Saturday, January 11, 2025

Biden Administration Aims to Place Migrants Under House Arrest Instead of Detention Centers

The Biden administration aims to place hundreds of migrants under house arrest in a test program focused on decreasing costs amid raising numbers of crossings at the U.S. – Mexico border. The program is called “Home Curfew” which will take place in Baltimore and Houston. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the program would […]

Immigration Officials Accused of Illegally Deporting Asylum Seekers

In New Orleans, a national civil rights group the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), is accusing immigration officials of deporting asylum-seekers without properly following the lawful process. They filed a complaint against the New Orleans Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) field office. According to SPLC attorneys, some deportations are happening before asylum-seekers can get a […]

U.S. Tests Robotic Patrol Dogs on Mexican Border; Generates Outcry

The U.S. is testing unarmed robotic patrol dogs along the Mexican border that could provide reinforcement for border guards.  This has attracted criticism from domestic rights groups, like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), as a “civil liberties disaster.” This week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), said that its research and development had offered […]

The Biden Administration Supports Legal Status for Families Separated at Border

This week, the White House stated their support of permanent legal status for undocumented families separated at the U.S. – Mexico border during the Trump administration. During Trump’s presidency, under the “Zero Tolerance” Policy, over 5,600 undocumented children were separated from their parents. The new standpoint comes at the anniversary of the task force the […]

Puerto Rico is close to resolving its five- year bankruptcy battle

Puerto Rico is closer to resolving its five-year bankruptcy battle after a federal judge approved a restructuring place that would reduce a substantial amount of the $70 billion debt. This week, the restructuring plan approved cutting part of the debt down to about $7 billion. Puerto Rico will commit at least 10% of its general […]

In 2022, COVID-19 Infections Increase by 520% in U.S. Immigration Detention Centers

COVID-19 infections among immigrants detained at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) centers has increased by 520% since the start of 2022, calling for increased vaccination efforts and detainee releases. This week, 1,766 immigrants were isolated or being monitored due to positive COVID-19 infections. Government statistics show, a more than sixfold jump from January 3, […]

Recent New York City Law to Allow Noncitizens and Dreamers to Vote

In New York City, more than 800,000 noncitizens and DREAMers will be able to vote in municipal elections as early as next year. This marks New York City as the first major U.S. city to grant voting rights to noncitizens. However, they’re still not able to vote in federal or state elections. Critics of the […]

U.S. Announces Travel Ban on Eight Cuban Officials After Crackdown on Protesters

The Biden Administration has issued a travel ban on eight Cuban officials who have been complicit in the repression of opposition protesters. This week, Anthony Blinken, Secretary of State, declared visa restrictions punishing an ongoing crackdown on participants in protests that started in July and called prison sentences given to those involved “harsh and unjust.” […]

The U.S. returns home 119 Cuban migrants as number of migrants traveling by sea increases

This week, the U.S. Coast Guard announced that it had returned 119 Cuban migrants back to their home after picking them up at sea, making it the largest Cuban expulsion in four years. This marks a growing trend of Cuban migration from sea, which has been increasing over the years. The U.S. Coast Guard shared […]

The U.S. Census Bureau Sworn in the First Latino Director

This week, Robert Santos was sworn in as the head of the U.S. Census Bureau, becoming the first Latino director of the nation’s largest statistical agency. Robert Santos, former Chief Methodologist, and Vice President at the Urban Institute became the bureau’s 26th director. In November, the Senate approved Santos, a third-generation Mexican American statistician from […]