the state.

Minnesota immigration crackdown shifts under ICE as agencies clash

2026-02-05

White House border czar Tom Homan said the administration is unifying enforcement in Minnesota under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after months of internal grumbling between ICE and the Border Patrol over tactics. Homan said operations in the Twin Cities are being consolidated under ICE’s enforcement and removal unit to establish a “unified chain of command.”

Homeland Security shutdown more likely as GOP rebuffs Democratic demands

2026-02-05

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Thursday that demands made by Democrats for new restrictions on federal immigration officers are “unrealistic,” warning the Department of Homeland Security will shut down next week if Democrats and Republicans do not negotiate a DHS spending bill with the White House. Democrats, led by Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, say they will not support the measure when funding runs out unless there are “dramatic changes” at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after fatal shootings of two protesters in Minneapolis last month.

Colville women’s deaths in Okanogan jail spur lawsuits over opioid care

2026-02-05

Two Colville women died in the Okanogan County jail in 2023 after they were booked there while awaiting trial, according to lawsuits filed by their families. The suits allege jail staff failed to provide appropriate care for opioid withdrawal and insufficient suicide prevention, and they challenge a jail “protocol” that relied on non–FDA-approved medications.

Assaults on prison staff have increased in Michigan, union says

2026-02-05

Michigan’s corrections officers union says violent assaults on prison staff have risen, arguing the state is placing dangerous inmates in lower-security housing units, and it is asking Gov. or the Michigan Department of Corrections to address the problem.

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance inspires fans to learn Spanish

2026-02-05

Fans are racing to learn Spanish ahead of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show, with some citing the singer’s lyrics and public statements as motivation. The Puerto Rican artist—whose early U.S. “Saturday Night Live” appearance included a warning to viewers who did not understand him—has fueled a surge of online posts about studying Spanish and decoding Puerto Rican slang.

Arizona officers mourn 2 killed in helicopter crash during shootout

2026-02-05

Arizona law enforcement officers mourned a U.S. Marine pilot and a trooper paramedic after a law enforcement helicopter crash during a police shootout with a domestic-violence suspect in Flagstaff, authorities said. Police identified the suspect as Terrell Storey, 50, who was hospitalized with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and faces murder and assault charges on law enforcement. The cause of the crash remained under investigation Friday, with federal aviation safety investigators involved.

Colorado funeral home case: man with mother among 189 decaying bodies speaks

2026-02-05

In Colorado Springs, Derrick Johnson said the FBI contacted him after investigators found 189 decaying bodies stashed at a funeral home that had provided him cremation remains he later learned were not his mother’s. Johnson, whose mother’s name was Ellen Marie Shriver-Lopes, spoke to The Associated Press ahead of Jon Hallford’s sentencing.

Democrats threaten to block DHS funding unless ICE changes

2026-02-05

Democrats are threatening to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security when current authority expires in two weeks unless the government implements “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal law enforcement, Democratic leaders said. The negotiations come as Congress reviews potential new rules for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection after officers shot and killed two Minneapolis protesters in January, and as talks unfold amid mixed bipartisan sentiment about de-escalating tensions.

Diver says most of those killed in Greek migrant boat collision had head injuries

2026-02-05

A diver who helped recover bodies from a deadly collision between a migrant speedboat and a Greek coast guard patrol vessel said Friday that most of the 15 people who died suffered severe head injuries. The collision occurred off the eastern Aegean island of Chios, and a search and rescue operation continued three days later for potentially missing people. The circumstances of the incident remain unclear, and Greek judicial authorities have launched an official inquiry.

Father of Patrick Mahomes arrested in Texas after probation violation

2026-02-05

Patrick “Pat” Mahomes Sr., the father of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, was arrested in Texas after authorities said he violated his DWI probation. Authorities said the arrest happened Tuesday during a meeting with his probation officer after a warrant was obtained for the violation. He remained in Smith County jail in Tyler on Wednesday.

Homan says 700 immigration officers to leave Minnesota immediately

2026-02-05

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tom Homan, the Trump administration’s “border czar,” said Wednesday that about 700 federal immigration officers are being withdrawn immediately from Minnesota. Homan said the administration will keep carrying out an immigration enforcement operation in the state, which has drawn weeks of tensions and deadly confrontations, while citing new cooperation from state and local officials.

Local leaders describe hostile relationship with Trump’s Washington

2026-02-05

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said he has expanded local planning to consider the possibility of federal officials targeting Denver, after President Donald Trump deployed federal forces to some U.S. cities over objections from local leaders. Over the past week, mayors and governors from both parties described a more hostile dynamic with Washington, hardened in part after federal agents killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis last month.

New York to send legal observers to monitor federal immigration agents

2026-02-05

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced plans to deploy legal observers in areas where federal immigration agents carry out enforcement actions in the state. The observers would collect information that could inform future legal action, and would not interfere with enforcement. Gov. Kathy Hochul also said she will pursue legislation this year that would allow people to sue federal officers who act outside the scope of their duties and proposals to limit immigration agents’ presence at certain locations without warrants.

NYPD sergeant convicted of manslaughter in cooler-throwing death

2026-02-05

A New York City police officer was convicted Friday of second-degree manslaughter after he tossed a cooler filled with drinks at a fleeing suspect, leading the man to fatally crash his motorized scooter, prosecutors said. Judge Guy Mitchell delivered the guilty verdict in Bronx criminal court in the 2023 death of Eric Duprey.

Savannah Guthrie posts message seeking proof her mom is alive

2026-02-05

NBC “Today” host Savannah Guthrie posted a recorded video message to the person authorities believe kidnapped her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, asking for proof her mother is alive. Guthrie said her family is ready to talk but wants verification as law enforcement investigates, with no suspect identified.

SBA to bar green card holders from its loan program starting March 1

2026-02-05

The U.S. Small Business Administration said it will bar green card holders from applying for SBA loans starting March 1, according to a policy note. The agency said the change is part of efforts to tighten loan restrictions and restructure the SBA. The SBA said it will no longer guarantee loans for small businesses owned by foreign nationals, and an advocacy group criticized the move.

Texas TEA warns districts that state takeovers could follow student walkouts

2026-02-05

Texas Education Agency guidance warns school districts they could face state oversight, funding losses and other penalties if students are allowed to walk out to attend protests. The warning follows Gov. Greg Abbott directing the education commissioner to investigate videos and posts involving Austin ISD students participating in national walkouts against killings by federal immigration officers.

Super Bowl heads into politics fight as Bad Bunny, ICE debate heat up

2026-02-04

In the run-up to Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, the NFL faces mounting pressure to state whether it will keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement out of the game. Bad Bunny, who has criticized President Donald Trump and ICE, is set to headline the halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area, drawing both backlash and praise as the event is watched as a proxy for broader national tensions.

Signs of forced entry found at Savannah Guthrie’s mother’s Tucson home

2026-02-04

Investigators have found signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, according to a person familiar with the investigation. The 84-year-old was reported missing after last being seen Saturday night in the Tucson area, and investigators believe she was taken against her will.

California lawmakers announce package to curb dangerous drivers

2026-02-04

California lawmakers from both parties announced a package of bills meant to curb dangerous driving, including proposals that would require ignition interlock devices for some offenders and tighten licensing consequences for repeat DUI cases. The Assembly Public Safety Committee chair, Democrat Nick Schultz of Burbank, said the effort aims to make communities safer after years of rising traffic deaths.

ICE faces pushback as cities resist new detention facilities

2026-02-04

Federal immigration officials have begun scouting and purchasing warehouses to expand detention and processing space, prompting pushback from local leaders and property owners in multiple states. In several places, city and county officials said they were not told in advance, while others warned that federal acquisition could bypass local zoning or permitting rules.

Trump’s ICE detention plans face local resistance across U.S.

2026-02-04

Tens of thousands of immigrants are being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as the Trump administration expands detention facilities with a reported $45 billion plan, prompting pushback from cities and states. Communities in multiple states have raised concerns as ICE looks to convert warehouses and use jail beds, with legal experts saying local governments have limited power to block federal use of private property.

Judge limits tear gas temporarily at protests outside Portland ICE building

2026-02-04

A federal judge in Oregon on Tuesday temporarily restricted federal officers from using tear gas at protests outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building in Portland. The judge, Michael Simon, issued a 14-day order following a lawsuit by the ACLU of Oregon on behalf of protesters and freelance journalists.

At least 15 dead after migrant speedboat collision with Greek coast guard

2026-02-04

A migrant speedboat collided with a Greek coast guard patrol vessel off the eastern Aegean island of Chios, leaving at least 15 people dead, Greece’s coast guard said. The coast guard said 14 bodies were recovered, and it rescued 25 migrants, including about 11 children, transporting injured people and two injured coast guard officers to a hospital on Chios.

Don Lemon says agents arrested him despite offer to surrender

2026-02-04

Don Lemon told ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that about a dozen federal agents came to his Los Angeles hotel to arrest him last week, even though his attorney had said he would surrender to face federal civil rights charges. Lemon said he asked to see a warrant during the arrest and was told agents did not have it.

Immigration operation names draw praise and anger from U.S. lawmakers

2026-02-04

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration’s tongue-in-cheek names for immigration enforcement operations and detention facilities have drawn polarizing reactions, with some Democrats calling the branding racist and degrading while some Republicans say it shows seriousness about securing the border. In Florida, officials have used “Operation Dirtbag,” in Louisiana “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” and in Maine “Operation Catch of the Day,” according to the Associated Press.

Lawsuit accuses BIA officers of unlawfully shooting Cody Whiterock in Idaho

2026-02-04

The family of Cody Whiterock, a Shoshone-Paiute man shot and killed by Bureau of Indian Affairs police in March 2024 after a prolonged chase in southwestern Idaho, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit. The lawsuit accuses two unnamed BIA officers of chasing him outside their jurisdiction, shooting him multiple times, and “falsified or withheld evidence to escape accountability,” according to the filing. The Bureau of Indian Affairs has not identified the officers involved and declined to comment, the Associated Press reported.

Noteworthy deaths in January 2026 include Catherine O’Hara, Aldrich Ames

2026-02-04

Influential figures who died in January 2026 included Emmy-winning comedian Catherine O’Hara, the CIA turncoat Aldrich Ames, and civil rights pioneer Claudette Colvin. The Associated Press also noted deaths of entertainers, athletes and public health leaders among its roll call of notable people lost so far this year.

Savannah Guthrie asks for prayers as missing mother Nancy sought

2026-02-04

Savannah Guthrie asked for prayers for her 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, after authorities said they believe she was taken against her will over the weekend from her home in Tucson, Arizona. Authorities in Arizona said they were seeking public tips but offered few new details about evidence at the home or about when they believe Nancy Guthrie was abducted.

Federal judge blocks Trump plan to end protections for Haitians

2026-02-03

A federal judge in Washington on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status protections for Haitians, granting a pause while a lawsuit challenging the termination proceeds. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said the plaintiffs were likely to prevail and that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not have the discretion to end Haitian TPS without consulting other agencies and considering conditions in Haiti.

Trump urges House to vote quickly to end partial shutdown

2026-02-03

President Donald Trump urged the House on Monday to end a partial government shutdown, but lawmakers said Democrats and Republicans remain divided over immigration enforcement changes tied to the federal funding package. The impasse has left several agencies without funding, with House action expected to begin Tuesday.

Michigan debate over license plate readers pits police utility vs privacy

2026-02-03

Michigan communities are weighing whether to buy or expand automated license plate readers, as privacy advocates warn the technology can enable broad surveillance and data sharing beyond local control. In recent months, some cities have backed out of contracts, while other agencies say the cameras help locate missing people and solve serious crimes.

3 NAU fraternity leaders arrested after student’s death following vodka event

2026-02-03

The Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office is investigating the death of a Northern Arizona University student found unresponsive at a fraternity house after an initiation event, according to court documents released Monday. Police said three 20-year-old fraternity leaders were arrested on criminal hazing charges. The university said it temporarily suspended the chapter while it conducts its own investigation.

Activists arrested in Minneapolis while trailing immigration agents

2026-02-03

Immigration officers with guns drawn arrested activists who were trailing their vehicles in Minneapolis on Tuesday, while school leaders described rising fear among students and families in Minnesota amid federal immigration sweeps, according to Associated Press reports.

Authorities seek missing Nancy Guthrie after investigation into abduction

2026-02-03

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, was taken against her will and are urging her safe return, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said Monday. Nancy Guthrie was last seen around 9:30 p.m. Saturday at her Tucson-area home, where she lived alone, before her family reported her missing Sunday, sheriff officials said.

Brothers of Renee Good urge Congress action after Minneapolis death

2026-02-03

Brothers of Renee Good, a Minneapolis woman who was killed in January by a federal immigration officer, asked Congress on Tuesday to rein in what they described as violence tied to immigration enforcement. Luke and Brett Ganger spoke during a congressional hearing convened by Senate Democrats to spotlight use-of-force complaints involving Homeland Security officers.

Father of 5-year-old detained in Minnesota disputes government account

2026-02-03

The father of a 5-year-old boy detained by U.S. immigration officers in Texas denied government assertions Monday that he abandoned his son while being pursued by authorities, according to statements to ABC News reported by The Associated Press. Adrian Conejo Arias said his son, Liam, became sick while in federal custody and that he was denied medicine. Homeland Security’s assistant secretary said the facts have not changed and reiterated that Arias fled on foot before he was arrested.

Hungarian court sentences German antifa activist to 8 years

2026-02-03

A Hungarian court on Wednesday sentenced a German anti-fascist activist to eight years in prison for taking part in assaults against participants of a far-right rally in Budapest in February 2023, prosecutors said. The defendant, identified only as Maja T., was extradited from Germany to Hungary in December 2024 after Germany’s top constitutional court ruled the transfer was unlawful.

Suspected biolab found at Las Vegas home; owner linked to 2023 case

2026-02-03

LAS VEGAS officials said a SWAT team served a search warrant at a home on Saturday after a tip led investigators to a suspected biolaboratory. Authorities took into custody the property manager and said investigators found evidence that included refrigerators containing vials with unknown liquids. The police and sheriff said the Las Vegas home is owned by a man already arrested in 2023 in connection with an unauthorized California biolab.

5-year-old and his dad return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas

2026-02-02

Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, returned to Minnesota on Sunday after a judge ordered their release from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas, the congressman who helped retrieve them said. Representative Joaquin Castro said Castro picked the pair up from Dilley, Texas, on Saturday night and escorted them home the following day.

Judge blocks Trump move to end TPS for Haitians in the U.S.

2026-02-02

A U.S. federal judge on Monday blocked the Trump administration from ending temporary protected status for Haitians in the United States as a lawsuit proceeds. The ruling came a day before the scheduled end of TPS protections for Haitians, according to the Associated Press.

New York sergeant testifies he threw cooler to protect fellow officers

2026-02-02

A New York City police sergeant charged in the death of a man after he hurled a plastic cooler testified at his manslaughter trial that he was trying to keep fellow officers from getting hurt. Prosecutors said Erik Duran threw the cooler of ice, water and sodas at a driver fleeing on a motorized scooter in August 2023, a crash they say killed Eric Duprey.

Trump immigration crackdown ripples in Colorado’s swing House district

2026-02-02

The monthslong unrest tied to Trump’s immigration enforcement in Minnesota is reverberating in Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, where Democrats and Republicans say the issue is shaping how voters view the November midterms. In interviews across the district, some Trump supporters said they accept immigration enforcement but worry agents are going after people for minor infractions, while Hispanic voters expressed fear that officers could target them or their families. The seat is held by Republican Gabe Evans, who campaigned narrowly in 2024 and has urged the administration to focus on deporting criminals.

Young people use Roblox to protest ICE and reenact immigration raids

2026-02-02

In online game Roblox, some young users have been staging virtual “ICE raids” and holding avatar protests against the U.S. immigration agency, according to a report Friday by the Associated Press. A Roblox spokesperson said the reenactments violate the company’s community standards and that the company takes “swift action” against users found to be breaking those rules.

Portland mayor demands ICE leave city after tear gas used at protest

2026-02-02

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson demanded that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement leave Portland after federal agents used tear gas, pepper balls and rubber bullets against demonstrators outside an ICE facility during a weekend protest. Witnesses said the crowd included young children, and paramedics were sent to treat people at the scene.

Attorneys, families struggle to find hospitalized ICE detainees

2026-02-02

Attorneys and family members say they are finding it extremely difficult to locate and communicate with people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after those detainees are taken to hospitals. In one case, Julio César Peña, detained in Glendale, Calif., was hospitalized after suffering a ministroke but his wife and his attorney said they could not get basic information about where he was or whether he was receiving care.

Denmark to allow deportation of some foreign criminals with reform

2026-02-02

Denmark on Friday unveiled a legal reform aimed at making it easier to deport some foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, including aggravated assault and rape. The plan would apply to foreigners sentenced to at least one year of unconditional imprisonment, but Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said it could conflict with European human rights rules. Denmark also said it would tighten controls on foreigners without legal residence, introduce an anklet monitor, reopen an embassy in Syria and strengthen cooperation with authorities in Afghanistan.

Capgemini to sell ICE-linked unit after France presses for transparency

2026-02-02

French technology company Capgemini said Sunday it will begin selling a subsidiary that provides technology services to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as scrutiny grows over ICE tactics in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. The company said it immediately will start the process to sell Capgemini Government Solutions, after French authorities urged it to explain its dealings with the agency.

Immigration raids protester sentenced to 4 years for Molotov attack on deputies

2026-02-02

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Emiliano Garduno Galvez was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing an unregistered destructive device and civil disorder for throwing a Molotov cocktail at Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies during protests last spring against immigration raids.

Johnson says no quick House vote to end partial shutdown

2026-02-02

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that there will be “a few days” before the House votes on a government funding package to end a partial shutdown that began over the weekend. He said he is relying on President Donald Trump and lawmakers to keep a two-week Homeland Security funding plan on track while Democrats push for broader limits on U.S. immigration enforcement.

More prosecutors leave Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office, AP sources say

2026-02-02

WASHINGTON (AP) — A new wave of departures has hit the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota, AP sources said Tuesday, as additional federal prosecutors leave amid frustration over the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement and the Justice Department’s response to fatal shootings by federal agents. The most recent exits come after multiple attorneys left last month over disagreements about the Justice Department’s handling of the killing of Renee Good by an ICE officer.

Police officer killed, another wounded in hotel room shootout near Atlanta

2026-02-02

Police say a man being questioned at a hotel near suburban Atlanta shot two officers Sunday morning, killing one and seriously wounding the other. The incident happened near Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta, and investigators said the officers were invited into the suspect’s room. The suspect was shot by an officer and was expected to survive.

Judge declines to halt Minnesota immigration surge as lawsuit continues

2026-02-01

A federal judge in Minnesota refused to block a new immigration enforcement push in Minneapolis and the Twin Cities while a lawsuit filed by state and local officials proceeds. Judge Katherine M. Menendez denied a preliminary injunction sought by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul after the state argued the operation violated constitutional limits on federal power.

Trump urges quick deal on DHS funding, shifting tone from last shutdown

2026-02-01

President Donald Trump moved quickly to negotiate with Senate Democrats to avert a lengthy government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding, a change from last year’s 43-day shutdown fight. In a social media post late Thursday, Trump warned that “another long and damaging government shutdown” could slow the country down.

Judge orders release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father from ICE

2026-02-01

A federal judge ordered the release by Tuesday of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after they were detained in Minnesota and sent to a Texas facility. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, in a ruling issued Saturday, criticized the Trump administration’s enforcement approach and cited the case’s effect on children.

No REAL ID yet? TSA fee and ConfirmID rules start this weekend

2026-02-01

Beginning Sunday, air travelers in the U.S. who do not have a REAL ID or another TSA-accepted form of identification will face a $45 fee to verify their identity at the airport through the TSA’s ConfirmID option, according to the Department of Homeland Security. The fee, which can be paid online in advance, covers verification for a 10-day travel period but does not guarantee approval, the TSA said.

Nurses dispute ICE account of how immigrant suffered skull fractures

2026-02-01

In federal custody in Minnesota, a Mexican immigrant was taken to hospitals after suffering skull and brain injuries, with court records and lawyers alleging mistreatment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement initially said he “purposefully ran headfirst into a brick wall,” but Hennepin County Medical Center staff told The Associated Press the account could not explain the injuries. The episode has highlighted tensions between immigration enforcement and health care workers, federal detention officials and the hospital said.

Journalist Don Lemon charged for covering protest at Minnesota church

2026-01-31

Journalist Don Lemon was arrested in Los Angeles and later released after he was hit with federal civil rights charges tied to a Jan. 18 protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service, federal prosecutors said. The charges stem from an indictment in Minnesota alleging conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers. Lemon’s lawyer said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and fight the case.

Senate approves Trump-linked funding deal; House faces weekend shutdown risk

2026-01-31

The Senate voted to fund most of the federal government through the end of September while providing a two-week extension for Homeland Security, sending the package to the House with a weekend partial shutdown looming. President Donald Trump struck the deal with Senate Democrats after the deaths of two protesters in Minneapolis, and Democrats said they would support the short Homeland Security extension only if lawmakers move to tighten federal immigration enforcement. Senate Democrats led by Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries tied their next actions to requiring changes on Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests and agent accountability.

Newsom files civil rights complaint against Dr. Oz in Trump feud

2026-01-31

California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office filed a civil rights complaint against Dr. Mehmet Oz, alleging he discriminated against Armenian people in a video that claimed hospice fraud in Los Angeles. Newsom’s office said Oz’s statements—made in social media posts—risked deterring participation in hospice and home-care programs that serve people on government-subsidized insurance.

Homan says immigration drawdown could happen in Minnesota after “cooperation”

2026-01-30

Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, said Thursday the Trump administration could reduce the number of federal immigration enforcement officers in Minnesota, but only if state and local officials cooperate and protests stop interfering with federal operations. His comments came in Minneapolis after last weekend’s fatal shooting of protester Alex Pretti.

Former Illinois deputy sentenced to 20 years in Sonya Massey death

2026-01-30

A former Illinois sheriff’s deputy was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey, a Black woman who had dialed 911 to report a possible prowler outside her Springfield home, the Associated Press reported. Sean Grayson, who was convicted in October of second-degree murder, received the maximum possible sentence after being convicted in a police brutality case that drew protests and a U.S. Justice Department inquiry.

New videos of Alex Pretti scuffle with federal agents emerge days after death

2026-01-30

New videos show Alex Pretti scuffling with federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Jan. 13—11 days before he was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers, according to the Associated Press. The videos rekindled debate over the circumstances of Pretti’s death, including claims shared online by Donald Trump Jr.

Growing cultural revolt emerges against Trump’s immigration crackdown

2026-01-30

U.S. and global entertainment, technology and business leaders have increasingly voiced criticism of Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown, fueled by backlash over Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Minnesota and anger after the death of Alex Pretti. The criticism has spilled beyond politics, with public statements ranging from music and television to corporate memos, social media posts and sports commentary.

Democrats and White House delay DHS funding deal amid shutdown deadline

2026-01-30

Democrats and the White House reached a deal intended to avert a partial government shutdown, temporarily funding the Department of Homeland Security while lawmakers consider new limits on President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement. Passage was delayed late Thursday as Senate leaders sought enough support to pass the agreement before a midnight Friday deadline.

Minneapolis streets echo with protests as ICE raids draw rapid response

2026-01-30

Thousands of protesters and volunteer networks have continued to follow U.S. immigration enforcement activity through Minneapolis as federal agents arrest people across immigrant neighborhoods, according to reports from the Associated Press. The protests come as activists deploy whistles, encrypted messaging and on-the-ground legal and support efforts even after the White House took a more conciliatory tone following the killing of Alex Pretti.

Judge in Minnesota tries to keep ICE in check during mass sweeps

2026-01-30

In Minnesota, Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz described U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as failing to comply with nearly 100 court orders issued since Jan. 1 in cases tied to “Operation Metro Surge.” Schiltz, a conservative-leaning judge, said ICE “must follow” court orders unless they are overturned or vacated and ordered an appearance by ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, to address potential contempt.

Man impersonating FBI agent arrested after trying to free Luigi Mangione

2026-01-30

A man impersonating an FBI agent tried to get Luigi Mangione released from a federal jail in New York City on Wednesday night, authorities said. The man was arrested and charged with impersonating a federal officer after he allegedly showed officers paperwork authorizing Mangione’s release and claimed to have weapons.

Detainees pepper-sprayed at Florida immigration detention center

2026-01-30

MIAMI — Detainees were pepper-sprayed on Christmas Eve at a Florida immigration detention center officials have dubbed the “Deportation Depot,” according to the state. The Florida Division of Emergency Management said detainees refused orders to return to their bunks, advanced on staff and that chemical agents were released to restore safety to detainees and guards.

Chinese dissident Guan Heng granted asylum after Xinjiang footage

2026-01-30

An immigration judge granted asylum to Chinese national Guan Heng, who said he has a “well founded fear” of persecution if returned to China after exposing alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. Guan, 38, has been in custody since an August immigration enforcement operation as part of a broad deportation push.

Justice Department charges man in Ilhan Omar vinegar assault in Minneapolis

2026-01-30

The U.S. Justice Department has charged Anthony Kazmierczak after he allegedly sprayed Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar with a liquid of water and apple cider vinegar at a Minneapolis event, according to federal court papers. Prosecutors said Kazmierczak faces a federal charge of forcibly assaulting and intimidating Omar and was ordered held in custody by a U.S. magistrate judge.

Wisconsin jury convicts Demetric Scott of forging threats against Trump

2026-01-30

A Wisconsin jury on Thursday found Demetric Scott guilty of felony identity theft and witness intimidation for forging letters that threatened President Donald Trump at a rally, court records show. Prosecutors said Scott posed as the victim in a robbery case and tried to get the victim deported, after investigators determined the victim could not have written the letters.

Appeals court rules illegal Trump plan to end TPS for Venezuelans

2026-01-30

A federal appeals court on Jan. 28 ruled that the Trump administration acted illegally when it ended Temporary Protected Status protections for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans, according to a report published Thursday. The Ninth Circuit said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her authority when she terminated the TPS designation. The decision does not take immediate practical effect because, in October, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the administration’s action to remain in effect while the case proceeds.

Calls grow for Kristi Noem to step down or face impeachment after Minneapolis shootings

2026-01-29

A growing number of Democrats and Republicans are calling for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to step aside or face impeachment after the shooting deaths of two people in Minneapolis who protested deportation policy, according to a range of lawmakers and advocacy groups. President Donald Trump defended Noem, saying on Tuesday and later on Fox News that he has confidence in her and that she should not be replaced.

Partial shutdown seems increasingly likely as Democrats demand ICE changes

2026-01-29

Senate Democrats laid out demands Wednesday for the Department of Homeland Security, seeking changes to how Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents conduct immigration arrests and an enforceable code of conduct. The demands set up a standoff over a set of Homeland Security and other funding bills that Republicans have said they do not want altered, with funding for the agencies at risk of expiring Saturday.

Democrats seek ICE reforms, raising odds of partial shutdown

2026-01-29

Senate Democrats on Wednesday laid out demands for the Department of Homeland Security, including tighter rules for immigration arrests and limits on how federal agents conduct operations, as funding for DHS and other agencies faces an expiring deadline Saturday. The demands come as Democrats pledged to block a spending bill unless the changes are met, setting up uncertainty over whether President Donald Trump and Republicans will negotiate.

Navajo woman’s disappearance: Man pleads guilty to robbery in case

2026-01-29

A man charged in the 2021 disappearance of Navajo woman Ella Mae Begay pleaded guilty Thursday to robbery in federal court in Phoenix, according to court proceedings. Preston Henry Tolth, who has been in custody since 2023, admitted to assaulting Begay, leaving her on the side of the road, and selling her pickup truck. Begay has never been found, and her family said the plea deal should not end efforts to recover her remains.

Native Americans fear ICE and rush to prove their citizenship in IDs

2026-01-29

In Minneapolis, Native Americans say they are carrying tribal identification cards after fears of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. The cards, which many nations are making easier and faster to obtain, are intended to help prove U.S. citizenship if federal agents stop or question them.

DOJ opens federal civil rights probe into death of Alex Pretti

2026-01-29

The Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights investigation into the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis resident who was killed Saturday by Border Patrol officers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Friday. The Department of Homeland Security said the FBI will lead the probe, shifting federal oversight from Homeland Security Investigations.

DHS uses facial recognition app and AI in Minnesota immigration sweeps

2026-01-29

Federal agents in Minnesota have used biometric tools during immigration encounters, according to an Associated Press investigation published Jan. 30. The report describes DHS increasing surveillance capabilities through facial recognition apps, license-plate readers, and databases, while civil liberties experts warn the approach could expand beyond targeting people the government says it is looking for.

Florida schedules third execution of 2026 for Billy Leon Kearse

2026-01-29

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Billy Leon Kearse, setting him to die by lethal injection March 3 at Florida State Prison, the state’s third execution date of 2026. The order keeps Florida on pace to match or exceed last year’s record 19 executions, according to an Associated Press report.

Maine immigration surge ends as Sen. Collins confirms ICE stand-down

2026-01-29

Federal immigration officials have ceased “enhanced operations” in Maine, where hundreds of arrests followed a weekslong enforcement surge, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins said Thursday after speaking with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Collins said there were “no ongoing or planned large-scale ICE operations” in the state, while adding that ICE and Border Patrol would continue “normal operations” ongoing for years. The announcement came amid political pressure on immigration enforcement tactics after a second deadly shooting in Minneapolis involving federal immigration agents.

Mayors warn Trump’s immigration tactics could damage law-enforcement trust

2026-01-29

Mayors meeting in Washington warned that aggressive federal immigration enforcement could erode residents’ trust in law enforcement. Their remarks came as the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by two federal agents in Minneapolis on Saturday renewed debate over the Trump administration’s tactics.

San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire on city land

2026-01-29

San Diego has sued federal agencies over razor wire fencing built on city land near the Mexican border, alleging the barrier damaged sensitive habitat and trespassed on municipal property. The complaint, filed in federal court on Jan. 5, names the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense, as well as top officials including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Phony nurse Leticia Gallarzo sentenced to 6+ years for identity theft

2026-01-29

Leticia Gallarzo was sentenced Tuesday to more than six years in federal prison for stealing identities to work in health care, including as a nurse or physician’s assistant. Prosecutors said she used the credentials and identity of other people in multiple states, including work in Michigan and later in the Chicago area, before being caught again near Los Angeles. Her defense said Gallarzo has a history of mental health struggles.

Protesters arrested after occupying Hilton lobby during immigration raid claims

2026-01-29

Protesters were arrested Tuesday after they occupied the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, demanding the hotel bar federal immigration agents, according to The Associated Press. The demonstration drew criticism amid an ongoing large-scale immigration operation carried out by President Donald Trump’s administration, the report said.

Trump signals easing immigration tensions, but enforcement continues in Minneapolis

2026-01-29

President Donald Trump signaled a willingness to ease tensions in Minneapolis after a second deadly shooting by federal immigration agents, but federal enforcement operations and confrontations with activists continued Wednesday in Minneapolis and St. Paul. In a leadership shift tied to the crackdown, Trump sent his top border adviser to Minnesota and praised Democratic Gov. Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey after phone calls. Still, residents and court watchers described little day-to-day change, even as a federal judge warned ICE about violating court orders.

Alex Pretti’s family hires former Chauvin prosecutor lawyer

2026-01-29

The family of Alex Pretti, a Minneapolis intensive care nurse who was shot while filming Border Patrol officers during an immigration enforcement operation, has retained a former federal prosecutor to represent them in the aftermath of his death, an attorney said Tuesday.

Suspect in Ilhan Omar spray attack made pro-Trump posts

2026-01-29

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar blamed President Donald Trump for threats to her safety after a man accosted her at an event in Minneapolis and squirted liquid on her. Omar made the remarks during a press conference on Wednesday, a day after the Tuesday attack, and said fear and intimidation do not work on her.

Democrats visit detained 5-year-old at Texas ICE facility

2026-01-29

Democratic U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited a detained 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father at a Texas federal detention center Wednesday, calling for their release amid heightened backlash against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement. The lawmakers met the boy and his father in a courtroom at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, near San Antonio, according to Castro.

Hawaii governor backs fast-tracked bills to protect immigrants

2026-01-29

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said Tuesday he would welcome state legislation that fast-tracks protections for immigrants amid a national debate over federal immigration enforcement, including recent deadly incidents involving federal agents. Green made the remarks after speaking to several hundred protesters who rallied in the Capitol rotunda against federal immigration policy.

IRS warns of staffing and law-change hurdles for 2026 tax season

2026-01-29

The IRS’s 2026 tax filing season will likely present challenges for taxpayers who run into problems, the national taxpayer advocate warned, citing workforce cuts and extensive new tax law changes. National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins released her annual report to Congress on Wednesday, two days after the season began, warning that the filing season’s success will depend on how well the IRS assists people facing issues. The IRS has said it expects a smooth filing season.

Man arrested after spraying substance on Rep. Ilhan Omar at town hall

2026-01-29

A man sprayed an unknown substance on U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar during a town hall in Minneapolis on Tuesday and was tackled by attendees, police said. Omar continued speaking for about 25 minutes after the man was removed and later said she was OK. The man, identified by police as 55-year-old Anthony Kazmierczak, was booked for third-degree assault after officers said he used a syringe to spray an unknown liquid at her.

Montana town rallies for detained mechanic as federal case proceeds

2026-01-29

FROID, Mont. — Border Patrol arrested longtime Froid mechanic Roberto Orozco-Ramirez on Sunday, the U.S. government charged him in federal court in Great Falls, and a judge set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 5. Residents and supporters from across the community packed Wednesday’s hearing, challenging the government’s characterization of him as dangerous.

Republicans fret immigration enforcement chaos could hurt midterms

2026-01-29

Republicans are increasingly concerned that immigration enforcement has become a political liability ahead of the midterm elections after federal agents killed two people during President Donald Trump’s Minneapolis crackdown, according to interviews and congressional comments. With a Jan. 31 deadline for passing government funding approaching, Democrats have said they will block Homeland Security funding unless significant changes are made, while Republicans weigh how directly to press the White House.

Families of 67 mark DC crash anniversary, renew push for reforms

2026-01-29

Families of the 67 people killed when an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided near Reagan National Airport gathered Wednesday evening to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadliest aviation accident on U.S. soil since 2001. At the memorial ceremony in Washington, family members renewed calls for federal safety reforms, one day after National Transportation Safety Board investigators testified that the crash was "100% preventable." The collision occurred on January 29, 2025, when the aircraft struck the icy Potomac River. Among the dead were 28 figure skaters bound for a national competition. Everyone aboard both aircraft died in the collision.

Nicaraguan man’s death at Texas ICE camp was reported as a suicide

2026-01-29

A Nicaraguan man who died at a Texas immigration detention camp was initially reported as a suicide days after he was detained by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, according to a 911 call and records released this week. The Associated Press reported that Victor Manuel Diaz was found on Jan. 14 at Camp East Montana in El Paso after he had tried to die by suicide, and ICE later said his death was a “presumed suicide.”

California advances bills to confront federal immigration enforcement

2026-01-29

California Democratic senators advanced legislation Tuesday designed to make it easier for people to sue federal agents over civil rights violations, reflecting concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement practices. The measure, known as the 'No Kings Act,' came to a vote days after federal agents killed U.S. citizen and intensive-care nurse Alex Pretti during an enforcement action in Minnesota. The Senate passed the bill 30-10 along party lines and sent it to the Assembly.

Trump’s federal troop deployments to cities cost $496M, CBO says

2026-01-29

The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the Trump administration’s deployment of federal troops to six U.S. cities has cost taxpayers about $496 million through the end of December. The CBO said continued deployments could cost more than $1 billion for the rest of the year, depending on how long the deployments last.

Man arrested after car rams Chabad headquarters in NYC, probe possible hate

2026-01-28

A man was arrested after repeatedly crashing a car into the Chabad Lubavitch world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York, while people were gathered for prayer, officials said. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said no one was injured, and the incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Mayor Zohran Mamdani called the crash “intentional.”

Immigration crackdown slows U.S. population growth to 0.5 percent

2026-01-28

President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown contributed to a sharp drop in the U.S. population growth rate, with the nation reaching 342 million people and growing at just 0.5 percent in 2025, according to estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau. Immigration increased by 1.3 million people in 2025, down from 2.8 million the year prior, marking a striking reversal from 2024's nearly 1 percent growth rate—the highest in two decades.

Appeals court rules Trump acted illegally ending protections for Venezuelans

2026-01-28

A federal appeals court ruled late Wednesday that the Trump administration acted illegally when it ended temporary legal protections that let hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans live and work in the United States. The 9th Circuit upheld a lower-court ruling saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem exceeded her authority when she ended Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans.

California Senate passes bill easing civil rights suits against ICE

2026-01-28

California's Democratic-controlled Senate advanced a civil rights measure Tuesday that would make it easier for people to sue federal agents over rights violations. The bill, called the "No Kings Act," passed 30 to 10 along party lines after more than 90 minutes of floor debate. The legislation was shaped by Democratic concerns about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement escalation, underscored by the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, by federal agents in Minnesota last weekend.

Alabama transfers inmate activists to solitary confinement

2026-01-28

The Alabama prison system has transferred three prominent inmate activists to solitary confinement at Kilby Correctional Facility, with family members and attorneys saying the men are being held in severe isolation. Robert Earl Council, Melvin Ray and Raoul Poole were moved from their existing prisons two weeks ago and are now in isolated cells with severely restricted contact with family and other inmates, according to their lawyers.

Greg Bovino, architect of Trump’s immigration sweeps, leaves Minneapolis

2026-01-28

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has led large-scale immigration enforcement in multiple U.S. cities, is leaving Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot two people in less than three weeks, the Associated Press reported. The agency’s enforcement efforts in the city have drawn criticism from activists and residents and have become part of a broader Trump administration crackdown, the AP said.

Judge orders pause on removal of 5-year-old boy detained in Minnesota

2026-01-28

A federal judge on Monday issued a temporary order blocking the removal or transfer of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father, who were detained last week in Minnesota in a case that has inflamed U.S. immigration disputes. Judge Fred Biery ordered the pause while a court case proceeds, according to court records and reporting by The Associated Press.

Trump shifts Minnesota approach after federal shooting kills nurse

2026-01-27

President Donald Trump shifted toward a more conciliatory approach with Minnesota's Democratic leaders on Monday, a sudden reversal that followed a federal agent's fatal shooting of a nurse during immigration enforcement operations. The Saturday death of Alex Pretti, a nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital, sparked outcry from across the political spectrum, including from some Republicans questioning the administration's aggressive tactics.

Two federal officers fire shots, killing Minneapolis nurse

2026-01-27

Two federal officers fired shots during an encounter with Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse, over the weekend in Minneapolis, a Customs and Border Protection official told Congress this week. Pretti died in the encounter. The disclosure came amid scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota, where this is the second fatal shooting by immigration law enforcement this month. Separately, Ecuador filed a diplomatic protest after federal immigration agents attempted to enter the country's consulate in Minneapolis without authorization.

Trump replaces Minneapolis immigration commander following fatal shooting

2026-01-27

Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the matter, following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse by federal immigration officers. The departure marks a significant shift in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has drawn legal challenges and intense criticism from local officials and civil rights advocates. President Trump said he was placing border czar Tom Homan in charge of the operation, with Homan reporting directly to the White House.

Florida “Alligator Alcatraz” detainees testify on barriers to attorneys

2026-01-27

Two former immigration detainees at a state-run detention center in Florida’s Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz” testified that staff punished them for trying to seek legal help, including by cutting monitored calls when they discussed lawyers. The detainees spoke by video during a two-day hearing in federal court in Fort Myers, asking a judge to issue a temporary injunction to ensure access to attorneys that they say is comparable to federally run facilities.

France finance minister urges Capgemini to explain ICE contract

2026-01-27

France’s finance minister, Roland Lescure, urged lawmakers late Tuesday to press French tech company Capgemini to be “fully transparent” about a contract it signed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract, awarded in December through Capgemini’s subsidiary Capgemini Government Solutions, is drawing new scrutiny as calls grow to examine the agency’s role in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

No Kings protesters plan March 28 demos after Minneapolis deaths

2026-01-27

A third round of “No Kings” protests is planned for March 28, organizers said, as protests spread nationwide after deaths in Minneapolis involving federal agents. Ezra Levin, co-executive director of Indivisible, said organizers expect the demonstrations to be their largest yet.

Protesters arrested after sit-in at Manhattan Hilton Garden Inn lobby

2026-01-27

Dozens of protesters were arrested Tuesday after they occupied the lobby of a Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, accusing the hotel of housing federal immigration officers, the Associated Press reported. Police ordered the crowd to leave before arresting those who remained, and a hotel press contact did not respond to requests for comment.

No charges for officers in death of restrained man in Massachusetts

2026-01-27

Seven Massachusetts police officers will not face criminal charges in the death of Francis Gigliotti, a 43-year-old man who became unresponsive during police restraint in Haverhill, a Boston suburb. Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker announced Tuesday that charges were not legally supportable.

Chicago man faces deportation after acquittal in murder-for-hire case

2026-01-27

A Chicago carpenter acquitted of murder-for-hire charges against a Border Patrol commander has been taken into federal immigration custody and faces deportation, according to his attorneys. Juan Espinoza Martinez, 37, was cleared of the charges late last week. Within 24 hours, federal immigration agents picked him up, defense attorneys Jonathan Bedi and Dena Singer confirmed Tuesday.

Texas halts new H-1B visa petitions at state agencies and universities

2026-01-27

Gov. Greg Abbott ordered Texas universities and state agencies on Tuesday to halt new H-1B visa petitions, which employers use to hire foreign workers with specialized skills, until May 31, 2027. The pause applies to new petitions at state-funded institutions and comes as the Trump administration pursues broader changes to the visa program. Abbott said in his order that "state government must lead by example and ensure that employment opportunities — particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars — are filled by Texans first."

Credibility questioned for Trump administration after Pretti's death

2026-01-27

The Trump administration's account of Alex Jeffrey Pretti's death at the hands of a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis has been challenged by video evidence, raising questions about the credibility of federal immigration enforcement agencies. Videos showed Pretti being pushed by an officer before agents descended on him, contradicting claims by administration officials that he "approached" officers with a gun and acted violently.

Man raises insanity defense in trial for killing 4 with metal bar

2026-01-27

Randy Santos, 31, is on trial in Manhattan for bludgeoning four men to death with a metal bar as they slept on New York City streets in 2019. His legal team is asserting an insanity defense, arguing that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and is not criminally responsible because mental illness left him prone to violence.

Federal judge halts removal of detained 5-year-old and father

2026-01-27

A federal judge has issued a temporary order barring the removal of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father who were detained last week in Minnesota in an incident that has inflamed immigration policy debates under the Trump administration. U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled Monday that removal of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, is on hold while their court case proceeds. The two are detained at a family detention facility in Dilley, Texas, near San Antonio.

Bovino, architect of Trump's immigration sweeps, departs Minneapolis

2026-01-27

Gregory Bovino, the commander of President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown operations nationwide, is leaving Minneapolis after federal agents fatally shot two people in less than three weeks. Bovino had served as the chief architect and public face of the administration's city-by-city immigration sweeps since arriving in Minnesota in December for what the Department of Homeland Security called its largest-ever immigration enforcement operation. His departure comes amid mounting criticism over his use of aggressive, norm-breaking tactics.

Federal shooting of armed Minneapolis man sparks gun-rights backlash

2026-01-27

Prominent gun-rights advocates and Republican figures pushed back this week against federal officials' initial characterization of Alex Pretti's death in Minneapolis, forcing the White House to walk back statements that blamed Pretti for his own death. Pretti, a legally armed man, was killed by a federal agent on Saturday during what authorities initially described as an encounter involving violent resistance. Video evidence released since the incident contradicted those initial federal statements about Pretti's conduct.

Utah mother arrested in Croatia for taking children overseas

2026-01-27

A Utah woman who believed in apocalyptic "end times" has been arrested in Croatia for taking her four young children overseas in violation of a custody order, authorities said Tuesday. Elleshia Seymour, 35, was arrested Jan. 16 after fleeing the U.S. in late November with her children despite not having custody entitlement. Salt Lake County charged her in December with four counts of custodial interference.

Minneapolis shooting exposes fissure in Republican gun politics

2026-01-27

Federal officers shot and killed Alex Pretti, an armed Minneapolis man, on Saturday, and the White House initially characterized him as responsible for his own death because he lawfully carried a concealed weapon. Within days, prominent Republicans and gun rights advocates mounted swift criticism of those statements, and the administration retreated from its account, illustrating a deeper inconsistency in party positions on the Second Amendment.

U.S. security unit deployment to Milan Olympics angers Italy

2026-01-27

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that Homeland Security Investigations, a unit within Immigration and Customs Enforcement, will assist with security at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games starting Feb. 6. The deployment has set off concern and confusion in Italy, where officials and residents expressed outrage at the inclusion of any ICE unit, given the agency's role in the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations, which have intensified in Minneapolis in recent weeks.

Five charged in alleged plot to assassinate Indiana judge

2026-01-27

Authorities say motorcycle gang and street gang members targeted Judge Steven Meyer of Lafayette, Indiana for assassination. Meyer and his wife Kim were shot at their home on January 18; both survived their injuries. Five people were arrested in connection with the attack—four in Indiana and one in Lexington, Kentucky.

Alaska announces state-city partnership to tackle Anchorage crime

2026-01-27

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy announced a new state-city partnership to address public safety concerns in Anchorage during his final State of the State address. Dunleavy said the city accounted for 55% of Alaska's murders, 51% of sexual assaults, 67% of car thefts, and more than 78% of robberies in 2024. Police Chief Sean Case welcomed the state's assistance but disputed the governor's framing, arguing that larger cities naturally experience higher crime rates than smaller jurisdictions.

Minneapolis shootings roil immigration fight, raise shutdown risk in Congress

2026-01-27

The shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens during deportation operations in Minneapolis have reshaped immigration politics in Congress and raised the risk of another government shutdown, according to Associated Press reporting. Democrats are seeking changes to Department of Homeland Security’s military-style immigration enforcement while Republicans signal they want hearings and an investigation related to the deaths. Congress is now wrestling with how to handle a six-bill funding package that is expected to cover more than 70% of federal operations.

Businesses caught between ICE raids and calls to oppose them

2026-01-27

After U.S. Border Patrol shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis in late January, more than 60 Minnesota-based corporate executives—including the heads of Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—quickly signed an open letter calling for "an immediate deescalation of tensions." Yet the letter carefully avoided naming immigration enforcement directly or acknowledging the widely-circulated videos showing federal agents detaining two Target employees in the same state just days earlier. The tension reflected a broader dilemma: American businesses are increasingly both targeted by immigration enforcement operations and pressured publicly to take stronger stances against those same operations.

Three federal investigations open into Minneapolis nurse killing by Border Patrol

2026-01-27

A Minneapolis nurse has been fatally shot by a Border Patrol officer in an incident that has prompted three federal investigations while raising questions about the independence and structure of the probes. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was killed over the weekend during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the city, marking the second death at the hands of federal immigration officers in Minneapolis since the Trump administration began large-scale operations there in late December. The Trump administration has characterized Pretti as an armed instigator, but videos from the scene and local officials contradict that account. The investigation's details, including the names of the officers involved and the specific evidence being examined, remain unclear even as tensions mount in the city over how the shooting will be investigated.

Helena police chief exits drug task force over Border Patrol concerns

2026-01-27

Chief Brett Petty of the Helena Police Department told commissioners Wednesday he is temporarily withdrawing from a regional drug task force following the addition of federal Border Patrol agents to the operation. Petty said he wanted to ensure the Helena department's focus remained on local drug crimes rather than immigration enforcement.

Minnesota’s misinformation site and evidence lawsuit deepen feud with feds

2026-01-26

Minnesota officials launched a state website aimed at countering what they called federal “misinformation” after immigration agents fatally shot two residents during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, according to officials and experts. The state also sued in federal court to preserve evidence collected by federal authorities after the Saturday killing of Alex Pretti, a federal judge granted a motion blocking the Trump administration from destroying or altering that evidence.

Federal officer fatally shoots man during Minneapolis immigration operation

2026-01-26

Federal immigration officers shot and killed a man in Minneapolis on Saturday, triggering street protests and the activation of the Minnesota National Guard to help local police, the Associated Press reported. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said information about what led to the shooting was limited. The incident comes weeks after another fatal shooting in the city drew widespread demonstrations.

Protesters interrupted a worship service in St. Paul, charged under federal law

2026-01-26

Protesters interrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, in an anti-ICE demonstration that prosecutors said led to arrests on federal charges. The protesters were taken into custody Thursday, after one pastor at the Southern Baptist congregation works for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Minneapolis nurse killed by Border Patrol as family disputes account

2026-01-26

Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, was shot and killed by Border Patrol officers on Saturday in a confrontation the Trump administration characterized as a "domestic terrorist" attack. His family and colleagues disputed that account, describing the 37-year-old as a compassionate caregiver whose only documented offense was protesting the administration's immigration crackdown.

Border czar Homan to visit Minneapolis after nurse's death

2026-01-26

Border czar Tom Homan will visit Minneapolis this week following the fatal shooting of an ICU nurse, as videos and eyewitness accounts challenge the Trump administration's account of the incident and calls mount for investigation into immigration enforcement tactics.

Minnesota GOP candidate drops out, citing Trump immigration 'disaster'

2026-01-26

A Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate dropped out of the 2026 race Monday, calling the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in his state an "unmitigated disaster." Chris Madel, a 59-year-old attorney and political newcomer, announced his decision in a video posted to X hours after a federal agent fatally shot Minneapolis resident Alex Pretti in an immigration sweep. Madel said the enforcement operation has driven U.S. citizens—particularly those of color—to carry papers to prove their citizenship, a practice he called fundamentally wrong.

Officer on modified duty after shooting raccoon at NYC beach

2026-01-26

A New York police officer who fatally shot a raccoon at Rockaway Beach on Thursday has been placed on modified duty pending review, the police department said Monday. The shooting followed a 911 call reporting a vicious animal at the beach. However, bodycam footage published by the Daily News shows a markedly different sequence: the raccoon walking slowly across the sand with no visible group of people present before an officer fired multiple shots.

Businesses face immigration enforcement pressure while becoming enforcement targets

2026-01-26

From family-run cafes to retail giants, U.S. businesses are increasingly caught between public pressure to respond to immigration enforcement and becoming the sites of federal arrests themselves. The pressure on businesses intensified on Sunday in Minneapolis after federal agents shot and killed a man; more than 60 Minnesota CEOs—including Target, Best Buy, and UnitedHealth—signed a letter calling for de-escalation of tensions. The letter, however, stopped short of directly naming immigration enforcement or the arrests already occurring at businesses, according to the Associated Press.

Honolulu cites twice as many fireworks violations under new laws

2026-01-26

Honolulu issued 47 citations for fireworks violations in the second half of 2025, double the number issued in either of the previous two years, as newly enacted laws gave law enforcement expanded tools to crack down on illegal fireworks. Twenty-nine of the citations were issued on New Year's Eve alone. The enforcement surge reflects new laws signed by Hawaii Gov. Josh Green before July 4, 2025, which streamlined the process for issuing civil fines and authorized the use of unmanned drones for surveillance.

Minneapolis shootings upend immigration politics in Congress

2026-01-26

Two deaths during immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis have upended congressional politics around deportations, pushing lawmakers toward a government shutdown. Democrats are withholding funds for the Department of Homeland Security unless restrictions are placed on ICE operations, while some Republicans are signaling second thoughts about the administration's approach. The shift marks a reversal from just a year ago, when Congress easily passed legislation tightening immigration enforcement with bipartisan support.

Moderate Sen. Jacky Rosen calls for Noem impeachment amid Minneapolis fury

2026-01-26

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen has called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying he believes she attempted to “mislead the American public” about a fatal shooting of a 37-year-old protester in Minneapolis. The call comes as Democrats have escalated their criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and warned they would block Homeland Security funding unless Congress takes action.

First refugee to lead UN agency warns of 'very difficult moment'

2026-01-26

Barham Salih, the first refugee to lead the United Nations refugee agency, said Monday the world faces "a very difficult moment in history" as the U.S. cuts funding and tightens asylum restrictions. Speaking from Rome in an interview with the Associated Press, the former president of Iraq warned that repression of immigrants is growing while resources to protect them are plummeting.

Trump blames Democrats for chaos after fatal Minneapolis immigration shooting

2026-01-25

President Donald Trump blamed Democratic officials for "chaos" following the fatal shooting of a protester by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, according to posts on his Truth Social network and comments to The Wall Street Journal on Sunday. The shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti marked the second killing by immigration officers in the city in recent weeks and prompted some Republicans to question the administration's enforcement approach even as Trump refused to back away from his immigration crackdown.

Federal and state officials clash over deadly Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Federal and state officials offered starkly different accounts Sunday of a shooting death the day before in Minneapolis, with the Trump administration and Minnesota's governor each claiming the moral authority to respond to the incident and its aftermath. Governor Tim Walz asked the public to choose a side in response to the federal crackdown. Federal Border Patrol official Greg Bovino offered a different characterization. He said federal officials view the incident as a confrontation where an individual made choices that led to the encounter.

Court filings raise questions about ICE’s “worst of the worst” in Maine

2026-01-25

Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it detained some of the “worst of the worst” during a Maine enforcement operation this past week, but federal court records show a broader set of cases, the Associated Press reported. ICE said it detained more than 100 people statewide in what it called “Operation Catch of the Day.” Court filings reviewed by AP and comments from attorneys and local officials raised questions about how ICE described detainees and what happened after removal orders.

NTSB to probe DC midair collision, recommend fixes to prevent repeats

2026-01-25

The National Transportation Safety Board will hold a hearing on Jan. 29, 2025, when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter near Washington, D.C., killing 67 people, the agency’s investigators said. The NTSB is expected to detail multiple contributing factors and recommend changes aimed at preventing similar tragedies, after the FAA made temporary restrictions permanent around Reagan National Airport.

Man arrested for assaulting congressman at Sundance Film Festival

2026-01-25

A man was arrested Friday night at the Sundance Film Festival for assaulting U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost, a Florida Democrat, after allegedly telling the congressman he would be deported by President Donald Trump. Christian Joel Young, 28, faces charges of aggravated burglary, assaulting an elected official, and assault following the incident at a private party hosted by talent agency CAA at High West Distillery in Park City, Utah.

Rosen calls for Noem impeachment over fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-25

Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada called for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying that Noem is attempting to mislead the public about a fatal shooting by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis. The call came as Democratic anger intensified over the incident and a second fatal shooting by immigration agents this month. Rosen said Noem's conduct was "deeply shameful" and she "must be impeached and removed from office immediately." The senator made the call in a statement after Noem swiftly defended the shooting without awaiting a full investigation.

Senate Democrats vow to oppose DHS funding after Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Senate Democrats vowed to oppose a Department of Homeland Security funding bill following a fatal shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, escalating the risk of a partial government shutdown by week's end. Alex Pretti, 37, an intensive care nurse, was shot and killed; federal officials defended the agent's actions as justified, while Democrats said video evidence contradicted that account and demanded policy changes to the agency.

Republicans press for investigation into fatal Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

A growing number of Republicans are pressing for a deeper investigation into federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after a U.S. Border Patrol agent fatally shot Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse at a VA hospital. House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Andrew Garbarino sought testimony from immigration agencies, while Sens. Thom Tillis of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska also pressed for more information. The calls for scrutiny suggest the Trump administration's accounting of the incident may face bipartisan review.

Videos contradict federal account of deadly Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-25

Bystander videos of the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on January 25 contradict the federal government's account of what occurred, according to use-of-force experts who reviewed the footage. The videos show Pretti holding a cellphone in his hands as an officer opened fire, experts said, challenging federal claims that Pretti approached officers with a firearm and posed an imminent threat.

Federal immigration officer shoots and kills man in Minneapolis

2026-01-25

A federal immigration officer shot and killed a man on Minneapolis's Eat Street early Saturday, marking the second such fatal federal shooting in the city in less than three weeks. The victim, identified as Alex Pretti, 37, was killed shortly before 9 a.m. during an immigration enforcement operation. The shooting sparked immediate large-scale protests and hours of street confrontations.

Minnesota CEOs urge de-escalation in federal enforcement crisis

2026-01-25

More than 60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies signed an open letter posted Sunday on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce website calling for state, local and federal cooperation in response to an immigration enforcement operation that has fractured state politics. Signatories included leaders from Target, Best Buy, UnitedHealth, General Mills and 3M.

After accepting U.S. deportees, South Sudan sought sanctions relief, documents show

2026-01-25

South Sudan, after agreeing last year to accept deportees from the United States, sent Washington a list of requests that included U.S. support for prosecuting opposition leader Riek Machar and sanctions relief for former vice president Benjamin Bol Mel, U.S. diplomatic communications released by the State Department show. The requests, dated in May and marked confidential, also sought visa easing and other assistance. The U.S. said it “does not disclose the details of private discussions” when asked whether anything was promised in return.

Dueling accounts after ICE detains 5-year-old in Minnesota

2026-01-25

MINNEAPOLIS — A 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy detained by U.S. immigration officers in Minnesota has become a flashpoint, with school officials, neighbors and the boy’s family attorney disputing the federal account of how the child was handled. The Department of Homeland Security rejected claims that officers used the child as “bait,” and said the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in the family’s driveway.

Judge to consider asylum appeal for Guan Heng, held after rights videos

2026-01-25

Guan Heng, a Chinese asylum seeker who secretly filmed detention sites in Xinjiang, is in U.S. custody and is asking a judge to block his removal. A judge on Monday is set to consider his appeal to remain in the United States after he was swept up in an immigration enforcement operation in August.

Minneapolis volunteers shelter immigrant children separated from parents

2026-01-25

Minneapolis residents are sheltering immigrant children separated from their parents as federal immigration agents escalate enforcement operations across the Twin Cities. More than 2,000 federal agents have been deployed in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reported more than 3,000 arrests since early December. The volunteers providing shelter also arrange rent payments for families afraid to work, deliver meals, and establish emergency custody arrangements.

South Sudan sought sanctions relief after accepting US deportees, documents show

2026-01-25

South Sudan sought sanctions relief for a senior official and U.S. support for prosecuting an opposition leader after agreeing to accept American deportees, according to diplomatic communications released by the State Department in January. The eight deportees arrived in Juba, South Sudan's capital, in July after spending weeks at a U.S. military base in Djibouti, where a court temporarily blocked their deportation.

Court records challenge ICE's characterization of Maine detainees

2026-01-24

Immigration and Customs Enforcement claimed last week that its enforcement surge in Maine targeted some of the state's most dangerous criminals, including "child abusers and hostage takers." But court records paint a more complicated picture of the more than 100 people detained statewide in what ICE called "Operation Catch of the Day." While some detainees had serious felony convictions, others faced far less serious charges — including a learner's permit violation that was dismissed. Many had no criminal convictions at all, according to court records and immigration attorneys.

Car crashes through Detroit airport entrance, injuring 6

2026-01-24

A car crashed through the entrance of Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport on Friday evening, striking a ticket counter and injuring six people, according to airport officials. The driver was taken into custody, though the cause of the crash was not yet known.

Minneapolis volunteers shelter immigrant children as ICE sweeps intensify

2026-01-24

Minneapolis residents are sheltering immigrant children separated from parents and sought by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration's enforcement surge in the Twin Cities. A 41-year-old Indigenous Ecuadorian office cleaner was detained in early January after entering the country illegally, prompting her oldest children to move their seven younger siblings to a safe house in south Minneapolis with help from church volunteers including Feliza Martinez. "The immigration agents were knocking on our door very late at night, and that's when I became afraid," said the family's 20-year-old son, speaking on condition of anonymity. "I'm afraid that I'll be taken and my brothers and sisters will be in the hands of the government."

Border Patrol kills Minneapolis ICU nurse amid immigration crackdown

2026-01-24

A U.S. Border Patrol officer shot and killed Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, in Minneapolis on Saturday during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement crackdown. Pretti was an intensive-care nurse at a Veterans Affairs hospital and a U.S. citizen born in Illinois. He had participated in protests following the January 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in the same city.

Government and school offer conflicting accounts in 5-year-old's ICE detention

2026-01-24

The detention of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy by federal immigration agents outside his Minnesota home has produced sharply conflicting accounts. School officials say ICE officers used the child as "bait," instructing him to knock on the door while his mother was inside and his father was present. The Department of Homeland Security denies this, saying the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle in their driveway. The boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, are now detained together at a family facility in Dilley, Texas.

Chinese asylum seeker who exposed Xinjiang abuses fights deportation

2026-01-24

Guan Heng, a Chinese asylum seeker who documented detention facilities in Xinjiang, faces a court hearing Monday to determine whether he will remain in the United States or be deported. The 38-year-old has been held in Broome County Correctional Facility in New York since August 2025, when immigration agents detained him during an enforcement operation.

Collins and Mills offer diverging takes on ICE arrests in Maine

2026-01-24

Maine’s Democratic Gov. Janet Mills and Republican Sen. Susan Collins offered sharply different reactions on Friday to a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in the state. Mills challenged ICE to provide judicial warrants, real-time arrest numbers and basic information about who is being detained, while Collins said people in the country legally should not be targeted and urged protesters to avoid interfering with arrests.

ICE memo would allow home entries without judge’s warrant, advocates say

2026-01-24

The Associated Press reported that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo directs officers to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, raising concerns about the Fourth Amendment and about risks to residents. The story was published Jan. 23, 2026, and includes accounts of ICE tactics in multiple states.

Private guard called 911 for help in ICE detainee homicide in El Paso

2026-01-24

A private security guard called 911 to report an emergency involving an ICE detainee at a Texas detention facility, and a county medical examiner later ruled the man’s death a homicide, according to a recording of the call obtained by The Associated Press. The detainee, Geraldo Lunas Campos, stopped breathing during a struggle after staff restrained him in handcuffs following a reported suicide attempt at Camp East Montana in El Paso on Jan. 3.

White House shares altered image of attorney arrest in Minnesota, AP finds

2026-01-24

The White House shared an altered image showing civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing to cry while being arrested in Minnesota, according to an Associated Press fact check. The original photo posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on X showed Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression. AP reported that the White House later shared a manipulated version of the image.

Maine governor and senator clash over ICE enforcement surge

2026-01-23

Maine's Democratic governor and Republican senator offered divergent responses Friday to an immigration sweep that has detained dozens of people across the state this week. Gov. Janet Mills demanded that federal immigration officials provide judicial warrants and real-time arrest data, while Sen. Susan Collins said the protests being organized should avoid interfering with law enforcement operations. The divergence reflects the high-stakes nature of the race between them — Mills is challenging Collins' Senate seat — as well as fundamental disagreement over how immigration enforcement should operate. Mills, termed out as governor, must first win a Democratic primary against oyster farmer Graham Platner, whose campaign is endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Petro, Trump to meet Feb. 3 after months of tensions

2026-01-23

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said Friday he was optimistic about a White House meeting with President Trump scheduled for Feb. 3, marking a significant diplomatic shift after months of hostility. The optimism comes after the United States revoked Petro's visa and imposed sanctions on him and his family in September over what he characterized as unproven drug-trafficking allegations.

Black man executed in 1956 declared innocent, nearly 70 years later

2026-01-23

Nearly 70 years after his execution, Tommy Lee Walker was declared innocent on Wednesday by Dallas County officials in a case that prosecutors now say was riddled with racial bias, false evidence, and coercive interrogation by a police officer who was a member of the Ku Klux Klan. Walker, a Black man, was executed in May 1956 for the rape and murder of Venice Parker, a 31-year-old store clerk killed on Sept. 30, 1953. Dallas County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring his conviction and execution a "profound miscarriage of justice."

Judge shields pro-Palestinian academics from immigration retaliation

2026-01-23

A federal judge in Boston ruled Thursday that academics targeted for deportation over their pro-Palestinian activism can seek legal protection if the Trump administration retaliates against them for participating in a lawsuit challenging the government's enforcement policy. U.S. District Judge William Young, appointed by President Ronald Reagan, said noncitizen members of two academic associations can challenge any changes to their immigration status made in reprisal for their free-speech activities.

Medical examiner rules Texas ICE detainee death a homicide

2026-01-23

A county medical examiner ruled the death of a Cuban immigrant in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody a homicide on Jan. 22, after the man attempted suicide and was restrained by guards at a detention center in El Paso, Texas. Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, died Jan. 3 at Camp East Montana, a detention facility built on an Army base to house thousands of immigrants. The examiner determined he died from asphyxia caused by compression to his neck and torso. The homicide ruling came after a 911 call obtained by The Associated Press revealed that a private security contractor at the facility called for emergency help during the struggle. A witness who observed the incident described at least five guards holding Campos down, with one applying pressure around his neck until he lost consciousness.

ICE memo authorizes forced entry to homes without judicial warrants

2026-01-23

An internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by the Associated Press authorizes immigration officers to forcibly enter people's homes using administrative warrants, marking a shift from decades of Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The memo, disclosed as immigration arrests soar under President Trump's mass deportation campaign, permits officers to enter private homes without warrants signed by judges — a practice long prohibited by constitutional law.

Florida sets execution date for man convicted of 1986 grocery store killing

2026-01-23

Melvin Trotter, 65, is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection on Feb. 24 at Florida State Prison, according to a death warrant signed Friday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trotter was convicted of killing Virgie Langford, a grocery store owner, during a robbery in Palmetto, Florida, in 1986. He was initially convicted of first-degree murder in 1987 and resentenced to death in 1993 after the Florida Supreme Court found errors in the trial court's handling of aggravating factors in his case.

Thousands protest immigration enforcement; 100 clergy arrested in Minnesota

2026-01-23

About 100 clergy members were arrested Friday at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, and thousands of people gathered in downtown Minneapolis despite temperatures of minus 9 degrees Fahrenheit to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations. The clergy were arrested after exceeding the reach of their permit and disrupting airline operations, according to the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The demonstrations drew labor unions, progressive organizations, and faith leaders calling for an end to what the Department of Homeland Security described as its "largest-ever immigration enforcement operation."

Activist releases arrest video contradicting White House's doctored image

2026-01-23

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong released video of her arrest Friday, contradicting a manipulated image the White House posted on X the previous day. The White House image showed Armstrong crying with her hands behind her back, with a caption identifying her as an 'Arrested far-left agitator' who had 'orchestrated church riots in Minnesota.' Armstrong's unedited seven-minute video, shot by her husband, presents a starkly different account of her Thursday arrest during an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minneapolis church.

Woman shot by Border Patrol agent in Oregon pleads guilty to illegal entry

2026-01-23

A woman wounded in a shooting by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, Oregon, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to illegally entering the United States and was sentenced to one year of probation. Yorlenys Zambrano-Contreras appeared by video from an immigration detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Chicago surgeon pleads not guilty in Ohio to killings of ex-wife, dentist

2026-01-22

An Illinois doctor charged in the December shootings of his ex-wife and her dentist husband in Columbus, Ohio, pleaded not guilty in court Friday, according to authorities and court filings. Michael David McKee, 39, appeared remotely from jail in Franklin County, where he faces four aggravated murder counts and an aggravated burglary charge.

Autopsy rules immigrant's death in ICE custody a homicide

2026-01-22

An autopsy has ruled the January 3 death of Geraldo Lunas Campos a homicide, according to the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office. The 55-year-old Cuban immigrant, held in solitary confinement at Camp East Montana near El Paso, died from asphyxia caused by neck and torso compression during an altercation with guards. A witness told The Associated Press that Lunas Campos was handcuffed as at least five guards held him down, with one guard applying pressure around his neck until he lost consciousness. The medical examiner's report documented abrasions on his chest and knees, hemorrhages on his neck, and petechial hemorrhages in his eyelids — tiny blood spots consistent with asphyxia from pressure on the body.

Civil rights attorney arrested in Minnesota church ICE protest

2026-01-22

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong and at least two other people were arrested Thursday in connection with a protest that disrupted a Sunday service at Cities Church in St. Paul, where an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as a pastor, according to Trump administration officials. The arrests came as a federal magistrate judge rejected charges against journalist Don Lemon related to the same event. Vice President JD Vance, speaking in Minneapolis, urged state and local law enforcement to collaborate with federal immigration officials.

Prosecutors allege gang members tried to kill Indiana judge

2026-01-22

Prosecutors said members of a motorcycle club and a street gang tried to kill Tippecanoe County Superior Court Judge Steven Meyer and his wife at their home in Lafayette, Indiana. Court documents unsealed Friday describe a plot they say was intended to derail a domestic abuse case against Thomas Gregory Moss, a defendant facing trial in front of Meyer.

FAA makes permanent safety rules from D.C. plane crash

2026-01-22

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that it will make permanent the safety rules imposed after a January 2025 collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines jet near Reagan National Airport that killed 67 people. The rules, effective Friday, require military aircraft to broadcast their locations and prohibit air traffic controllers from relying on visual separation near the airport.

House passes $1.2T spending bills as Democrats oppose ICE funding

2026-01-22

The House passed approximately $1.2 trillion in spending bills in January 2026, narrowly approving Homeland Security funding on a 220-207 vote as Democratic leaders objected to provisions that would fund President Trump's mass deportation efforts. The broader spending package passed 341-88, funding a 3.8% military pay raise while keeping non-defense spending at current levels.

Vance blames local officials for Minneapolis immigration unrest

2026-01-22

Vice President JD Vance visited Minneapolis on Thursday to address mounting tensions over the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign, blaming "far-left people" and state and local officials for the chaos that has unfolded. Vance said Minnesota leaders should "meet us halfway" and insisted he was working to lower tensions, even as his visit coincided with a planned day of statewide protests by faith leaders, labor unions, and hundreds of businesses. The visit came weeks into an aggressive federal immigration enforcement operation that has drawn sharp rebukes from Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Gov. Tim Walz, who have accused federal agents of racial profiling and terrorizing immigrant communities.

Chicago man acquitted of murder-for-hire in Border Patrol bounty case

2026-01-22

A federal jury acquitted Juan Espinoza Martinez on Thursday of murder-for-hire charges related to a $10,000 bounty he allegedly offered on Snapchat for the life of a top Border Patrol official. Jurors deliberated less than four hours before finding the 37-year-old not guilty of the single count that carried a potential 10-year prison sentence.

White House shares altered image of attorney arrest

2026-01-22

The White House shared a manipulated photograph of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong during her arrest at a Minnesota church, according to an Associated Press fact-check. The altered image showed her in tears; the original photograph, posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, showed her with a neutral expression. Levy Armstrong was arrested for her role in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at the church.

Maine governor demands warrants as ICE immigration sweeps spread fear

2026-01-22

Maine's Democratic governor challenged federal immigration officials Thursday to provide warrants and arrest information from a sweeping enforcement operation in her state, saying residents have been left largely in the dark as fear spreads through immigrant communities. Gov. Janet Mills said President Donald Trump's office has not returned her calls regarding the operation.

Brazilians react to US suspension of immigrant visa processing

2026-01-22

Brazilians who had been trying to move to the United States said they were frustrated after the U.S. suspended processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil. The suspension took effect on Wednesday, according to the U.S. State Department, leaving would-be applicants waiting while the government reviews entry standards.

Minneapolis businesses face disruptions amid federal immigration enforcement

2026-01-22

Minneapolis businesses say a surge in federal immigration enforcement has disrupted staffing, consumer traffic and hotel reservations, as protests roil parts of the Twin Cities. The effects are showing up amid plans for a general strike Friday to demand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, according to organizers. The economic fallout comes as Minnesota and the Twin Cities seek court relief to halt the operations.

Democrats scramble on immigration after Minnesota ICE confrontation turns deadly

2026-01-22

A federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, 37, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota earlier this month, forcing Democrats into an immediate political crisis as the party scrambles to devise a unified response to the Trump administration's aggressive crackdown on immigration. The killing has upended Democratic midterm strategy. The party had planned to campaign on affordability and health care—two issues where President Trump faces voter dissatisfaction—but the violent scenes from Minnesota have intensified pressure on Democrats to take immediate action on immigration enforcement practices.

Appeals court suspends tear gas ban in Minnesota immigration enforcement

2026-01-22

A federal appeals court suspended a ruling that prohibited federal officers from using tear gas and pepper spray against protesters in Minnesota on Wednesday, clearing the way for more aggressive enforcement tactics. The decision came as immigration agents expanded operations to Maine and served state and local officials with subpoenas seeking records about their opposition to the enforcement campaign. Immigration enforcement officers said they have arrested more than 10,000 undocumented immigrants in Minnesota over the past year.

Minneapolis businesses suffer during immigration enforcement surge

2026-01-22

Minneapolis businesses are reporting severe economic damage from the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities. Some companies have seen sales drop 80%, and customers and employees are avoiding the area out of fear, according to a lawsuit filed this month by Minnesota and the city. Hotels have stopped accepting reservations, while restaurants and stores have temporarily closed or cut hours.

More troops ordered to be ready for possible Minneapolis deployment

2026-01-21

The U.S. Army has ordered several dozen additional active-duty soldiers to prepare for a possible deployment to Minneapolis if needed, a defense official said Wednesday. The preparation orders involve an Army military police brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and a separate group of soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska amid protests tied to the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown.

Toronto man pleads not guilty to posing as pilot to obtain hundreds of free airline tickets

2026-01-21

A Canadian man prosecutors say posed as a working airline pilot pleaded not guilty Tuesday in federal court in Hawaii to wire fraud charges, after allegedly obtaining hundreds of free tickets from three U.S. carriers over four years by presenting fraudulent crew credentials. Dallas Pokornik, 33, of Toronto, was arraigned following his extradition to the United States. He had been arrested in Panama after a federal grand jury in Hawaii indicted him last October. His federal public defender declined to discuss the case.

Maine immigrant communities brace as ICE enforcement surge begins

2026-01-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents launched an enforcement operation in Maine on Tuesday called Operation "Catch of the Day," an apparent reference to the state's seafood industry. The agency had identified approximately 1,400 targets in Maine and made 50 arrests on the first day, according to Patricia Hyde, the ICE deputy assistant director. The operation marked the Trump administration's expansion of mass deportation efforts to Maine, a state with a relatively small undocumented population but significant communities of African refugees. Portland and Lewiston are home to thousands of residents of African descent, with Maine having one of the nation's highest Somali populations following accelerated immigration in the early 2000s.

Pam Bondi says Nekima Levy Armstrong was arrested after church protest

2026-01-21

Federal officials said Nekima Levy Armstrong, a civil rights attorney, was arrested after a disruption by anti-immigration enforcement protesters at a Minnesota church where an ICE official serves as a pastor, even as a judge rejected related charges against journalist Don Lemon. Vice President JD Vance urged state and local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officers and said protesters must stop getting in their way.

Federal immigration authorities let jewelry heist suspect avoid trial by deporting

2026-01-21

Federal immigration authorities let a man accused in a $100 million jewelry heist deport himself to South America in December, according to court filings reviewed by the Associated Press. Prosecutors said they were preparing to try the case but were stunned when the suspect left the country before trial. The suspect is Jeson Nelon Presilla Flores, one of seven people charged in the 2022 Brink’s armored-truck theft.

Former Iowa superintendent pleads guilty after ICE arrest

2026-01-21

Former Iowa superintendent Ian Roberts pleaded guilty Thursday to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on a federal employment form and to illegally possessing firearms, according to court proceedings in Des Moines. The plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Helen C. Adams, could affect his immigration case and he acknowledged he could face deportation after serving a sentence.

Snapchats central to trial in Border Patrol murder-for-hire case

2026-01-21

A Chicago man went on trial Wednesday for allegedly soliciting a $10,000 bounty on Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino using Snapchat messages, in the first criminal trial stemming from the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in the nation's third-largest city.

Immigration crackdown reshapes Democratic midterm strategy

2026-01-21

Democrats are grappling with a political challenge that threatens to reshape their midterm strategy: how to respond aggressively to immigration enforcement operations they find alarming without appearing soft on immigration to voters who have historically trusted Republicans more on the issue. The challenge emerged sharply after an immigration crackdown in Minnesota that included the fatal shooting of Renee Good during a confrontation with federal agents.

Brazilians frustrated by US visa suspension but try to remain hopeful

2026-01-21

The Trump administration on Wednesday suspended immigrant visa processing for Brazil and 74 other countries, citing concerns that nationals from these nations would likely require government assistance while in the United States. The suspension immediately halted processing of thousands of Brazilian applications for permanent residency, sparking frustration among applicants who said they remained hopeful the measure would prove temporary. The suspension builds on earlier Trump administration immigration restrictions affecting citizens across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

ICE memo permits forced home entries using administrative warrants

2026-01-21

Immigration and Customs Enforcement has authorized officers to forcibly enter people's homes based solely on administrative warrants, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press. The directive, issued in May 2025, marks a sharp reversal of longstanding guidance meant to respect Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches. The move comes as the Trump administration dramatically expands immigration enforcement nationwide, with thousands of officers deployed in cities including Minneapolis, where recent arrests have raised questions about agency tactics.

Former Iowa superintendent to plead guilty to false citizenship claim

2026-01-21

Ian Roberts, the former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, is expected to plead guilty in federal court to falsely claiming U.S. citizenship and illegally possessing firearms, according to a plea agreement filed Wednesday. Roberts, a native of Guyana, faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and potential deportation after serving his sentence.

Doctors warn Trump immigration crackdown is disrupting health care in Minnesota

2026-01-21

Doctors in Minnesota said the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement has driven patients to miss prenatal and other medical care and has heightened fear among hospital staff, prompting some facilities to shift communications to encrypted channels. The doctors spoke Tuesday at a news conference in St. Paul, according to the Associated Press. The article described individual cases including a pregnant woman who missed a checkup and later went into labor before she could be treated, and detained patients who lacked access to needed medications.

Federal agents detain Minnesota 5-year-old and his father in raids

2026-01-21

Federal agents detained a 5-year-old boy as he returned home from preschool in Minnesota and took his father to a detention facility in Texas, school officials and the family’s lawyer said. The boy’s father had an active asylum case and had not been ordered removed, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said.

ICE memo says officers may enter homes using administrative warrants

2026-01-21

Federal immigration officers are asserting authority to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press on Jan. 21, 2026. The memo, signed in May 2025 by acting ICE director Todd Lyons, would allow entry based on an administrative warrant to arrest a person with a final order of removal.

Judge declines to block DHS policy limiting lawmakers’ ICE facility visits

2026-01-21

A federal judge in Washington on Monday refused to temporarily block a Trump administration policy requiring members of Congress to give a week’s notice before visiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facilities. The judge said Democratic members’ attorneys challenged the change using the wrong procedural path, and that the Jan. 8 policy is a new agency action not covered by an earlier order.

Maine Gov. Mills demands warrants and arrest data amid ICE operation

2026-01-21

Maine Gov. Janet Mills demanded federal immigration officials provide warrants, real-time arrest figures and information about who is detained as an enforcement operation in the state has spread fear through immigrant communities. Mills said Thursday that her office has not received responses from President Donald Trump’s administration and criticized what she called “secret arrests.”

New Virginia AG Jones seeks to withdraw from DOJ deal over in-state tuition

2026-01-21

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones filed to withdraw from a U.S. Department of Justice agreement tied to litigation over in-state tuition for some immigrant students, days after taking office. Jones’s motion asks a federal court to undo a prior effort to invalidate Virginia’s 2020 “Dream Act” that allows eligible undocumented students to receive in-state tuition. The U.S. Justice Department, which brought the challenge, declined comment because the case is pending.

US citizen says ICE detained him at gunpoint in underwear in Minnesota

2026-01-21

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A U.S. citizen says federal immigration agents detained him at gunpoint in his Minnesota home without a warrant and led him outside in only underwear in subfreezing weather, according to his family and videos reviewed by The Associated Press. The man, ChongLy “Scott” Thao, said agents broke down a door and later returned him to his house after determining he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record.

Vance in Minneapolis blames “far-left” and local officials for ICE unrest

2026-01-21

Vice President JD Vance told supporters in Minneapolis on Thursday that he had come to “lower the temperature” amid unrest tied to the White House’s aggressive deportation campaign, blaming “far-left people” and state and local law enforcement for chaos. He urged Minnesota leaders to “meet us halfway” and said the Justice Department is investigating top Democrats in the state, including Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, over whether they obstruct immigration enforcement.

Indiana police seek suspect after judge, wife shot at home

2026-01-20

An Indiana state court judge and his wife were in stable condition Monday after they were shot at their Lafayette home the day before, authorities said. Police said the investigation remains active and involves local, state and federal agencies, while they continue to search for suspects. The mayor and the state’s chief justice urged residents to remain vigilant.

Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill pays for ICE expansion

2026-01-20

President Donald Trump’s rapidly expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement force is being bankrolled by billions from a Republican tax and spending package, according to an Associated Press analysis. The money is tied to hiring bonuses of $50,000, growth plans that would lift ICE to about 22,000 officers, and new spending for operations and detention facilities.

Minnesota doctors describe healthcare chaos in Trump crackdown

2026-01-20

In January, doctors and nurses in Minnesota began documenting unprecedented fear and disruption in healthcare delivery following the Trump administration's extension of immigration enforcement into hospitals. The shift ended a 14-year sanctuary policy that had protected hospitals from immigration raids since 2011, allowing federal agents to conduct enforcement operations in facilities previously off-limits to immigration authorities. 'I have been a practicing physician for more than 19 years here in Minnesota, and I have never seen this level of chaos and fear,' said Dr. Roli Dwivedi, past president of the Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians, speaking Tuesday at a St. Paul news conference.

Federal prosecutors subpoena Minnesota officials in immigration enforcement probe

2026-01-20

Federal prosecutors served grand jury subpoenas Tuesday to Minnesota's governor, attorney general, and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul as part of an investigation into whether they obstructed federal immigration enforcement during a sweeping crackdown in the Twin Cities area. The subpoenas, which seek records, were directed to the offices of Gov. Tim Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her, and officials in Ramsey and Hennepin counties, according to a person familiar with the matter. The investigation is examining whether Minnesota officials' public statements constituted a conspiracy to impede law enforcement, according to two people familiar with the probe.

ICE detains U.S. citizen in underwear without warrant, suit planned

2026-01-20

Federal immigration agents detained a U.S. citizen at his Minnesota home at gunpoint without a warrant and led him outside in freezing weather wearing only underwear, according to his account, family members and videos reviewed by The Associated Press. ChongLy "Scott" Thao said agents bashed open his St. Paul home on Sunday and immediately pointed guns at his family. When he was later detained, agents prevented him from retrieving his identification documents and led him outside in subfreezing conditions wearing only underwear, sandals and a blanket. The detention occurred as federal immigration agents conduct a massive operation in the Twin Cities, which has drawn backlash from residents and local leaders over warrantless arrests, aggressive clashes with protesters, and a fatal shooting.

Man on trial for offering $10K bounty on Border Patrol commander

2026-01-20

A jury was selected Tuesday in Chicago in the trial of Juan Espinoza Martinez, a 37-year-old accused of offering a $10,000 bounty for the killing of a Border Patrol commander who led an immigration crackdown in the city. Prosecutors allege Martinez sent a message offering the reward to eliminate Gregory Bovino, who oversaw the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations in Chicago, California, North Carolina and Minnesota. Martinez has pleaded not guilty.

Immigrant dies at El Paso tent complex; prior detainee death ruled likely homicide

2026-01-19

Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, a Nicaraguan immigrant detained during a Jan. 6 federal immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, was found dead Jan. 14 at a tent detention facility on the grounds of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement said. ICE said Diaz appeared to have killed himself. His death came at the same facility where a fellow detainee died earlier this month in circumstances the El Paso County Medical Examiner has since classified as a likely homicide.

Car rams into Shrewsbury police station lobby; driver taken into custody

2026-01-19

A car rammed into the front of the Shrewsbury Police Department on Monday afternoon, ending up entirely inside the lobby of the red brick building, police said. The driver of the 2022 BMW SUV was taken into custody and transported to a nearby hospital with injuries from the crash. No officers, staff or members of the public were injured.

DOJ investigates protesters who disrupted St. Paul church where ICE field director pastors

2026-01-19

The U.S. Department of Justice announced Sunday it is investigating a group of protesters who disrupted services at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a man identified in court filings as the acting director of the local ICE field office also serves as a pastor. A livestreamed video posted on the Black Lives Matter Minnesota Facebook page shows protesters interrupting the service by chanting 'ICE out' and 'Justice for Renee Good' — a 37-year-old mother of three fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis earlier this month amid a surge in federal immigration enforcement.

Protesters disrupt St. Paul church service; DOJ opens FACE Act investigation

2026-01-19

About three dozen anti-immigration-enforcement protesters entered Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, during Sunday services on Jan. 18, with some walking toward the pulpit and others chanting "ICE out" and "Renee Good" — the name of a woman an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot in Minneapolis on Jan. 7. The service was forced to end prematurely, according to the Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention. The U.S. Department of Justice said it has opened a civil rights investigation into potential violations of the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

Babson student describes life upended after mistaken deportation

2026-01-19

Babson College freshman Any Lucia Lopez Belloza told The Associated Press she was mistakenly deported to Honduras even after a Massachusetts judge ordered her not to leave the United States. Lopez Belloza said she was detained at Boston’s airport on Nov. 20 while preparing to fly to Texas for Thanksgiving and was deported two days later.

Bernice King calls MLK Day a 'saving grace' amid political turbulence

2026-01-18

The Rev. Bernice King, CEO of the King Center in Atlanta and daughter of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., said the federal holiday honoring her father arrives this year as "somewhat of a saving grace" — a moral counterweight, she said, to rollbacks of diversity programs, changes to government historical content, and immigration enforcement she described as turning violent.

Minneapolis mayor calls military deployment for immigration crackdown unconstitutional

2026-01-18

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Sunday called a potential military deployment to enforce immigration law in the city "ridiculous and unconstitutional," urging protesters to remain peaceful as the Pentagon placed about 1,500 active-duty soldiers based in Alaska on standby for a possible deployment. President Donald Trump has since stepped back from the threat, at least for now, according to defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. The standby order covers two infantry battalions of the Army's 11th Airborne Division, soldiers who specialize in arctic operations, the officials said. The troops would deploy only if Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a rarely used 19th-century law that would authorize sending federal military forces into Minnesota over the objections of its governor.

Judge blocks federal officers in Minneapolis immigration operation from detaining

2026-01-18

A Minnesota judge ruled Friday that federal officers participating in an immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area cannot detain or use tear gas on peaceful protesters who are not obstructing authorities. The ruling came in a lawsuit filed in December by six Minnesota activists, according to court documents described by the Associated Press.

Minneapolis mayor calls idea of sending soldiers in ICE crackdown unconstitutional

2026-01-18

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said Sunday that sending active-duty soldiers to help with an immigration crackdown in Minnesota would be unconstitutional, calling the idea “ridiculous.” He urged protesters to stay peaceful as protests continued after the Department of Homeland Security increased immigration enforcement in the Twin Cities by bringing in more than 2,000 federal officers.

Nicaraguan immigrant Victor Diaz found dead at Texas ICE detention

2026-01-18

A Nicaraguan immigrant was found dead at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas last week, federal officials said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Victor Manuel Diaz appeared to have killed himself on Wednesday at the tent complex at the U.S. Army’s Fort Bliss base in El Paso.

Tension and chaos take hold during Trump’s Minneapolis-area immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs have seen intensified clashes and disruptions amid a Trump administration immigration crackdown, known as Operation Metro Surge, with federal convoys moving through the area as protesters gather and tensions spike at night. The surge, which AP described as involving more than 2,000 officers, has put city and state officials and activists in direct conflict with federal enforcement teams. In one recent case tied to the crackdown, a mother of three, Renee Good, was killed in a Jan. 7 confrontation, according to federal officials and city and state officials.

ICE enforcement empties Minneapolis Somali businesses as fear spreads

2026-01-18

Three weeks after the Trump administration launched "Operation Metro Surge," vendors at Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis sat alone in empty storefronts on a recent afternoon, waiting for customers who were not coming. Businesses at the sprawling complex of more than 100 shops — a commercial and community anchor for the city's Somali community — have lost foot traffic sharply since federal immigration enforcement intensified across the region, owners and workers said.

Pentagon puts 1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

2026-01-18

The Pentagon has ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be ready for possible deployment to Minnesota, where federal authorities have been conducting a large-scale immigration enforcement operation, two defense officials said Sunday. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans. They said the Army's 11th Airborne Division — an Alaska-based unit that specializes in arctic conditions — has received prepare-to-deploy orders for two infantry battalions.

New Hampshire Episcopal bishop warns clergy to prepare for 'new era of martyrdom'

2026-01-18

A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop drew national attention this month after warning his clergy to finalize their wills and prepare for a "new era of martyrdom," following the fatal shooting of a Minnesota woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Church of New Hampshire delivered the remarks at a vigil honoring Renee Good, who was shot and killed Jan. 7 behind the wheel of her vehicle by an ICE officer. The Trump administration has defended the officer's actions, saying he fired in self-defense while standing in front of Good's vehicle as it began to move forward; Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz have disputed that account based on videos of the confrontation.

'60 Minutes' airs CECOT deportation story that CBS editor had pulled in December

2026-01-18

CBS News' "60 Minutes" on Sunday aired correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi's report on U.S. deportees held in El Salvador's CECOT prison — a story that CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss had pulled from the Dec. 21 episode, setting off an internal dispute that Alfonsi described to colleagues as "not an editorial decision" but "a political one." Weiss, who founded the Free Press website and had no previous television news experience before her appointment to the top CBS News editorial role, had argued the story did not sufficiently reflect the administration's viewpoint and did not advance reporting that other news organizations had already published, according to the Associated Press.

Army orders 1,500 soldiers on standby for possible Minnesota deployment

2026-01-18

The Pentagon ordered about 1,500 active-duty soldiers to be ready in case the U.S. sends them to Minnesota amid a federal immigration enforcement operation, two defense officials said Sunday. The soldiers would be deployed if President Donald Trump invokes the Insurrection Act, a rarely used 19th-century law that can authorize active-duty troops for law enforcement, the officials said. In an emailed statement, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said the military is prepared to carry out orders from the commander in chief if called upon.

DOJ vows to press charges after activists disrupt St. Paul church

2026-01-18

The U.S. Department of Justice said it is investigating protesters in Minnesota who disrupted services at a church in St. Paul where a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official reportedly serves as a pastor. DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said the conduct interfered with worship and could violate federal criminal and civil laws.

ICE crackdown puts Somali businesses in Minneapolis on edge, owners say

2026-01-18

The ICE crackdown in Minneapolis has left Somali business owners and some of their customers afraid to enter shops or travel, according to interviews included in an Associated Press report published Jan. 18, 2026. Owners at Karmel Mall in south Minneapolis described shuttered storefronts, fewer customers, and mounting financial pressure as enforcement activity in the city expanded.

Minneapolis family says tear gas flooded SUV during immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

A Minneapolis couple says an immigration officer rolled a tear gas canister under their SUV, flooding the vehicle with toxic fumes after the family became caught between protesters and federal officers during an immigration operation this week. The Jackson family said the incident left both parents and several of their six children, including an infant, needing hospital treatment. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said officers were responding to crowds of “rioters and agitators” and did not target the family or “their innocent children.”

New Hampshire bishop warns clergy to prepare for “new era of martyrdom”

2026-01-18

A New Hampshire Episcopal bishop said clergy should get their “affairs in order” in a warning that Christians may be entering a “new era of martyrdom.” Bishop Rob Hirschfeld made the comments at a vigil for Renee Good, who was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.

Protesters for and against Minneapolis immigration crackdown face off

2026-01-18

Hundreds of counterprotesters confronted a small rally in support of the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown in Minneapolis on Saturday, as Minnesota’s governor’s office announced the National Guard was mobilized and ready to assist. The confrontation followed days of protests in the Twin Cities over a Department of Homeland Security operation that brought more than 2,000 federal officers to Minneapolis and St. Paul.

White House social posts scrutinized amid Minneapolis immigration crackdown

2026-01-18

The Trump administration’s posts tied to its immigration crackdown in Minneapolis have drawn criticism, with critics saying some of the messaging borrows imagery and phrases popular with far-right and white supremacist groups. An Associated Press review of posts from the Department of Homeland Security and other administration entities found references that users on social media compared to Nazi slogans and far-right memes.

'60 Minutes' airs report on Trump deportations pulled in December

2026-01-18

“60 Minutes” aired a report Sunday about Trump administration deportations that the show had abruptly pulled from its lineup a month earlier, CBS News said. The segment focused on migrants sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, with correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi reporting that attempts to secure on-camera interviews with Trump administration officials were rebuffed. The dispute over the story’s handling had become public after an earlier version of the segment appeared online.

Federal judge bars agents from detaining, tear-gassing peaceful protesters in Minneapolis

2026-01-17

A federal judge in Minnesota ruled Friday that immigration officers conducting enforcement operations in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area may not detain or use tear gas against peaceful observers who are not obstructing their activities. U.S. District Judge Kate Menendez issued the ruling in a case filed in December on behalf of six Minnesota activists represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. The ruling came as federal agents and demonstrators have repeatedly clashed since the Trump administration launched what officials have described as its largest recent immigration enforcement operation in the area.

Federal immigration surge brings daily clashes, community disruption to Twin Cities

2026-01-17

MINNEAPOLIS — More than 2,000 federal officers are carrying out Operation Metro Surge, the Trump administration's largest immigration enforcement action yet, in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, producing daily confrontations between agents and protesters that have become routine since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen and mother of three, on Jan. 7. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, a Democrat, said his city — with roughly 600 police officers — has been overwhelmed by the federal deployment. "We don't use the word 'invasion' lightly," Frey told reporters. "What we are seeing is thousands — plural, thousands — of federal agents coming into our city." The surge has shuttered businesses in immigrant neighborhoods, kept children home from school, and produced nightly scenes of tear gas and flash grenades as federal officers disperse crowds gathered outside a compound near Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport that houses an immigration court and government offices.

Counterprotesters rout pro-ICE rally in Minneapolis; National Guard stages nearby

2026-01-17

Hundreds of counterprotesters in Minneapolis drove off a small pro-ICE rally on Saturday organized by conservative influencer Jake Lang, who had announced on social media plans to burn a Quran on City Hall steps, according to the Associated Press. Lang appeared to have sustained bruises and scrapes to his head as he left the scene; it was not clear whether he carried out his stated plan.

Tear gas floods Minneapolis family's SUV; infant and two children hospitalized

2026-01-17

A Minneapolis couple says a federal officer rolled a tear gas canister under their family's SUV on Wednesday as they tried to leave a confrontation between protesters and immigration enforcement officers in north Minneapolis, flooding the vehicle with fumes that sent a 6-month-old infant and two other children to the hospital. The family said they were not demonstrating against the federal operation — they had been driving home from a basketball game when they were caught between the two sides.

Trump administration posts draw scrutiny for far-right imagery amid immigration sweep

2026-01-17

The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Labor, and the White House posted social media content in January that drew criticism for borrowing phrases, images, and music tied to far-right and white nationalist movements, as the Trump administration intensified its immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The administration said the posts were misread; critics and researchers said the references were deliberate.

California protester says he was blinded in one eye and life is changed

2026-01-17

A California protester says he was blinded in one eye by a projectile fired by a federal officer during a Jan. 9 demonstration outside a federal immigration building in Santa Ana. Kaden Rummler, 21, said he underwent six hours of surgery after the injury, which also left metal and a nickel-sized piece of plastic lodged in his skull.

DOJ investigates whether Walz and Frey impeded immigration enforcement

2026-01-17

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Jan. 16. The investigation is focused on potential violations of a conspiracy statute, the people said.

Ohio grand jury indicts vascular surgeon in Columbus couple's slaying

2026-01-16

A Franklin County, Ohio, grand jury on Jan. 16 indicted Michael David McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon who had been living in Chicago, on charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary in the shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, dentist Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, according to court records. The couple was killed in their Columbus home on Dec. 30. McKee, who was apprehended in Rockford, Illinois, the weekend of Jan. 10–11, waived his right to an extradition hearing before the indictment was handed down.

Court reverses decision that freed pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

2026-01-16

A federal appeals panel reversed a lower-court decision that had released former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil from an immigration jail, putting the Trump administration one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting him. The three-judge panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that a New Jersey federal judge lacked jurisdiction to decide Khalil’s challenge at this time.

Immigration agents policing protests in Minneapolis spark safety and training concerns

2026-01-16

Federal immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis during recent protests have used what experts described as aggressive crowd-control tactics, raising concerns about officer training and public safety after the deadly Jan. 15 shooting of a woman in her car. Protesters and civil liberties advocates have sought court intervention to restrict how federal agents operate during demonstrations, including limiting chemical agents, pointing firearms at non-threatening people and interfering with lawful video recording.

Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act over Minneapolis immigration protests

2026-01-16

President Donald Trump threatened Thursday to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to quell protests in Minneapolis tied to federal immigration enforcement. The threat came a day after a man was shot and wounded by an immigration officer following an attack with a shovel and a broom handle, officials said.

Judge orders release of Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid

2026-01-16

A federal judge in Minnesota ordered the release of a Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis by heavily armed immigration agents who entered his home with a battering ram. The judge said the agents violated the man’s Fourth Amendment rights against unlawful search and seizure.

New York guard pleads to reduced charge in Robert Brooks prison death

2026-01-16

A former New York prison guard pleaded guilty Friday to a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment after jurors said they were deadlocked on the more serious manslaughter count against him in the beating death of Robert Brooks at Marcy Correctional Facility. Michael Fisher, one of 10 correctional officers charged in connection with Brooks' death, accepted the plea midway through what had been a weeklong trial on second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Cuban immigrant dies in Texas ICE detention; medical examiner rules homicide

2026-01-16

Geraldo Lunas Campos, a 55-year-old Cuban immigrant held at a federal immigration detention facility near El Paso, Texas, died January 3 following a confrontation with guards, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner's office told his family that a preliminary autopsy report classified his death as homicide by compression asphyxia of the chest and neck, according to a recording of the call reviewed by the Associated Press. The Department of Homeland Security offered a conflicting account, saying Thursday that Campos had violently resisted staff while simultaneously attempting to take his own life — an account the agency updated only after the AP sought comment.

Babson College freshman awaits return after mistaken ICE deportation to Honduras

2026-01-16

Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman, was detained by federal immigration agents at Boston's Logan Airport on November 20 and deported to Honduras two days later, despite a Massachusetts court order that she must not leave the United States, she told the Associated Press on Friday. The U.S. government has apologized in court, acknowledging that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer mistakenly kept her name on a deportation flight list. Her attorney filed a motion Friday asking a federal judge to set a two-week deadline for the Trump administration to arrange her return.

Trump's threatened Insurrection Act use in Minneapolis would be unprecedented, experts say

2026-01-16

President Donald Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy federal military forces to Minnesota, seeking to suppress protests in Minneapolis that arose after federal immigration agents shot and killed a U.S. citizen, Renee Good. Constitutional and military law experts said the move would be an abuse of the 19th-century statute unlike any in American history.

DOJ investigates Walz and Frey over statements on Minnesota immigration enforcement

2026-01-16

The Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey impeded federal immigration enforcement through public statements they made, two people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the pending probe. The investigation focuses on a potential violation of a federal conspiracy statute, the people said. Neither official's office said it had received formal notice of the probe.

Maryland judge allows Zizians defendants to collaborate on defense ahead of trial

2026-01-16

A Maryland judge on Friday allowed three members of the Zizians, a cultlike group that authorities have linked to six deaths across the United States, to work together preparing their defense ahead of a Feb. 9 trial on trespassing, weapons, and drug charges. Allegany County Circuit Court Judge Michael Twigg granted the request from Jack LaSota, Michelle Zajko, and Daniel Blank at a hearing in Cumberland, overruling a prosecutor's concern that the three had already been communicating among themselves.

Delaware trooper killed at DMV by man who believed police were stalking him, investigators say

2026-01-16

Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew "Ty" Snook was shot and killed Dec. 23 at a New Castle Department of Motor Vehicles office by a man who believed law enforcement was monitoring and harassing him, according to a final investigative report state police released Friday. Rahman Rose, 44, of Wilmington, had told others he was the victim of "gang stalking" — a belief that government entities are surveilling and targeting an individual — and had posted about it on social media, investigators said. Rose had no prior interaction with Snook before the attack.

Medical examiner finds Texas ICE detainee's death a homicide; witness describes chokehold

2026-01-16

A Cuban immigrant died Jan. 3 at a Texas immigration detention facility on a U.S. Army base, and the El Paso County Medical Examiner's Office has told his family that a preliminary autopsy classified his death as a homicide resulting from asphyxia from chest and neck compression, according to a recording of that call reviewed by the Associated Press. The federal government provided a differing account, saying Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, had been attempting suicide and that staff tried to save him. A fellow detainee who said he witnessed the incident through his cell window told the AP that Lunas Campos was already handcuffed when at least five guards pinned him to the floor and at least one placed an arm around his neck. "The last thing he said was that he couldn't breathe," said Santos Jesús Flores, 47, of El Salvador, speaking in Spanish by telephone from the facility.

Disabled U.S. citizen dragged from car by ICE agents in Minneapolis, hospitalized

2026-01-16

A U.S. citizen said she was dragged from her car by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis on Thursday while traveling to a medical appointment, then detained at a facility where she was denied medical care before losing consciousness in her cell. Aliya Rahman, who said she is disabled, released a statement after video of her removal — which appears to show agents smashing her passenger window, cutting her seatbelt, and carrying her to an ICE vehicle — drew millions of views on social media. The Department of Homeland Security disputed her account, calling her an agitator who had ignored commands to move her vehicle away from the scene.

Two Orange County protesters blinded at immigration rally, federal force disputed

2026-01-16

Two men say federal agents blinded them in one eye with crowd-control projectiles during a Jan. 9 demonstration outside a federal immigration building in Orange County, California. The Department of Homeland Security has not answered questions about what type of weapon was used, while a DHS spokesperson called one of the men's injury claims "absurd."

231 Venezuelan migrants arrive in Caracas on first US deportation flight since December

2026-01-16

CARACAS, Venezuela — An Eastern Airlines charter carrying 231 Venezuelan migrants deported from the U.S. city of Phoenix landed at an airport outside the capital on Friday, resuming direct deportation flights after a roughly five-week suspension, Venezuelan officials said. The arrival marked the first direct U.S.-to-Venezuela deportation transfer since Dec. 10, according to Venezuelan officials, who said Washington unilaterally halted the flights in mid-December.

Social media falsely identifies pardoned Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio as ICE officer

2026-01-16

Social media posts have falsely identified Enrique Tarrio, the pardoned former leader of the Proud Boys, as a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer — a claim denied by both the agency and Tarrio himself, according to the Associated Press. The false claim circulated widely on multiple platforms this week as protests continued in Minneapolis over the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a federal immigration officer.

AP-NORC poll finds most Republicans back Trump on immigration, but doubt costs

2026-01-16

Nearly a year into President Donald Trump’s second term, an AP-NORC survey finds most Republicans approve of his job performance overall, with large support for his approach to immigration and border security. But the poll finds a significant gap between Republicans’ expectations for economic improvements and their assessment of what has happened so far, especially on costs of living and job creation.

Fact check: Former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio is not an ICE officer

2026-01-16

Claims spreading online amid protests in Minneapolis after Renee Good was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer have falsely said Enrique Tarrio is now an ICE officer. An ICE and Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Tarrio is not employed by ICE, and Tarrio also denied the claim in posts on X.

Forense dice que inmigrante cubano murió por asfixia en custodia en Texas

2026-01-16

Un inmigrante cubano murió este mes en un centro de detención de migrantes en Texas durante un altercado con guardias, y el médico forense local indicó que su fallecimiento probablemente se clasificará como homicidio, según una grabación revisada por The Associated Press. El gobierno de Estados Unidos dio una versión diferente inicialmente, al decir que el detenido intentó suicidarse, y luego ajustó su explicación después de preguntas de la AP.

Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid regularly checked in, lawyer says

2026-01-16

A Liberian man arrested after heavily armed immigration agents used a battering ram to break into his Minneapolis home had been checking in regularly with federal immigration authorities for years, his lawyer said Tuesday. Marc Prokosch, an attorney for Garrison Gibson, said Gibson’s arrest over the weekend violated the U.S. Constitution because the agents had only an administrative warrant.

Renee Good shooting sparks Democrats to seek limits and accountability for ICE

2026-01-16

Democrats across the United States have introduced or planned state proposals aimed at limiting federal immigration enforcement after the shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, according to Associated Press reporting. Tennessee Republicans, meanwhile, introduced a package of bills backed by the White House that would enlist state agencies in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

San Jose bans ICE from using city properties for immigration enforcement

2026-01-16

San Jose’s City Council voted unanimously to bar U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, from using dozens of city properties for immigration-related operations. The measure, approved Tuesday, covers 11 city garages and parking lots and the parking areas of 75 community centers and libraries. It comes amid similar local actions in Santa Clara County and after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order Oct. 6 laying out comparable rules.

Senate passes three spending bills as Homeland Security funding dispute looms

2026-01-16

Congress has cleared three annual spending bills after the Senate passed a three-bill package overwhelmingly, but lawmakers still face a dispute over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to an Associated Press report. The Senate vote on Thursday sent the package to President Donald Trump to be signed into law, while attention turns to the next remaining bills with a deadline of Jan. 30. The debate over Homeland Security funding has intensified after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a Minnesota woman, Renee Good.

Witness describes chokehold as Texas ICE detainee death labeled homicide

2026-01-16

A Cuban immigrant died in an immigration detention facility in Texas during an altercation with guards earlier this month, and the local medical examiner has indicated the death will likely be classified as a homicide, the Associated Press reported. The death of Geraldo Lunas Campos, who was 55, became the subject of conflicting accounts from U.S. agencies and detainees. The federal government said he was attempting suicide, while a witness described him being pinned and choked after he was handcuffed.

Video shows immigration agents dragging Minneapolis woman out of her car

2026-01-16

Federal immigration officers in Minneapolis dragged Aliya Rahman out of her car and detained her, a statement released by Rahman said Thursday, after a video of the arrest drew millions of views online. Rahman, a U.S. citizen on her way to a medical appointment, said she was brought to a detention center where she was denied medical care and later lost consciousness. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security disputed her account and said she ignored commands to move her vehicle away.

Trump threatens Insurrection Act as Minneapolis immigration protests continue

2026-01-15

President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to invoke an 1807 federal law and deploy troops to Minneapolis, where federal immigration enforcement operations have triggered protests, a second officer-involved shooting, and school closures since an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good on Jan. 7. The threat came one day after an immigration officer shot and wounded a Venezuelan man following a confrontation in which three people attacked the officer with a shovel and broom handle, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Appeals court reverses ruling that freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil

2026-01-15

A federal appeals panel on Thursday reversed the lower court decision that had freed Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil from immigration detention, moving the Trump administration one step closer to detaining and potentially deporting the former Columbia University graduate student. The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that a federal judge in New Jersey lacked jurisdiction to hear Khalil's constitutional challenge before his case had fully moved through the immigration court system. The panel left unresolved the central legal question of whether the administration's use of immigration law to remove Khalil over his campus activism is itself unconstitutional.

ICE agents' crowd-control tactics in Minneapolis raise training, safety concerns

2026-01-15

Federal immigration agents deployed to the Twin Cities have pointed rifles at demonstrators, deployed chemical irritants at the outset of confrontations, broken vehicle windows and pulled occupants from cars during ongoing protests, the Associated Press reported Thursday. Criminologists and former law enforcement officials said the tactics deviate from accepted crowd-management standards and risk turning volatile demonstrations into deadly encounters. The Department of Homeland Security defended the conduct as necessary to protect officers from violent attacks. Experts said agents who normally conduct arrests, deportations and criminal investigations lack the specialized training that local police departments develop for managing large public demonstrations.

Liberian man arrested in Minneapolis raid had been checking in regularly with authorities

2026-01-15

The attorney for a Liberian man arrested Sunday in a Minneapolis immigration raid said Tuesday his client had been meeting regularly with federal immigration authorities for years and had checked in with agents only days before they used a battering ram to break down his front door. Attorney Marc Prokosch called the arrest of Garrison Gibson, 37, a "blatant constitutional violation," saying agents carried only an administrative warrant — which authorizes an arrest but does not permit forced entry into a private home. Forced entry requires a criminal warrant signed by a judge.

Washington moves to restrict license-plate camera data access amid stalking fears

2026-01-15

Washington state lawmakers have introduced legislation to sharply limit public access to automatic license-plate reader data after a November court ruling found that nearly all images captured by the cameras in the state qualify as public records available to anyone who requests them — a decision that law enforcement officials say could allow stalkers and abusers to track victims through government databases. The bill, filed as the 2026 legislative session opened in Olympia, is co-sponsored by Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, D-Tacoma, and Sen. Jeff Holy, R-Cheney, a former Spokane Police Department detective. It would restrict Flock Safety cameras to sites near hospitals, schools, food banks and churches; prohibit their use for immigration enforcement or protest monitoring; cut the default image-retention period from 30 days to three; and limit public records requests for camera data to academic researchers only.

Oglala Sioux president walks back ICE arrest claims; DHS denies any encounter

2026-01-15

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe issued a revised memo Thursday walking back his earlier public claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested four tribal members in Minneapolis and that federal officials had demanded an immigration agreement from the tribe in exchange for information. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said it could not verify that any of its officers had arrested or even encountered members of the tribe.

New Hampshire country club shooter indicted on first-degree murder charge

2026-01-15

A New Hampshire man accused of opening fire at a country club during a September wedding reception has been indicted on first-degree murder and related charges, prosecutors announced Thursday. Hunter Nadeau, 24, of Nashua, faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree murder, attempted murder, and assault in connection with a Sept. 20 shooting at Sky Meadow Country Club that killed one person and wounded two others.

Renee Good's death triggers state legislative battle over ICE enforcement

2026-01-15

State legislatures across the country advanced competing proposals on immigration enforcement Thursday following the shooting death of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, with Democratic-led states moving to restrict ICE operations and Republicans in Tennessee introducing White House-backed bills to expand enforcement cooperation. New Jersey's Democrat-led Legislature passed three bills Monday that immigrant rights groups have sought for years, including a measure prohibiting state law enforcement officers from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy had until Tuesday, his last day in office, to sign or veto them.

Last guard faces jury in Robert Brooks prison death as prosecutor urges manslaughter verdict

2026-01-15

UTICA, N.Y. — A New York prison guard who watched without intervening as fellow officers beat an inmate to death should be convicted of manslaughter, a prosecutor told a jury Thursday in the final criminal trial stemming from the death of Robert Brooks. Special prosecutor William Fitzpatrick delivered closing arguments in the second-degree manslaughter trial of former corrections officer Michael Fisher, 55, in state court in Utica. The jury began deliberating Thursday afternoon.

San Jose bans ICE from city properties in unanimous council vote

2026-01-15

The San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to prohibit U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from using 11 city-owned parking garages and lots and the parking areas of 75 community centers and libraries as staging areas or operational bases for immigration enforcement. The vote makes San Jose the latest city to restrict where federal immigration agents may operate on public property, following similar actions in Santa Clara County and Chicago, where Mayor Brandon Johnson signed an executive order in October laying out comparable rules.

Senate passes three-bill spending package as Homeland Security dispute looms

2026-01-15

The Senate passed a three-bill government spending package 82-15 on Thursday, completing action on six of 12 annual appropriations bills as Congress works toward a Jan. 30 deadline. The package advances full-year funding for agencies including the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Energy, Interior and Justice, and now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.

Experts call Trump's Insurrection Act threat in Minneapolis 'flagrant abuse'

2026-01-15

President Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act to deploy U.S. military forces to Minneapolis, where protests have grown since a federal officer shot and killed Renee Good. Constitutional law experts said the threatened move would be without historical precedent because the federal agents Trump himself sent to the city initiated the violence he now seeks to suppress.

Minneapolis sees second federal shooting as courts, governor push back on immigration sweep

2026-01-14

A federal immigration officer shot a man in the leg in Minneapolis on Wednesday after being attacked with a shovel and broom handle during an arrest attempt, the Department of Homeland Security said — the second shooting involving federal agents in the city since an ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good seven days earlier. Smoke filled the street near the scene as officers in gas masks fired tear gas and grenades at onlookers, who threw snowballs and chanted, "Our streets."

State Dept. suspends immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries

2026-01-14

The State Department announced Wednesday it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries — including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia — effective January 21, citing concerns that applicants are likely to require U.S. public assistance. The move is grounded in a November order that tightened standards for immigrants deemed potential "public charges," and is part of a continuing effort by the Trump administration to restrict legal pathways into the country. The department said the suspension will remain in place while it reevaluates immigration processing procedures to prevent the entry of foreign nationals expected to rely on public benefits.

Oregon immigration-stop shooting suspect pleads not guilty to assault on agent

2026-01-14

Luis David Nino-Moncada, the man shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, Oregon, last week, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to aggravated assault on a federal employee and damaging federal property. His public defender entered the plea on his behalf during a hearing in U.S. District Court. He was indicted on the charges Tuesday and remains in custody, with a release hearing scheduled for next week.

Oglala Sioux Tribe demands release of three members held in ICE detention

2026-01-14

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe called Tuesday for the immediate release of three tribal citizens held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota, arguing that enrolled tribal members are U.S. citizens who fall categorically outside federal immigration jurisdiction. Frank Star Comes Out issued the demand after ICE agents arrested four tribe members at a Minneapolis homeless encampment last Friday. One of the four has since been released.

State Dept. suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public charge concerns

2026-01-14

The State Department said Wednesday it will suspend immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries beginning Jan. 21, citing concerns that applicants from those nations are likely to require public assistance after entering the United States. The list includes Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, along with dozens of other countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe.

Florida deputy wrangles runaway emu with makeshift lasso near St. Augustine

2026-01-14

A St. Johns County sheriff's deputy captured a runaway emu west of St. Augustine last Friday after the large flightless bird kicked at the officer with its talons and fled before being cornered, secured with a makeshift lasso, and returned to its owners unharmed, the sheriff's office said.

Thieves burglarize Greg Biffle's North Carolina home weeks after fatal plane crash

2026-01-14

Iredell County sheriff's deputies are investigating an alleged break-in and theft at the North Carolina home of retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, who died along with six others in a plane crash last month. The alleged burglary at Biffle's Mooresville home was reported Jan. 8, according to an incident report from the Iredell County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Darren Campbell said Wednesday that investigators believe someone entered a safe in the home.

Trump administration threatens billions in federal aid to Minnesota

2026-01-14

The Trump administration has moved to freeze or withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding to Minnesota, targeting programs that provide food assistance, health care, and child care to low-income families, while filing a civil lawsuit against the state over its government hiring practices, according to the Associated Press.

US apologizes for deporting Babson freshman despite court order but opposes her return

2026-01-14

The Trump administration apologized in federal court Tuesday for a 'mistake' in the deportation of Any Lucia Lopez Belloza, a 19-year-old Babson College freshman who was removed to Honduras in November despite an emergency court order directing her to remain in the United States — but still argued the error should not affect her case or result in her return. Lopez Belloza had been detained at Boston's Logan Airport on Nov. 20 while trying to board a flight home to surprise her family for Thanksgiving.

Good family hires George Floyd law firm to investigate Minneapolis ICE killing

2026-01-14

Renee Good's family has hired the Chicago-based law firm Romanucci & Blandin — which represented George Floyd's family and helped secure a $27 million settlement — to investigate Good's death during a Minneapolis immigration enforcement operation, the firm announced Wednesday. Good, 37, a mother of three, was shot and killed by a federal deportation officer on Jan. 7. The firm said it intends to share findings "on a rolling basis" because it believes the community is not receiving adequate information elsewhere.

Columbus police link vascular surgeon to double homicide of ex-wife and husband

2026-01-14

Columbus police said Wednesday they have gathered enough evidence to link Michael David McKee, a 39-year-old vascular surgeon who had been living in Chicago, to the shooting deaths of his ex-wife Monique Tepe and her husband Spencer Tepe at their Columbus, Ohio, home last month. Police Chief Elaine Bryant said authorities believe McKee was captured on video near the scene, his vehicle was tracked near the couple's home the night of the killings, and a firearm recovered from his Illinois residence produced a preliminary ballistic match to evidence from the crime scene.

DOJ says no basis for criminal civil rights probe in Renee Good killing

2026-01-14

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department said Tuesday it does not believe there is currently a basis to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis. In a statement, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said “there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation,” while an FBI probe remains underway.

Trump says he will halt federal payments to sanctuary cities starting Feb. 1

2026-01-14

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that starting Feb. 1 his administration will deny federal funding to any states that have local governments sheltering people from deportation under his immigration policies. He said the move would expand on previous threats to cut off resources to “sanctuary cities” themselves. Courts have blocked similar efforts in Trump’s first term and last year.

Protester blinded in one eye after federal agent fired projectile in Santa Ana

2026-01-14

A demonstrator was hit in the face by a projectile fired by a federal officer at close range during a protest outside a federal immigration building in Santa Ana, California, leaving him bloodied and seriously injured, according to video and accounts from fellow protesters and family. The protest was held in response to the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis by a federal agent, which has spurred protests nationwide.

Minneapolis U.S. citizens describe ICE detention, pressure to inform on protest organizers

2026-01-13

Two Minneapolis U.S. citizens who were monitoring Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities said they were detained without charge Sunday, held for several hours at a federal facility on the edge of the city, and pressed by a Department of Homeland Security investigator to identify protest organizers and neighbors living in the country without legal status, the Associated Press reported. Brandon Sigüenza and Patty O'Keefe said agents pepper-sprayed their car and smashed its windows before transporting them separately to the facility; both were released without charges that evening, then subjected to chemical agents again as they exited.

Wisconsin Gov. Evers questions lieutenant governor's ICE enforcement proposal

2026-01-13

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Monday questioned whether his lieutenant governor's proposal to ban federal immigration enforcement near schools, hospitals and other sensitive locations was legally achievable — or politically wise. Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, a Democrat running in the state's open gubernatorial race, proposed barring civil Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions around courthouses, health clinics, daycares, schools, domestic violence shelters and houses of worship, with exceptions for judicial warrants or immediate public safety threats. Evers, who is not seeking a third term, said he was uncertain the state had the authority to act and warned that a hard prohibition could provoke a stronger federal response.

NYC Council employee arrested at asylum check-in, sparking protests and legal fight

2026-01-13

A New York City Council data analyst from Venezuela was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Monday at a scheduled asylum check-in on Long Island, triggering protests at the Manhattan federal building where he is being held and a sharply contested dispute over whether the detention was lawful. Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez was taken into custody at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services asylum office in Bethpage while appearing for what Council Speaker Julie Menin described as a routine appointment that "quickly went awry." ICE confirmed the arrest and identified him by name; Menin had declined to name him publicly.

Detainee drops Alligator Alcatraz lawsuit, agrees to deportation to Chile

2026-01-13

A man held at the Florida Everglades immigration detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" agreed to be deported to Chile and filed a motion Monday to dismiss his federal lawsuit challenging the facility, his attorneys said Tuesday. The detainee, identified in court documents only as M.A., was one of three people with active federal suits against the facility built last year at a remote Everglades airstrip by the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Trump threatens to halt federal payments to sanctuary cities and their states

2026-01-13

President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that his administration will halt federal payments to sanctuary cities and all states that contain them beginning Feb. 1, expanding a campaign to use financial pressure against jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Speaking at the Detroit Economic Club in Michigan, Trump said he would cut off money to any state home to a local government that resists his administration's immigration policies. He did not specify which funding streams would be affected.

ICE's administrative warrants don't authorize forced home entry, legal experts say

2026-01-13

Federal immigration agents conducting arrests under the Trump administration's intensified enforcement campaign are relying primarily on administrative warrants that do not legally authorize them to force entry into private homes or businesses, legal experts said. Only criminal warrants signed by judges carry that authority — a distinction that came into sharp focus in Minneapolis, where documents reviewed by the Associated Press showed agents entered a private home with only an administrative warrant. DHS did not provide a legal justification for the entry when asked.

Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants

2026-01-13

The Trump administration announced Tuesday it will end Temporary Protected Status for Somali immigrants, directing approximately 705 affected individuals to leave the United States by March 17, when existing protections expire. The Department of Homeland Security said the move follows its determination that conditions in Somalia have sufficiently improved to no longer meet the legal threshold for the designation. The announcement adds to a pattern of TPS terminations the administration has pursued across multiple nationalities since President Donald Trump took office.

Ex-Navy SEAL convicted in plot to fire explosives at police during San Diego rally

2026-01-13

A federal jury in Albuquerque, New Mexico, convicted former Navy SEAL Gregory Vandenberg, 49, on Monday of transporting fireworks across state lines with plans to shoot explosives at police officers during last summer's "No Kings" demonstration in San Diego, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Vandenberg was ordered held in custody pending sentencing and faces up to 10 years in prison on two federal counts.

Hawai'i clears 1,321 arrest records automatically in pilot; 432,000 still eligible

2026-01-13

Hawai'i's attorney general office completed the first year of a pilot program that automatically cleared 1,321 marijuana and low-level drug arrest records on the Big Island without requiring residents to file applications, according to a report submitted to the state Legislature in December. The records belonged to Hawai'i County residents who were charged with possessing less than one ounce of marijuana or a similarly classified drug but were never convicted. About 432,000 people statewide — roughly one-third of Hawai'i's population — have at least one arrest record eligible for expungement, state data show, yet fewer than 1,500 apply through the existing petition process each year, the attorney general's office reported.

DOJ declines civil rights probe into Minneapolis ICE shooting as prosecutors resign

2026-01-13

The Justice Department declined Tuesday to open a criminal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, as roughly a half-dozen federal prosecutors in Minnesota announced their resignations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement that "there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation." An FBI investigation into the killing remains ongoing.

Federal agents deploy tear gas in Minneapolis as five prosecutors resign over Renee Good case

2026-01-13

Federal officers deployed tear gas and sprayed an orange eye irritant at activists in Minneapolis on Tuesday, the sixth day of confrontations following the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration agent. Students in suburban Brooklyn Park walked out of school to protest the Trump administration's immigration enforcement campaign. At least five prosecutors have resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office, including First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who had been leading the state's prosecution of public fraud schemes, amid controversy over how the Justice Department is handling the investigation into Good's death, according to people familiar with the matter. A Justice Department official said Wednesday there is no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation; an FBI probe remains ongoing.

EEUU suspende procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países

2026-01-13

El Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos anunció que suspenderá el procesamiento de visas de inmigrante para ciudadanos de 75 países a partir del 21 de enero, medida que el gobierno del presidente Donald Trump vincula con evitar entradas de personas que podrían necesitar asistencia pública en el país. La suspensión no aplica a visas de no inmigrante, incluidas las de turista o negocios. La decisión llega tras una orden más amplia emitida en noviembre que endureció las reglas para posibles “cargas públicas”.

FBI says no video found of Border Patrol shooting in Portland, Oregon

2026-01-13

PORTLAND, Ore. — The FBI said it has found no surveillance or other video of a Border Patrol agent shooting and wounding two people in a pickup truck during an immigration enforcement operation in Portland last week. In a court document made public Monday, the FBI said agents reported that one of their colleagues fired after the driver repeatedly rammed a rental car and put the truck in reverse.

Federal immigration agents face backlash over private property raids

2026-01-13

Federal immigration agents are facing renewed backlash as high-profile arrests, including in Minneapolis, have raised questions about when officers can enter private property to make an arrest. At the center of the debate is a distinction between administrative warrants issued by immigration authorities and judicial warrants signed by judges. When agents have only an administrative warrant, legal experts say federal officers generally cannot forcibly enter homes or other nonpublic spaces without consent.

Federal officer shoots man in leg after Minneapolis arrest attack

2026-01-13

Federal officers in Minneapolis said a federal officer shot a man in the leg after being attacked with a shovel and a broom handle while trying to make an arrest. The incident happened Wednesday, after months of clashes tied to an immigration crackdown in Minnesota, where officials say protests and confrontations with federal agents have become more frequent.

Man shot during Portland, Oregon, immigration stop pleads not guilty

2026-01-13

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 14, 2026 — Luis David Nino-Moncada, who was shot and wounded by a Border Patrol agent during an immigration stop in Portland, pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges of assault on a federal employee and damaging federal property. His public defender entered the plea on Wednesday in U.S. District Court.

Oglala Sioux Tribe president urges release of Minneapolis ICE detainees

2026-01-13

The president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe called Tuesday for the immediate release of three Oglala Sioux tribal citizens detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis, after the tribe said they were transferred to an ICE facility at Fort Snelling. Frank Star Comes Out said in a statement that only one of the four tribal members arrested last week at a homeless encampment has been released.

Renee Good’s family hires George Floyd law firm to seek ICE shooting answers

2026-01-13

Renee Good’s family hired the Chicago law firm Romanucci & Blandin to investigate her death in Minneapolis after an encounter with federal immigration officers, according to a statement from the family released Wednesday. The family said the firm will seek information and accountability, including answers about what officers were doing on Jan. 7 and what happened during and after the shooting.

U.S. apologizes for deporting Massachusetts student despite court order

2026-01-13

The U.S. government apologized in federal court for a “mistake” in the deportation of a Massachusetts college student who was detained while trying to fly home for Thanksgiving, according to a government statement in the case. The government said the error did not have to affect the legal outcome even after acknowledging it violated a judge’s order.

US citizens arrested by ICE in Minneapolis describe detention conditions

2026-01-13

Two U.S. citizens who said they were observing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minneapolis described being detained without charges for several hours at a highly restricted federal facility and pressured to provide information about protest organizers and people they said were in the country illegally. Brandon Sigüenza and Patty O’Keefe spoke with The Associated Press about what they said happened during Sunday stops by federal agents.

US to pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries

2026-01-13

The U.S. Department of State said it will suspend immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, starting Jan. 21, as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten entry rules tied to public assistance. The suspension will cover countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia and Somalia, and State Department officials said the pause is tied to a broader order issued in November that tightened “public charge” screening.

'Dead Man's Wire' film revisits 1977 Indianapolis kidnapping ahead of premiere

2026-01-12

A film directed by Gus Van Sant depicting a 1977 Indianapolis kidnapping is set to premiere Jan. 16, drawing renewed attention to a case in which a failed real estate developer held a mortgage company executive at gunpoint for nearly 63 hours using a wire-triggered shotgun. "Dead Man's Wire," starring Bill Skarsgård and Dacre Montgomery, focuses on the three days in February 1977 when Anthony "Tony" Kiritsis kidnapped Richard Hall, president of Meridian Mortgage, and took him hostage in his west-side apartment after a loan dispute turned violent.

Five years after Floyd, Good shooting videos prove harder to interpret, experts say

2026-01-12

Video of the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 has proven inconclusive on whether Good's vehicle struck Ross before he opened fire, according to independent analyses by the Associated Press, The Washington Post, and The New York Times — and media ethics scholars say that ambiguity, combined with the spread of AI-generated fake images and a more fragmented public, has allowed sharply divergent narratives to take hold where the 2020 footage of George Floyd's death left little room for dispute. The Trump administration moved quickly after the shooting to frame it in terms favorable to the officer, while Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's characterization of Good as a domestic terrorist and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer accused the administration of lying.

Three inmates killed, 14 others injured in gang fight at Georgia state prison

2026-01-12

Fighting at a medium-security Georgia state prison left three inmates dead and 14 others injured — including a corrections officer — over the weekend, the Georgia Department of Corrections said Monday. The agency said violence erupted in an outdoor area of Washington State Prison, located about 130 miles southeast of Atlanta, and described the episode as "gang-affiliated." Guards used non-lethal weapons to subdue the fighting, and the situation was under control within about 90 minutes, the agency said.

New DHS video shows minutes before ICE officer fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis

2026-01-12

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted a 3½-minute bystander video Sunday showing what happened in the minutes before a federal immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good during an enforcement operation on a snowy Minneapolis street. The video, published on X, shows Good's red SUV partially blocking a road while she repeatedly pressed the horn, two vehicles eventually passing, and federal officers approaching her car — then going dark moments before previously released footage documents the fatal shooting.

FBI finds no video of Border Patrol shooting that wounded two in Portland, Oregon

2026-01-12

Federal investigators said Monday they found no surveillance footage or body-camera recordings of a Border Patrol agent shooting two people in a Portland, Oregon, parking lot last Thursday during an immigration enforcement operation, as prosecutors charged the driver with aggravated assault and property damage. None of the six agents present was recording body-camera footage, and the FBI has uncovered no surveillance video from the scene, according to a court affidavit filed Monday. The driver, Luis David Nino-Moncada, appeared in federal court Monday afternoon and was ordered held in detention pending a preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Driver detained after U-Haul speeds through Los Angeles march backing Iran protesters

2026-01-12

Los Angeles police detained a man Sunday after he drove a U-Haul box truck through a crowd of marchers on Veteran Avenue in the Westwood neighborhood, where demonstrators had gathered to show solidarity with protesters inside Iran, police said. One person was struck by the truck, but nobody was seriously hurt, according to a police statement. Two people were evaluated by paramedics and both declined treatment, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Congress members blocked from Minneapolis ICE facility after DHS reinstates access ban

2026-01-12

Three Democratic members of Congress were blocked from visiting an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility near Minneapolis on Saturday after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem secretly reinstated a congressional access restriction one day after an ICE officer fatally shot U.S. citizen Renee Good in the city, attorneys for the lawmakers said. U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison and Angie Craig were initially allowed to enter the ICE facility in the Minneapolis federal building before officials told them to leave roughly 10 minutes later, citing a newly imposed seven-day notice requirement for oversight visits. Attorneys for several congressional Democrats asked U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb in Washington, D.C., on Monday to hold an emergency hearing on whether the reinstated policy violates a December court order. Cobb scheduled the hearing for Wednesday.

Minnesota, Twin Cities sue Trump administration over fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-12

Minnesota, joined by Minneapolis and St. Paul, filed a lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration seeking to halt an immigration enforcement operation that has included mass arrests, repeated deployment of tear gas, and the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer five days earlier. State Attorney General Keith Ellison filed the suit against the Department of Homeland Security, alleging violations of the First Amendment and other constitutional protections. The lawsuit seeks a temporary restraining order to halt the enforcement action or limit the operation.

Arson suspect targeted Mississippi synagogue because it was Jewish, FBI says

2026-01-12

JACKSON, Miss. — A 19-year-old man appeared in federal court Monday on charges he set fire to a historic Mississippi synagogue because it was a Jewish house of worship, the FBI said, after his own father alerted authorities upon discovering burn injuries on his son's face, hands, and ankles.

Chicago doctor waives extradition in killing of ex-wife, husband in Columbus

2026-01-12

Michael David McKee, 39, a Chicago physician charged with the premeditated shooting deaths of his former wife and her husband in their Columbus, Ohio home, waived his right to an extradition hearing Monday in Winnebago County, Illinois, where he has been jailed since his arrest Saturday. McKee appeared expressionless in a yellow jumpsuit and wrist shackles before Judge Donald Shriver, who did not set a return date but scheduled a Jan. 19 hearing to confirm the status of the transfer. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office will coordinate his return to Franklin County, where the trial will take place, according to Tom Jakeway, trial court administrator for the 17th Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois.

Detainee in Florida “Alligator Alcatraz” case agrees to removal

2026-01-12

A federal detainee at a remote Florida detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” has agreed to be removed from the United States, ending one of three pending federal court challenges to the facility, attorneys said. The detainee, identified in court documents only as M.A., asked a U.S. federal court in Fort Myers to dismiss his case on Monday.

Evers questions lieutenant governor’s plan to limit ICE near schools, courts

2026-01-12

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers said he is questioning whether the state should ban federal immigration enforcement actions near courthouses, schools, child care centers and other locations, a proposal from his lieutenant governor. Sara Rodriguez, the Democratic lieutenant governor running to succeed Evers, laid out the plan Monday, with exceptions for a judicial warrant or an immediate threat to public safety.

Minneapolis church holds ‘Lament and Hope’ service after ICE shooting

2026-01-12

Minneapolis’ St. Paul’s-San Pablo Lutheran Church held a special Sunday service called “Lament and Hope” amid fears in immigrant communities after a woman was fatally shot by an immigration officer, the Associated Press reported. The church’s pastor, Rev. Hierald Osorto, led prayers and worship as immigration enforcement activity continued in the area.

NYC Council employee’s immigration arrest sparks protests and court fight

2026-01-12

A New York City Council employee was arrested Monday at a scheduled immigration check-in and held at a federal building in Manhattan, prompting protests and a court bid for his release. The employee, identified in a habeas corpus petition as Rafael Andres Rubio Bohorquez, is described by his attorneys as a Venezuelan asylum-seeker. Immigration authorities said he overstayed a tourist visa and lacked legal right to remain and work in the United States.

Tensions flare in Minnesota as federal agents and protesters square off

2026-01-12

Federal officers used tear gas and sprayed an eye irritant at activists during confrontations in Minneapolis on Tuesday, and students later walked out of a suburban school to protest the Trump administration’s immigration sweeps, according to a report by the Associated Press. The demonstrations were part of an escalating standoff that began after a Minneapolis woman, Renee Good, was shot by an immigration agent.

Trump administration ends Temporary Protected Status for Somalis

2026-01-12

The Trump administration said it will end Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from Somalia, setting a March 17 deadline for people covered by the program to leave the United States. The decision applies to “hundreds of people,” a small subset of Somali migrants living in the country with TPS protections, the Department of Homeland Security said. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the change puts “Americans first,” and that “Temporary means temporary.”

Video posted by DHS shows minutes before officer shot Renee Good

2026-01-12

A new 3 1/2-minute video posted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on X shows minutes before a federal immigration officer shot and killed Renee Good during an enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The footage, filmed by a bystander, was posted Sunday and has added context to a national debate over whether the officer acted in self-defense or recklessly.

Judge to temporarily block Trump administration end of Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-12

BOSTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts said Friday she expects to temporarily block efforts by the Trump administration to end a parole program that offers temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said at a hearing that she planned to issue a temporary restraining order but did not say when it would be issued.

Judge to temporarily block Trump administration from ending Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-11

A federal judge in Boston said Friday she expects to temporarily block the Trump administration’s effort to end Family Reunification Parole, a program that grants temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 family members of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said at a hearing she planned to issue a temporary restraining order, and questioned whether the government gave affected people written notice when it ended the program.

Minneapolis church holds 'Lament and Hope' service as ICE enforcement grips city

2026-01-11

A Minneapolis Lutheran church opened its doors Sunday for a special service called "Lament and Hope," drawing worshippers from its largely immigrant congregation days after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot a woman in the surrounding neighborhood. The Rev. Hierald Osorto, pastor of St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church, welcomed a crowd seated on wooden benches as immigration enforcement officers drove through the streets outside, detaining people while activists beat drums and blew whistles in response.

Arson suspect arrested after fire damages historic Mississippi synagogue

2026-01-11

A person was arrested on suspicion of arson Sunday after a fire heavily damaged Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi — the state's largest synagogue and the only one in Jackson — which the Ku Klux Klan bombed in 1967 for its congregation's role in the civil rights movement. The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. Saturday; no congregants or firefighters were injured, authorities said.

5 years after Floyd and Good videos, confusion over images persists

2026-01-11

In Minneapolis, video footage from two different police killings — George Floyd in 2020 and Renee Good in 2025 — continues to shape public arguments about law enforcement and immigration. Five years after the Floyd video helped spark a major protest movement, new images released in the Good case have intensified disputes over what the videos show and how they should be interpreted, according to experts interviewed by the Associated Press.

Democrats ask judge to order access to Minneapolis ICE facility

2026-01-11

Lawyers for several Democratic members of Congress asked a federal judge to hold an emergency hearing after the Trump administration blocked lawmakers from visiting an ICE facility near Minneapolis. The request follows a Minneapolis-area shooting in which an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good, a U.S. citizen, lawyers said.

Minnesota and Twin Cities sue federal government after fatal Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-11

Minnesota and its two largest cities sued the Trump administration Monday, seeking court limits on an immigration enforcement surge they say followed the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal officer. State Attorney General Keith Ellison said the enforcement action is unconstitutional and must stop, while the Department of Homeland Security said the effort is lawful and that it has a constitutional defense. The legal challenge comes as protests and tensions continued in Minneapolis days after the shooting.

Venezuelan migrants in the US celebrate Maduro’s ouster but fear deportations

2026-01-11

Venezuelan migrants in the United States voiced mixed reactions after the Trump administration ousted President Nicolás Maduro in a late-night military raid, with some expressing relief while others worried about the future for their families. Alejandra Salima, a Venezuelan advocate in the Miami area, said the removal is “a first step, but we’re nervous,” citing fears that returning could endanger her and her son.

Bessent announces Minnesota crackdown on fraud tied to overseas remittances

2026-01-11

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department is taking a closer look at financial transactions between Minnesota residents and businesses and Somalia as federal immigration enforcement ramps up in the state. He announced actions aimed at combating fraud, including investigations into businesses used to wire money abroad, during a Friday visit amid protests in Minneapolis.

Congress weighs response to ICE killing of Minnesota woman Renee Good

2026-01-10

WASHINGTON — Congressional Democrats and at least one Republican senator called Saturday for investigations and policy changes following the shooting death of Renee Good, a Minnesota woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer after she dropped off her 6-year-old child at school. Democratic leaders said the death was prompting what House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York described as "a strong and forceful and appropriate response."

Ex-husband charged with murder in shooting deaths of Ohio couple

2026-01-10

A Chicago man has been charged with the murders of his ex-wife and her husband after Columbus, Ohio, police found the couple dead in their home following a wellness check, authorities said Saturday. Michael McKee, 39, was booked over the weekend and is being held in Winnebago County, Illinois, according to the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office.

Mississippi man charged with killing 6, including child, in Clay County rampage

2026-01-10

A 24-year-old Mississippi man killed six people — including a 7-year-old girl and a church pastor — during a Friday night rampage across three locations in rural Clay County, authorities said Saturday. Daricka M. Moore was arrested at a police roadblock just before midnight after dozens of local, state and federal officers flooded the northeast Mississippi area. He was being held without bail Saturday at the Clay County jail in West Point on murder charges.

Florida schedules first 2026 execution for man convicted in 1989 salesman killing

2026-01-10

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant Friday for Ronald Palmer Heath, 64, scheduling the man's lethal injection for Feb. 10 at Florida State Prison. Heath would be the state's first execution of 2026. DeSantis, a Republican, oversaw 19 executions in 2025 — more than any Florida governor in a single year since the state reinstated the death penalty in 1976, according to court records.

Congress weighs ICE consequences after Minnesota woman’s killing

2026-01-10

Congress is debating possible consequences for Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a Minnesota woman, Renee Good, was killed in a shooting involving an ICE officer, as Democrats and some Republicans call for an assertive response to the Trump administration’s deportation operations. Lawmakers are weighing actions that range from investigating Good’s death to changing how ICE conducts raids, and some Democrats have also raised impeachment or funding restrictions for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Wisconsin teen pleads guilty in youth prison guard killing; mental illness claim

2026-01-10

A Wisconsin teen pleaded guilty to homicide in the killing of a prison guard during a fight at the state’s youth prison, court records show. Javarius Hurd, 17, entered guilty pleas to second-degree reckless homicide and battery by a prisoner, but he argues he should not be sentenced to prison because of mental illness and responsibility. A February trial will decide whether Hurd should be sent to prison or committed to a mental health institution.

Judge to temporarily block Trump plan to end Family Reunification Parole

2026-01-10

A federal judge in Massachusetts said Friday she expects to temporarily block the Trump administration’s plan to end Family Reunification Parole, a program that has provided temporary legal protections to more than 10,000 relatives of U.S. citizens and green card holders. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said she planned to issue a temporary restraining order after a hearing, but did not say when it would take effect.

Treasury Secretary Bessent announces Minnesota crackdown on fraud and remittances

2026-01-10

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent visited Minnesota on Friday and said the Treasury Department is taking a closer look at financial transactions between residents and businesses in the state and Somalia as the Trump administration increases immigration enforcement. Bessent said the department launched actions to combat fraud in Minnesota and launched investigations into four businesses people use to wire money abroad, while declining to identify them.

ICE agents shoot two outside Portland hospital; Oregon AG vows probe

2026-01-09

Federal immigration agents shot and wounded two people in a vehicle near Adventist Health hospital in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, authorities said, drawing hundreds of protesters to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building that evening and prompting Oregon's attorney general to open a formal investigation. The Department of Homeland Security said agents were conducting a "targeted vehicle stop" when the driver tried to run them over, and that an agent then fired a "defensive shot." There was no immediate independent corroboration of that account or of the agency's claims about the vehicle occupants' affiliations, the Associated Press reported. The shooting came a day after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis.

Wife of woman killed by ICE agent in Minneapolis: 'We had whistles. They had guns'

2026-01-09

The wife of Renee Good, the 37-year-old woman shot and killed by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, issued her first public statement Friday, describing the couple as having stopped to support their neighbors on the day of the shooting and memorializing Renee Good as a woman of kindness. "We had whistles. They had guns," Becca Good wrote in a statement provided to Minnesota Public Radio. It was her first public comment since her wife's death Wednesday.

NYPD fatally shoots man after barricade standoff at Brooklyn hospital

2026-01-09

New York City police fatally shot a man wielding a sharp object who had barricaded himself inside a room at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital on Thursday, trapping an elderly patient and a hospital security worker inside with him, the New York City Police Department said. The man, who had been admitted as a patient the day before, was shot after two Taser deployments and an attempt to kick the door open both failed to subdue him, according to Assistant Chief Charles Minch. The incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. on the eighth floor of the hospital, located in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood.

Minneapolis schools offer remote learning as ICE enforcement tensions rise

2026-01-09

The Minneapolis school district said Friday it will offer families the option of remote learning through Feb. 12, responding to fears among students and parents following a week of intensifying federal immigration enforcement in the city. The decision came after a federal agent fatally shot Renee Good, described by the Associated Press as a U.S. citizen and mother of three, on Wednesday, and immigration enforcement agents detained someone outside Roosevelt High School near dismissal time the same day. Minneapolis public schools, a district of nearly 30,000 students, closed Thursday and Friday.

Federal authorities bar Minnesota from ICE shooting probe, claim no state jurisdiction

2026-01-09

A day after a federal immigration officer fatally shot Renee Good, 37, in Minneapolis, federal authorities on Thursday blocked Minnesota state investigators from accessing evidence in the case and declared the state has no jurisdiction to investigate the killing. The FBI told Minnesota law enforcement officials they would not be allowed to participate in the investigation or review key evidence, according to the Associated Press. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz urged federal officials to reconsider, warning that public statements by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other federal leaders risked undermining confidence in the investigation's fairness.

New ICE officer video raises use-of-force questions in Minneapolis shooting

2026-01-09

A 47-second video recorded from the perspective of ICE officer Jonathan Ross emerged Friday, showing his approach to Renee Good's vehicle in the moments before he shot and killed her during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis — and prompting Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to call on the public to submit any recordings and evidence to investigators. The footage showed Ross holding both a firearm and a cellphone simultaneously as he circled Good's SUV, a detail that policing experts said raised immediate questions about officer training.

Records identify Minneapolis ICE shooter as Iraq War veteran Jonathan Ross

2026-01-09

The federal agent who shot and killed Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother, during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis on Jan. 7 is Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old Iraq War veteran with nearly two decades in the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Federal officials declined to publicly name Ross, citing safety concerns for him and his family, but a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was referring to Ross when she said the agent had been dragged by a vehicle the previous June.

Five Stanford students go to trial over 2024 pro-Palestinian office occupation

2026-01-09

A trial began Friday in California for five current and former Stanford University students charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass stemming from a pro-Palestinian protest in June 2024, when demonstrators barricaded themselves inside the university president's and provost's offices for several hours.

Federal officers leave Louisiana immigration operation for Minneapolis

2026-01-09

Federal immigration officers stationed in Louisiana are departing for Minneapolis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press, in an abrupt pivot from a months-long enforcement sweep that drew protests around New Orleans and had targeted 5,000 arrests. Documents indicated that officers were continuing to leave Louisiana for Minneapolis late in the week ending Jan. 9. The shift appeared to signal a wind-down of the Louisiana deployment, known as "Catahoula Crunch," which began in December with more than 200 officers and had been expected to last into February.

Minneapolis ICE shooting prompts dispute over state probe, immunity

2026-01-09

Federal authorities blocked Minnesota investigators from accessing evidence after an ICE officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis, escalating a dispute over whether the state has jurisdiction to investigate or prosecute the killing. The shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good occurred Wednesday, federal officials said, and by Thursday the FBI told Minnesota law enforcement they would not be allowed to participate in the investigation or review key evidence.

Treasury Secretary Bessent orders Minnesota scrutiny of Somalia-linked money flows

2026-01-09

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Treasury Department is taking a closer look at financial transactions involving Minnesotan residents and businesses and Somalia as the federal government ramps up its immigration crackdown in the state. Bessent made the remarks during a Friday visit amid protests in Minneapolis after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a woman in a residential neighborhood on Wednesday.

DC officer Terry Bennett dies after being struck while helping stranded motorist

2026-01-08

Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Officer Terry Bennett, 32, died Thursday from injuries he suffered on December 23 when a passing vehicle struck him as he helped a motorist who had run out of gas, the department announced. The driver remained at the scene. No charges have been filed, and the incident remains under investigation, a department spokesman said. Bennett is survived by his wife and son.

Grammy-nominated singer Sonia De Los Santos cancels Kennedy Center shows over unwelcoming climate

2026-01-08

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonia De Los Santos canceled two children's concerts and a planned audience conversation at Washington's Kennedy Center — all scheduled for Feb. 7 — citing what she described as an unwelcoming atmosphere at the venue for immigrants, her band, and her audience. De Los Santos, a Mexican American artist, announced the withdrawal Thursday on Instagram.

Officials withheld evidence of $608M federal deal for Alligator Alcatraz, groups say

2026-01-08

ORLANDO, Fla. — Federal and state officials concealed evidence from a federal appeals court showing that the Department of Homeland Security had agreed to reimburse Florida for building the "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in the Everglades, environmental groups said Wednesday in court filings. Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity said the newly disclosed records — obtained through a public records request — should now be considered as judges decide the facility's permanent fate. The Everglades facility remains open and continues to hold detainees.

North Carolina faces $50M funding loss over flawed immigrant trucker licenses

2026-01-08

The U.S. Transportation Department warned North Carolina on Thursday that the state could lose nearly $50 million in federal funding unless it revokes commercial driver's licenses issued to immigrants who are not qualified to hold them. A federal review of 50 such licenses found problems with more than half, and 924 unexpired licenses of this type remain active in the state.

Vance calls Minneapolis woman's ICE shooting death 'a tragedy of her own making'

2026-01-08

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday blamed a Minneapolis woman's fatal shooting by a federal immigration officer on "a left-wing network," Democrats, the news media, and the woman herself, appearing at the White House briefing room as protests over her killing spread to cities across the country. Vance called the death of 37-year-old Renee Good — shot Wednesday while trying to drive away during an immigration enforcement operation on a snowy residential Minneapolis street — "a tragedy of her own making."

ICE killing of Minneapolis woman deepens Minnesota's conflict with Trump

2026-01-08

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, during a protest against immigration raids in Minneapolis on Wednesday, the latest and most violent confrontation in a mounting conflict between the Trump administration and Minnesota. Good was killed just blocks from where a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd in 2020 — a geographic proximity that drew painful comparisons to the disorder that followed Floyd's death. The Trump administration had announced the previous day that it was sending more than 2,000 federal officers to the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in what it claimed would be the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history.

Protests erupt in Minneapolis as officials dispute jurisdiction in fatal ICE shooting

2026-01-08

Dozens of protesters gathered Thursday outside a Minneapolis federal building being used as a base for the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operation, a day after an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed Renee Good, 37, a U.S. citizen, in a residential neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis. Border Patrol officers responded with tear gas and pepper spray to push demonstrators back from the gate. Area schools were closed as a safety precaution.

Pennsylvania man charged with stealing 100 sets of remains from historic cemetery

2026-01-08

Jonathan Christ Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, was arrested Tuesday night and charged with stealing more than 100 sets of human remains from Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic burial ground on Philadelphia's outskirts, Delaware County authorities said. Officers stopped Gerlach as he walked back toward his car carrying a crowbar and a burlap bag that contained the mummified remains of two small children, three skulls and other bones, according to police.

Fabricated images and false names spread online after ICE shooting in Minneapolis

2026-01-08

Fabricated and misrepresented images spread widely on social media in the hours after Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minneapolis mother of three, was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Wednesday, the Associated Press reported Thursday. The wave of false content included AI-generated images purporting to show the masked officer's face, photographs of unrelated women falsely identified as Good, a tattoo image from a video posted two days before the shooting, and a misrepresented clip of Florida's governor.

Minneapolis ICE shooting renews debate over lethal force rules for moving vehicles

2026-01-08

An ICE agent fatally shot a Minneapolis woman during an immigration enforcement operation Wednesday, reviving a debate over when law enforcement officers may legally use lethal force against someone in a moving vehicle. The woman, identified by family members as Renee Nicole Good, 37, died after being shot in a confrontation captured on cellphone video. The killing drew immediate and conflicting responses from federal authorities, who defended the agent's actions, and local officials, who questioned whether deadly force was justified.

Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore arrested on weapons charges in Ohio

2026-01-08

Marshon Lattimore, a cornerback for the Washington Commanders, was arrested Wednesday evening in Lakewood, Ohio, on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle, Lakewood police said. Officers pulled over the vehicle Lattimore was riding in for expired license plates and other traffic violations. During the stop, Lattimore, 29, failed to disclose to the officer that a firearm was inside the vehicle when asked, according to police. He was briefly booked into jail and released without bond.

Minneapolis protests erupt over ICE killing of Renee Good as Portland shooting draws scrutiny

2026-01-08

Hundreds of people marched through Minneapolis in freezing rain Thursday night, chanting "ICE out now" and demanding accountability after a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer fatally shot Renee Good, 37, a mother of three, the day before. A second shooting by federal agents outside a Portland, Oregon, hospital wounded two people on the same day, escalating national attention on the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations across the country. Good's death occurred on the second day of what the Department of Homeland Security described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in history, involving more than 2,000 officers deployed to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said officers had made more than 1,500 arrests. Minnesota state investigators said Thursday they had been shut out of the probe into Good's death after the FBI and the Justice Department declined to cooperate with the state, setting off a dispute over accountability that Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called unacceptable.

Family mourns Renee Good, U.S. citizen and mother shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis

2026-01-08

Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and U.S. citizen born in Colorado, was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Wednesday while seated in her vehicle on a Minneapolis street. On Thursday, family members, friends, and neighbors mourned a woman they described as gentle, kind, and devoted to her children, even as Trump administration officials continued to characterize Good as a domestic terrorist who had attempted to ram federal agents with her car. Good had dropped off her youngest child at an elementary school in Minneapolis that morning before the encounter. Bystander video posted to social media shows an ICE officer approaching her Honda Pilot, demanding she open the door and grabbing the handle; when she began to pull forward, a second officer standing in front of the vehicle fired at least two shots into the car at close range. The entire incident was over in less than 10 seconds.

Duffy says $160M withheld from California over delayed revocations

2026-01-08

California will lose $160 million in federal transportation funding after federal officials said the state delayed revoking about 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses issued to some immigrants, the officials announced Wednesday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he had already withheld $40 million and accused Gov. Gavin Newsom of failing to meet safety requirements.

Federal immigration officers leave Louisiana for Minneapolis, documents show

2026-01-08

Federal immigration officers are pulling out of a Louisiana immigration crackdown and heading to Minneapolis, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press. The shift comes as the Trump administration surges federal officers to Minnesota for a large enforcement operation. The documents describe the change as an abrupt pivot from a deployment that triggered protests around New Orleans.

ICE officer who shot Renee Good in Minneapolis is a military veteran

2026-01-08

Federal records reviewed by The Associated Press say the ICE officer who shot and killed a driver in Minneapolis on Wednesday is a U.S. Army and law enforcement veteran who has worked for Border Patrol and ICE for nearly two decades. The officer, Jonathan Ross, was seriously injured last summer after being dragged by a vehicle as he led efforts to arrest a man in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Minneapolis schools offer monthlong remote option amid federal immigration tensions

2026-01-08

Minneapolis school officials said Friday they will give families the option of remote learning for a month, after growing concerns that federal immigration enforcement could make some children feel unsafe getting to campus. The district said teachers will deliver lessons simultaneously in classrooms and to students at home.

Minneapolis woman shot by immigration officer is fifth death in U.S. crackdown

2026-01-08

A woman in Minneapolis was fatally shot by an immigration officer Wednesday, the Associated Press reported, in what the news agency said was at least the fifth death linked to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown launched last year. The Department of Homeland Security said the officer fired in self-defense as the 37-year-old tried to run down officers with her vehicle.

Minnesota prosecutor asks for footage as ICE shooting video resurfaces

2026-01-08

A Minnesota prosecutor asked the public on Friday to share any recordings and evidence related to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, as a new video circulated showing the incident from an immigration officer’s perspective. The video, released online by a Minnesota-based conservative news site and reposted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, depicts the final moments of Good’s encounter with ICE officer Jonathan Ross.

Wife of Renee Good, shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis, describes her in statement

2026-01-08

Becca Good, the wife of Renee Good, who was shot and killed in Minneapolis by a federal immigration agent this week, said in a written statement that she and her husband had “stopped to support their neighbors” the day of the shooting. “We had whistles. They had guns,” Becca Good said. Video taken by bystanders shows an officer approaching Renee Good’s SUV and demanding the driver open the door before an ICE officer fires at close range, according to the Associated Press.

Video shows Minnesota ICE shooting; experts question tactics used

2026-01-08

Federal officers in Minneapolis shot and killed Renee Good after a Honda SUV moved toward an ICE agent, according to federal officials and videos captured by bystanders, but policing experts said the officer’s actions appear to run counter to widely taught use-of-force practices. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the incident as an “act of domestic terrorism,” while President Donald Trump said the officer acted in self-defense.

NYC judge orders mental health evaluation for Macy’s stabbing defendant

2026-01-08

NEW YORK — A New York City judge ordered a mental health evaluation for a Massachusetts woman charged in the unprovoked stabbing of a tourist at Macy’s flagship store in midtown Manhattan, prosecutors said Wednesday. Kerri Aherne, 43, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, assault, endangering the welfare of a child and other charges in Manhattan court.

ICE officer shoots and kills Minneapolis woman during immigration enforcement

2026-01-07

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis woman Wednesday morning during a federal immigration enforcement operation in the Twin Cities, the Associated Press reported. Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, was shot in the head in a snowy residential neighborhood south of downtown Minneapolis after 9:30 a.m. The shooting was recorded on video by bystanders, and it drew immediate conflicting accounts from federal and local officials.

Minneapolis ICE shooting is at least the fifth death in US immigration crackdown

2026-01-07

An immigration officer shot and killed Renee Nicole Macklin Good, 37, in Minneapolis on Wednesday in what the Department of Homeland Security described as a self-defense shooting — at least the fifth death linked to the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations since last year, the Associated Press reported. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video of the incident showed it was reckless and unnecessary.

UC grad workers seek $750,000 legal fund for international employees amid visa uncertainty

2026-01-07

The union representing 48,000 teaching assistants, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate student researchers at University of California campuses is asking the university to establish a $750,000 legal fund to help international employees navigate visa and immigration complications — a demand reflecting growing anxiety among the roughly 40 percent of UAW Local 4811's membership who come from outside the United States. The fund request is part of contract negotiations with the university ahead of the current agreement's Jan. 31 expiration date. Union negotiators are also asking UC to continue paying researchers temporarily stranded abroad by visa problems and to reimburse members for visa-related fees.

California loses $160M in federal funds over delay in revoking immigrant trucking licenses

2026-01-07

Federal transportation officials announced Wednesday that California will forfeit $160 million in highway funding after the state delayed the revocation of 17,000 commercial driver's licenses that federal auditors found were issued unlawfully to immigrants. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the state had promised to complete the revocations by Jan. 5 but instead postponed action until March after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit.

Trump immigration policies, lower fertility to slow US population growth, CBO says

2026-01-07

The U.S. population will grow by only 15 million people over the next 30 years — a smaller gain than previously projected — because of President Donald Trump's immigration restrictions and an expected long-term decline in the fertility rate, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. The nonpartisan agency projected the nation's population will rise from 349 million in 2026 to 364 million by 2056, a 2.2% smaller increase than it had forecast in 2025. Without immigration, the U.S. population would begin to shrink by 2030, when deaths would start to exceed births.

What to know about the fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis

2026-01-07

A woman was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, setting off clashes between federal and state officials over the investigation and whether the shooting was justified. The incident occurred after federal authorities had dispatched additional officers and agents to Minnesota as part of an immigration crackdown, the Associated Press reported.

Fact check: Minneapolis shooting claims and fabricated images online are false

2026-01-07

Misrepresented and fabricated images spread online after a fatal Minneapolis shooting in which an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer killed Renee Good, Associated Press reported. The images circulated with false claims about the officer’s identity, whether he had a Nazi tattoo, and whether other people shown in photos or videos were involved.

Groups say records show U.S. plans to reimburse “Alligator Alcatraz”

2026-01-07

Federal and state officials withheld evidence, environmental groups say, in a fight over a Florida immigration detention center in the Everglades known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The groups, Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity, said newly obtained emails and documents show officials had discussed and approved federal reimbursement before a lower-court judge ordered the facility to wind down.

Minneapolis officials urge calm after fatal ICE shooting of Renee Good

2026-01-07

Hundreds of people protested in Minneapolis after the fatal shooting of Renee Good on Wednesday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, officials and federal agencies said. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and other local leaders urged calm while calling for a federal investigation and rejecting claims that Good used her vehicle as a weapon.

Minneapolis shooting renews scrutiny of policies on lethal force in moving vehicles

2026-01-07

A federal immigration officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis after she was seen using her vehicle during an incident on Wednesday, reigniting scrutiny of when police may use lethal force against drivers in motion. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the officer followed training and acted in self defense and to protect fellow officers.

Minnesota becomes target as Trump’s immigration crackdown draws protests

2026-01-07

Federal immigration enforcement officers sent to Minneapolis and St. Paul have opened fire during a protest, killing Renee Good in a case that Associated Press described as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement campaign targeting Democratic-led states. The killing and the broader operation have raised comparisons to the 2020 death of George Floyd, and Gov. Tim Walz urged Trump to “leave our state alone.”

Trump administration launches major immigration operation in Minnesota

2026-01-07

Homeland Security on Tuesday said it launched what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation ever carried out by the department, with about 2,000 federal officers and agents expected to arrive in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The operation is tied in part to allegations of fraud involving Somali residents, and it has triggered protests and warnings of heightened political and community tensions in Minnesota.

UC Berkeley enrolls 29% more new international students despite visa worries

2026-01-07

UC Berkeley enrolled 29% more new international students this school year than the prior year, a reversal of a nationwide decline tied to immigration enforcement concerns, according to University of California data released Thursday. The university said it saw no major impact from federal immigration crackdowns that have deterred some foreign students from studying in the United States.

US expands visa bonds to citizens of 38 countries, up to $15,000

2026-01-07

The U.S. State Department said it is adding 25 countries to a visa “bond” list, raising the number of countries whose citizens must post bonds to 38. The bonds can range from $5,000 to $15,000, and the latest additions will take effect Jan. 21, according to a notice posted on the travel.state.gov website.

Vance blames “left-wing network” after ICE officer kills Minneapolis woman

2026-01-07

Vice President JD Vance said Thursday that a federal immigration officer’s fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good was “a tragedy of her own making,” as protests spread to other cities. He made the comments in the White House briefing room and on social media, during a continuing investigation into the Wednesday incident.

Woman fatally shot by ICE agent in Minneapolis; family and officials mourn

2026-01-07

Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, was fatally shot behind the wheel of her vehicle by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, according to the Associated Press. Family members and neighbors are mourning her, while state and local officials and protesters have rejected the Trump administration’s characterization of the encounter. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said video recordings show the self-defense argument is “garbage.”

Trump administration expands visa bond list to 38 countries, mostly in Africa

2026-01-07

The State Department on Tuesday added 25 more countries to its visa bond list, bringing the total to 38 nations whose passport holders must post financial guarantees of up to $15,000 to apply for entry to the United States, according to a notice posted on the agency's travel.state.gov website. The bond requirement for the newly added countries takes effect Jan. 21. Most of the 38 countries on the list are in Africa, with others in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia.

De La Cruz proposes construction worker visa as ICE arrests slow South Texas building

2026-01-06

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, an Edinburg Republican, announced Monday she would seek a new federal visa category for construction workers after South Texas builders told her that immigration enforcement arrests had halted job sites and threatened the regional industry. De La Cruz said she plans to meet with the U.S. Department of Labor to explore a program modeled on the H-2A agricultural visa. "We'd like to see where the construction industry would fit," she said.

Ex-husband charged with premeditated murder in slayings of Columbus dentist, wife

2026-01-06

Michael David McKee, 39, the former husband of one of the two victims, was charged Saturday with two counts of aggravated murder in the shooting deaths of Dr. Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, at their Columbus, Ohio home, Ohio prosecutors said. The arrest came nearly two weeks after the Dec. 30 killings drew national attention and police asked the public to help identify a surveillance-camera suspect. The couple's two young children were found unharmed in the home.

Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda reach asylum-deal deals with U.S.

2026-01-06

The United States reached a deal with Dominica to begin sending some asylum-seekers to the Caribbean island, a day after the Trump administration expanded visa restrictions to include Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda. Dominica’s Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said the arrangement follows partial U.S. visa limits and that the discussions included “careful deliberations” to avoid admitting violent people or those who would “compromise the security of Dominica.”

EEUU casi triplica países con fianzas de hasta US$15.000 para visas

2026-01-06

Estados Unidos amplió de nuevo la lista de países cuyos ciudadanos deberán pagar fianzas de hasta 15.000 dólares para solicitar visas estadounidenses. Menos de una semana después de añadir siete países, el Departamento de Estado incluyó 25 más, y el requisito comenzará a regir el 21 de enero. La medida implica que 38 países —principalmente en África, pero también en América Latina y Asia— están ahora sujetos a este requisito, que no garantiza la aprobación de la visa.

Florida awaits federal sign-off for a third immigration detention center

2026-01-06

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state is awaiting federal approval to open a third immigration detention center in the Panhandle. He said DeSantis also was looking into a potential fourth facility in South Florida, adding to the state’s existing detention sites nicknamed “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades and “Deportation Depot” in northeast Florida.

HHS can resume limited Medicaid data sharing with ICE after ruling

2026-01-06

A federal judge cleared the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to resume sharing limited personal data of certain Medicaid enrollees with immigration enforcement officers starting Monday. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco is a setback for 22 states that had sued the administration over privacy concerns.

Hilton apologizes after Minnesota Hampton Inn canceled ICE agents’ rooms

2026-01-06

A Minnesota hotel under the Hilton brand apologized after canceling reservations for federal immigration agents this month, saying the refusal violated its own policies. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted screenshots of an email it said came from a Hilton address canceling the bookings at the Hampton Inn Lakeville property about 20 miles south of Minneapolis.

ICE officer kills Minneapolis driver amid Trump immigration crackdown

2026-01-06

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer shot and killed a Minneapolis driver on Wednesday during the Trump administration’s latest immigration crackdown, AP reported. Federal officials said the shooting was an act of self-defense, while the city’s mayor called it reckless and unnecessary.

Texas lawmaker explores visa for construction workers amid ICE raids

2026-01-06

U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz, a Texas Republican, said Monday she is looking at ways for migrant construction workers to work legally, including by urging the U.S. Department of Labor to help design a special visa program. De La Cruz’s proposal follows concern from South Texas builders that Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests at job sites have disrupted projects.

Trump administration adds 7 countries to visa bond list, up to $15,000

2026-01-06

The Trump administration has added seven countries to a U.S. visa program that requires some applicants to post bonds of up to $15,000 before receiving visas, the State Department said. The designations, posted on the travel.state.gov website, took effect Jan. 1 and expanded the list to 13 countries. The changes were announced days after the State Department began tightening other entry requirements, including in-person interviews and disclosures tied to applicants’ social media histories and travel and living arrangements.

New Orleans violent crime falls for third straight year as National Guard begins patrol

2026-01-06

New Orleans police reported Monday that violent crime in the city declined for a third consecutive year in 2025, releasing the figures less than a week after 350 National Guard troops arrived to patrol on President Donald Trump's orders. The timing produced competing claims over who or what deserves credit for the decline — and whether the federal deployment was warranted at all.

Minnesota hotel and Hilton apologize after ICE agents' reservations canceled

2026-01-06

A Hampton Inn franchise in Lakeville, Minn., about 20 miles south of Minneapolis, canceled reservations for federal immigration agents and informed them they would not be permitted to stay at the property, according to screenshots posted on social media by the Department of Homeland Security. Hilton and the property's local operator, Everpeak Hospitality, each issued apologies within hours, saying the cancellation violated their policies.

Florida awaits federal approval for third immigration detention center

2026-01-05

Florida is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to open a third immigration detention center in the state's Panhandle, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday, while the state also explores a potential fourth facility in South Florida. DeSantis made the announcement at a news conference outside the state's second immigration detention center — dubbed "Deportation Depot" — at the former Baker Correctional Institution in northeast Florida.

Court allows HHS to resume limited Medicaid data sharing with ICE

2026-01-05

A federal judge ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services may resume sharing limited personal data from Medicaid enrollees with federal deportation officials as of Monday, setting strict boundaries on what information can be transferred. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria in San Francisco ruled last week that after a temporary court order expired Jan. 5, HHS may hand over only "basic biographical, location and contact information" about immigrants residing in the United States illegally to Immigration and Customs Enforcement — but may not transfer detailed medical records or data about U.S. citizens and legal immigrants in the 22 states that brought suit.

Trump administration expands visa bond list to 13 countries, most in Africa

2026-01-05

The Trump administration quietly expanded a program requiring visa applicants from certain countries to post cash bonds of up to $15,000 before entering the United States, the State Department announced, adding seven nations to a list that now totals 13 — 11 of them in Africa. The designations took effect January 1 and make U.S. visa access financially out of reach for many would-be visitors from the newly designated nations, according to the Associated Press.

Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda reach deals with US to accept asylum-seekers

2026-01-05

Two small Caribbean island nations, Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, agreed Monday to accept asylum-seekers from the United States under separate arrangements with the Trump administration. Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit described his country's agreement as "one of the primary areas of collaboration" with Washington, which recently imposed partial U.S. visa restrictions on both island nations. Antigua and Barbuda signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding; local officials said the island would not accept anyone with a criminal record.

Embattled Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan resigns after obstruction conviction

2026-01-05

Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, convicted of obstructing an arrest of an immigrant, sent her resignation letter to Gov. Tony Evers after Republicans threatened impeachment, according to Dugan and an Evers spokeswoman. The case stems from an April 18 encounter in Milwaukee when immigration officers tried to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz outside Dugan’s courtroom.

Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan resigns after conviction in immigration obstruction

2026-01-04

Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, convicted last month of felony obstruction tied to an immigrant arrest, has sent a resignation letter to Gov. Tony Evers, according to Dugan’s letter and a spokesperson for the governor. Republicans in the Wisconsin Assembly had threatened to impeach her, and her resignation shifts the focus to filling the vacancy.

Minnesota ends state health coverage for 15,000 undocumented adult immigrants

2026-01-02

About 15,000 adult immigrants living in Minnesota without legal status lost access to MinnesotaCare, the state's subsidized health insurance program for low-income residents, on Jan. 1, 2026, after a divided state Legislature voted last year to strip benefits that Democrats had extended in 2023. The rollback took effect at midnight despite protests from Democratic-Farmer-Labor lawmakers who had championed the original expansion as a progressive milestone.

FBI arrests North Carolina man over IS-inspired New Year's Eve attack plan

2026-01-02

The FBI arrested an 18-year-old North Carolina man Wednesday on charges of attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, federal officials announced Friday, saying agents had disrupted a New Year's Eve plot to attack shoppers with knives and hammers at a Mint Hill grocery store and fast-food restaurant. Christian Sturdivant allegedly pledged loyalty to the Islamic State group and described his attack plans to an undercover FBI employee posing as a supportive confidant, according to prosecutors and court records.

Trump drops for now plan to deploy National Guard to Chicago, LA, Portland

2026-01-02

Donald Trump said he has abandoned for now his plan to deploy National Guard troops in Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland after legal obstacles blocked the effort, the Associated Press reported. In a post on social media on Wednesday, Trump said, “Regresaremos, quizás de una forma mucho más diferente y fuerte, cuando la delincuencia vuelva a dispararse... Sólo es cuestión de tiempo.”

National Guard arrives in New Orleans ahead of New Year’s celebrations

2026-01-01

The first New Year’s Eve since a deadly truck attack on Bourbon Street, in which 14 people were killed, will be marked with an expanded police and National Guard presence in New Orleans. National Guard members arrived Tuesday to help with safety measures as city officials continue work on long-term security changes, nearly a year after the attack.

Faith leaders brace immigrant communities for harsher Trump immigration push

2026-01-01

Faith leaders who minister to immigrant communities in the United States said many targeted groups are bracing for a harsher year as President Donald Trump pursues tougher immigration policies and language. They cited fears spanning Haitians in legal limbo in Ohio, Afghan refugees facing new restrictions, and Somali Americans in Minnesota after Trump’s contemptuous remarks.

Times Square to use patriotic crystal ball to start U.S. 250th on New Year’s Eve

2026-01-01

New Year’s Eve in Times Square will feature a patriotic crystal ball and a second confetti drop as the ceremony kicks off months of U.S. 250th birthday celebrations, according to America250 leaders and organizers. The ball is scheduled to drop on Dec. 31, 2025, and is set to rise again afterward, while the stroke of midnight will also mark the launch of America Gives, a national service initiative created by America250.

Federal investigations in Minnesota focus on alleged day care fraud linked to Somali residents

2025-12-31

Federal agents stepped up enforcement in Minnesota, focusing on new allegations of fraud by some Somali-run day care centers in Minneapolis. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel said the investigations target alleged large-scale fraud schemes involving federal programs. The action follows previous fraud cases in Minnesota, including a COVID-era Medicaid-linked scheme.

California delays revoking 17,000 commercial drivers’ licenses until March

2025-12-31

California will delay revoking 17,000 commercial drivers’ licenses until March, the state said Tuesday, after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit challenging the process. The move comes after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said he could withhold $160 million if California misses a Jan. 5 deadline tied to enforcing federal requirements.

ICE won’t detain Abrego Garcia again while judge’s order holds

2025-12-31

U.S. immigration officials do not plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as a federal judge’s order barring it remains in effect, according to a court filing. The decision is part of the continuing legal fight after Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported and later returned to the United States, where the administration has accused him of human smuggling tied to a claim he has said is false.

Judge halts Trump plan to end temporary protected status for South Sudanese

2025-12-31

A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily blocked the Trump administration from starting deportations tied to a move to end Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese immigrants, while the court considers whether the change is unlawful. The decision keeps in place protections for about 300 people living in the U.S. under the program, or with pending applications, until a final ruling. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the order.

Oklahoma man charged with manslaughter after stray bullet kills neighbor

2025-12-30

The Oklahoma man accused of fatally shooting a neighbor with a stray bullet during target practice has been charged with first-degree manslaughter, authorities said. Cody Wayne Adams, 33, was charged Friday in Stephens County after deputies said a bullet left his yard and struck Sandra Phelps on her front porch while she was holding a child.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump move to end protected status for South Sudanese

2025-12-30

A federal judge in Massachusetts temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s move to revoke Temporary Protected Status for South Sudanese immigrants, preventing the government from starting deportations while the case is decided. The lawsuit, filed in late December, argued the change violates administrative procedure and the Constitution. Judge Angel Kelley wrote that the revocation could cause irreversible harm.

Federal judge dismisses case against Los Angeles TikTok streamer

2025-12-30

A federal judge dismissed a criminal case against a Los Angeles TikTok streamer who has documented police and immigration enforcement activity online, citing constitutional violations tied to his lawyers being denied access while he was held in immigration detention. U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin dismissed the indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias with prejudice, preventing the government from refiling the same charges.

Investigators probe motive in killing of California farmer’s estranged wife

2025-12-30

Investigators in Arizona said they have not identified a motive in the shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, the estranged wife of California farmer Michael Abatti. Authorities said Abatti traveled from California to her vacation home in Pinetop, Arizona, on Nov. 20 and returned early the next morning, and they released details of the death based on an autopsy performed in Coconino County.

California delays revoking 17,000 commercial driver licenses until March

2025-12-30

California will delay revoking about 17,000 commercial driver’s licenses until March after immigrant groups sued, state officials said Tuesday. The action comes amid pressure from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who said the state could lose $160 million if it misses a Jan. 5 revocation deadline.

Federal officers expand Minnesota probe after allegations at Somali-run day cares

2025-12-30

The Trump administration said federal investigators are increasing operations in Minnesota, focusing on alleged fraud by day care centers run by Somali residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the surge after a right-wing influencer posted a video alleging up to $100 million in fraud. The move comes as prosecutors and regulators have pursued fraud cases in Minnesota involving state and federally funded programs for years.

Homeland Security says it is probing fraud in Minneapolis

2025-12-30

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said federal officials were conducting a fraud investigation in Minneapolis on Monday, as part of a broader push against alleged abuse of federal programs. The investigation follows earlier Minnesota cases tied to the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, and it comes amid heightened state-federal enforcement tensions during the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.

ICE won’t re-detain Abrego Garcia while ban order remains in effect

2025-12-30

U.S. immigration officials said they do not plan to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia again as long as a judge’s order banning that action remains in place, according to a Tuesday court filing. The case has become a focal point in the administration’s immigration enforcement after Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and later ordered returned to the United States.

New Orleans to add National Guard security for New Year’s after Bourbon Street attack

2025-12-30

The Louisiana National Guard will begin a New Orleans security deployment Tuesday as celebrations get underway, about a year after a deadly New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people. Officials said the 350 Guard members will focus on visibility and patrols in the French Quarter and will not be involved in immigration enforcement. The city also plans to deploy more than 800 local, state and federal law enforcement officials to restrict vehicle access and search visitors.

Federal judge dismisses criminal case against Los Angeles TikTok streamer

2025-12-29

A federal judge in Los Angeles dismissed a criminal case against a popular TikTok streamer held in immigration detention, saying prosecutors violated the defendant’s constitutional rights by repeatedly preventing his lawyers from visiting or speaking with him. U.S. District Judge Fernando Olguin dismissed the indictment against Carlitos Ricardo Parias with prejudice, blocking the government from refiling the charges.

Investigators probe motive in shooting death of California farmer’s wife in Arizona

2025-12-29

Investigators in eastern Arizona say they have not disclosed a suspected motive in the shooting death of Kerri Ann Abatti, a prominent California farmer’s estranged wife, and they linked their inquiries to the couple’s prolonged divorce. Sheriff David Clouse of Navajo County said the case involves a divorce “in place,” while Abatti’s attorney said the man arrested last week in El Centro, California, remains innocent and has health issues.

New Orleans to get National Guard patrol for New Year’s after Bourbon Street attack

2025-12-29

New Orleans will begin a National Guard deployment Tuesday to add security for New Year’s celebrations, officials said Monday, a year after a deadly vehicle attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 people. The Guard’s presence is expected to focus on the French Quarter area and not include immigration enforcement, New Orleans police spokesperson Reese Harper said.

Nicaraguans in Miami sing to Virgin Mary despite crackdowns at home and in US

2025-12-09

Hundreds of Nicaraguans gathered at flower-decorated altars in Miami church parking lots Sunday evening to mark the Dec. 8 feast of the Immaculate Conception, filling streets near St. John Bosco Catholic Parish with traditional hymns to the Virgin Mary. The celebration carried particular weight this year as Nicaragua's government has intensified its crackdown on religious expression and the Trump administration has moved to curtail temporary legal protections for hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguan migrants in the United States.

Minneapolis church adds free acupuncture and Reiki to its migrant ministry

2025-05-02

A Minneapolis Lutheran church has added free monthly acupuncture, Reiki, and cupping therapy sessions to its migrant ministry, offering them in the sanctuary itself to help a largely Latino congregation cope with anxiety and stress that intensified federal immigration enforcement has spread through migrant communities. St. Paul's-San Pablo Lutheran Church launched the program in March 2025, opening it to all congregants, including people in the United States without legal status and U.S.-born citizens in mixed-status families.