Management

Despite Coronavirus, ‘The Machinery Continues’ at Immigration Courts

Immigration judges and employees at the Executive Office of Immigration Review said the agency’s informal policy to keep offices and courts open puts deportations over workers’ safety.

Management

Immigration Review Office Remains Open Despite Potential COVID-19 Exposure

Most support staff at the Executive Office of Immigration Review in Falls Church, Va., remain unable to telework even after two floors had to be deep cleaned after an employee exhibited coronavirus symptoms at work last week.

Management

Democratic Senators Demand Answers on Trump’s Secretive Border Expulsions

After ProPublica’s report, Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee ask the Department of Homeland Security to explain why it thinks emergency powers granted to the CDC allow it to bypass existing asylum laws.

Oversight

Government Watchdog: Millions Wasted on Tornillo Migrant Detention Facility

The Government Accountability Office found that the government spent $66 million in taxpayer money over five months to hold an average of 28 people per day at the tent encampment near El Paso.

Management

In a 10-Day Span, ICE Flew This Detainee Across the Country — Nine Times

Even as the Trump administration discouraged the public from flying, Sirous Asgari was shuttled from Louisiana to Texas, New Jersey and back on chartered flights full of migrants. He still hasn’t been deported.

Management

As Coronavirus Infections Spread, So Have Clashes Between ICE Detainees and Guards

At ICE detention camps across the country, unrest is growing as detainees warn that dirty conditions and a disturbing lack of soap and other supplies could allow coronavirus to run rampant.

Management

Viewpoint: COVID-19 Shows Us Why We Should Keep ICE Out of Hospitals

Fearing Trump’s immigration police, people are avoiding health care facilities. That’s dangerous, particularly now.

Defense

Viewpoint: I Used to Run ICE. We Need to Release the Nonviolent Detainees.

It’s the only way to protect detention facilities and the people in them from COVID-19.

Oversight

Calls for Trump Administration to Release Migrants from Detention Increase Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Fear and anxiety within the immigrant community is spreading as detainees fear an outbreak of the new coronavirus in detention facilities.

Oversight

Immigrant Rights Groups Call on ICE to Halt Raids During Coronavirus Outbreak

A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities “except under extraordinary circumstances.”

Oversight

Watchdog: Poor Communication Left HHS Ill-Equipped to Handle Family Separation Policy 

Leaders ignored warnings from career staff that would have helped them better care for an influx of children, IG found.  

Management

Federal Judge Rules Acting Immigration Services Director Was Unlawfully Appointed

Succession order let Ken Cuccinelli "leapfrog" to the role as agency head without having first served in a subordinate position.

Workforce

The FBI Is Investigating Massive Embezzlement of Border Patrol Union Funds

The head of the powerful union representing border patrol agents nationwide said the FBI is working to identify who stole some $500,000 out of the coffers of the El Paso local. The theft raises more questions about lawlessness in the union’s ranks.

Management

DHS to Waive Contracting Regulations to Speed Up Border Wall Construction

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.

Management

Why Is John Kelly Speaking Out Now?

The former chief of staff is making the case that he spoke truth to power inside the White House. The trouble for him is how many Americans won’t be convinced.

Defense

Trump Targets Major Weapons Projects To Fund Wall

The $4 billion in procurement reprogramming is part of a total of what is believed to be roughly $7 billion in military construction and counternarcotics funding that the White House is planning to divert.

Management

Hundreds of County Jails Detained Immigrants for ICE

Between 1983 and 2013, the number of immigrants detained in rural county jails has increased.