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.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia fights deportation to Liberia after criminal charges dropped:
The Maryland resident who was wrongly deported to El Salvador’s brutal megaprison CECOT last year has filed a petition to be removed to Costa Rica, which has agreed to accept him as a refugee. —News from the States
Top ICE prison contractor donated money to lawmaker who chairs committee that oversees agency, investigation finds:
Last year GEO Group made a $250,000 “dark money” donation to American Liberty Foundation, which is linked to GOP Rep. Jim Jordan, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee. —POGO
Outcomes for immigrant detainees in Alabama depend on luck of the judicial draw:
Immigrants in Alabama, which has no immigration court, often have proceedings in Louisiana or Georgia, and face some of the toughest immigration judges in the country. —AL.com
California state lawmakers advance bill that would levy hefty tax on corporations running private detention facilities:
A bill proposing a 50% annual tax, and a second requiring federal immigration agents’ rental cars to be identified with decals, are heading to the state senate. —KALW, Bloomberg Tax
New York
Lawyers unveil new, disturbing details of overcrowding in holding cells at 26 Federal Plaza:
A federal judge is considering shutting down detention at the immigration courthouse following trial proceedings this week where even a U.S. attorney admitted to overcrowding and inhumane conditions. —Documented, THE CITY, Gothamist
State budget falls short in funding to support immigrant communities, advocates say:
A coalition of immigrant advocacy groups said that the $10 million in additional funding for immigration legal defense and community programs fails to meet the need. —Vera, NYIC
[Long read] A snapshot into darkness: Bearing witness inside 26 Federal Plaza:
Photojournalist Michael Nigro first captured scenes of ICE detentions at the Manhattan courthouse last year. He says it’s the hardest story he’s ever worked on. —Underexposed by Brian Edsall, 📹Interview
Sherrill says health inspector denied full access to Delaney Hall:
The New Jersey Department of Health reported only being able to inspect a “limited portion” of the immigration jail amid an ongoing detainee hunger strike and clashes between protesters and ICE agents outside. —Insider NJ, Fox59
Washington, D.C.
GOP lawmakers launch investigation into NYC officials over sanctuary policies:
The House Judiciary Committee announced it is probing seven officials, including NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg Jr., over “ refusal to cooperate” with the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. —judiciary.house.gov
DOJ sues four blue states over denying undercover license plates to federal agents:
In separate lawsuits filed yesterday, the Trump administration accuses Maine, Massachusetts, Oregon and Washington of enacting “discriminatory and obstructionist” policies. —AP, justice.gov
Democratic lawmakers demand answers on 12 million-case USCIS backlog:
Nineteen lawmakers sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and USCIS director Joseph Edlow asking why the backlog has increased by two million cases since January 2025. —moulton.house.gov, 📄Letter
