Immigration News Today: ICE Surveys 23 Mass Detention Camp Sites Across The U.S.

Julia Malleck

Feb 06, 2026

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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.

ICE surveys 23 mass detention camp sites across the country:

Communities in at least five states have pushed back against and stalled purchases of warehouses ICE wants to turn into jails. —Courier Newsroom  

Border czar Tom Homan announces 700 immigration officers to leave Minneapolis:

The move comes as President Trump has stated his administration could use “a softer touch” on immigration. —The Washington Post, The Hill

DOJ tying up $608 million reimbursement for “Alligator Alcatraz,” according to official:

The grant request was awarded in December, but has yet to materialize, according to Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management. —Florida Phoenix, Miami Herald

10-year-old released from ICE custody after nearly one month in detention:

Elizabeth Zuna Caisaguano and her mother, Minnesota residents, were held in a Texas processing facility. —Sahan Journal, The Guardian

Federal agents leave behind “death cards” after immigrant arrests:

It’s a practice U.S. soldiers also carried out during the Vietnam War. —The Intercept  

New York

Mamdani endorses Gov. Kathy Hochul for reelection:

The announcement comes one day after the incumbent governor said City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams would be her running mate. —The Nation, PIX11

Individuals detained in Delaney Hall publish letter, “El Grito de Nosotros”:

A man named Leonardo penned the four-page letter, signed by 24 other men, detailing their experience inside the facility. —Consecha

NYPD arrests at least 12, including students and faculty, at anti-ICE protest outside Columbia University gates:

The individuals were blocking traffic and demanding the school reinstate itself as a “sanctuary campus.” —Columbia Spectator  

Trump deportation push complicates politics in New York’s suburban swing districts:

Moderate Democrats and pro-Trump Republicans are facing rising political consequences for their messaging as voters sour on Trump’s policies. —POLITICO

Washington D.C.

Republican senator opposes planned ICE detention center in Mississippi:

Sen. Roger Wicker told DHS Secretary Kristi Noem in a letter that the jail would have a negative economic impact on his constituents. —Reuters

Dems demand answers from HHS Secretary on impact of immigration surge on child welfare: 

Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and others slammed the agency for failing to take action in a letter. —ABC News 

DHS attorney says “this job sucks” in Minneapolis courtroom as “tsunami” of cases strain U.S. attorney’s offices:

“Sometime[s] I wish you would just hold me in contempt, your honor, so that I can have a full 24 hours of sleep,” prosecutor Julie Le said, according to a court transcript. —POLITICO, CBS News 

Two-thirds of Americans believe ICE has “gone too far” in immigration enforcement, new poll shows:

It marks an 11-point increase, driven by Democrats and independents, from last summer. —NPR, Marist Poll

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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