Immigration News Today: Citizenship Check for Tenants in Federally Funded Housing

Julia Malleck

Jan 26, 2026

Photo: Shutterstock

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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.

Washington D.C.

HUD orders citizenship check for all tenants in HUD-funded housing:

The agency reported it will be investigating 200,000 tenants across the country for public housing eligibility. —HUD.gov 

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Judge blocks Trump admin. from ending legal status for 8,400 migrants:

The federal government was seeking to end humanitarian parole for family members from seven Latin American countries. —Reuters

Most countries on Trump’s “Board of Peace” on U.S. visa ban list:

The international organization, which some see as a bid to replace the UN, includes more than 20 countries. —The Hill 

Trump admin. to permit 17 Iranian visa holders to enter U.S. amid lawsuit:

The ability for the plaintiffs to reenter the country may carry weight in legal challenges against Trump’s travel ban. —Forbes

Around the U.S.

60 CEOs of Minnesota-based companies call for “immediate deescalation”:

The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce published an open letter calling for “peace and focused cooperation” following “widespread disruption” in the state. —mnchamber.com  

U.S. AG Pam Bondi demands voter rolls, other data as condition for ICE to leave Minnesota:

In a letter to Gov. Tim Walz, Bondi also requested the state share its welfare data and “repeal” its sanctuary policies. —Fox9

FBI agent in Minneapolis involved in Renee Good probe resigns:

The acting FBI supervisor of the Public Corruption squad, Tracee Mergen, quit over pressure to “reclassify/discontinue” the investigation, according to sources. —CBS News

ICE detains two-year old in Minneapolis:

The toddler, who was flown to Texas with her father despite a court order for her immediate release, has since been returned to her mother. —CNN

ICE detains Black corrections officer in Portland, Maine:

A local sheriff condemned the arrest, calling it “bush league policing.” —WFSB, The New Republic

Man acquitted of Bovino murder plot taken into ICE custody:

Juan Espinoza Martinez was arrested by ICE less than a day after a federal jury found him not guilty of one count of murder-for-hire. —Chicago Sun Times

Updated TikTok privacy policy states it will collect citizenship and immigration status information, sparking concern:

The collection of this kind of “sensitive information” isn’t new, though it is drawing more attention following the U.S. joint venture deal with ByteDance. —TechCrunch

New York

Thousands of New Yorkers protest ICE on Friday, hundreds more over the weekend:  

An estimated 4,000 protesters gathered at Union Square, while impromptu protests sprung up on Saturday in lower Manhattan following the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. —New York Times, amNY

Mamdani says all New Yorkers will qualify for universal childcare, regardless of immigration status:

“They should all be enrolled in 3-K and pre-K, no matter where they were born or where they come from,” the mayor said in a press conference. — 💬@NYCMayor

Adams aide who acted as ICE liaison to join Trump admin.:

Kaz Daughtry, a former deputy mayor under the Adams administration, said he was “honored” to join ICE and Homeland Security Investigations in NYC in a post on X. —New York Times, 💬 @realkazdaughtry 

Jersey City mayor bans ICE from city property:

The executive order bars federal immigration agents from using parking lots, garages and other public facilities for their operations. —NJ.comjerseycitynj.gov 

Julia Malleck

Julia Malleck is a journalist based in NYC. She writes Documented's flagship newsletter, Early Arrival, which tracks national and local developments in immigration policy. (And my handle on X/Twitter is @txt_julia)

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