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.
Around the U.S.
Judge rules customs officer improperly canceled visa of Harvard scientist:
The scientific community has been tracking Kseniia Petrova’s case amid fears that stricter immigration will impact the recruitment of foreign-born researchers. —AP
Vietnamese immigrant dies in ICE custody in Indiana, agency reports:
Tuan Van Bui, who was 55, was found “unresponsive” at the Miami Correctional Center in Indiana, according to the agency, marking the fifteenth death of an immigrant in detention this year. —IndyStar, Austin Kocher, ICE.gov
Federal judge in Kansas releasing detainees because of slow deportation cases:
The judge has ordered at least 23 immigrants in detention be released in the last eight months because they were being held for months without a deportation date. —Kansas Public Radio, The Topeka Capital-Journal
Right-wing X influencer becomes Minnesota’s newest immigration judge:
Nathan Hansen, who has promoted fringe legal theories and racist conspiracies on social media, has been appointed a judge at Fort Snelling Immigration Court. —News From The States, Justice.gov
State proposal in California could pause evictions for immigrants:
The bill would protect tenants from eviction if they can prove immigration enforcement since June 2025 has caused them economic hardship. —Los Angeles Daily News
Oregon signs series of bills to strengthen immigrant protections:
Gov. Tina Kotek signed eight bills that limit state cooperation with federal enforcement agencies and guard immigrant workers against employer retaliation, among other measures. —KATU
[Long read] Tennessee advocate travels to five countries to reunite separated children with deported parents:
Advocates and lawyers are reporting that the federal Department of Children’s Services is “unpredictable” in its handling of cases amid a new wave of family separation. —Nashville Banner
New York
New lawsuit alleges discriminatory, warrantless ICE arrests in New York:
The lawsuit alleges that Latinos and other immigrant New Yorkers of color have been targeted due to their appearances and arrested without cause. —Documented
NYC landmarks three buildings tied to immigration history:
Public School 15 Annex, the Church of Saint Mary and the Lithuanian Alliance Building are now under the protection of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. —NYC.gov, PIX11
New Jersey seeks injunction against ICE detention center in Roxbury:
In its motion, the state cites a DHS official, who said it intends to run detention centers “like [Amazon] Prime, but with human beings.” —North Jersey, 📄NJOAG.org
Washington, D.C.
Top GOP senators to meet with Trump today over DHS funding:
Senate Republican Whip John Barrasso and Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham are seeking to chart a path forward after members of the House Freedom Caucus rejected a bill from the upper house. —The Hill
Judge halts Trump admin. effort to end legal status for 5,000 Ethiopians:
It is the latest setback for DHS, which has attempted to strip Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from 13 countries since Trump reentered office. —Reuters
Judge tapped for DOJ leadership role after short stint in California immigration court:
Judge Stephen F. Keane, who was appointed to the Concord Immigration Court in California only three months ago, is now deputy director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review. —Bloomberg Law
