Body camera policies for ICE agents vary in their ability to improve transparency and accountability, depending on factors such as activation and deactivation requirements, enforcement practices, and the use of facial recognition technology. Current policies often lack mandatory activation in critical situations and do not require continuous recording during transportation, which can limit evidence collection. Effective oversight and consistent enforcement of these policies, along with potential bans on facial recognition, are necessary to ensure the cameras serve as meaningful tools for accountability.
Chicago residents voted to name a snowplow “Abolish ICE” in response to the federal immigration crackdown "Operation Midway Blitz," which resulted in over 4,000 arrests and the death of a Mexican immigrant. The campaign received a record 13,300 submissions and 39,000 votes, with the winning names reflecting local culture and humor. Unlike the UK’s "Boaty McBoatface," Chicago officials approved all six top names without vetoing them.
Stephen Miller, the U.S. Homeland Security Advisor with significant influence behind the scenes, is credited with shaping bold policies such as capturing Venezuelan President Maduro, expanding ICE enforcement, and threatening to capture Greenland. The Slow Newscast explores his role and possible future actions of America, featuring insights from reporter Stephen Armstrong and other contributors.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt received widespread criticism after sharing a CBS News article discussing detained immigrants losing hope of release or court success. Critics accused her of insensitivity and supporting inhumane treatment, while some supporters defended the discussion of immigration enforcement as effective deterrence. The controversy was amplified by personal connections, including her nephew's mother, who was detained by ICE and publicly criticized Leavitt.
Denver City Council members advanced a law that would ban law enforcement, including federal agents, from wearing masks that conceal their identities during detentions and arrests. The proposed measure, called the Safety and Transparency in Public Authority Act, aims to enhance transparency and accountability by requiring officers to wear identification and reveal their names and badge numbers in most interactions. The final vote is scheduled for next week.
A former ICE lawyer, Ryan Schwank, testified at a hearing led by Senator Richard Blumenthal and Rep. Robert Garcia, criticizing the Trump administration's immigration enforcement practices. He alleged that the ICE training system is "deficient, defective and broken," citing cuts to critical coursework and testing that leave recruits inadequately prepared for field deployment.
Milwaukee officials and community members are preparing for a potential surge in ICE operations by proposing ordinances to limit ICE agents' interactions and staging of raids, with community members expressing a desire for protective measures. The city’s police and sheriff’s offices currently do not cooperate with ICE enforcement, and investigations into federal agent-involved shootings follow certain Wisconsin laws emphasizing independent reviews. A bilingual community meeting will be held to provide residents with information and resources to address fears and misinformation related to immigration enforcement.
The article warns that the federal law enforcement activities in Minnesota, including a recent reduction in ICE presence, highlight underlying efforts to expand a police state in the US. It points to increased funding, advanced surveillance technology, and legal measures that threaten civil liberties, suggesting that these developments could lead to a militarized and oppressive law enforcement system. The author emphasizes the importance of vigilance and activism to prevent the full realization of such a police state.
The White House stepped in to reverse a decision by the Department of Homeland Security to temporarily halt TSA PreCheck amid a partial government shutdown, which had caused confusion among travelers. The DHS initially announced the suspension to prioritize personnel, but the White House intervened, and TSA PreCheck remained operational. The controversy also involves Corey Lewandowski, a DHS adviser, and Kristi Noem, amid reports of an alleged affair, with Lewandowski’s role in the TSA decision not fully addressed.
The article reports that the killing of cartel boss “El Mencho” in Mexico led to increased violence, with dozens of deaths and widespread chaos, amid a broader context of US pressure and military cooperation. It highlights that Mexico’s ongoing war on drug cartels is heavily influenced by US guns and money, and that previous militarized efforts have failed to curb drug violence or stem US drug demand. Additionally, it criticizes the current US administration’s approach, suggesting it fuels violence and authoritarian tendencies, and emphasizes the need for broader strategies to address drug demand and arms trafficking.
A coalition is urging CEOs of publicly traded companies to end their contracts with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to ongoing criticism of ICE's practices, including prolonged detention, family separation, and fatalities during enforcement operations. The campaign highlights recent actions such as companies stopping involvement with ICE and calls for corporate leaders to sever ties, publish reviews of their government collaborations, and support accountability measures like impeachment of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. Emails to over 100 CEOs will be sent on March 1, the anniversary of ICE’s founding, to encourage principled corporate leadership in opposition to controversial immigration enforcement policies.
An NPR investigation found that the Justice Department has withheld and removed dozens of pages related to Jeffrey Epstein files, including allegations involving President Trump, from the public database despite legal mandates for transparency. These missing documents include FBI interviews and notes concerning accusations of sexual abuse against Trump by Epstein’s victims, some of which have been temporarily taken down and later restored. The DOJ has stated that files were flagged for review or redaction, but critics argue that this undermines transparency and suggests possible suppression of sensitive information.
