Jack Herrera
@jherrerx.bsky.social
Freelance reporter, un tipo chido
I cover the border and other bad news. I write about how changing demography impacts individual lives, in particular in Latino communities.
Work in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Texas Monthly
I cover the border and other bad news. I write about how changing demography impacts individual lives, in particular in Latino communities.
Work in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Texas Monthly
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Really grateful for @gabydvj.bsky.social's in-depth reporting, especially crucial in finding the continuity amidst the new chaos and cruelty, and clearly showcasing the lines between what people can do for each other on their own, and what government needs to do.
www.theverge.com/policy/87710...
www.theverge.com/policy/87710...
ICE is pushing Minneapolis underground
Scenes from a city under siege
www.theverge.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Really grateful for @gabydvj.bsky.social's in-depth reporting, especially crucial in finding the continuity amidst the new chaos and cruelty, and clearly showcasing the lines between what people can do for each other on their own, and what government needs to do.
www.theverge.com/policy/87710...
www.theverge.com/policy/87710...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Again, this is FALSE. Administrative warrants are NOT signed by an immigration judge (or any judge at all). They are generated and signed by ICE officers themselves with no external oversight whatsoever.
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
February 3, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Again, this is FALSE. Administrative warrants are NOT signed by an immigration judge (or any judge at all). They are generated and signed by ICE officers themselves with no external oversight whatsoever.
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Here is a blank sample warrant. Note who signs off on it; an "immigration officer."
Reposted by Jack Herrera
In Minneapolis, for every story detailing the fallout of the federal crackdown, there are as many stories of people like Bri, a mom donating breastmilk for babies whose mothers are detained by ICE.
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
When one mother was taken by ICE, another stepped in to donate breastmilk
Moms in Minneapolis are donating diapers, food and time to help families who have been ripped apart by ICE.
19thnews.org
February 2, 2026 at 7:52 PM
In Minneapolis, for every story detailing the fallout of the federal crackdown, there are as many stories of people like Bri, a mom donating breastmilk for babies whose mothers are detained by ICE.
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
“If (Taylor Rehmet) were to lose by six points, that’d be worth talking about,” one political expert told me ahead of last night's race. “And if Rehmet were to win? You’d say, ‘Holy shit.’”
Rehmet won by 14 points.
Rehmet won by 14 points.
Union-backed Dem Taylor Rehmet nearly pulled off a stunning upset in November — almost winning a deep-red TX Senate seat over two billionaire-funded Republicans. He's now in a runoff with a fixture of the Texas far right. My latest, from Tarrant County, a bellwether and hub of Christian nationalism:
In Tarrant County, a Hub for the Far Right, a Democrat Seeks a Major Upset
In a runoff election for Texas Senate District 9, which has not elected a Democrat since 1991, Taylor Rehmet is betting his pro-labor message can flip disillusioned voters.
www.texasmonthly.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:21 PM
“If (Taylor Rehmet) were to lose by six points, that’d be worth talking about,” one political expert told me ahead of last night's race. “And if Rehmet were to win? You’d say, ‘Holy shit.’”
Rehmet won by 14 points.
Rehmet won by 14 points.
Reposted by Jack Herrera
The southern frontier is quiet enough that Border Patrol agents have time to go brutalize Minnesotans.
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Is Anyone Still Crossing the Border? Yes, Actually.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has boasted that border crossings have dropped to zero. That’s not true.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The southern frontier is quiet enough that Border Patrol agents have time to go brutalize Minnesotans.
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Five presidents in five years. High-profile firings and cancellations. Crackdowns on dissent. Inside state leaders’ efforts to remake Texas A&M University.
What’s the Matter With Texas A&M?
Five presidents in five years. Firings of “woke” professors. Crackdowns on Plato. Inside state leaders’ efforts to remake a great university.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Five presidents in five years. High-profile firings and cancellations. Crackdowns on dissent. Inside state leaders’ efforts to remake Texas A&M University.
The southern frontier is quiet enough that Border Patrol agents have time to go brutalize Minnesotans.
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Is Anyone Still Crossing the Border? Yes, Actually.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has boasted that border crossings have dropped to zero. That’s not true.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:31 PM
The southern frontier is quiet enough that Border Patrol agents have time to go brutalize Minnesotans.
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
But people are still crossing.
Who are they? I found out in a peculiar way—by getting briefly confused for a smuggler and stopped on the Rio Grande: www.texasmonthly.com/news-politic...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:47 PM
BIG news from @bloomberg.com, which confirms that ICE has gone ahead and *purchased* multiple commercial warehouses with the aim of converting them into mass detention camps.
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is likely to be the big detention story of 2026 — literal warehousing of people.
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
In 2023 NYT laid out Trump’s mass deportation plan: detain immense numbers of people in such miserable conditions that they’re compelled to stop fighting their cases & agree to leave.
They’re still getting to “immense numbers.” But the core concept is working for them. mailchi.mp/43a225b48ded...
They’re still getting to “immense numbers.” But the core concept is working for them. mailchi.mp/43a225b48ded...
The Throughline: Don’t Lose Sight of Detention Atrocities
mailchi.mp
January 30, 2026 at 3:16 PM
In 2023 NYT laid out Trump’s mass deportation plan: detain immense numbers of people in such miserable conditions that they’re compelled to stop fighting their cases & agree to leave.
They’re still getting to “immense numbers.” But the core concept is working for them. mailchi.mp/43a225b48ded...
They’re still getting to “immense numbers.” But the core concept is working for them. mailchi.mp/43a225b48ded...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
SCOOP: 404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, a tool Palantir made for ICE which brings up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
The full user guide here:
The full user guide here:
Here is the User Guide for ELITE, the Tool Palantir Made for ICE
404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, which lets ICE bring up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
www.404media.co
January 30, 2026 at 2:50 PM
SCOOP: 404 Media is publishing a version of the user guide for ELITE, a tool Palantir made for ICE which brings up dossiers on individual people and provides a “confidence score” of their address.
The full user guide here:
The full user guide here:
Reposted by Jack Herrera
From the compa @jherrerx.bsky.social for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: "In the year since Trump has taken back the White House, border crossings have not stopped. What’s changed are the types of border crossings the Border Patrol is seeing."
Who Is Still Crossing the Border?
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has boasted that border crossings have dropped to zero. That’s not true.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 29, 2026 at 7:14 PM
From the compa @jherrerx.bsky.social for @texasmonthly.bsky.social: "In the year since Trump has taken back the White House, border crossings have not stopped. What’s changed are the types of border crossings the Border Patrol is seeing."
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Trump is dispatching Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to "manage operations on the ground."
In case you missed it, here's our investigation into Homan and his relationships with government contractors/consultants cashing in on the deportation business:
In case you missed it, here's our investigation into Homan and his relationships with government contractors/consultants cashing in on the deportation business:
Trading on Tom Homan: Inside the Push to Cash in on the Trump Administration’s Deportation Campaign
A Pennsylvania businessman who had Tom Homan on his payroll led companies to believe his connections to the future border czar could help advance their bids for government work, industry executives sa...
www.propublica.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Trump is dispatching Border Czar Tom Homan to Minnesota to "manage operations on the ground."
In case you missed it, here's our investigation into Homan and his relationships with government contractors/consultants cashing in on the deportation business:
In case you missed it, here's our investigation into Homan and his relationships with government contractors/consultants cashing in on the deportation business:
Reposted by Jack Herrera
The people building the houses should be able to buy the houses.
After hearing about @gallego.senate.gov new housing plan to build 8 million new units, @chuckrocha.bsky.social & @mikemadrid.bsky.social discuss could why housing is THE fight for Latino Voters
Full episode here:
youtu.be/KoPgbC3KJQI
After hearing about @gallego.senate.gov new housing plan to build 8 million new units, @chuckrocha.bsky.social & @mikemadrid.bsky.social discuss could why housing is THE fight for Latino Voters
Full episode here:
youtu.be/KoPgbC3KJQI
January 27, 2026 at 9:36 PM
The people building the houses should be able to buy the houses.
After hearing about @gallego.senate.gov new housing plan to build 8 million new units, @chuckrocha.bsky.social & @mikemadrid.bsky.social discuss could why housing is THE fight for Latino Voters
Full episode here:
youtu.be/KoPgbC3KJQI
After hearing about @gallego.senate.gov new housing plan to build 8 million new units, @chuckrocha.bsky.social & @mikemadrid.bsky.social discuss could why housing is THE fight for Latino Voters
Full episode here:
youtu.be/KoPgbC3KJQI
I do wonder if this was the administration's logic in getting Bovino so much air-time, making him so prominent—they get a less-than-consequential fall-guy for when BP and ICE take things too far
Exclusive: Border Patrol “Commander at Large” Gregory Bovino has been removed from his role and is expected to retire soon, sources tell Nick Miroff.
Gregory Bovino Gets Demoted
The Border Patrol chief was the public face of a traveling immigration crackdown on cities governed by Democrats.
bit.ly
January 27, 2026 at 12:40 AM
I do wonder if this was the administration's logic in getting Bovino so much air-time, making him so prominent—they get a less-than-consequential fall-guy for when BP and ICE take things too far
Reposted by Jack Herrera
It’s always funny when palantir employees discover that they work at palantir
Palantir employees are pressing company leadership over its work for ICE in internal company Slacks obtained by @wired.com
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
"In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this."
Scoop from @makenakelly.bsky.social
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:51 PM
It’s always funny when palantir employees discover that they work at palantir
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Wrote about the observers. The people standing by and filming and the risk they are taking to let the world see what is happening. It's crucial and its the only way to combat the lies and blatant propaganda. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Believe Your Eyes
People are risking their lives to document agents in Minneapolis.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Wrote about the observers. The people standing by and filming and the risk they are taking to let the world see what is happening. It's crucial and its the only way to combat the lies and blatant propaganda. www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Oh damn, oh shoot, others are doing unto me as I hath done unto others
January 23, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Oh damn, oh shoot, others are doing unto me as I hath done unto others
Reposted by Jack Herrera
Liam is one of four Columbia Heights, MN school district students who have been taken by ICE in the last two weeks, the school district said. Liam's teacher: “He is so kind and loving, and his classmates miss him. He ... just brightens the room. All I want is for him to be back here and safe.”
January 22, 2026 at 3:25 AM
Liam is one of four Columbia Heights, MN school district students who have been taken by ICE in the last two weeks, the school district said. Liam's teacher: “He is so kind and loving, and his classmates miss him. He ... just brightens the room. All I want is for him to be back here and safe.”
Reposted by Jack Herrera
1. ICE has STOPPED PAYING for medical treatment for its 73,000 detainees
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has stopped paying for detainee medical treatment
ICE halted payments in October, and the situation will persist for at least several more months
popular.info
January 20, 2026 at 1:42 PM
1. ICE has STOPPED PAYING for medical treatment for its 73,000 detainees
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
ICE has not paid its bills to 3rd party providers since OCTOBER and the situation will likely persist for MONTHS, a Popular Information investigation reveals
Meanwhile, critically ill ICE detainees are not receiving care
🧵
Reposted by Jack Herrera
I'll point out that @mprnews.org has covered the fraud ad nauseum. We all know about it (thanks to public radio). No one is pro-fraud. It's bad. State and federal prosecutors have been prosecuting it. Both the governor and the AG have been investing heavily in fraud detection. There's no cover up.
Trump: “In MN, there is too much media attention on ICE, who have removed some of the worst murderers & criminals in the World, people let into our Country by Crooked Joe Biden’s horrendous Open Border Policy, & not enough paid to the staggering sums stolen from the State by corrupt MN politicians!”
January 19, 2026 at 10:10 PM
I'll point out that @mprnews.org has covered the fraud ad nauseum. We all know about it (thanks to public radio). No one is pro-fraud. It's bad. State and federal prosecutors have been prosecuting it. Both the governor and the AG have been investing heavily in fraud detection. There's no cover up.
Reposted by Jack Herrera
A treaty between the U.S. and Mexico aims to manage resources that flow between nations. What happens when the water dries up?
Mexico Is Sending Texas Billions of Gallons of Water. It Won't Be Enough.
A treaty between the U.S. and Mexico aims to manage resources that flow between nations.
www.texasmonthly.com
January 19, 2026 at 1:30 AM
A treaty between the U.S. and Mexico aims to manage resources that flow between nations. What happens when the water dries up?
Reposted by Jack Herrera
“These are just bandaids. They’re just buying time—for what, I don’t know,”
I cannot emphasize enough how serious the water supply issue is in the North American west, and it just keeps getting worse.
I cannot emphasize enough how serious the water supply issue is in the North American west, and it just keeps getting worse.
I've traveled through the Rio Grande watershed, from up on the continental divide in Colorado down through the basin in Mexico, where rivers flow north, providing the water for millions of Texans.
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3
January 16, 2026 at 6:15 PM
“These are just bandaids. They’re just buying time—for what, I don’t know,”
I cannot emphasize enough how serious the water supply issue is in the North American west, and it just keeps getting worse.
I cannot emphasize enough how serious the water supply issue is in the North American west, and it just keeps getting worse.
I've traveled through the Rio Grande watershed, from up on the continental divide in Colorado down through the basin in Mexico, where rivers flow north, providing the water for millions of Texans.
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3
January 15, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I've traveled through the Rio Grande watershed, from up on the continental divide in Colorado down through the basin in Mexico, where rivers flow north, providing the water for millions of Texans.
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3
The US wants more water from MX. But at the end of the day, we're both fucked. 1/3