Mike Elk
@mikeelk.bsky.social
Emmy-nominated labor reporter @PaydayReport often in 🇧🇷. Alum: @Guardian! Yinzer @UEunion fam. Autistic⚾️ Jew. Falo Português e Pittsburghese. Melk@PaydayReport.com
Pinned
Brazilian Federal Police Detain Melk, But Release Him After Lecture on Immigration Policies
The Brazilian federal police officer immediately started joking with me, “What do you think, we were gonna throw you in jail? We’re not ICE, we’re Brazilians.”
paydayreport.com
The Brazilian federal police detained me for an hour as I had once overstayed a visa by accident for two weeks.
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
After giving me a lecture on immigration policies, they released me.
If I had been a Brazilian in the United States, I'd be in jail.
paydayreport.com/brazilian-fe...
Americans are showing what this country is all about in pushing back against ICE
“I’ve never protested before - but I just watched 4th & 5th grade kids run away from our own government.” 😕🇺🇸💔
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
(From @crindivisible.bsky.social )
February 15, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Americans are showing what this country is all about in pushing back against ICE
Today, I saw a friend post a photo with their husband. Then,post something wishing love for all the folks that are single.
We need to be more inclusive of single folks, who suffer loneliees because social media on Valentines Day can be overwhelming and depressing!
We need to be more inclusive of single folks, who suffer loneliees because social media on Valentines Day can be overwhelming and depressing!
February 15, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Today, I saw a friend post a photo with their husband. Then,post something wishing love for all the folks that are single.
We need to be more inclusive of single folks, who suffer loneliees because social media on Valentines Day can be overwhelming and depressing!
We need to be more inclusive of single folks, who suffer loneliees because social media on Valentines Day can be overwhelming and depressing!
Reposted by Mike Elk
Parabéns ao Lucas pela medalha e por parecer tipo um irmão mais novo do ser sobrenatural mais sexy e problemático da história
February 15, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Parabéns ao Lucas pela medalha e por parecer tipo um irmão mais novo do ser sobrenatural mais sexy e problemático da história
May her memory always be a blessing in the fight against injustice
Ofelia Torres, the teenage Chicago Public Schools student whose fight against cancer while her father was detained by ICE came to represent the federal government's overreach during Operation Midway Blitz, has died. Brave young woman. I will never forget her. RIP.
February 15, 2026 at 2:09 AM
May her memory always be a blessing in the fight against injustice
Reposted by Mike Elk
Ofelia Torres, the teenage Chicago Public Schools student whose fight against cancer while her father was detained by ICE came to represent the federal government's overreach during Operation Midway Blitz, has died. Brave young woman. I will never forget her. RIP.
February 15, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Ofelia Torres, the teenage Chicago Public Schools student whose fight against cancer while her father was detained by ICE came to represent the federal government's overreach during Operation Midway Blitz, has died. Brave young woman. I will never forget her. RIP.
Reposted by Mike Elk
The Outdoor Industry Needs Workers, And Workers Need Unions defector.com/the-outdoor-...
The Outdoor Industry Needs Workers, And Workers Need Unions | Defector
Work in the outdoor industry long enough, and you’ll learn that only certain jobs in the U.S. are allowed to be taken seriously. Spending your days emailing about nothing is a “career.” Drafting…
defector.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:08 AM
The Outdoor Industry Needs Workers, And Workers Need Unions defector.com/the-outdoor-...
Reposted by Mike Elk
dangerous when rival pickleball crews come through talking shit. at this rate, the only way to keep the community center safe will be to settle our differences using breakdancing
Anthony Sapienza and his wife Julianne Sapienza face felony battery charges following a heated pickleball brawl, officials said.
Florida pickleball brawl involving up to 20 people results in paddles to the face and felony charges
Anthony Sapienza, 63, and his wife Julianne Sapienza, 51, were arrested after multiple people sustained injuries, including a 70-year-old man.
nbcnews.to
February 15, 2026 at 2:03 AM
dangerous when rival pickleball crews come through talking shit. at this rate, the only way to keep the community center safe will be to settle our differences using breakdancing
Reposted by Mike Elk
Massive strike at Kaiser Permanente enters third week with new unions joining the picket line therealnews.com/strike-kaise...
Massive strike at Kaiser Permanente enters third week with new unions joining the picket line
“It is not the same Kaiser… This is no longer a place to get your care. This is now an investment firm that dabbles in hospitals.”
therealnews.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:57 AM
Massive strike at Kaiser Permanente enters third week with new unions joining the picket line therealnews.com/strike-kaise...
Reposted by Mike Elk
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski:
“It is a complete falsehood to claim that mass migration was a left-wing project. For decades, it was supported by Republican businessmen who wanted cheap labor from Latin America in the United States.”
“It is a complete falsehood to claim that mass migration was a left-wing project. For decades, it was supported by Republican businessmen who wanted cheap labor from Latin America in the United States.”
February 15, 2026 at 1:59 AM
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski:
“It is a complete falsehood to claim that mass migration was a left-wing project. For decades, it was supported by Republican businessmen who wanted cheap labor from Latin America in the United States.”
“It is a complete falsehood to claim that mass migration was a left-wing project. For decades, it was supported by Republican businessmen who wanted cheap labor from Latin America in the United States.”
Reposted by Mike Elk
"officials in the Trump-Vance administration and others close to the White House paint a stark portrait of a president attempting to save face and declare “Mission Accomplished,” as one Trump adviser ironically puts it, after starting a war that Team Trump knows it’s losing badly."
Trump’s Losing His War in Minnesota. He’s Ready to Declare ‘Mission Accomplished’
Trump may trim back his terror campaign in Minneapolis, because it’s bleeding political support. It’s not over.
zeteo.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:02 AM
"officials in the Trump-Vance administration and others close to the White House paint a stark portrait of a president attempting to save face and declare “Mission Accomplished,” as one Trump adviser ironically puts it, after starting a war that Team Trump knows it’s losing badly."
Reposted by Mike Elk
Petista, portanto
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
February 15, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Petista, portanto
Reposted by Mike Elk
Isso aqui é foda demais.
E ainda tem gente que chama o menino Ney de herói.
Ah vá.
E ainda tem gente que chama o menino Ney de herói.
Ah vá.
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
February 15, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Isso aqui é foda demais.
E ainda tem gente que chama o menino Ney de herói.
Ah vá.
E ainda tem gente que chama o menino Ney de herói.
Ah vá.
Reposted by Mike Elk
É Lucas Pinheiro e mais 10, pra gente ganhar a Copa do Mundo, Prêmio Nobel, Oscar, Totobola, Raspadinha, MegaSena e o que vier! 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
February 15, 2026 at 12:13 AM
É Lucas Pinheiro e mais 10, pra gente ganhar a Copa do Mundo, Prêmio Nobel, Oscar, Totobola, Raspadinha, MegaSena e o que vier! 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩
Reposted by Mike Elk
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
February 14, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
Today, is my Dad’s birthday & when I called him from Brasil, he told me he was attending a UE local monthly meeting at Kennedy Valve in Elmira, New York. Now, my dad retired in 2020 from the UE after 44 years in the union , but still every month, my dad volunteers with no pay to drives up to Elmira.
February 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Today, is my Dad’s birthday & when I called him from Brasil, he told me he was attending a UE local monthly meeting at Kennedy Valve in Elmira, New York. Now, my dad retired in 2020 from the UE after 44 years in the union , but still every month, my dad volunteers with no pay to drives up to Elmira.
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
February 14, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Brazil’s first gold medalist in the Winter Olympics posing with Colin Kapernick
On Valentine's Day, many single folks feel like "failure" as they watch social media posts from couples celebrating their relationships.
For years, I didn't speak out about my own struggles with long-term loneliness and I'm so glad that I did because I found such a supportive network
For years, I didn't speak out about my own struggles with long-term loneliness and I'm so glad that I did because I found such a supportive network
Speaking Out on Loneliness & Depression as a 40-Year-Old Man
My advice to anyone feeling similar stigmas: fuck them, the people who say that shit - they are just projecting their own insecurity onto you because you are single and there's nothing wrong with it.
paydayreport.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:16 PM
On Valentine's Day, many single folks feel like "failure" as they watch social media posts from couples celebrating their relationships.
For years, I didn't speak out about my own struggles with long-term loneliness and I'm so glad that I did because I found such a supportive network
For years, I didn't speak out about my own struggles with long-term loneliness and I'm so glad that I did because I found such a supportive network
Reposted by Mike Elk
This lawyer, working for a Minnesota law firm and never — until ICE’s murder of Renee Good on January 14 — having practiced immigration law, is showing us the way.
We need to celebrate — and follow— her example.
Truly an inspiring 🧵👇
We need to celebrate — and follow— her example.
Truly an inspiring 🧵👇
15 years ago when I went to law school, 12 years ago when I began practicing… hell, a month ago, I wanted nothing to do with immigration law.
On January 14, however, what I wanted stopped mattering.
5/
On January 14, however, what I wanted stopped mattering.
5/
February 12, 2026 at 2:34 PM
This lawyer, working for a Minnesota law firm and never — until ICE’s murder of Renee Good on January 14 — having practiced immigration law, is showing us the way.
We need to celebrate — and follow— her example.
Truly an inspiring 🧵👇
We need to celebrate — and follow— her example.
Truly an inspiring 🧵👇
Reposted by Mike Elk
My religious WV family is starting to publicly speak about his racism which is a big deal. Let him cook.
February 14, 2026 at 4:47 AM
My religious WV family is starting to publicly speak about his racism which is a big deal. Let him cook.
Reposted by Mike Elk
“.. The president railed against South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott .. throughout the weekend ..
“.. Trump had even stronger words for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, one of the sources recalled, using expletives to denounce her and declaring that she was dead to him.”
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
“.. Trump had even stronger words for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, one of the sources recalled, using expletives to denounce her and declaring that she was dead to him.”
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
February 14, 2026 at 12:59 AM
“.. The president railed against South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott .. throughout the weekend ..
“.. Trump had even stronger words for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, one of the sources recalled, using expletives to denounce her and declaring that she was dead to him.”
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
“.. Trump had even stronger words for Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, one of the sources recalled, using expletives to denounce her and declaring that she was dead to him.”
@cnn.com
www.cnn.com/2026/02/13/p...
Reposted by Mike Elk
"Um vídeo no TikTok sobre minha reportagem teve 21 mil curtidas no Brasil. Ele falava sobre como eu ultrapassei o prazo do meu visto, mas me permitiram ficar. Um policial federal brasileiro me disse: "Nós não somos da imigração, somos brasileiros". O vídeo foi bloqueado para espectadores nos EUA."🫠
TikTok about my reporting got 21,000 likes in Brasil.
It talked about how I overstayed my visa, but was allowed to stay. A Brazilian federal police officer told me, "We're not ICE, we're Brazilians."
The video was blocked, though, for viewers in US.
paydayreport.com/tiktok-on-pa...
It talked about how I overstayed my visa, but was allowed to stay. A Brazilian federal police officer told me, "We're not ICE, we're Brazilians."
The video was blocked, though, for viewers in US.
paydayreport.com/tiktok-on-pa...
TikTok on Payday’s Reporting Gets 21,000 Likes in Brasil, But Blocked by Trump Regs in U.S.
TikToks made in Brasil are now banned under new rules implemented by the Trump Administration.
paydayreport.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:25 PM
"Um vídeo no TikTok sobre minha reportagem teve 21 mil curtidas no Brasil. Ele falava sobre como eu ultrapassei o prazo do meu visto, mas me permitiram ficar. Um policial federal brasileiro me disse: "Nós não somos da imigração, somos brasileiros". O vídeo foi bloqueado para espectadores nos EUA."🫠
Im constantly seeing fake AI videos about people stopping ICE in funny ways.
Plz, DO NOT post these AI videos as it leads people to question the credibility of real videos featuring confrotations with ICE!
Plz, DO NOT post these AI videos as it leads people to question the credibility of real videos featuring confrotations with ICE!
February 13, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Im constantly seeing fake AI videos about people stopping ICE in funny ways.
Plz, DO NOT post these AI videos as it leads people to question the credibility of real videos featuring confrotations with ICE!
Plz, DO NOT post these AI videos as it leads people to question the credibility of real videos featuring confrotations with ICE!
Reposted by Mike Elk
I spoke with SEIU’s David Huerta, who was arrested in an ICE raid last year and awaits trial.
He says it’s time to go “on offense.”
“Should we use a general strike as a tool? Absolutely. We should be prepared to use that tool because our democracy is worth it.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
He says it’s time to go “on offense.”
“Should we use a general strike as a tool? Absolutely. We should be prepared to use that tool because our democracy is worth it.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
Labor Leader Arrested In ICE Raid Says It’s Time To Go 'On Offense' Against Trump
Now awaiting trial, David Huerta says he refuses to "bend the knee" and stay silent on the president's immigration crackdown.
www.huffpost.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:50 PM
I spoke with SEIU’s David Huerta, who was arrested in an ICE raid last year and awaits trial.
He says it’s time to go “on offense.”
“Should we use a general strike as a tool? Absolutely. We should be prepared to use that tool because our democracy is worth it.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
He says it’s time to go “on offense.”
“Should we use a general strike as a tool? Absolutely. We should be prepared to use that tool because our democracy is worth it.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/david-...
Reposted by Mike Elk
Trump’s immigration surges in Minneapolis and across the country are a localized economic heart attack not unlike the one that hit the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and the rest of the Republicans are job-killers who will ruin the economy for the sake of deportations.
ICE Is Strangling the Minneapolis Economy - The American Prospect
Trump’s masked kidnappers are recreating the effects of the COVID pandemic in miniature.
buff.ly
February 13, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Trump’s immigration surges in Minneapolis and across the country are a localized economic heart attack not unlike the one that hit the U.S. during the COVID-19 pandemic. He and the rest of the Republicans are job-killers who will ruin the economy for the sake of deportations.
I played football for years at Woodland Hills & this is basically why I don’t watch football anymore
A 16 year old San Antonio kid was essentially killed by a football coaching staff during an offseason workout.
Players were subjected to punishment drills and repeatedly noted the distress of their teammate, to no avail.
After he collapsed, the rest of the team was compelled to continue the drill.
Players were subjected to punishment drills and repeatedly noted the distress of their teammate, to no avail.
After he collapsed, the rest of the team was compelled to continue the drill.
February 13, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I played football for years at Woodland Hills & this is basically why I don’t watch football anymore