SB-5 is part of a trio of bills run by Democrats this year that immigrant-rights advocates hope will help insulate the state from what they see as federal overreach. If it becomes law, the bill will establish a legal right to sue agents in state courts for people whose constitutional rights are violated during immigration enforcement actions.
Read more at the Times-Call: Colorado Senate passes measure that would allow people to sue ICE agents for constitutional violations
Named the Fight Unlawful Conduct and Keep Individuals and Communities Empowered act, the legislation, known by its blunt acronym, would expand residents’ rights under state law to sue immigration officials for unconstitutional conduct.
Read more via the New York Times: New Jersey Democrats Send Coarse but Clear Message to ICE With New Bill
Analysts suggest McLaughlin’s exit symbolizes a broader crisis within DHS leadership. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) recently revealed that Secretary Noma [sic] and senior advisor Cory Levandowski allegedly coerced employees into polygraph tests and fired a Coast Guard pilot for leaving a blanket in an aircraft. These abuses, combined with rumors of an inappropriate relationship between the two, have eroded organizational discipline.
Read more via The Chosun Daily: DHS Spokesperson McLaughlin Resigns Amid Backlash Over Hardline Policies
Noem’s prioritization of deportations has changed the way the military branch operates. One decision she made was to shift Coast Guard resources from a search and rescue mission to find a missing service member last year, shortly after Noem was confirmed as secretary.
Read more via Yahoo! News: Noem Pisses Off Coast Guard by Using Their Resources for Deportations
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia because a 90-day detention period has expired and the government has no viable plan for deporting him, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday.
Read more via PBS News: Judge rules Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be re-detained by immigration authorities
In response to widespread community concern, the owner of a Hutchins, TX warehouse has said they “[have] not and will not enter into any agreement for the purchase or lease of any building to the Department of Homeland Security for use as a detention facility.”
Read more via WFAA ABC 8: Owner of North Texas warehouse says it won’t sell or lease to feds for ICE facility.
“The court finds that the government has substantially burdened plaintiffs’ exercise of religion,” U.S. District Judge Robert W. Gettleman said in his order.
Read more via the Clarion Ledger: Federal judge orders DHS to allow Ash Wednesday service for ICE detainees
Editor’s note: This shutdown is the result of weeks of pressure from constituents to defund and abolish DHS. While Democrats continue to push minor reforms, we must keep the pressure on to completely dismantle this cruel system.
Read more on the shutdown via NBC News: Homeland Security Department shuts down as Democrats and Trump negotiate changes
Tom Homan imitates Trump when he claims to have “made a deal” with local officials rather than admit that he has lost the battle for Minnesota and is in retreat.
Read more via Bring Me the News: No policy changes from Minneapolis, Hennepin County as ICE depart
“As reported by The Latin Times last month, authorities from Florida to Utah have tried to purchase properties that could be converted into detention centers capable of housing thousands of people. But while Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security have already managed to acquire several properties, in some places they have encountered strong resistance from communities, local officials and even property owners who have refused to sell, among other efforts” to block the construction of new detention centers in their areas.”
Read more via the Latin Times: Trump Administration Push to Expand ICE Detention Centers Faces Resistance From Local Lawmakers and Communities
How Did Trump Lose Today? 