Felipe De La Hoz
@felipedlh.bsky.social
Life’s a bitch, then you die | NY Daily News editorial board member, @newrepublic.com contributing editor, @theverge.com temporary writer, NYU lecturer, half of BORDER/LINES, immigration wonk, other hats | Personal photography at Instagram.com/nycfelipe
Pinned
Felipe De La Hoz
@felipedlh.bsky.social
· Feb 20
For new followers: I’ve spent about a decade writing on immigration, from explanatory to feature to opinion to investigative. Always looking to talk if you have insight, from inside gov’t, civil society, or if directly impacted. Signal is felipedlh.58, anonymity assured (do NOT use work devices)
I don’t think both political actors and journalists say often enough that at least some portion of contemporary MAGA political agitation is explicitly that they think you should probably die
Comer: "This is a fake economy. You can't have 1/3 of America receiving some type of free government healthcare and then have another 1/3 that's getting a subsidized rate. That falls on the final 1/3 that's having to pay increased premiums."
November 10, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I don’t think both political actors and journalists say often enough that at least some portion of contemporary MAGA political agitation is explicitly that they think you should probably die
We have received firm, tangible, credible assurances that Lucy will position the football in the manner set forth in the framework agreement
November 10, 2025 at 2:41 PM
We have received firm, tangible, credible assurances that Lucy will position the football in the manner set forth in the framework agreement
Seeing a decent number of takes like this but this seems pretty short-sighted. There will be steep material costs to torpedoing key aspects of the ACA. There have been dire costs to insulating the GOP from the consequences of its own agenda
I think there is a near-pathological remove from which a lot of people on this website view politics. For all the talk about material conditions, a refusal to see the effects on material shutdown that have happened and were worsening. “Yeah but the other guy’ll get blamed” can change on a dime.
November 10, 2025 at 1:39 AM
Seeing a decent number of takes like this but this seems pretty short-sighted. There will be steep material costs to torpedoing key aspects of the ACA. There have been dire costs to insulating the GOP from the consequences of its own agenda
This is additionally darkly comical to me given I am not going anywhere for thanksgiving and have lived in NYC for 12 years, longer than I have ever lived anywhere, yet it was I who could not vote
I am begging the entire klal to go immediately to therapy.
November 8, 2025 at 2:52 PM
This is additionally darkly comical to me given I am not going anywhere for thanksgiving and have lived in NYC for 12 years, longer than I have ever lived anywhere, yet it was I who could not vote
The main issue here is that most people, including teens, have no real concept of that journalists actually do, of they understand “journalists” to mean “TV talking heads,” which is not the same thing
About half of the teens surveyed believe that journalists frequently “make up details, such as quotes” and “pay for sources.” More than a third of teens believe journalists could improve by simply “Telling the truth,” “Fact checking,” and “Not lying.” buff.ly/7vgO0ci
“Biased,” “Boring,” “Chaotic,” and “Bad”: A majority of teens hold negative views of news media, report finds
About half of the teens surveyed believe that journalists frequently “make up details, such as quotes” and “pay for sources.”
www.niemanlab.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The main issue here is that most people, including teens, have no real concept of that journalists actually do, of they understand “journalists” to mean “TV talking heads,” which is not the same thing
My take: implementation of Zohran’s policies is a tall order, *but* Tuesday’s election results themselves will help from practical and political standpoints. Not only did the housing ballot measures pass, I think it shows Hochul she has to worry more about leaving behind Zohran voters than Stefanik
After a historic win, now comes the hard part for Zohran Mamdani: Governing New York City - Epicenter NYC
Tuesday was, as you’ve certainly heard, a very good day for Democrats. Not only did Zohran Mamdani win a decisive victory in the New York City mayoral race, but Democrats […]
epicenter-nyc.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:43 PM
My take: implementation of Zohran’s policies is a tall order, *but* Tuesday’s election results themselves will help from practical and political standpoints. Not only did the housing ballot measures pass, I think it shows Hochul she has to worry more about leaving behind Zohran voters than Stefanik
I think a lot of people would be legitimately shocked to learn what a typical House staffer gets paid. And these are the people actually running the government
people hate hearing this but it's 100% true, creating a huge pay gap between political leaders, their staffs, and other elites is a recipe for corruption. of course the flip side of that is taxes on the rich should be jacked way the hell up
The Mayor of New York only makes $260k. I bet there are police that make more than that in NY with overtime.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
We need to pay elected leaders more money and stop pretending it's some sort of calling. They're managing hundreds of billions of dollars in investments and millions of people's lives.
November 7, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I think a lot of people would be legitimately shocked to learn what a typical House staffer gets paid. And these are the people actually running the government
Reposted by Felipe De La Hoz
AP reporter Regina Garcia Cano looked into a few of the men killed in Trump's extrajudicial strikes on Caribbean boats.
"They were laborers, a fisherman, a taxi driver. Two were low-level career criminals. One was a local crime boss who contracted out smuggling services"
apnews.com/article/trum...
"They were laborers, a fisherman, a taxi driver. Two were low-level career criminals. One was a local crime boss who contracted out smuggling services"
apnews.com/article/trum...
Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced
One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 PM
AP reporter Regina Garcia Cano looked into a few of the men killed in Trump's extrajudicial strikes on Caribbean boats.
"They were laborers, a fisherman, a taxi driver. Two were low-level career criminals. One was a local crime boss who contracted out smuggling services"
apnews.com/article/trum...
"They were laborers, a fisherman, a taxi driver. Two were low-level career criminals. One was a local crime boss who contracted out smuggling services"
apnews.com/article/trum...
Also it’s insane to call USAID a “Biden-era program.” It was established by JFK!
Rep. Andy Harris: "A continuing resolution doesn't increase spending, but it also gives the administration the ability to tweak funding. Those Biden-era programs that aren't very favorable like USAID obviously are subject to rescission." (Yeah, that's the whole problem!)
November 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Also it’s insane to call USAID a “Biden-era program.” It was established by JFK!
*Democrats demand costs be subsidized, Republicans shut down the government to prevent it*
ABC News:
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/insan...
ABC News:
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/insan...
November 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM
*Democrats demand costs be subsidized, Republicans shut down the government to prevent it*
ABC News:
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/insan...
ABC News:
abcnews.go.com/amp/US/insan...
Reposted by Felipe De La Hoz
There are no words for how evil this is
November 7, 2025 at 1:36 AM
There are no words for how evil this is
You gotta almost hand it to the guy being like “yeah I was fully corrupt the whole time and I don’t have to pretend otherwise now. I did that shit”
ADAMS: Now “I don't have to deal with you guys, man. I can fly private now, I can go on a cruise, I can hang out in St. Bart.”
(via @nypost.com)
(via @nypost.com)
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 PM
You gotta almost hand it to the guy being like “yeah I was fully corrupt the whole time and I don’t have to pretend otherwise now. I did that shit”
I’m a little unclear on the legal authority to make these arrests. These drivers are basically definitionally documented in some fashion. SCOTUS cleared the way for indiscriminate detentions, but immigration agents are still not allowed to just cart off people who are nonremovable
‘Like shooting fish in a barrel’ - Chicago Reader
Federal agents have repeatedly terrorized rideshare drivers at O’Hare International Airport.
chicagoreader.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:00 PM
I’m a little unclear on the legal authority to make these arrests. These drivers are basically definitionally documented in some fashion. SCOTUS cleared the way for indiscriminate detentions, but immigration agents are still not allowed to just cart off people who are nonremovable
This is the kind of stuff that really drives home that these are true believers, bona fide anti-immigration zealots. This is not 200,000 people, it is *200*. That is nothing, I wouldn’t even call it a rounding error, it would go fully unnoticed. But they are taking steps to strip them of protections
A global food security watchdog warned this week that half of South Sudan's population faces crisis-level hunger next year. But DHS wants to send back more than 200 people from the country with Temporary Protected Status.
Like in other recent TPS decisions, the agency cites public safety concerns.
Like in other recent TPS decisions, the agency cites public safety concerns.
South Sudanese Migrants Lose Temporary Deportation Protections
The Department of Homeland Security is eliminating a temporary deportation shield for more than 200 immigrants from South Sudan.
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This is the kind of stuff that really drives home that these are true believers, bona fide anti-immigration zealots. This is not 200,000 people, it is *200*. That is nothing, I wouldn’t even call it a rounding error, it would go fully unnoticed. But they are taking steps to strip them of protections
I think this is a legitimately important question for the future of the polity. People whose first memories are under authoritarian regimes often end up scarred and skeptical of government authority for life. It will be tricky to convince some of these toddlers that government can be good
How many kids first experience of the state will be of masked men grabbing people?
Raids inside day cares had been off limits until this year, when, on his first day in office, President Donald Trump removed that protection.
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
The arrest reportedly took place in front of children.
19thnews.org/2025/11/chil...
November 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
I think this is a legitimately important question for the future of the polity. People whose first memories are under authoritarian regimes often end up scarred and skeptical of government authority for life. It will be tricky to convince some of these toddlers that government can be good
People are gonna dunk on this but his suits do convey something (and they are, fortunately, fitted but not 2010s slender)
Beyond Zohran Mamdani’s progressive policies and Instagram dexterity, “it's the slender suit that delineates Mamdani as a member of an age group that has barely broken into politics in America and has until now not crossed the threshold of City Hall," writes our fashion reporter. nyti.ms/4nFISgS
November 5, 2025 at 5:33 PM
People are gonna dunk on this but his suits do convey something (and they are, fortunately, fitted but not 2010s slender)
*most corrupt and dishonest guy you’ve ever seen* “my honor demands I resign!”
FDNY Commish Robert Tucker submitted his resignation to Mayor Adams this a.m. in the wake of Zohran Mamdani's election.
Other top Adams allies, like Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, are expected to resign in coming days too, per sources. www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/05/f...
Other top Adams allies, like Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kaz Daughtry, are expected to resign in coming days too, per sources. www.nydailynews.com/2025/11/05/f...
FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker resigns day after Mamdani NYC mayoral win
In a letter to Mayor Adams sent less than 12 hours after Mamdani’s win, Tucker announced his last day will be Dec. 19.
www.nydailynews.com
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
*most corrupt and dishonest guy you’ve ever seen* “my honor demands I resign!”
Reposted by Felipe De La Hoz
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
These big wins will embolden Dems to take on Trump's lawbreaking and show there's a price for GOP enabling of him. Folks hate to hear this, but normal patterns are asserting themselves: Liberalism isn't dead, Rs are likely to lose in 2026, and Trump is really unpopular, not a magical exception.
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
Time to send Schumer to a nice farm upstate, he’s earned some rest :)
November 5, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Time to send Schumer to a nice farm upstate, he’s earned some rest :)
Spencer does it again. Precision and mastery, like an Olympic shooter
All day, many of you have been asking for a Cheney obituary from me. Get ready:
His Works Completed, Dick Cheney, Mass Murderer of Iraqis and American Democracy, Dies
As much as the Trumpists claim to disavow the War on Terror, they walk a path paved by the most powerful vice president in U.S. history.
www.thenation.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Spencer does it again. Precision and mastery, like an Olympic shooter
Me pitching a 5,000-word feature: 🙂
Me writing a 5,000-word feature:
Me writing a 5,000-word feature:
November 4, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Me pitching a 5,000-word feature: 🙂
Me writing a 5,000-word feature:
Me writing a 5,000-word feature:
Reposted by Felipe De La Hoz
Folks, while we're all procrastinating waiting for election night, consider this: Our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. We're a nonprofit, and we thrive with your support, gifts, subscriptions.
And right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply:
And right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply:
Do you want to support our work at Bolts? Sign up as a $5 monthly donor today, & we’ll immediately get $60 in matching funds!
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Folks, while we're all procrastinating waiting for election night, consider this: Our journalism at Bolts has no paywall, but it requires a lot of resources. We're a nonprofit, and we thrive with your support, gifts, subscriptions.
And right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply:
And right now is the GOLDEN time to make your support multiply:
Spectrum has had a wifi outage in my area for hours, so I've almost run through my mobile hotspot allocation in my own apartment because I have to work. Reached out to ask them to reset it and they were basically like GFY, and it's just wild how companies basically do not give a shit anymore
November 4, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Spectrum has had a wifi outage in my area for hours, so I've almost run through my mobile hotspot allocation in my own apartment because I have to work. Reached out to ask them to reset it and they were basically like GFY, and it's just wild how companies basically do not give a shit anymore
As we see indicia of big turnout in today's NYC mayoral election, worth keeping in mind that roughly one in seven adult NYC residents are categorically barred from voting. If you're on the fence about turning out, remember that this is a privilege many of your neighbors do not have
Ahead of Mayor Race, Noncitizen New Yorkers Grapple with a Voting Policy Failure to Launch - Bolts
For a brief moment, it seemed some noncitizen New Yorkers may gain the right to vote locally. But with the law struck down earlier this year, they remain at the margins.
boltsmag.org
November 4, 2025 at 4:07 PM
As we see indicia of big turnout in today's NYC mayoral election, worth keeping in mind that roughly one in seven adult NYC residents are categorically barred from voting. If you're on the fence about turning out, remember that this is a privilege many of your neighbors do not have
An entire economy now based on, dependent on, theft
NEW: Common Crawl, the massive archiver of the web, has gotten cozy with AI companies and is providing paywalled articles for training data. They’re also lying to publishers who have asked for material to be removed. “The robots are people too,” CC’s exec director told us when we asked about this.
The Nonprofit Feeding the Entire Internet to AI Companies
Common Crawl claims to provide a public benefit, but it lies to publishers about its activities.
www.theatlantic.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:26 PM
An entire economy now based on, dependent on, theft