As we close out this week, the Collaborative is back with another Stories of the Week recap. In light of last week’s federal holiday, these stories cover June 27th – July 11th. From the effects of the sweeping spending bill with big implications for immigration to the status of birthright citizenship, here are the top stories impacting the well-being of im/migrants.
– Sophia Benavente
TOP STORY OF THE WEEK
The “big, beautiful bill” signed into law by President Trump last week will give Immigration and Customs Enforcement an unprecedented pool of funding to bolster its efforts to arrest and deport immigrants in the U.S. The money allocated by the new law amounts to the largest infusion of funds Congress has given the federal government for immigration enforcement at a time when the Trump administration has vowed to oversee an unprecedented deportation campaign.
Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” gives ICE unprecedented funds to ramp up mass deportation campaign
NATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
Judge blocks Trump’s order restricting birthright citizenship
On Thursday, a federal judge in New Hampshire granted class-action status to a lawsuit seeking to protect babies that would be denied birthright citizenship by the Trump administration. The judge granted the case class-action status after the Supreme Court limited the ability of judges to block orders nationwide through other means.
Judge Rejects Trump’s Attempt to Stop Asylum Claims at Border
A federal judge in Washington ruled last Wednesday that the Trump administration cannot categorically deny asylum claims from people crossing the southern border, reversing President Trump’s change on his first day in office. The ruling rejected the idea that such “extraordinary powers” were justified to curtail what the President has deemed an invasion of the U.S. by immigrants crossing the southern border.
A lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of a ‘systemic pattern’ of targeting minorities in Southern California as part of an immigration crackdown. Arresting them without probable cause and keeping them in “dungeon-like” conditions in an effort to deport them.
Trump Creates New System to Impose Millions in Fines on Undocumented Immigrants
Through a new system put in place by the Trump administration on June 27th, immigration officers may be able to impose penalties of millions of dollars on certain undocumented immigrations, putting them at risk not only of deportation, but also financial debt. Under such a procedure, DHS officers could send letters imposing fees on noncitizens, and if they do not respond, all right to appeal would be eliminated.
Masked immigration agents are spurring fear and confusion across the U.S.
Masked agents, including ICE and federal officers assigned to work with them, wear plainclothes, arrive in unmarked vehicles, and are covering their faces to protect themselves from doxing and increasing threats. Civil rights groups and legal advocates say it’s creating fear and undermining public trust.
Supreme Court refuses to allow Florida to enforce new immigration law
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied Florida officials to enforce a state law imposing harsh criminal penalties on undocumented migrants for entering the state. At least seven states have passed similar laws in recent years in response to concerns about border crossings, and drug and human trafficking.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
A third of Pacific island nation applies for Australian climate change visa
Over a third of Tuvalu citizens have applied for a world-first climate visa which would allow them to permanently migrate to Australia. The visa program has been pegged by Australia’s foreign affairs department as a landmark response to the threat of climate-related displacement.
Nowhere to run: The Afghan refugees caught in Israel’s war on Iran
Afghans, such as those living in Tehran, represent a forgotten population in a conflict that has captured global attention: people who fled one danger zone – only to find themselves trapped in another – with no safe haven in sight.
Starmer and Macron announce ‘one in, one out’ returns of asylum seekers
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have reached an agreement on a program to return migrants and refugees arriving in small boats, in order to curb crossings over the English Channel. The proposal entails that for every migrant returned, a different one would be allowed to come via “controlled and legal” means.
In Taiwan, migrants flee oppressive workplaces for life on the periphery
Taiwan’s undocumented workforce is on the rise reaching 900,000 people as of January 2025. Brokers influence the lives of migrant workers. Advocates say this level of control is prompting workers to flee from their workplaces.
HEART-WARMERS OF THE WEEK
Immigrant stories take center stage in trio of San Francisco art exhibitions
In photos: Old Greenwich’s Binney Park hosts vigil for immigrants
Latino leaders vow to protect Barrio Fest from ICE
At George Washington’s home, dozens become citizens on July 4th
Thank you for reading the IWB Stories of the Week series! Stay tuned for next week’s edition.
Sophia Benavente is a Law & Policy Intern at the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative. She contributes by writing blog posts, translating materials, and assisting with research.