More than $40 million from a Florida state immigration grant will fund local law enforcement agencies for detainee capture and holding, including purchases of biometric eyeball scanners, surveillance towers, and other AI technology. The grants are part of a broader $250 million initiative approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet to support immigration enforcement efforts, with allocations also directed toward detention beds, body scanners, and license plate readers. This spending follows Florida's mobilization of resources and enforcement measures amid ongoing federal reimbursement delays.
Crypto.com has received conditional approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for a national trust banking charter, enabling it to provide digital asset custody, trade settlement, and staking services. If fully approved, it will operate as a federally supervised trust bank, bringing it closer to serving institutional clients as a qualified custodian. This move aligns Crypto.com with other crypto firms pursuing similar regulatory recognition amid ongoing industry and legislative developments around digital assets and stablecoins.
Peter Yazzie, a Native American man, was detained by ICE in Phoenix despite providing identification and asserting his indigenous status, which he believes led to racial profiling. He was held for four hours alongside mostly Hispanic detainees and later released, with ICE denying any targeting based on ethnicity. Other Indigenous individuals have reported similar encounters with ICE, prompting tribal leaders and tribes to advise members to carry identification, although some tribes have taken measures to ban ICE from their lands. The incidents highlight ongoing concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of Native Americans by immigration enforcement agencies.
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued New Jersey to overturn Governor Mikie Sherrill's executive order limiting federal immigration enforcement activities on state property, arguing it violates the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause. Sherrill's order bars federal agents from using state-owned property for immigration operations without a judicial warrant, citing concerns over illegal searches and property commandeering. The DOJ claims the policy obstructs federal immigration enforcement and endangers public safety, while Sherrill and state officials maintain it protects civil liberties and immigrant communities.
Over one month after the killing of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minnesota, over 50 organizations condemned the federal government for blocking the state's independent investigation. They criticized the Trump administration's withdrawal from a joint inquiry, which they argue impedes accountability and fosters impunity for federal law enforcement. The organizations called for mandatory independent investigations, federal cooperation with local authorities, and accountability for constitutional violations.
The Trump administration announced it would not proceed with plans for an ICE detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, after local opposition and a meeting with state officials. Meanwhile, the administration is increasing the number of detention centers and escalating immigration raids across the country, amid criticism over conditions and treatment at these facilities. Democratic-led states and groups have challenged the expansion and funding of ICE detention centers, citing human rights concerns.
A public comment at the Amherst Town Council meeting criticized federal immigration enforcement and local police for prioritizing some groups' rights over others, citing incidents involving the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk and police actions against protesters. The speaker argued that such actions foster dehumanization and authoritarianism, affecting marginalized communities including Black, Brown, LGBTQ+, and Palestinian individuals. The comment emphasized the need for the community and council to take further action to address systemic harm and inequality.
A letter argues that America's identity as a land of immigrants is being undermined by recent policies targeting nonwhite immigrants, which contradict the country's 250-year history of welcoming diverse populations. The author suggests removing national symbols such as the motto "E pluribus unum," the phrase "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance, and the inscription on the Statue of Liberty, proposing that the statue be sent back to France.
Michigan Congresswomen Haley Stevens and Hillary Scholten toured the North Lake ICE detention center in Baldwin, following the December death of detainee Nenko Gantchev, a Bulgarian national. They inspected conditions, spoke with detainees, and demanded greater transparency and accountability regarding Gantchev’s death, which ICE reported was from natural causes. The lawmakers criticized DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership and called for an overhaul of ICE practices.
The Romulus City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing ICE’s purchase of a warehouse to use as a detention facility, citing concerns about property values and community impact. The decision followed a heated protest outside City Hall, where demonstrators opposed the project while counter-protesters defended ICE. Residents expressed strong opposition during public comments, and local lawmakers indicated the community was caught off guard by the federal purchase, with limited options to prevent the development. ICE claims the facility would bring significant economic benefits and jobs.
The Department of Homeland Security has decided not to proceed with plans for an immigrant detention facility in Merrimack, New Hampshire, following discussions between Governor Kelly Ayotte and DHS officials. The decision came after two months of controversy, protests, and political debate over the proposed site. The governor credited her direct engagement with DHS for influencing the outcome, amidst bipartisan opposition and concerns about local impact. DHS has not yet announced where it may relocate the facility.
The White House intervened after the Department of Homeland Security temporarily announced the suspension of TSA PreCheck amid a partial government shutdown, which caused confusion among travelers. The DHS initially cited a need to refocus personnel but reversed its decision hours later, with TSA PreCheck remaining operational. The plan reportedly was devised by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and adviser Corey Lewandowski, whose relationship has been the subject of speculation, though Lewandowski did not comment on his role.
