Francesca D'Annunzio
@francescadnunz.bsky.social
Texas Observer investigative reporter covering the immigration enforcement, US-MX borderlands, AI surveillance tech, + extremism.
multilingual, nosy, and probably filing records requests
📩 dannunzio@texasobserver.org
https://linktr.ee/FrancescaDnunz
multilingual, nosy, and probably filing records requests
📩 dannunzio@texasobserver.org
https://linktr.ee/FrancescaDnunz
Pinned
Texas’ AI-Powered Surveillance Arsenal Has Ballooned. Proposed Laws Provide Few Guardrails.
Operation Lone Star has turbocharged DPS’ surveillance capabilities. Lawmakers say they want to prevent Texas from becoming a police state but have filed only modest legislation to regulate use of AI.
www.texasobserver.org
NEW: Under Operation Lone Star, Texas DPS has quietly built out an expansive surveillance apparatus—one that’s increasingly powered by artificial intelligence.
Proposed laws provide few guardrails.🧵
w/ @texasobserver.org + @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-su...
Proposed laws provide few guardrails.🧵
w/ @texasobserver.org + @pulitzercenter.bsky.social
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-su...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
BIG news for Texas. State troopers in Texas will now have the authority to make immigration arrests, same as ICE and Border Patrol.
Whether this means all state troopers, or only a subset of officers, will get trained and authorized to carry out this duty remains to be seen.
Whether this means all state troopers, or only a subset of officers, will get trained and authorized to carry out this duty remains to be seen.
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 5, 2025 at 12:01 AM
BIG news for Texas. State troopers in Texas will now have the authority to make immigration arrests, same as ICE and Border Patrol.
Whether this means all state troopers, or only a subset of officers, will get trained and authorized to carry out this duty remains to be seen.
Whether this means all state troopers, or only a subset of officers, will get trained and authorized to carry out this duty remains to be seen.
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Texas Turns Its Sprawling State Police Force Into Immigration Agents for Trump
The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached DPS, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
www.texasobserver.org
November 4, 2025 at 11:17 PM
NEW: The notorious 287(g) task force program has finally reached the Texas Department of Public Safety, raising fears of widespread racial profiling.
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
In other words: Texas is deputizing some of its state officers to act as roving ICE agents.
www.texasobserver.org/texas-dps-28...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
New incredible detail here: ICE says a match in its facial recognition app Mobile Fortify is a "definitive" determination of a person's status, and that this overrides birth certificates. This is an app ICE is using in the field to scan people
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
New incredible detail here: ICE says a match in its facial recognition app Mobile Fortify is a "definitive" determination of a person's status, and that this overrides birth certificates. This is an app ICE is using in the field to scan people
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
Panicked kidnapping reports during immigration raids in Santa Ana:
“He’s bleeding,” one 911 caller said. “They dumped him into a white van. It doesn’t say ICE”...
Another: “Should we just run?”
New story by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and @hannahallam.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/trum...
“He’s bleeding,” one 911 caller said. “They dumped him into a white van. It doesn’t say ICE”...
Another: “Should we just run?”
New story by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and @hannahallam.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/trum...
How Trump is Building a Violent, Shadowy Federal Police Force
Trump’s DHS appointees have dismantled civil rights guardrails, protected agents’ anonymity and encouraged them to wear masks, threatened groups that stood in their way, and overwhelmed legal challeng...
www.propublica.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Panicked kidnapping reports during immigration raids in Santa Ana:
“He’s bleeding,” one 911 caller said. “They dumped him into a white van. It doesn’t say ICE”...
Another: “Should we just run?”
New story by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and @hannahallam.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/trum...
“He’s bleeding,” one 911 caller said. “They dumped him into a white van. It doesn’t say ICE”...
Another: “Should we just run?”
New story by @davidmcswane.bsky.social and @hannahallam.bsky.social www.propublica.org/article/trum...
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:12 PM
A decade ago, Douglas Menjivar became a whistleblower and activist after he was raped in ICE detention.
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
He married a US citizen, but wasn't able to get a green card.
In June, agents arrested him just before his 50th birthday. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/trump-ice-ar...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: It was two days before his 50th birthday and he already had plans to celebrate with his wife, a U.S. citizen. Instead, ICE placed him in a detention center he once protested against.
Trump's ICE Arrested a Whistleblower Who Exposed Sexual Assault in Detention. Now, He’s Left the Country.
Douglas Menjivar is a survivor and activist. He’s also married to a U.S. citizen, but he was caught up in the president’s mass deportation agenda anyway.
www.texasobserver.org
October 20, 2025 at 3:06 PM
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: It was two days before his 50th birthday and he already had plans to celebrate with his wife, a U.S. citizen. Instead, ICE placed him in a detention center he once protested against.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
Citing the “martyrdom” of Charlie Kirk, Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is pursuing sweeping undercover investigations into “leftist” groups. “To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."
October 7, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Citing the “martyrdom” of Charlie Kirk, Texas AG Ken Paxton says his office is pursuing sweeping undercover investigations into “leftist” groups. “To those demented souls who seek to kill, steal, and destroy our country, know this: you cannot hide, you cannot escape, and justice is coming."
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
🚨NEW: For the first time in history, the single largest group of people arrested in the interior and sent to ICE detention is people with NO criminal record.
As of yesterday's data release, 40%(!) of those arrested in the interior and detained by ICE had no prior conviction or pending charges.
As of yesterday's data release, 40%(!) of those arrested in the interior and detained by ICE had no prior conviction or pending charges.
September 26, 2025 at 4:49 PM
🚨NEW: For the first time in history, the single largest group of people arrested in the interior and sent to ICE detention is people with NO criminal record.
As of yesterday's data release, 40%(!) of those arrested in the interior and detained by ICE had no prior conviction or pending charges.
As of yesterday's data release, 40%(!) of those arrested in the interior and detained by ICE had no prior conviction or pending charges.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
Top story, from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: As a result of the raid, ICE arrested 35 people on federal charges of attempted illegal entry, according to a report obtained from DPS. But authorities never offered any evidence that the party attendees actually were Tren de Aragua members.
Officials Said They Busted a Tren de Aragua Party. Attendees Beg to Differ.
A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven…
www.texasobserver.org
September 23, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Top story, from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: As a result of the raid, ICE arrested 35 people on federal charges of attempted illegal entry, according to a report obtained from DPS. But authorities never offered any evidence that the party attendees actually were Tren de Aragua members.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
After spending around a year in ICE detention, Laura, a Nigerian mother of two, was told by her then-lawyer that she would be released and able to see her kids.
But under Trump, that never happened.
But under Trump, that never happened.
They’ve won in court, but ICE is still detaining and trying to deport them
Inside the “psychological torture” regime targeting migrants who can't be sent home
www.motherjones.com
September 22, 2025 at 6:44 PM
After spending around a year in ICE detention, Laura, a Nigerian mother of two, was told by her then-lawyer that she would be released and able to see her kids.
But under Trump, that never happened.
But under Trump, that never happened.
In April, authorities raided what they say was a Tren de Aragua gathering. Attendees say it was a birthday party.
Among those detained included a homeless barber/DoorDash driver, and three people who fled Venezuela years ago *because of* that gang
🧵
www.texasobserver.org/officials-tr...
Among those detained included a homeless barber/DoorDash driver, and three people who fled Venezuela years ago *because of* that gang
🧵
www.texasobserver.org/officials-tr...
Officials Said They Busted a Tren de Aragua Party. Attendees Beg to Differ.
A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven gang-...
www.texasobserver.org
September 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
In April, authorities raided what they say was a Tren de Aragua gathering. Attendees say it was a birthday party.
Among those detained included a homeless barber/DoorDash driver, and three people who fled Venezuela years ago *because of* that gang
🧵
www.texasobserver.org/officials-tr...
Among those detained included a homeless barber/DoorDash driver, and three people who fled Venezuela years ago *because of* that gang
🧵
www.texasobserver.org/officials-tr...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven gang-related accusations.
Officials Said They Busted a Tren de Aragua Party. Attendees Beg to Differ.
A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven…
www.texasobserver.org
September 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: A highly publicized multi-agency raid in Hays County resulted in dozens of arrests on low-level immigration charges and left an Austin mother's life in tatters. It also fit a pattern of unproven gang-related accusations.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
Mario Guevara is here legally and is not facing any criminal charges.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
US appeals court orders deportation of Atlanta journalist detained by Ice
Mario Guevara faces imminent removal from US as his attorney files emergency petition
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Mario Guevara is here legally and is not facing any criminal charges.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
He is being thrown out of the country for nothing but reporting news.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
Featured story, from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: By Escalona Mújicas’ account, before he opened his car door at the traffic stop, an agent told him “The President does not want to see Haitians, Nicaraguans, Cubans, or Venezuelans here.”
A Venezuelan Was Detained as a 'Documented' Gang Member by ICE, Which Refused to Provide Proof
The Venezuelan immigrant, who has no criminal record, previously worked for a multinational corporation that sells snacks, food, and soft drinks.
www.texasobserver.org
September 15, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Featured story, from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: By Escalona Mújicas’ account, before he opened his car door at the traffic stop, an agent told him “The President does not want to see Haitians, Nicaraguans, Cubans, or Venezuelans here.”
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
The border Mexican state of Chihuahua is raising a 20-story AI-powered surveillance building called 'Centinela'.
This massive investment in surveillance raises concerns about civil liberties.
Story by AI Fellow @francescadnunz.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org. bit.ly/46h18GP
This massive investment in surveillance raises concerns about civil liberties.
Story by AI Fellow @francescadnunz.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org. bit.ly/46h18GP
The Eyes of Chihuahua
The 20-story Torre Centinela looming over Juárez is part of a much larger AI-powered surveillance system that won’t stop at the Texas-Mexico border. For three years, Luis Mendoza has periodically gone...
bit.ly
September 10, 2025 at 5:47 PM
The border Mexican state of Chihuahua is raising a 20-story AI-powered surveillance building called 'Centinela'.
This massive investment in surveillance raises concerns about civil liberties.
Story by AI Fellow @francescadnunz.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org. bit.ly/46h18GP
This massive investment in surveillance raises concerns about civil liberties.
Story by AI Fellow @francescadnunz.bsky.social for @texasobserver.org. bit.ly/46h18GP
mil gracias a @aristeguionline.bsky.social por destacar nuestra investigación en el @texasobserver.org sobre la Plataforma Centinela, el sistema de vigilancia que el estado de Chihuahua está construyendo y ha ofrecido compartir con autoridades en EEUU y Texas
aristeguinoticias.com/090925/arist...
aristeguinoticias.com/090925/arist...
Torre Centinela: Chihuahua construye sistema de vigilancia masiva contra migrantes y ofrece datos a EE.UU., revela periodista
La oferta del gobierno de Maru Campus a Estados Unidos incluye la creación de una base de datos biométricos de migrantes.
aristeguinoticias.com
September 10, 2025 at 3:03 PM
mil gracias a @aristeguionline.bsky.social por destacar nuestra investigación en el @texasobserver.org sobre la Plataforma Centinela, el sistema de vigilancia que el estado de Chihuahua está construyendo y ha ofrecido compartir con autoridades en EEUU y Texas
aristeguinoticias.com/090925/arist...
aristeguinoticias.com/090925/arist...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Just Beyond the Texas Border, Chihuahua Is Launching a Burgeoning State Surveillance System
The 20-story Torre Centinela looming over Juárez is part of a much larger AI-powered network that won’t stop at the U.S.-Mexico divide.
www.texasobserver.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Just Beyond the Texas Border, Chihuahua Is Launching a Burgeoning State Surveillance System
The 20-story Torre Centinela looming over Juárez is part of a much larger AI-powered network that won’t stop at the U.S.-Mexico divide.
www.texasobserver.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:03 PM
NEW: Chihuahua, Mexico's most sprawling state, is building a surveillance system.
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Once complete, it'll have almost 10K cameras, including some w/ facial recognition capabilities.
Authorities offered to share access with US police—including Texas DPS. 🧵
www.texasobserver.org/texas-chihua...
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
“It’s like seeing the eye of Sauron hanging over your city.”
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social in our magazine: A massive surveillance tower looming over Juárez is just part of a AI-powered network that extends far beyond the Texas-Mexico border.
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social in our magazine: A massive surveillance tower looming over Juárez is just part of a AI-powered network that extends far beyond the Texas-Mexico border.
Just Beyond the Texas Border, Chihuahua Is Launching a Burgeoning State Surveillance System
The 20-story Torre Centinela looming over Juárez is part of a much larger AI-powered network that won’t stop at the U.S.-Mexico divide.
www.texasobserver.org
September 8, 2025 at 2:08 PM
“It’s like seeing the eye of Sauron hanging over your city.”
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social in our magazine: A massive surveillance tower looming over Juárez is just part of a AI-powered network that extends far beyond the Texas-Mexico border.
From @francescadnunz.bsky.social in our magazine: A massive surveillance tower looming over Juárez is just part of a AI-powered network that extends far beyond the Texas-Mexico border.
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
We're very pleased to announce Bellingcat and @texasobserver.org won this award- congratulations to @tristanl.ee and @stevanzetti.bsky.social for their hard work on this series of reporting.
The winners of the category 'general excellence in an online newsroom' will be announced in September.
The winners of the category 'general excellence in an online newsroom' will be announced in September.
Finally @tristanl.ee and @stevanzetti.bsky.social's work identifying white extremist networks in Texas and online has been nominated for the Al Neuharth Innovation in Investigative Journalism Award awards.journalists.org/entries/open...
Open-Source Extremist Identifications - Online Journalism Awards
Read More
awards.journalists.org
August 29, 2025 at 12:42 PM
We're very pleased to announce Bellingcat and @texasobserver.org won this award- congratulations to @tristanl.ee and @stevanzetti.bsky.social for their hard work on this series of reporting.
The winners of the category 'general excellence in an online newsroom' will be announced in September.
The winners of the category 'general excellence in an online newsroom' will be announced in September.
the small town gossip I've come across in police records is truly unmatched
and, from the officer at the scene: "I didn't take any photographs of the dead chikens."
and, from the officer at the scene: "I didn't take any photographs of the dead chikens."
August 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
the small town gossip I've come across in police records is truly unmatched
and, from the officer at the scene: "I didn't take any photographs of the dead chikens."
and, from the officer at the scene: "I didn't take any photographs of the dead chikens."
Reposted by Francesca D'Annunzio
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: “What are they hiding, if they will break the law and not let a member of Congress in? What are they hiding if they’ll violate constitutional rights and not let a lawyer in?”
Dems in Congress Are Being Denied Access to ICE Facilities. Now They’re Suing.
As immigration enforcement spending ramps up, oversight mechanisms have been stifled—including for members of Congress.
www.texasobserver.org
August 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
New from @francescadnunz.bsky.social: “What are they hiding, if they will break the law and not let a member of Congress in? What are they hiding if they’ll violate constitutional rights and not let a lawyer in?”
NEW: at least a dozen members of Congress have been denied entry to immigration facilities this year when they showed up to conduct oversight as Trump has ramped up his mass deportation efforts.
Now they are suing the Trump administration.
www.texasobserver.org/dems-in-cong...
Now they are suing the Trump administration.
www.texasobserver.org/dems-in-cong...
Dems in Congress Are Being Denied Access to ICE Facilities. Now They’re Suing.
As immigration enforcement spending ramps up, oversight mechanisms have been stifled—including for members of Congress.
www.texasobserver.org
August 25, 2025 at 2:25 PM
NEW: at least a dozen members of Congress have been denied entry to immigration facilities this year when they showed up to conduct oversight as Trump has ramped up his mass deportation efforts.
Now they are suing the Trump administration.
www.texasobserver.org/dems-in-cong...
Now they are suing the Trump administration.
www.texasobserver.org/dems-in-cong...