Immigration News Today: Immigrants Reportedly Held in ICE Jails Despite Agreeing to Leave U.S.

Julia Malleck

May 18, 2026

Activists gather outside the Bergen County Jail to demand the release, not transfer, of detained immigrants at the facility. Photo: Giulia McDonnell Nieto del Rio for Documented

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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.

Immigrants reportedly held in ICE jails despite agreeing to leave U.S.:

Lawmakers and advocates have accused contracted private prisons of holding individuals in detention for longer in order to increase profits. —Truthout

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Senate parliamentarian rules against parts of GOP immigration bill:Sections of the $70 billion reconciliation bill have been flagged as violating the Senate’s Byrd Rule.  —The Hill, budget.senate.gov

Around the U.S.

LA clinic tracks mental health toll of Trump immigration crackdown:

Zocalo Health, which mainly serves Latino families on Medicaid, has seen an uptick in anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among patients. —WGCU

Statewide protests in Indiana target use of correctional facility for ICE detainees:

A total of 28 protests took place across the state on Saturday, with residents opposing the use of Miami Correctional Facility to hold hundreds of people in detention for ICE. —WANE

Spanish-language media for immigrants “blossoms” in Austin amid ICE raids: 

Social media channels with information on local enforcement have become a key way for immigrants to navigate their daily lives and avoid encounters with federal agents. —Austin American-Statesman

Federal judge blocks Texas migrant arrest law one day before it’s set to take effect:

Civil rights groups filed a class-action suit challenging the proposed law that would permit state officials to arrest and deport individuals suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. —Houston Public Media

Massachusetts governor rejects ICE bid to get in-state confidential and undercover license plates:

The Trump administration has said local policies barring the issuing of such license plates violate the Supremacy Clause and call on them to be rescinded. —WCVB 

New York

Rochester ICE detention center set to begin construction at end of May:

New York Democrats U.S. Rep. Joe Morelle, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand sent a letter to DHS in March to oppose the plan. —13WHAM

ICE supervisor condemned for allegedly lying in Federal Plaza assault lawsuit:

A court filing submitted by Supervisory Detention and Deportation Officer Joseph Harrington appears to conflict with video footage of a September 2025 incident where masked ICE agents roughed up journalists at the courthouse. —amNY

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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