Kathleen Bush-Joseph
@kathleenbush.bsky.social
Attorney at the Migration Policy Institute. Posts are my own. Retweets are not endorsements. Updates on immigration related court cases and policy. kbush@migrationpolicy.org
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Kathleen Bush-Joseph
Kathleen Bush-Joseph is a lawyer and Policy Analyst with MPI's U.S. Immigration Policy Program.
www.migrationpolicy.org
I research & write about asylum, litigation & deportations. You can read some of my work here: www.migrationpolicy.org/about/staff/...
Before joining MPI, I represented unaccompanied immigrant kids @nijc.bsky.social in Chicago
& before that, I worked at the United Nations in Geneva
Before joining MPI, I represented unaccompanied immigrant kids @nijc.bsky.social in Chicago
& before that, I worked at the United Nations in Geneva
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
The Trump administration imposed the penalties under a dormant provision of immigration statute for violations like unlawful entry or failure to comply with removal orders. That's led to fines of nearly $2 million levied against some immigrants.
Migrant Advocates Sue ICE to Halt Civil Immigration Penalties
A civil penalty regime that’s led to fines of nearly $2 million for some immigrants is unlawful and should be set aside, an immigrant advocacy group argued in a new complaint.
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The Trump administration imposed the penalties under a dormant provision of immigration statute for violations like unlawful entry or failure to comply with removal orders. That's led to fines of nearly $2 million levied against some immigrants.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
An ICE civil penalty regime for immigration violations violates the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional protections, @the-ilrc.bsky.social argues in a new lawsuit Thursday.
Migrant Advocates Sue ICE to Halt Civil Immigration Penalties
A civil penalty regime that’s led to fines of nearly $2 million for some immigrants is unlawful and should be set aside, an immigrant advocacy group argued in a new complaint.
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
An ICE civil penalty regime for immigration violations violates the Administrative Procedure Act and constitutional protections, @the-ilrc.bsky.social argues in a new lawsuit Thursday.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Colleen flags that history continues to repeat itself as the Trump administration's enforcement actions target workers more than employers.
Increased immigration enforcement, especially at workplaces, may bring the 30-year old E-Verify program back into the national conversation.
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
Employment Verification: The Next Front for U.S. Immigration Enforcement?
E-Verify has been heralded as a key way to control unauthorized immigration to the United States, but federal efforts to expand the system stalled. There has been movement at the state level over the ...
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Colleen flags that history continues to repeat itself as the Trump administration's enforcement actions target workers more than employers.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
Increased immigration enforcement, especially at workplaces, may bring the 30-year old E-Verify program back into the national conversation.
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
Employment Verification: The Next Front for U.S. Immigration Enforcement?
E-Verify has been heralded as a key way to control unauthorized immigration to the United States, but federal efforts to expand the system stalled. There has been movement at the state level over the ...
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Increased immigration enforcement, especially at workplaces, may bring the 30-year old E-Verify program back into the national conversation.
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
But the administration remains amibavlent about the program-both touting its use and warning against reliance.
Read more in MPI's latest
bit.ly/MPIeverify
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
#BREAKING The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a short-term administrative stay of the order from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings that aimed to release as many as 615 people detained by ICE.
That means their release is on hold.
Oral arguments 12/2.
That means their release is on hold.
Oral arguments 12/2.
November 20, 2025 at 5:25 PM
#BREAKING The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has issued a short-term administrative stay of the order from U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings that aimed to release as many as 615 people detained by ICE.
That means their release is on hold.
Oral arguments 12/2.
That means their release is on hold.
Oral arguments 12/2.
45,000 North Carolina students absent Tuesday as immigration crackdown expands
www.borderreport.com/immigration/...
www.borderreport.com/immigration/...
www.borderreport.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
45,000 North Carolina students absent Tuesday as immigration crackdown expands
www.borderreport.com/immigration/...
www.borderreport.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious, The Associated Press has found.
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious, The Associated Press has found.
"Migrants thought they were in court for a routine hearing. Instead, it was a deportation trap
...Since May 15, when courthouse sweeps began, migrants have filed more than 3,000 habeas corpus petitions — to determine if someone is lawfully held in custody — seeking release."
...Since May 15, when courthouse sweeps began, migrants have filed more than 3,000 habeas corpus petitions — to determine if someone is lawfully held in custody — seeking release."
Migrants thought they were in court for a routine hearing. Instead, it was a deportation trap
The nation's immigration courts have undergone a fundamental change under the administration of President Donald Trump.
apnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:13 PM
"Migrants thought they were in court for a routine hearing. Instead, it was a deportation trap
...Since May 15, when courthouse sweeps began, migrants have filed more than 3,000 habeas corpus petitions — to determine if someone is lawfully held in custody — seeking release."
...Since May 15, when courthouse sweeps began, migrants have filed more than 3,000 habeas corpus petitions — to determine if someone is lawfully held in custody — seeking release."
3 Salvadoran men sent to CECOT by the Trump administration are still being held incommunicado there
They haven't been able to talk to their families or attorneys since arriving in March
apnews.com/article/el-s...
They haven't been able to talk to their families or attorneys since arriving in March
apnews.com/article/el-s...
Human rights commission calls on El Salvador to protect 3 deported men it imprisoned
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is calling on El Salvador to protect the rights of three Salvadoran men deported by the United States.
apnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:29 PM
3 Salvadoran men sent to CECOT by the Trump administration are still being held incommunicado there
They haven't been able to talk to their families or attorneys since arriving in March
apnews.com/article/el-s...
They haven't been able to talk to their families or attorneys since arriving in March
apnews.com/article/el-s...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
NEW: a contractor is paying random people $300 to physically track immigrants for ICE. They're given addresses, vehicles, told to monitor the target. That information then goes back up to ICE. These are not licensed private investigators; members of the public
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
Contractor Paying Random People $300 to Physically Track Immigrants for ICE
“The more I listened to it, the more I’m like, something doesn’t sound right,” a person who was briefed on the pilot plans told 404 Media.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
NEW: a contractor is paying random people $300 to physically track immigrants for ICE. They're given addresses, vehicles, told to monitor the target. That information then goes back up to ICE. These are not licensed private investigators; members of the public
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
NEW: Judges around the country are citing an unexpected source to free ICE detainees:
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
How the Laken Riley Act is working against ICE to free some noncitizens
Judges around the country are citing the GOP-backed immigration law, designed to detain more noncitizens, to free them instead.
www.courthousenews.com
November 5, 2025 at 11:44 PM
NEW: Judges around the country are citing an unexpected source to free ICE detainees:
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
The Laken Riley Act
They're finding ICE's mass detention agenda is SO broad it could actually "nullify" the controversial law.
cc @courthousenews.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
Trump administration to prioritize visa interviews for World Cup ticket holders
Trump administration to prioritize visa interviews for World Cup ticket holders
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in some countries where consular staff has been beefed up, visa wait times have been reduced from a year to just a few months.
dlvr.it
November 17, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Trump administration to prioritize visa interviews for World Cup ticket holders
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
Asian national soccer teams are in a "naturalization arms race" to secure the talents of foreign-born players ahead of the expanded World Cup, reports the Guardian
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
How World Cup expansion is driving Asia’s naturalisation arms race
As Asia’s allocation has doubled for the next World Cup many nations look to foreign-born talent to push them towards qualification
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Asian national soccer teams are in a "naturalization arms race" to secure the talents of foreign-born players ahead of the expanded World Cup, reports the Guardian
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
To be clear, foreign-born players are not a rarity in the mens World Cup. In fact, they have been at every single World Cup since it began in 1930--often in sizable numbers
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/inte...
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/inte...
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
To be clear, foreign-born players are not a rarity in the mens World Cup. In fact, they have been at every single World Cup since it began in 1930--often in sizable numbers
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/inte...
www.migrationpolicy.org/article/inte...
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools records show over 27,000 students were absent Monday, the first school day since U.S. Border Patrol agents descended upon the city."
Numbers reported Monday night that showed 21,000 absences were too low, according to new data obtained by The Charlotte Observer through a records request.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools absences nearly tripled after Border Patrol came to NC
Numbers reported Monday night that showed 21,000 absences were too low, according to new data obtained by The Charlotte Observer through a records request.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 7:32 PM
"Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools records show over 27,000 students were absent Monday, the first school day since U.S. Border Patrol agents descended upon the city."
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
Numbers reported Monday night that showed 21,000 absences were too low, according to new data obtained by The Charlotte Observer through a records request.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools absences nearly tripled after Border Patrol came to NC
Numbers reported Monday night that showed 21,000 absences were too low, according to new data obtained by The Charlotte Observer through a records request.
bit.ly
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Numbers reported Monday night that showed 21,000 absences were too low, according to new data obtained by The Charlotte Observer through a records request.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
ICE typically releases detention statistics on Fridays.
It's the first Friday since the end of the shutdown, but it appears that ICE has not uploaded a new file yet. We are approaching two months since the last update.
It's the first Friday since the end of the shutdown, but it appears that ICE has not uploaded a new file yet. We are approaching two months since the last update.
ICE removed the "we're not maintaining this website" banner that displayed at the top of the detention management page for the duration of the shutdown.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
November 15, 2025 at 2:10 AM
ICE typically releases detention statistics on Fridays.
It's the first Friday since the end of the shutdown, but it appears that ICE has not uploaded a new file yet. We are approaching two months since the last update.
It's the first Friday since the end of the shutdown, but it appears that ICE has not uploaded a new file yet. We are approaching two months since the last update.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
New foreign student enrollment in the US fell 17% this fall www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
How foreign student enrollment is shifting in the U.S., in 6 charts
Foreign student enrollment in U.S. colleges has stalled, with a 17 percent decline in new students this fall after Trump policy changes, a key survey shows.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:10 PM
New foreign student enrollment in the US fell 17% this fall www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
One early indicator of whether immigrants are leaving the U.S. (or entering) is K-12 school enrollment data. This great AP story tracks several districts & finds a mixed picture: New students still coming from abroad to many districts, but in lower numbers, & Palm Beach County losing 6,000 students.
Immigrant student enrollment is dwindling at schools across the US
Schools across the U.S. are seeing a big drop in enrollment from immigrant families. Many parents have been deported or returned to their home countries due to immigration crackdowns.
apnews.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
One early indicator of whether immigrants are leaving the U.S. (or entering) is K-12 school enrollment data. This great AP story tracks several districts & finds a mixed picture: New students still coming from abroad to many districts, but in lower numbers, & Palm Beach County losing 6,000 students.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
A flight plan has now been filed for ICE Air deportation flight OAE 3787, indicating that after refueling in Baltimore, the aircraft will continue on to Jasionka, Poland, near the Ukraine border. It is highly likely it is the reported flight of Ukrainians to Poland.
An ICE Air deportation flight (OAE3787) departed Phoenix, AZ at 14:45 EST and is en route to Baltimore, MD for refueling. It is still very early to confirm but this is possibly the reported deportation flight to Poland carrying Ukrainian nationals. We will be closely monitoring.
November 17, 2025 at 9:59 PM
A flight plan has now been filed for ICE Air deportation flight OAE 3787, indicating that after refueling in Baltimore, the aircraft will continue on to Jasionka, Poland, near the Ukraine border. It is highly likely it is the reported flight of Ukrainians to Poland.
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
An ICE Air deportation flight (OAE3787) departed Phoenix, AZ at 14:45 EST and is en route to Baltimore, MD for refueling. It is still very early to confirm but this is possibly the reported deportation flight to Poland carrying Ukrainian nationals. We will be closely monitoring.
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
An ICE Air deportation flight (OAE3787) departed Phoenix, AZ at 14:45 EST and is en route to Baltimore, MD for refueling. It is still very early to confirm but this is possibly the reported deportation flight to Poland carrying Ukrainian nationals. We will be closely monitoring.
U.S. Immigration Courts at a Crisis Point >> join @migrationpolicy.bsky.social's webinar on Monday, 11/24 at 11:30am ET. We'll be joined by former Immigration Judge Kyra Lilien & Executive Director of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy
Link to register:
Link to register:
U.S. Immigration Courts at a Crisis Point
Featuring findings from a new MPI policy brief, this discussion examines how the immigration courts have reached a point of crisis, the policies of the current administration and its predecessor touch...
www.migrationpolicy.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:37 PM
U.S. Immigration Courts at a Crisis Point >> join @migrationpolicy.bsky.social's webinar on Monday, 11/24 at 11:30am ET. We'll be joined by former Immigration Judge Kyra Lilien & Executive Director of the Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project, Chiqui Sanchez Kennedy
Link to register:
Link to register:
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
San Diego ICE arrests expand to green card appointments www.daylightsandiego.org/san-diego-ic...
San Diego ICE arrests expand to green card appointments
Though other cities have reported arrests of immigrants in the final stages of obtaining their green cards, this week marks the first time that San Diego attorneys have seen clients detained at U.S. C...
www.daylightsandiego.org
November 16, 2025 at 5:20 PM
San Diego ICE arrests expand to green card appointments www.daylightsandiego.org/san-diego-ic...
Reposted by Kathleen Bush-Joseph
The Supreme Court takes up a major immigration case that asks whether the U.S. government can effectively prevent migrants from applying for asylum by blocking them at the border. I am very, very worried about this one. www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-f...
November 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
The Supreme Court takes up a major immigration case that asks whether the U.S. government can effectively prevent migrants from applying for asylum by blocking them at the border. I am very, very worried about this one. www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-f...