Graeme Blair
@graemeblair.com
Professor of Political Science at UCLA
Deportation Data Project (deportationdata.org)
Organizer at UCLA Faculty Association (AAUP+AFT)
Posts do not represent the positions of any of these organizations
🇵🇸
Deportation Data Project (deportationdata.org)
Organizer at UCLA Faculty Association (AAUP+AFT)
Posts do not represent the positions of any of these organizations
🇵🇸
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Massachusetts has spent months delaying & denying @boltsmag.org’s public records requests on how many people it has transferred ICE during Trump as part of its formal contract with ICE.
A supervisor of records ruled last week that the state’s denials are improper; we hope to get records soon.
A supervisor of records ruled last week that the state’s denials are improper; we hope to get records soon.
Inside ICE’s Only Contract with a Blue State - Bolts
As part of a 287(g) contract between state officials and ICE, Massachusetts continues to release prisoners into deportation—even as state lawmakers look to ban other forms of ICE collaboration.
boltsmag.org
February 14, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Massachusetts has spent months delaying & denying @boltsmag.org’s public records requests on how many people it has transferred ICE during Trump as part of its formal contract with ICE.
A supervisor of records ruled last week that the state’s denials are improper; we hope to get records soon.
A supervisor of records ruled last week that the state’s denials are improper; we hope to get records soon.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
First the Trump Administration wanted to coerce the University of California behind closed doors.
We, UC faculty, said: this is California, we have a right to know their demands -- and we won!
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
We, UC faculty, said: this is California, we have a right to know their demands -- and we won!
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
UCLA Ordered To Make Feds’ Settlement Demand Public
The California Supreme Court ordered the U. of California to make public the administration’s $1.2 billion settlement demand for UCLA. Here's a summary of what's in it.
www.forbes.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:16 PM
First the Trump Administration wanted to coerce the University of California behind closed doors.
We, UC faculty, said: this is California, we have a right to know their demands -- and we won!
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
We, UC faculty, said: this is California, we have a right to know their demands -- and we won!
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Every day it becomes clearer that capitulation (Columbia, Perkins Coie, etc) was the wrong strategy
This is a genuinely huge, sweeping victory today for the University of California—or rather, for us, its faculty, acting through our faculty associations, while the UC itself maintained a strict policy of deer-in-headlights silence.
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
Trump administration drops appeal of court order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement
The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a major higher education case in which a federal judge blocked its $1.2-billion settlement proposal to UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. It will...
www.latimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Every day it becomes clearer that capitulation (Columbia, Perkins Coie, etc) was the wrong strategy
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Ok I see you UCLA Faculty Association and the Council of University of California Faculty Associations, pushing your university to be better and creating the space for this to happen!
NEW: The Trump administration has dropped its appeal of a federal court order blocking its $1.2-billion settlement demand to UCLA over alleged campus civil rights violations: www.latimes.com/california/s...
Trump administration drops its appeal of court order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement
The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a major higher education case in which a federal judge blocked its $1.2-billion settlement proposal to UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. But it ...
www.latimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Ok I see you UCLA Faculty Association and the Council of University of California Faculty Associations, pushing your university to be better and creating the space for this to happen!
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Please consider joining, if you haven’t already. It’s just regular people trying to figure out how to fight for the university we all deserve. We need you! cucfa.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Please consider joining, if you haven’t already. It’s just regular people trying to figure out how to fight for the university we all deserve. We need you! cucfa.org
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Now there is a further wrinkle, and I hope all UC researchers with federal grants read this: This injunction may need to be enforced.
UC FACULTY: If you see something where the federal government violating this injunction.... say something.
Tell your faculty association, who can tell the lawyers.
UC FACULTY: If you see something where the federal government violating this injunction.... say something.
Tell your faculty association, who can tell the lawyers.
February 14, 2026 at 5:26 AM
Now there is a further wrinkle, and I hope all UC researchers with federal grants read this: This injunction may need to be enforced.
UC FACULTY: If you see something where the federal government violating this injunction.... say something.
Tell your faculty association, who can tell the lawyers.
UC FACULTY: If you see something where the federal government violating this injunction.... say something.
Tell your faculty association, who can tell the lawyers.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
This is a genuinely huge, sweeping victory today for the University of California—or rather, for us, its faculty, acting through our faculty associations, while the UC itself maintained a strict policy of deer-in-headlights silence.
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
Trump administration drops appeal of court order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement
The Trump administration dropped its appeal of a major higher education case in which a federal judge blocked its $1.2-billion settlement proposal to UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. It will...
www.latimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:57 AM
This is a genuinely huge, sweeping victory today for the University of California—or rather, for us, its faculty, acting through our faculty associations, while the UC itself maintained a strict policy of deer-in-headlights silence.
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
The Trump admin has given up its appeal of a powerful injunction:
Reposted by Graeme Blair
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
February 12, 2026 at 10:01 PM
NEW: We’re publishing a full list of the 373 federal judges who have ruled against ICE’s mass detention policy and the 28 who have endorsed it — as well as links to key rulings by each.
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Trump appointees have split 44 against/ 20 for the policy.
www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
"Under California Health and Safety Code, counties may lawfully inspect detention facilities operating within their borders when public health is at issue, including facilities run by private contractors on behalf of federal agencies. The Otay Mesa Detention Center is managed by CoreCivic."
San Diego County initiates health inspection at Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego County has begun the public health inspection process at the Otay Mesa Detention Center following reports of concerning conditions.
timesofsandiego.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:53 PM
"Under California Health and Safety Code, counties may lawfully inspect detention facilities operating within their borders when public health is at issue, including facilities run by private contractors on behalf of federal agencies. The Otay Mesa Detention Center is managed by CoreCivic."
Reposted by Graeme Blair
“Whatever euphemistic term people use for these weapons, all of them are known to maim people for life,” FPF's @adamrose.bsky.social told @shoton35mm.bsky.social. “They’re only appropriate when the only alternative is lethal force.”
LAPD Replaces ‘Less-Lethal’ Gun ‘Known To Maim People’ With Another ‘Less-Lethal’ Gun Capable Of Doing The Exact Same Thing ~ L.A. TACO
“Since we don't have access to the [40mm launcher], the FN303 is an alternative option,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “[And] we're looking at other options that are available as well on the field.”
lataco.com
February 11, 2026 at 6:42 PM
“Whatever euphemistic term people use for these weapons, all of them are known to maim people for life,” FPF's @adamrose.bsky.social told @shoton35mm.bsky.social. “They’re only appropriate when the only alternative is lethal force.”
Reposted by Graeme Blair
A very real dilemma: you really can’t a lot of stuff this administration puts out BUT reducing trust in government in general is very bad for progressive causes and ultimately great for the populist right
Bluesky in a nutshell.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
Some context: BLS released its jobs numbers today, which were better than expected, and resistance libs would rather stay mad/conspiratorial than listen to actual on-the-ground experts that the data is still reliable.
February 11, 2026 at 5:03 PM
A very real dilemma: you really can’t a lot of stuff this administration puts out BUT reducing trust in government in general is very bad for progressive causes and ultimately great for the populist right
Reposted by Graeme Blair
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Case dismissed against LA protester accused of assaulting federal officer with cloth hat
Judge says US government acted in ‘bad faith’ in case of Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, 36, who spent six months in jail
www.theguardian.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:40 AM
NEW: Jonathon Redondo-Rosales, a 36-year-old LA protester, spent six months in jail accused of assaulting a federal officer with a *cloth hat.*
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
A judge tossed out the DOJ’s case, accusing govt of acting in “bad faith” and engaging in “prosecutorial harassment“ that could “chill lawful protest”
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Horrific account of what so-called "less lethal" munitions do to people's faces.
Don't forget: LAPD fired over 1000 rounds in a single day at mostly peaceful protesters.
Important coverage by @shoton35mm.bsky.social for @lataco.bsky.social.
WARNING: Graphic. Don't read while eating or near kids.
Don't forget: LAPD fired over 1000 rounds in a single day at mostly peaceful protesters.
Important coverage by @shoton35mm.bsky.social for @lataco.bsky.social.
WARNING: Graphic. Don't read while eating or near kids.
LAPD Replaces ‘Less-Lethal’ Gun ‘Known To Maim People’ With Another ‘Less-Lethal’ Gun Capable Of Doing The Exact Same Thing ~ L.A. TACO
“Since we don't have access to the [40mm launcher], the FN303 is an alternative option,” LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said. “[And] we're looking at other options that are available as well on the field.”
lataco.com
February 11, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Horrific account of what so-called "less lethal" munitions do to people's faces.
Don't forget: LAPD fired over 1000 rounds in a single day at mostly peaceful protesters.
Important coverage by @shoton35mm.bsky.social for @lataco.bsky.social.
WARNING: Graphic. Don't read while eating or near kids.
Don't forget: LAPD fired over 1000 rounds in a single day at mostly peaceful protesters.
Important coverage by @shoton35mm.bsky.social for @lataco.bsky.social.
WARNING: Graphic. Don't read while eating or near kids.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:13 PM
NEW: ICE has a plan to lease offices across the US as part of a secret, months-long expansion campaign.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Today, @wired.com is publishing dozens of those locations. Many are near schools, medical offices, and places of worship.
Vital work from @leahfeiger.bsky.social that I'm proud to publish.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Our investigation found 40+ cases in which federal immigration agents used chokeholds or other moves that can restrict someone’s breathing: https://propub.li/4rq51BV
We showed video clips from our reporting to Marc Brown, a law enforcement expert. This is what he said.
We showed video clips from our reporting to Marc Brown, a law enforcement expert. This is what he said.
February 4, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Our investigation found 40+ cases in which federal immigration agents used chokeholds or other moves that can restrict someone’s breathing: https://propub.li/4rq51BV
We showed video clips from our reporting to Marc Brown, a law enforcement expert. This is what he said.
We showed video clips from our reporting to Marc Brown, a law enforcement expert. This is what he said.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
New @nber.org paper with @caitlinpatler.bsky.social &
@elizabethacox.bsky.social out!
We examine how ICE arrests differ in Trump 2.0 vs. 1.0
Key Findings 🧵
1) MANY more arrests in Trump 2.0 than 1.0
2) When arrests spike, % arrested w criminal conviction falls
www.nber.org/papers/w3479...
@elizabethacox.bsky.social out!
We examine how ICE arrests differ in Trump 2.0 vs. 1.0
Key Findings 🧵
1) MANY more arrests in Trump 2.0 than 1.0
2) When arrests spike, % arrested w criminal conviction falls
www.nber.org/papers/w3479...
February 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM
New @nber.org paper with @caitlinpatler.bsky.social &
@elizabethacox.bsky.social out!
We examine how ICE arrests differ in Trump 2.0 vs. 1.0
Key Findings 🧵
1) MANY more arrests in Trump 2.0 than 1.0
2) When arrests spike, % arrested w criminal conviction falls
www.nber.org/papers/w3479...
@elizabethacox.bsky.social out!
We examine how ICE arrests differ in Trump 2.0 vs. 1.0
Key Findings 🧵
1) MANY more arrests in Trump 2.0 than 1.0
2) When arrests spike, % arrested w criminal conviction falls
www.nber.org/papers/w3479...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
February 8, 2026 at 8:15 PM
What's the difference between states like Florida, where ICE arrests are sky-high, and states like Illinois with much lower rates of arrests? It's all about police & jails.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Arrest rates out of homes, workplaces, etc are similar – but reining in sheriffs makes all the difference.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
The current regime took a week to abolish USAID, which is three times as old and was not in the news every day for brutalizing children
“We cannot just abolish ICE!”
Bestie, you are older than ICE.
Bestie, you are older than ICE.
February 8, 2026 at 3:59 PM
The current regime took a week to abolish USAID, which is three times as old and was not in the news every day for brutalizing children
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Reposted by Graeme Blair
Two active cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 have been identified at a massive immigration detention center in El Paso, according to the local Democratic member of Congress.
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
Two tuberculosis cases detected at Camp East Montana ICE facility
Eighteen cases of COVID-19 were also identified. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar on Friday visited the 5,000-bed tent facility on the Fort Bliss Army base and said she saw many "chronic issues."
www.texastribune.org
February 7, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Two active cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 have been identified at a massive immigration detention center in El Paso, according to the local Democratic member of Congress.
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
www.texastribune.org/2026/02/07/i...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
One man tracking people being deported & deportation flights at the Minneapolis airport.
One person creating a record for future inquiries & potential prosecutions.
Trevor Paglen's deep surveillance documentation now being done by everyday people.
www.npr.org/2026/02/06/n...
One person creating a record for future inquiries & potential prosecutions.
Trevor Paglen's deep surveillance documentation now being done by everyday people.
www.npr.org/2026/02/06/n...
Minneapolis now has daily deportation flights. One man has been documenting them
A professional airplane enthusiast has been tracking the federally chartered deportation flights out of the Minneapolis airport as DHS sends immigration detainees to other states and, eventually, othe...
www.npr.org
February 7, 2026 at 7:20 PM
One man tracking people being deported & deportation flights at the Minneapolis airport.
One person creating a record for future inquiries & potential prosecutions.
Trevor Paglen's deep surveillance documentation now being done by everyday people.
www.npr.org/2026/02/06/n...
One person creating a record for future inquiries & potential prosecutions.
Trevor Paglen's deep surveillance documentation now being done by everyday people.
www.npr.org/2026/02/06/n...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
I published a short and quick primer on how local law enforcement, mostly sheriffs, can collaborate with ICE. I hope it's useful -- I also would love to know what people are seeing in their community.
sheriffs.substack.com/p/how-local-...
sheriffs.substack.com/p/how-local-...
How Local Law Enforcement Collaborates with ICE
February 6, 2026
sheriffs.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:45 AM
I published a short and quick primer on how local law enforcement, mostly sheriffs, can collaborate with ICE. I hope it's useful -- I also would love to know what people are seeing in their community.
sheriffs.substack.com/p/how-local-...
sheriffs.substack.com/p/how-local-...
Reposted by Graeme Blair
“The problem here is that people are stuck in a fantasy of liberal legal formalism that imagines that police are accountable to the public," Alex Vitale, the author of The End of Policing, told me.
July 19, 2025 at 8:16 PM
“The problem here is that people are stuck in a fantasy of liberal legal formalism that imagines that police are accountable to the public," Alex Vitale, the author of The End of Policing, told me.
Reposted by Graeme Blair
The Department of Justice is cutting off options to challenge removal orders from immigration courts, helping the Trump administration speed up deportations efforts.
DOJ Rule Limits Immigrants’ Options to Fight Deportation Orders
The Justice Department is largely cutting off an avenue for challenging immigration court orders, a move that helps the Trump administration reduce case backlogs and speed up deportations.
news.bloomberglaw.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:23 PM
The Department of Justice is cutting off options to challenge removal orders from immigration courts, helping the Trump administration speed up deportations efforts.