The push for immigration reform, and what you can do
With a Friday deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security approaching, Democrats and Republicans appeared no closer on Sunday to a deal to keep the agency running, says The New York Times.
Democrats have demanded new restrictions on immigration enforcement as a condition for a new spending bill, after federal immigration officers killed two American citizens in Minnesota last month.
Among the 10 reform demands that Democratic leaders Hakeem Jeffries, N.Y., and Chuck Schumer, N.Y., released last Wednesday are judicial warrants, no masks, displaying ID, body cameras, and a stop to racial profiling.
The Associated Press reported on Sunday that legal observers and officials in Minnesota say they've received a growing number of reports of federal agents impersonating construction workers, delivery drivers and in some cases anti-ICE activists.
A separate AP article focuses on people being held for extended periods in detention centers amid ‘dire’ conditions.
Here are some expert suggestions of specific reforms Congress could enact beyond Democrats’ current demands, compiled by the nonprofit law and policy journal Just Security.
“You have enormous power” to push back against ICE and Border Patrol abuses, says Robert Reich, economist, professor, author and secretary of Labor under President Clinton. Among his suggestions:
CoreCivic, formerly the Corrections Corporation of America, is the biggest owner and operator of ICE and Border Patrol detention centers and has a record of abusing detainees, Reich says.
"You and I are paying CoreCivic through our tax dollars. You can demand that our senators and representatives in Congress not fund the Department of Homeland Security until these abuses stop.”
"You may own CoreCivic indirectly" and can withdraw your savings from institutional investors, such as Black Rock and Vanguard, that are financing it.
You can tell the Democratic Governors Association, which has been accepting donations from CoreCivic, to stop.
You can write to CoreCivic.
You can boycott corporations that enable CoreCivic, ICE and the Border Patrol. Reich links to a long list.
To email your House member and your two senators, you can connect to their websites at Congress.gov. Or you can call the Capitol switchboard, (202) 224-3121, and be connected to the offices of your representative and senators.
Also in the news
Japan Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wins snap election in a landslide
Moderate candidate António José Seguro easily defeats hard-right populist in Portugal presidential runoff
Jimmy Lai, Hong Kong media tycoon and democracy firebrand standing up to China, is sentenced to 20 years in prison
Zelensky says Russia, U.S. discussing bilateral economic agreements worth $12 trillion, some affecting Ukraine
NYTimes: Trump oil grab in Venezuela shatters an American taboo
The Guardian: 'The world heard JD Vance being booed at the Olympics. Except for viewers in the U.S.’
Congress has thwarted budget cuts to key government research funding agencies
Congressional Black Caucus chair says Trump post on the Obamas shows a ‘bigoted and racist regime’
Proposed Virginia congressional map would help Democrats flip up to 4 House seats
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Trump immigration detention policy in Texas, Louisiana
Heather Cox Richardson: Growing coalition of Americans defending democracy is USA at its best
Paul Krugman: 'American decency still lives'
Wired: ICE, CBP face-recognition app can’t actually verify who people are
ProPublica: Grant guidelines for libraries, museums take a “chilling” political turn under Trump
For $1 million, donors to U.S. birthday group Freedom 250 are offered access to Trump
WSJ: ‘One generation runs the country. The next cashed in on crypto.’
Politico: Andy Baker, a quiet force shaping Trump’s and Vance’s confrontational Europe policy
Spending of 4 tech giants as a percentage of U.S. GDP in 2026 is projected to be second only to the Louisiana Purchase
Washington Post CEO Will Lewis departs after going AWOL during massive job cuts
New ways high schools are teaching teens about money
WPost personal finance columnist: Rep. James Clyburn’s book ‘First Eight’ warns about today’s war on Black wealth
Health care costs are increasing voter stress and powering Democratic campaigns
Trump administration health official Dr. Mehmet Oz says ’take the vaccine, please,’ as measles cases rise
Remembering former Indiana Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton, ‘uniquely trusted' by both parties, who has died at 94