As expected, within the 1,000+ page appropriations deal are troubling increases for immigration enforcement, including $7.6 billion for ICE ($512 million over FY2018) and $14.9 billion for CBP ($942 million over FY2018). $1.375 billion is allocated towards border barriers, mainly defined as levees and pedestrian barriers in the Rio Grande Valley. ICE detention beds would increase by almost 5,000 beds to 45,274 for the average d Read more >

We are waiting to see the final text of the "legislative deal" hammered out among congressional conferees, but information that has been shared and reported in the media includes $1.375 billion for new wall construction (about 55 miles), and an increase in the number of detention beds to over 45,000 (not a decrease as has been described by some.  Read more >

The heart of the  Read more >

[Feb. 7, 2019] The United States could be violating the U.N. Convention Against Torture by force-feeding immigrant detainees on a hunger strike inside an El Paso detention facility, the United Nations human rights office said Thursday. Read more >

WASHINGTON— Today, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen and Department of Defense Acting Secretary Patrick Shanahan demanding an immediate end to the use of dangerous concertina wire along the border barrier in downtown Nogales, Arizona. Read more >

While Donald Trump continues to make his demand to build "the wall", members of Congress are conferring on a possible "deal" on the budget before Feb. 15 -- the deadline set for the suspension of the government shutdown. Read more >