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.
For first time in recorded history, immigration accounts for the entire growth of the U.S. population year over year:
For the first time since 1850, when the U.S. Census Bureau started recording nativity data, immigration accounted for the entire growth of the U.S. population between 2022 and 2023 amid falling U.S. birth rates. — Migration Policy Institute
U.S. arrests more immigrants in February 2025 than any month in last seven years:
DHS data from the first month of Trump’s presidency, in addition to interviews with lawyers, advocates and former ICE officials, shows how the administration has transformed immigration enforcement in a few weeks. — Read more here
‘Baby jails’ and first steps behind bars — Trump’s immigration agenda embraces family detention again:
As the U.S. ramps up enforcement, scenes of family separation and despair from Trump’s first term are repeated. — The Guardian
U.S. immigration detention maxed out at 47,600 detainees, ICE official says:
A senior ICE official said the agency was expanding its bed count with support from the U.S. Defense Department, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Prisons. — Reuters
Irish, undocumented, and unsure of their future in Trump’s America:
While they are in the U.S. illegally, they are largely spared the scrutiny of that label. But still they live in fear. Recent estimates suggest that there around 10,000 undocumented Irish immigrants in the U.S. — CBS News
New York
At least 3 New York City hotels receive subpoenas as part of immigration investigation:
The Roosevelt Hotel, Row NYC and Hotel Chandler received the subpoenas, requesting information of an alleged violation of federal immigration law. — ABC 7 Eyewitness News
Trump’s Justice Department demands New York migrant shelter share names of residents:
The federal subpoena, sent to the hotel Wednesday by prosecutors for the Southern District of New York, also appears to seek information about New York City government officials. — The Guardian
Judge extends ban on deportation of Mahmoud Khalil from the U.S:
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman extended his temporary block on Khalil’s deportation Wednesday, allowing more time to assess the arrest’s constitutionality. — Reuters
- A few emerging themes in Mahmoud Khalil’s case so far: “Some speculate that whoever prepared the Notice to Appear was using macros to insert pre-formatted text and sloppily forgot to delete the first half of allegation #3 on the NTA.” — Austin Kocher’s Substack
- Following Khalil’s arrest, Columbia University gathered students and faculty from the journalism school, warning international students of their inability to protect them. “Nobody can protect you,” said the journalism school’s dean, Jelani Cobb. “These are dangerous times.” — The New York Times
- Op-Ed: Mahmoud Khalil is my friend. Columbia targeted him, then the U.S. government abducted him. — Columbia Spectator
After unlawful immigration arrest in New York State courthouse, lawmakers urge AG to enforce Protect Our Courts Act:
The Protect Our Courts Act states that federal immigration officers are prohibited from making arrests at city, state, or federal courthouses in New York State without a warrant signed by a judge. — Read more here
Legal organizations highlight laws protecting courthouses from ICE raids:
A group of legal organizations led by the New York County Lawyers Association released a statement about protections in New York law from arrest in courthouses, or traveling to and from courthouses, regardless of immigration status. — New York Law Journal
ICE accessed car trackers in sanctuary cities that could help in raids, files show:
Emails and access logs newly made public show ICE once had access to a major database that holds license plate reader information collected across Westchester County. — The Guardian
Cancellation of removal is a way to stop deportation:
Seeking to stop a deportation? You may qualify for cancellation of removal. Here’s what you need to know about EOIR 42b and EOIR 42a. — Documented
Washington D.C.
Trump expected to invoke wartime authority to speed up mass deportation effort in coming days:
The announcement, which could be made as soon as today, will come in the form of a presidential proclamation. The move would likely pave the way for quicker removals of certain immigrants. — CNN
Immigrant detention centers are at capacity, Trump officials say:
The Department of Homeland Security is working with several agencies to increase bed space as they ask Congress for more funding. — NBC News
Trump’s USCIS pick has track record of tough immigration vetting:
Joseph Edlow, Trump‘s nominee to lead USCIS, is expected to draw from his history at the agency and enforcement work to carry out the administration’s more restrictive agenda. — Bloomberg Lawx
