THE WEEK’S US BORDER NEWS IN BRIEF NEWSLETTER:
Top U.S. immigration news this week includes the emptying of a controversial Florida detention center, federal court rulings blocking parts of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, and the resumption of "neighborhood checks" for naturalization applicants.
Court rulings and policy updates
"Alligator Alcatraz" facility being emptied: Officials are moving detainees out of a controversial state-run immigration facility in the Florida Everglades after a judge ordered it to be shut down. (You can read the judge’s order HERE). This move could cost the state an estimated $218 million.
Expansion of expedited removals blocked: A federal judge issued an order blocking the Trump administration's attempt to use a fast-track procedure for deporting migrants arrested far from the southern border, citing due process concerns.
Venezuelan protections upheld: An appeals court blocked the administration from terminating legal protections for 600,000 Venezuelan nationals who have permission to live and work in the U.S.
Neighborhood checks reinstated: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has revived a decades-old practice of conducting "neighborhood checks" for citizenship applicants to evaluate "good moral character".
Updates on Abrego Garcia case: A judge has temporarily blocked the administration from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadoran who was mistakenly deported and brought back to the U.S. His lawyers are challenging the deportation, and he has filed for asylum.
Enforcement and border news
Expanded enforcement plans in cities: Following federal immigration crackdowns in cities like Washington, D.C., officials signaled that Chicago may be the next target. The city's mayor plans to sign an order resisting the potential federal actions.
Migrant flow reversal: A UN-backed report noted that over 14,000 migrants, primarily Venezuelans, have turned back south and reversed their journey to the U.S. in response to stricter immigration policies.
Border Patrol arrests firefighters: Border Patrol agents arrested two crew workers assisting in battling a major wildfire in Washington state, citing their illegal presence in the country. A lawyer for one of the men, an Oregon firefighter, stated he was on track for legal status..
Deportation numbers rise: According to the Department of Homeland Security, ICE has deported nearly 200,000 people since January, putting the agency on track for its highest number of removals in a decade. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also claimed that 1.6 million "illegal aliens" had left the U.S
FINALLY, IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
(Stories covered by US Border News during the past week)
West Coast smuggling routes targeted
No "safe haven" at sea
#SinaloaCrackdown2025 underway
The first decline in immigration since the 1960s was also noted.
I am committed to delivering a US Border Newsletter that is not only educational and insightful but also engaging and easy to digest in five minutes or less.
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Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
Thank you Jack for keeping us Patriots updated on the latest border news. Sorry about the judge decision to close Aligator Alcatraz. The biggest complaint is from the Misasuaki (sp) Indigenous people, because it borders on their community. That’s great news about the illegal drug trafficking. I am so proud of our drug CBP for the work for our country
Do you know how many migrants were removed from the Florida ‘gator’ facility? TY