Just have a minute? Here are the top stories you need to know about immigration. This summary was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here.
New York
Appeals court reverses decision that freed Mahmoud Khalil:
The decision allows the pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia graduate to be detained again, though his legal team plans to appeal. —New York Times
ICE to open new detention center in Chester, New York:
Plans for the “processing center,” which will be able to hold as many as 1,500 detainees, are already sparking protests upstate. —The CITY, DHS.gov
Manhattan prosecutors reduce felony charges against ICE protest defendants:
The charges were reduced to misdemeanors against two protesters who confronted federal immigration agents near Canal Street in November. —Gothamist
New Jersey Democrats push back on planned detention facility in Roxbury:
All 10 of the state’s Democratic Congress members signed a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons stating they “strongly oppose” the move. —New Jersey Globe
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s immigration proposals fall short, some advocates say:
Advocacy leaders are urging her to support the New York for All Act to enact more comprehensive protections than those mentioned in her State of the State address. — Gothamist, City & State
Comptroller Brad Lander oversaw increase in NYC pension fund shares in ICE-linked Palantir:
Between 2022 and 2024, investments in the controversial tech company more than tripled to $56.6 million. —amNY
Around the U.S.
ICE agent shoots man in Minneapolis, alleges he was attacked:
The victim, a Venezuelan migrant, was shot in the leg after officials say two men attacked them with shovels during an arrest operation. —CBS News
Second-highest ICE official in U.S. quits to run for Congress in Ohio:
Madison Sheahan, 28, is a Republican seeking to win a seat long held by Democrats. —CNN
ICE sends arrested refugees from Minnesota to Texas:
Legal advocates believe that at least 100 refugees have been sent to facilities in El Paso and Dilley, Texas, and the majority are believed to be from Somalia. —Dallas Observer, New York Times
Palantir develops new tool for ICE to track down and detain immigrants:
The tool is reportedly designed to generate a mapped dossier of individuals for immigration enforcement to target and arrest.—404 Media
Washington D.C.
Trump admin. suspends immigrant visa processing from 75 countries:
The pause, which will go into effect Jan. 21, will cover 42% of countries globally on top of previous bans. —CNN, 💬@StateDept, Cato Institute
U.S. attorney apologizes, says deportation of Babson College student was mistake:
Any Lucia Lopez Belloza was deported to Honduras over Thanksgiving, in violation of a court order, and it is still unclear if she will be able to return to the U.S. —The Boston Globe
Trump says he will end funding to sanctuary cities in February…:
The president’s announcement on Truth Social did not clarify which funds or states will be affected. —Reuters, @realDonaldTrump
…and Trump threatens to invoke Insurrection Act in Minnesota:
Gov. Tim Walz responded on social media: “Let’s turn the temperature down. Stop this campaign of retribution.” —Politico, 💬@GovTimWalz, 💬@realDonaldTrump
2025 is safest year on record for federal immigration authorities since 2015:
ICE and Border Patrol agents are about “5.5 times less likely” to be murdered than a civilian, according to a new analysis. —Laissez-Faire, Laissez-Passer
