As we end this week, the Collaborative is back with another Stories of the Week recap. From a looming D.H.S. shutdown to the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from ICE detention, here are the top stories impacting im/migrant well-being this week.
– Sophia Benavente
TOP STORY OF THE WEEK
A bipartisan Senate talk about reining in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has sputtered before it has even started, raising the risk of a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security in little over a week. With Democrats demanding major changes to immigration enforcement and Republicans digging in against measures to curb the Trump administration’s deportation drive, senators seem far from reaching a conclusion on a measure needed to keep the department running.
Senators Clash Over Immigration Enforcement, Risking a D.H.S. Shutdown
NATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
DHS watchdog details extensive probes into Trump’s immigration crackdown
The Department of Homeland Security’s independent watchdog has disclosed their investigations into the department on Thursday. These span ICE‘s hiring surge, use of force, and other salient issues—as the White House faces heightened scrutiny over the immigration crackdown.
Two-thirds of Americans say ICE has ‘gone too far’ in immigration enforcement
After the fatal shootings of two American citizens at the hands of federal immigration authorities, an NPR poll reports that 65% of Americans say that ICE has “gone too far.” 6 out of 10 respondents said that they disapprove of the job ICE is doing overall, saying the agency is making Americans less safe. Despite the fact that President Trump won a record share of Latinos for a Republican presidential candidate, the poll shows concerns with his administration’s handling of immigration.
Surge in Immigration Cases in Minnesota Pushes Prosecutors and Judges to Brink
A Minnesota prosecutor’s remarks opened a window into how courts in the state are buckling under the weight of a deluge of cases arising from Operation Metro Surge.
INTERNATIONAL STORIES OF THE WEEK
Greece pushes to recruit tens of thousands more Asian migrant workers
Greece’s parliament expected to pass legislation to recruit thousands of South Asian workers to the country. This move is meant to simplify bringing in workers through recruitment schemes agreed with by a number of countries. Despite this, the country continues to penalize migrants the country has deemed illegal.
I’m the Prime Minister of Spain. This Is Why the West Needs Migrants.
As the world has watched Spain’s mass regularization of legal status for 500,000 undocumented migrants, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expresses sentiments about migration and highlights current events in the United States.
HEART-WARMERS OF THE WEEK
5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and father return to Minnesota from ICE facility in Texas
Stars Bring ‘ICE OUT’ Pins and Fiery Speeches to a Political Grammys
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.