Michael D. Baker
@mikebakerlaw.bsky.social
Immigration and Criminal Defense Lawyer | Former Cook County Criminal Prosecutor
Insights on immigration law, criminal defense, and other areas of interest
Following, reposting, and replies do not imply endorsement.
Visit my website: mikebakerlaw.com
Insights on immigration law, criminal defense, and other areas of interest
Following, reposting, and replies do not imply endorsement.
Visit my website: mikebakerlaw.com
The immigration debate obsesses over detention beds while ignoring 7 million people living in legal limbo—not detained, not in ATD programs, barely supervised. No administration will ever detain 7 million people. So why don't we talk about managing non-detained dockets?
The Non-Detained Docket Is Key to Developing Effective Alternatives to Mass Immigrant Detention. Why Do We Know So Little About It?
The non-detained docket is massive, consequential, and completely unstudied. Join Claire Trickler-McNulty and myself as we try to map the terra incognita at the heart of the immigration debate.
open.substack.com
February 13, 2026 at 1:22 AM
The immigration debate obsesses over detention beds while ignoring 7 million people living in legal limbo—not detained, not in ATD programs, barely supervised. No administration will ever detain 7 million people. So why don't we talk about managing non-detained dockets?
The IRS says it “accidentally” shared immigrant tax records with DHS. Courts called the program illegal months ago. Now thousands who trusted the system are left exposed. wapo.st/3O2v3gu
IRS improperly disclosed confidential immigrant tax data to DHS
The tax agency only recently discovered it improperly disclosed tax information on thousands of the wrong people to immigration enforcement.
wapo.st
February 11, 2026 at 3:23 PM
The IRS says it “accidentally” shared immigrant tax records with DHS. Courts called the program illegal months ago. Now thousands who trusted the system are left exposed. wapo.st/3O2v3gu
DHS’s February 4 statement relies on polling: 73% say illegal entry violates the law; 61% support deportations; 54% support ICE enforcement. Constitutionally irrelevant. Fourth Amendment rights don’t hinge on majority approval—that’s why the Bill of Rights exists.
February 11, 2026 at 12:10 AM
DHS’s February 4 statement relies on polling: 73% say illegal entry violates the law; 61% support deportations; 54% support ICE enforcement. Constitutionally irrelevant. Fourth Amendment rights don’t hinge on majority approval—that’s why the Bill of Rights exists.
"If you think a massive US gulag is being built just for illegal immigrants, you're a fool." —Garry Kasparov
ICE's $500M+ warehouse detention network, the court orders they're defying, and the Friday deadline that could stop it: mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/02...
ICE's $500M+ warehouse detention network, the court orders they're defying, and the Friday deadline that could stop it: mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/02...
Against America: The Machinery of Mass Detention and the Fight to Stop It - Law Offices of Michael D. Baker
ICE is spending billions to build warehouse detention camps holding up to 10,000 people—larger than any prison since Japanese internment. Federal judges say the agency is systematically defying court ...
mikebakerlaw.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:36 PM
"If you think a massive US gulag is being built just for illegal immigrants, you're a fool." —Garry Kasparov
ICE's $500M+ warehouse detention network, the court orders they're defying, and the Friday deadline that could stop it: mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/02...
ICE's $500M+ warehouse detention network, the court orders they're defying, and the Friday deadline that could stop it: mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/02...
🚨 National DA coalition launched to prosecute federal agents who break the law. Warrantless raids & unlawful detentions will face accountability.
federaloverreach.org federaloverreach.org
federaloverreach.org federaloverreach.org
Fight Against Federal Overreach
The Fight Against Federal Overreach (FAFO) is a national coalition of District Attorneys collaborating to ensure federal officials are held accountable when they exceed their lawful authority.
federaloverreach.org
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 PM
🚨 National DA coalition launched to prosecute federal agents who break the law. Warrantless raids & unlawful detentions will face accountability.
federaloverreach.org federaloverreach.org
federaloverreach.org federaloverreach.org
Election Law Blog: Supreme Court Sinks Trump’s Redistricting Gambit as California Map Stands and GOP House Majority Teeters
“Trump’s Midterm Redistricting Master Plan Is Falling Short” electionlawblog.org?p=154194
"Trump’s Midterm Redistricting Master Plan Is Falling Short" #ELB
WSJ: President Trump’s effort to push Republican state lawmakers to create more GOP-leaning House districts is on track to yield far fewer gains than expected, the latest sign that his party’s majorit...
electionlawblog.org
February 7, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Election Law Blog: Supreme Court Sinks Trump’s Redistricting Gambit as California Map Stands and GOP House Majority Teeters
The Fifth Circuit just blessed indefinite detention without bond for anyone who crossed the border decades ago—collapsing the border-interior distinction, nullifying Congress’s § 236(a) bond framework
BREAKING: A 5th Circuit panel has backed ICE's mass detention policy, a decision that clears the way for the administration to lock up people who are in immigration proceedings
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
It's a 2-1 ruling
Majority: Jones (Reagan), Duncan (Trump)
Minority: Douglas (Obama)
s3.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
February 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The Fifth Circuit just blessed indefinite detention without bond for anyone who crossed the border decades ago—collapsing the border-interior distinction, nullifying Congress’s § 236(a) bond framework
UCLA Law Professor Rick Hasen Tells Amanpour Federal Government Now the Primary Threat to American Elections
Watch My Extended Interview on PBS/CNNi Amanpour & Co. on the Current Threat to Free and Fair Elections Sadly Coming FROM the Federal Government www.cnn.com/2026/02/05/t...
‘Nothing in the Constitution gives the president any power over running elections,’ says law expert | CNN
Rick Hasen directs the “Safeguarding Democracy” program at UCLA School of Law. He says Americans “have to be on guard” against election interference by the federal government.
www.cnn.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:46 PM
UCLA Law Professor Rick Hasen Tells Amanpour Federal Government Now the Primary Threat to American Elections
Skokie’s new face: immigrants, old-timers, and a village that decided it would rather welcome neighbors than weaponize its streets.
Skokie is one of more than thirty Chicago-area suburbs that have shifted from majority-white communities to majority non-white ones in the past two decades, according to a WBEZ analysis of demographic data.
Dozens of Chicago suburbs have shifted to majority nonwhite
chicago.suntimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:50 AM
Skokie’s new face: immigrants, old-timers, and a village that decided it would rather welcome neighbors than weaponize its streets.
Skokie’s new face: immigrants, old-timers, and a village that decided it would rather welcome neighbors than weaponize its streets. chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/05/s...
Dozens of Chicago suburbs have shifted to majority nonwhite
Flossmoor and Lansing are now majority-Black, while Burbank and Franklin Park are now majority-Latino, according to a WBEZ analysis of new census data.
chicago.suntimes.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:47 AM
Skokie’s new face: immigrants, old-timers, and a village that decided it would rather welcome neighbors than weaponize its streets. chicago.suntimes.com/2026/02/05/s...
EOIR Announces 6 Immigration Judges and
27 Temporary Immigration Judges www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
27 Temporary Immigration Judges www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
EOIR Announces 6 Immigration Judges and
27 Temporary Immigration Judges www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
27 Temporary Immigration Judges www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
🚨 BIA: Post-Removal Marriage ≠ Reopening
Matter of Yadav, 29 I&N Dec. 438 (BIA 2026) bars sua sponte reopening based on marriage to USC after final removal order—even with approved I-130. 10+ years unlawful presence = no "exceptional circumstances."
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
Matter of Yadav, 29 I&N Dec. 438 (BIA 2026) bars sua sponte reopening based on marriage to USC after final removal order—even with approved I-130. 10+ years unlawful presence = no "exceptional circumstances."
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov
February 5, 2026 at 8:15 PM
🚨 BIA: Post-Removal Marriage ≠ Reopening
Matter of Yadav, 29 I&N Dec. 438 (BIA 2026) bars sua sponte reopening based on marriage to USC after final removal order—even with approved I-130. 10+ years unlawful presence = no "exceptional circumstances."
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
Matter of Yadav, 29 I&N Dec. 438 (BIA 2026) bars sua sponte reopening based on marriage to USC after final removal order—even with approved I-130. 10+ years unlawful presence = no "exceptional circumstances."
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
The dollar lost ten percent in twelve months. The White House called it progress. This is not governance. This is arson with a press badge.
February 5, 2026 at 4:44 AM
The dollar lost ten percent in twelve months. The White House called it progress. This is not governance. This is arson with a press badge.
WARNING TO FEDERAL OFFICERS: Deploying ICE or military to polling places is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 592. Penalties: up to 5 years prison + permanent ban from federal office. 5-year statute of limitations means prosecution until 2031. www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
18 U.S. Code § 592 - Troops at polls
www.law.cornell.edu
February 5, 2026 at 12:19 AM
WARNING TO FEDERAL OFFICERS: Deploying ICE or military to polling places is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 592. Penalties: up to 5 years prison + permanent ban from federal office. 5-year statute of limitations means prosecution until 2031. www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/...
Trump's "Gold Card" violates the law:
1️⃣ Rewrites statute—EB-1/EB-2 need extraordinary ability, not $1M
2️⃣ Steals slots from qualified scientists
3️⃣ Raises revenue without Congress
4️⃣ APA violations—ultra vires, no process
Pay-to-play auctioning of green cards must stop.
1️⃣ Rewrites statute—EB-1/EB-2 need extraordinary ability, not $1M
2️⃣ Steals slots from qualified scientists
3️⃣ Raises revenue without Congress
4️⃣ APA violations—ultra vires, no process
Pay-to-play auctioning of green cards must stop.
BREAKING: We’re suing to stop Trump’s corrupt & illegal “Gold Card” scheme
@democracydefendersfund.org joins @aaup.org & workers to block a pay-to-play visa that flouts the law
This is about the rule of law—the president can't auction U.S. visas to the highest bidder
@nytimes.com 👇 -TN
@democracydefendersfund.org joins @aaup.org & workers to block a pay-to-play visa that flouts the law
This is about the rule of law—the president can't auction U.S. visas to the highest bidder
@nytimes.com 👇 -TN
Lawsuit Argues Trump Gold Card Visa Program Prioritizes Wealth Over Ability
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Trump's "Gold Card" violates the law:
1️⃣ Rewrites statute—EB-1/EB-2 need extraordinary ability, not $1M
2️⃣ Steals slots from qualified scientists
3️⃣ Raises revenue without Congress
4️⃣ APA violations—ultra vires, no process
Pay-to-play auctioning of green cards must stop.
1️⃣ Rewrites statute—EB-1/EB-2 need extraordinary ability, not $1M
2️⃣ Steals slots from qualified scientists
3️⃣ Raises revenue without Congress
4️⃣ APA violations—ultra vires, no process
Pay-to-play auctioning of green cards must stop.
Bannon promises ICE will ring the polling places in November, turning federal immigration agents into election enforcers and declaring that Democrats will never “steal the country again.” www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon...
Steve Bannon proposes using ICE in elections
Steve Bannon has said that ICE agents will "surround the polls" at the midterm elections in November.
www.newsweek.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Bannon promises ICE will ring the polling places in November, turning federal immigration agents into election enforcers and declaring that Democrats will never “steal the country again.” www.newsweek.com/steve-bannon...
BIA: Matter of G-M-I-, 29 I&N Dec. 431 (BIA 2026). Expert opinions in CAT cases must have a sufficient factual basis—reliability is undercut when informed by anecdotal or inaccurate data. IJ erred giving full weight to testimony lacking individualized risk evidence.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov
February 4, 2026 at 6:50 PM
BIA: Matter of G-M-I-, 29 I&N Dec. 431 (BIA 2026). Expert opinions in CAT cases must have a sufficient factual basis—reliability is undercut when informed by anecdotal or inaccurate data. IJ erred giving full weight to testimony lacking individualized risk evidence.
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1...
The Big Picture 💰
“Did you know? Immigrants saved the U.S. government $14.5 TRILLION from 1994-2023.
“Did you know? Immigrants saved the U.S. government $14.5 TRILLION from 1994-2023.
For every year from 1994 to 2023, immigrants in the US paid more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government. Check out the latest study from Cato’s David Bier.
February 4, 2026 at 1:53 PM
The Big Picture 💰
“Did you know? Immigrants saved the U.S. government $14.5 TRILLION from 1994-2023.
“Did you know? Immigrants saved the U.S. government $14.5 TRILLION from 1994-2023.
Nearly 5,000 Border Cops Arrested for Crimes of Their Own:
Garrett M. Graff reports that at least 4,913 CBP officers, agents have been arrested since 2005, a record he says has turned ICE- CBP into a ‘masked monster’ of paramilitary immigration enforcement.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Garrett M. Graff reports that at least 4,913 CBP officers, agents have been arrested since 2005, a record he says has turned ICE- CBP into a ‘masked monster’ of paramilitary immigration enforcement.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Accountability for ICE and CBP
However bad you think the corruption and misconduct at ICE and CBP is — the reality is far far worse.
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 2, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Nearly 5,000 Border Cops Arrested for Crimes of Their Own:
Garrett M. Graff reports that at least 4,913 CBP officers, agents have been arrested since 2005, a record he says has turned ICE- CBP into a ‘masked monster’ of paramilitary immigration enforcement.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
Garrett M. Graff reports that at least 4,913 CBP officers, agents have been arrested since 2005, a record he says has turned ICE- CBP into a ‘masked monster’ of paramilitary immigration enforcement.” www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/accountabi...
I’m sharing this as a NYT gift article: David Brooks is leaving The Times after 22 years — not to rant about politics, but to fight America’s spiritual and cultural nihilism by leading a new humanistic project at Yale. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
Opinion | Time to Say Goodbye
www.nytimes.com
February 1, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I’m sharing this as a NYT gift article: David Brooks is leaving The Times after 22 years — not to rant about politics, but to fight America’s spiritual and cultural nihilism by leading a new humanistic project at Yale. www.nytimes.com/2026/01/30/o...
Justice, like a turtle, moves slowly—but in Minneapolis, the wheels of federal power have ground to a halt. When ICE agents kill, who polices the police? The answer may redefine American law. apple.news/ArEh-bQMcTgu...
The unprecedented challenge of prosecuting federal agents for killing Renee Good, Alex Pretti — The Minnesota Star Tribune
Prosecutors, defense and civil attorneys agree it’s a legal situation unlike anything the state has ever seen.
apple.news
February 1, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Justice, like a turtle, moves slowly—but in Minneapolis, the wheels of federal power have ground to a halt. When ICE agents kill, who polices the police? The answer may redefine American law. apple.news/ArEh-bQMcTgu...
Federal power doesn’t want cooperation. It wants surrender. When blue states say no, the gloves come off. mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/01...
Federal Power vs. State Autonomy: Judges, Immigrants, Protesters, and the Press Under Siege in the Blue-State Showdown - Law Offices of Michael D. Baker
A powerful look at the constitutional showdown between federal immigration enforcement and state autonomy in blue states. This piece explores the escalation from targeting judges and immigrants to cri...
mikebakerlaw.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:47 PM
Federal power doesn’t want cooperation. It wants surrender. When blue states say no, the gloves come off. mikebakerlaw.com/blog/2026/01...
DOJ has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, deputy AG says apnews.com/article/minn...;
DOJ has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, deputy AG says
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Justice Department has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis resident killed by Border Patrol officers.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:50 PM
DOJ has opened a federal civil rights probe into the death of Alex Pretti, deputy AG says apnews.com/article/minn...;
Springsteen wrote it in four days, recorded it with the E Street Choir on a Monday, and dropped it Tuesday-a molotov cocktail wrapped in rock and roll aimed straight at Trump’s ICE army for killing two citizens on frozen Minneapolis streets. youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...
Bruce Springsteen - Streets Of Minneapolis (Official Lyric Video)
YouTube video by Bruce Springsteen
youtube.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Springsteen wrote it in four days, recorded it with the E Street Choir on a Monday, and dropped it Tuesday-a molotov cocktail wrapped in rock and roll aimed straight at Trump’s ICE army for killing two citizens on frozen Minneapolis streets. youtube.com/watch?v=GDaP...