Yana Kunichoff
@yanak.bsky.social
Journalist @azluminaria.bsky.social covering poverty/homelessness/housing insecurity and organizing in Tucson and southern Arizona
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
Since last year, we’ve been reporting on ICE extensively. But every week brings new information, and it’s getting harder to keep track of what’s happening, let alone remember what’s already happened.
So here’s a quick thread to help.
So here’s a quick thread to help.
January 30, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Since last year, we’ve been reporting on ICE extensively. But every week brings new information, and it’s getting harder to keep track of what’s happening, let alone remember what’s already happened.
So here’s a quick thread to help.
So here’s a quick thread to help.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
The adults in the family stopped going to work. Volunteers now drop off groceries. The only members of the household who go outside are nephews and nieces who catch the bus to school. However, they struggle to concentrate in class, worrying that ICE might return while they're gone.
Trapped inside: A Minnesota refugee family’s life on hold amid ICE arrests
A Minnesota refugee family has stopped leaving their home after visits from immigration agents, as a new federal operation begins re-examining refugee cases across the state. A judge has ordered a tem...
www.mprnews.org
January 29, 2026 at 11:03 PM
The adults in the family stopped going to work. Volunteers now drop off groceries. The only members of the household who go outside are nephews and nieces who catch the bus to school. However, they struggle to concentrate in class, worrying that ICE might return while they're gone.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
‘I don’t have words’: 2 more kids from Liam Ramos’ Columbia Heights school taken into ICE custody
The children were taken into ICE custody after their mother was detained at a court appointment. School leaders say the mother asked them to bring the kids to the detention center because there were n...
www.mprnews.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 AM
“We had to deliver them to a detention center,” principal Jason Kuhlman said about the second grader and fifth grader.
Yesenia had walked thousands of miles through the Darién Gap and through Mexico to get a modicum of safety and security for her children in Tucson. Then a traffic stop destroyed it all
@jwashing.bsky.social follows the story of one family after deportation
azluminaria.org/a-long-way-h...
@jwashing.bsky.social follows the story of one family after deportation
azluminaria.org/a-long-way-h...
A long way home - AZ Luminaria
One Tucson family’s harrowing journey from Venezuela through the heart of the anti-immigrant policies of México and the U.S.
azluminaria.org
January 29, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Yesenia had walked thousands of miles through the Darién Gap and through Mexico to get a modicum of safety and security for her children in Tucson. Then a traffic stop destroyed it all
@jwashing.bsky.social follows the story of one family after deportation
azluminaria.org/a-long-way-h...
@jwashing.bsky.social follows the story of one family after deportation
azluminaria.org/a-long-way-h...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
One human rights observer in Maine said agents followed her home, blocked off her street, and came to her door to say they know where she lives. Her children are now staying elsewhere, to keep them safe.
Now in Maine: ICE watchers say federal agents are coming to their house to threaten and intimidate them.
www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:14 AM
One human rights observer in Maine said agents followed her home, blocked off her street, and came to her door to say they know where she lives. Her children are now staying elsewhere, to keep them safe.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
I've seen a lot of upsetting images in the past .. well, I guess years, but this one from Richard Tsong-Taatarii is immediately burned into my memory. Here's the photojournalist's insta if you want to follow him. www.instagram.com/rtsongphoto/...
January 21, 2026 at 11:39 PM
I've seen a lot of upsetting images in the past .. well, I guess years, but this one from Richard Tsong-Taatarii is immediately burned into my memory. Here's the photojournalist's insta if you want to follow him. www.instagram.com/rtsongphoto/...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
I recently met a widowed 71-year-old woman still working two jobs and living at an extended-stay hotel because even two jobs don't pay her enough to afford rent.
This is what "one more year of work" looks like in America.
This is what "one more year of work" looks like in America.
Dr. Oz: "If we can get the average person to work one more year in their whole lifetime -- just stay in your workplace for one more year -- that is worth about $3 trillion to the US GDP. That's the productivity we would unleash ... if you're sick, you can't work."
January 21, 2026 at 1:30 PM
I recently met a widowed 71-year-old woman still working two jobs and living at an extended-stay hotel because even two jobs don't pay her enough to afford rent.
This is what "one more year of work" looks like in America.
This is what "one more year of work" looks like in America.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
Willian Giménez González, Chicago day laborer and beloved worker leader in Chicago, has been released from ICE custody. I spoke to him about his 47-day detention, and what solidarity looks like in this moment. "I owe my freedom to being organized," he says.
“There Is a War Against Us”: Worker Leader, Released from ICE Custody, Speaks Out
Willian Giménez González is free, but he worries about thousands of others who were abducted from the Chicago area.
inthesetimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Willian Giménez González, Chicago day laborer and beloved worker leader in Chicago, has been released from ICE custody. I spoke to him about his 47-day detention, and what solidarity looks like in this moment. "I owe my freedom to being organized," he says.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
One of my biggest takeaways from reporting this story was how much media reports in the aftermath of police shootings, in particular with the police union spokesperson putting forward a narrative of an incident, were then used as key pieces of evidence for a future investigation.
Shaping narratives when police shoot and kill someone has been a fundamental part of how police and their supporters operate. For example, see this @yanak.bsky.social @samstecklow.bsky.social story about the Chicago Police Department from 2016: chicagoreader.com/news/how-chi...
How Chicago's 'Fraternal Order of Propaganda' shapes the story of fatal police shootings - Chicago Reader
When cops kill civilians, their union is on hand to defend them. In many cases this has come at the expense of the truth.
chicagoreader.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:36 PM
One of my biggest takeaways from reporting this story was how much media reports in the aftermath of police shootings, in particular with the police union spokesperson putting forward a narrative of an incident, were then used as key pieces of evidence for a future investigation.
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
lots of cop hagiography today, while this is also a big part of the story of police and J6:
Seattle Investigated a Cop for Attending Trump’s Rally on Jan. 6. Phoenix Hired Him.
As Phoenix PD rushed to fill open positions, the department may have overlooked red flags in recruits' backgrounds.
theappeal.org
January 6, 2026 at 7:27 PM
lots of cop hagiography today, while this is also a big part of the story of police and J6:
Police officers move to new departments all the time. What is the responsibility of local agencies to make sure they're not hiring officers accused of misconduct?
@samstecklow.bsky.social and I look at the hiring of one officer in Phoenix
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix...
@samstecklow.bsky.social and I look at the hiring of one officer in Phoenix
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix...
He was at Jan. 6. The Phoenix Police Department hired him anyway
Scotty Bach was a Seattle cop when he went to the "Stop the Steal" rally in D.C. Now he carries a badge in Phoenix.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Police officers move to new departments all the time. What is the responsibility of local agencies to make sure they're not hiring officers accused of misconduct?
@samstecklow.bsky.social and I look at the hiring of one officer in Phoenix
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix...
@samstecklow.bsky.social and I look at the hiring of one officer in Phoenix
www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/phoenix...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
In the first of three stories, @yanak.bsky.social and I report on how self-imposed pressures on the Phoenix PD pushed officials to hire increasing amounts of "lateral transfer" officers from other departments — or other states.
@invisible.institute + @theappeal.org + @phoenixnewtimes.com
@invisible.institute + @theappeal.org + @phoenixnewtimes.com
He was at Jan. 6. The Phoenix Police Department hired him anyway
Scotty Bach was a Seattle cop when he went to the "Stop the Steal" rally in D.C. Now he carries a badge in Phoenix.
www.phoenixnewtimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:33 PM
In the first of three stories, @yanak.bsky.social and I report on how self-imposed pressures on the Phoenix PD pushed officials to hire increasing amounts of "lateral transfer" officers from other departments — or other states.
@invisible.institute + @theappeal.org + @phoenixnewtimes.com
@invisible.institute + @theappeal.org + @phoenixnewtimes.com
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
I don’t ever want to hear anyone say “the raids aren't as bad.” this is the last 2 days.
lataco.com/daily-memo-d...
lataco.com/daily-memo-d...
December 20, 2025 at 5:39 AM
I don’t ever want to hear anyone say “the raids aren't as bad.” this is the last 2 days.
lataco.com/daily-memo-d...
lataco.com/daily-memo-d...
Nearly a quarter of HIV-related deaths in Maricopa County involved people who were housing insecure, a @lookoutnews.bsky.social investigation of medical examiner data found
www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-repo...
www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-repo...
LOOKOUT Report: Maricopa HIV Deaths Reveal Gaps in Care for the Unhoused
Nearly a quarter of HIV-related deaths in Maricopa County involved people who were housing insecure, but limited data and threatened housing programs leave the scope of the crisis largely unseen.
www.lookoutnews.org
December 12, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Nearly a quarter of HIV-related deaths in Maricopa County involved people who were housing insecure, a @lookoutnews.bsky.social investigation of medical examiner data found
www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-repo...
www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-repo...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
The number of children in Nevada taken from their families due to housing has been rising since eviction moratoria and pandemic supports went away nevadacurrent.com/2025/12/03/h...
Housing instability can be deeply interconnected with Nevada child welfare • Nevada Current
This story is the first in a series on the connections between housing instability and child welfare. This project was supported by the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s National Fellowship...
nevadacurrent.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:48 PM
The number of children in Nevada taken from their families due to housing has been rising since eviction moratoria and pandemic supports went away nevadacurrent.com/2025/12/03/h...
@nodesertdatacenter.com has been one of the most energetic and fast-growing organizing efforts I've covered - this summer it was a loose group of people opposed to a water-heavy development, and its closing out 2025 as a national model for fighting data centers
azluminaria.org/2025/07/21/t...
azluminaria.org/2025/07/21/t...
December 3, 2025 at 2:24 PM
@nodesertdatacenter.com has been one of the most energetic and fast-growing organizing efforts I've covered - this summer it was a loose group of people opposed to a water-heavy development, and its closing out 2025 as a national model for fighting data centers
azluminaria.org/2025/07/21/t...
azluminaria.org/2025/07/21/t...
Nearly 1400 people have been ordered into Pima County’s Restoration to Competency program to see if they can stand trial
That can mean more than a year in jail, waiting. My colleague @jwashing.bsky.social writes about when jail becomes a mental health facility
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
That can mean more than a year in jail, waiting. My colleague @jwashing.bsky.social writes about when jail becomes a mental health facility
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
When jail becomes the mental health treatment plan - AZ Luminaria
Arizona’s competency restoration system pushes people with mental illness into jail. Stacey Brooks’ case shows the dangerous consequences.
azluminaria.org
November 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Nearly 1400 people have been ordered into Pima County’s Restoration to Competency program to see if they can stand trial
That can mean more than a year in jail, waiting. My colleague @jwashing.bsky.social writes about when jail becomes a mental health facility
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
That can mean more than a year in jail, waiting. My colleague @jwashing.bsky.social writes about when jail becomes a mental health facility
azluminaria.org/2025/11/24/w...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
Today, Tucson City Council is discussing a proposed ordinance that would create a new offense of "drug-related loitering". Indications that could trigger an arrest for this include officer knowledge of a prior drug conviction, or the so-called "fent fold." tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com/221agendaonl...
tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Today, Tucson City Council is discussing a proposed ordinance that would create a new offense of "drug-related loitering". Indications that could trigger an arrest for this include officer knowledge of a prior drug conviction, or the so-called "fent fold." tucsonaz.hylandcloud.com/221agendaonl...
A new ordinance under consideration in Tucson would allow police to arrest people who raise a “reasonable suspicion that they are about to engage” in public drug use
azluminaria.org/2025/11/18/a...
azluminaria.org/2025/11/18/a...
As Tucson drafts new drug-use law, a rare joint meeting points to multiple approaches - AZ Luminaria
As the Tucson City Council weighs whether to target public drug use through a new pathway to misdemeanor arrests, a rare city-county summit highlighted a central dilemma; how to address addiction as b...
azluminaria.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:28 AM
A new ordinance under consideration in Tucson would allow police to arrest people who raise a “reasonable suspicion that they are about to engage” in public drug use
azluminaria.org/2025/11/18/a...
azluminaria.org/2025/11/18/a...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
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...
Rest in power to Sister JoAnn Persch - I met her at the Broadview detention center circa 2010-ish, where she was among a group that lay down in front of a deportation bus
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
Sister JoAnn Persch, Trailblazing Immigrant Rights Activist, Dies At 91
Sister JoAnn Persch spent decades with the Sisters of Mercy, fighting for immigrant and refugee rights in Chicago and across the country. She prayed the rosary outside the Broadview ICE facility every...
blockclubchicago.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Rest in power to Sister JoAnn Persch - I met her at the Broadview detention center circa 2010-ish, where she was among a group that lay down in front of a deportation bus
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/18/s...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
Wrote about the contentious Project Blue — a massive proposed data center in Tucson AZ — for my first feature with @theguardian.com!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘The city that draws the line’: one Arizona community’s fight against a huge datacenter
Questions grow over water and energy costs of warehouse of computers in Sonoran desert – but will Project Blue be stopped?
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Wrote about the contentious Project Blue — a massive proposed data center in Tucson AZ — for my first feature with @theguardian.com!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Yana Kunichoff
Nice to see homies at national outlets running full features on this story.
Homies at local indie nonprofit outlet @azluminaria.org have been keeping a steady vigilance on this story, which has led to greater community engagement, which led to greater national significance.
A virtuous news cycle.
Homies at local indie nonprofit outlet @azluminaria.org have been keeping a steady vigilance on this story, which has led to greater community engagement, which led to greater national significance.
A virtuous news cycle.
Wrote about the contentious Project Blue — a massive proposed data center in Tucson AZ — for my first feature with @theguardian.com!
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘The city that draws the line’: one Arizona community’s fight against a huge datacenter
Questions grow over water and energy costs of warehouse of computers in Sonoran desert – but will Project Blue be stopped?
www.theguardian.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Nice to see homies at national outlets running full features on this story.
Homies at local indie nonprofit outlet @azluminaria.org have been keeping a steady vigilance on this story, which has led to greater community engagement, which led to greater national significance.
A virtuous news cycle.
Homies at local indie nonprofit outlet @azluminaria.org have been keeping a steady vigilance on this story, which has led to greater community engagement, which led to greater national significance.
A virtuous news cycle.