As we end this week, the Collaborative is back with another Stories of the Week recap. From President Trump halting a green card lottery process to New York City expanding legal permits for street vendors, here are the top stories impacting im/migrant well-being from December 12th to December 19th.
– Rick Tzompa Chimal
TOP STORY OF THE WEEK
The Trump administration suspended the U.S. green-card lottery program that allowed the Brown University and MIT shooting suspect to enter the country, tying violent crime to immigration policy changes. This move has raised concerns among immigrant advocates that punitive measures could harm broader immigrant communities by linking rare criminal acts to immigration benefits.
Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US
NATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
‘Not a life here.’ Immigration raids hollow out Chicago neighborhood
A Reuters investigation shows that aggressive deportation raids in Chicago’s Little Village, driven by federal immigration operations, have hollowed out immigrant families and disrupted community wellbeing. Residents describe heightened fear, economic instability, and social fragmentation as long-standing immigrant neighborhoods are torn apart.
Federal judge denies request to close Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
A federal judge refused to shut down Florida’s remote immigration detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” despite concerns about its harsh impacts on detainees. Critics argue the center’s conditions and isolation worsens migrants’ mental health and access to legal support.
4 months in, activists say Trump’s operation in Washington targets immigrants
Activists in Washington, D.C., say a Trump-era federal law enforcement operation has increasingly targeted immigrants, leading to widespread fear and family separations. Local leaders warn that aggressive arrests undermine community trust in public safety and disrupt lives of migrants and their families.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
Pope Leo replaces New York’s Cardinal Dolan in shake-up of US Church
Pope Leo’s appointment of a new New York archbishop signals a shift toward leadership that may be more supportive of immigrants’ rights and well-being, contrasting with Dolan’s conservative stances. This change could influence the Church’s response to immigration policy and advocacy for vulnerable migrant communities.
Trump Expands Travel Ban and Restrictions to 20 More Countries
The Trump administration expanded U.S. travel bans to include dozens of countries, sharply restricting entry for many would-be migrants and travelers, with critics saying the policy discriminates and disrupts families. Opponents argue these bans erode global mobility and place additional burdens on migrants fleeing instability or seeking reunification.
EU court says Denmark’s ethnic-based ‘ghetto law’ may be discriminatory
The European Court of Justice ruled that Denmark’s law targeting neighborhoods with high immigrant populations is likely discriminatory, potentially leading to evictions and socioeconomic harm for affected residents. Advocates see the decision as a victory for protecting the rights and dignity of immigrant communities against policies that marginalize them.
HEART-WARMERS OF THE WEEK
New York City Will Allow Thousands More Street Vendors to Work Legally
Thank you for reading the IWB Stories of the Week series! Stay tuned for next week’s edition.
Rick Tzompa Chimal is a Communications & Policy Intern at the Im/migrant Well-Being Scholar Collaborative. He contributes by writing blog posts, translating materials, and assisting with research.