Oversight
Calls for Trump Administration to Release Migrants from Detention Increase Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Fear and anxiety within the immigrant community is spreading as detainees fear an outbreak of the new coronavirus in detention facilities.
Management
Immigration Courts Become the Latest in the Executive Branch to Postpone Cases
Immigration courts and services will largely pause during the coronavirus pandemic.
Oversight
Immigrant Rights Groups Call on ICE to Halt Raids During Coronavirus Outbreak
A spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the agency does not conduct enforcement operations at medical facilities “except under extraordinary circumstances.”
Oversight
Watchdog: Poor Communication Left HHS Ill-Equipped to Handle Family Separation Policy
Leaders ignored warnings from career staff that would have helped them better care for an influx of children, IG found.
Management
Federal Judge Rules Acting Immigration Services Director Was Unlawfully Appointed
Succession order let Ken Cuccinelli "leapfrog" to the role as agency head without having first served in a subordinate position.
Workforce
The FBI Is Investigating Massive Embezzlement of Border Patrol Union Funds
The head of the powerful union representing border patrol agents nationwide said the FBI is working to identify who stole some $500,000 out of the coffers of the El Paso local. The theft raises more questions about lawlessness in the union’s ranks.
Workforce
Trump Freezes Hiring for Immigrant Services
Employees who received job offer letters are now left in limbo.
Workforce
Record Asylum Cases Met With Insufficient Staffing and Training, Watchdog Finds
Projections DHS uses to set workforce levels are off by as much as 50%, auditors say.
Management
DHS to Waive Contracting Regulations to Speed Up Border Wall Construction
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf is using a 2005 law to override certain requirements.
Management
Why Is John Kelly Speaking Out Now?
The former chief of staff is making the case that he spoke truth to power inside the White House. The trouble for him is how many Americans won’t be convinced.
Defense
Trump Targets Major Weapons Projects To Fund Wall
The $4 billion in procurement reprogramming is part of a total of what is believed to be roughly $7 billion in military construction and counternarcotics funding that the White House is planning to divert.
Management
Hundreds of County Jails Detained Immigrants for ICE
Between 1983 and 2013, the number of immigrants detained in rural county jails has increased.
Oversight
Questions Linger on How State Dept. Employees Will Carry Out New 'Birth Tourism' Policy
The rule "almost demands discrimination in order for it to be implemented," said an expert.
Management
Federal Judge Blocks Policy that Allowed Gov. Greg Abbott to Ban Refugees in Texas
The decision comes just days after the Texas governor became the first state leader to opt out of the program. The move drew a harsh rebuke from the Texas' Catholic bishops.
Management
Border Patrol Officials Dodged Congress’ Questions About Migrant Children’s Deaths
The chair of a House Homeland Security subcommittee reprimanded Border Patrol officials for concealing information about migrant children’s deaths. Officials did not respond to the chairwoman's criticism.
Management
Six Children Died in Border Patrol Care. Democrats in Congress Want to Know Why.
Video obtained by ProPublica contradicted the Border Patrol’s account of 16-year-old Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez’s death. Now, House Democrats are pressuring the agency to explain why six migrant children died under its care in less than a year.
Management
Abbott Tells Trump Administration Texas Won't Participate in Refugee Resettlement
The decision comes after more than 40 other governors said they would opt in to the federal program.
Oversight
Appeals Court Rules Trump Can Use Nearly $4 Billion in Military Funds for Border Wall
The White House called the initial decision to block on the use of military funds for the boder wall "illegitimate" and hailed the appeals court decision as a victory.
Management
Trump Administration Makes Its Case to Break Up Immigration Judges' Union
Justice Department "simply does not want to deal with a vocal union that asserts its rights," labor group argues at hearing.
Defense