Abbey Combs
@abbeycombs.bsky.social
Migrant and Refugee Response for CWS Latin America & Caribbean. Views my own. she/her/ella. www.cwslac.org
Reposted by Abbey Combs
A reminder tonight that Venezuela has nothing to do with fentanyl. The vast majority of the fentanyl supply begins as precursor chemicals in China, is manufactured in Mexico, and makes it to the U.S. by land, mostly smuggled by U.S. citizens hiding it within lawful trade and traffic at entry points.
Fentanyl smuggling: Most seizures occur at ports of entry where U.S. citizens are the primary smugglers - American Immigration Council
Most fentanyl enters the U.S. through ports of entry, not via migrants. U.S. citizens are the primary smugglers, often recruited by criminal networks. Effective solutions focus on better screening at ...
www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org
December 17, 2025 at 2:00 AM
A reminder tonight that Venezuela has nothing to do with fentanyl. The vast majority of the fentanyl supply begins as precursor chemicals in China, is manufactured in Mexico, and makes it to the U.S. by land, mostly smuggled by U.S. citizens hiding it within lawful trade and traffic at entry points.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Do this, condemn all political violence, condemn all gun violence, no exceptions.
settings > content & media > autoplay video & gifs = off
September 10, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Do this, condemn all political violence, condemn all gun violence, no exceptions.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
EXCLUSIVE: @timmiller.bsky.social spoke to Andry as he shared his journey through U.S. detention that led to imprisonment in El Salvador. He speaks about abuse, survival, and rebuilding his life through faith and his hope for the future.
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySs...
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySs...
August 8, 2025 at 12:15 AM
EXCLUSIVE: @timmiller.bsky.social spoke to Andry as he shared his journey through U.S. detention that led to imprisonment in El Salvador. He speaks about abuse, survival, and rebuilding his life through faith and his hope for the future.
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySs...
Watch it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ySs...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
When we said the United States delivered people to a Salvadoran “torture prison,” it was no exaggeration.
Ábrego García:
- Was beaten with batons
- Was forced to kneel overnight, beaten if he collapsed, made to soil himself
- Heard screams as gang members freely harmed each other
- Lost 31 pounds
Ábrego García:
- Was beaten with batons
- Was forced to kneel overnight, beaten if he collapsed, made to soil himself
- Heard screams as gang members freely harmed each other
- Lost 31 pounds
storage.courtlistener.com
July 3, 2025 at 10:49 AM
When we said the United States delivered people to a Salvadoran “torture prison,” it was no exaggeration.
Ábrego García:
- Was beaten with batons
- Was forced to kneel overnight, beaten if he collapsed, made to soil himself
- Heard screams as gang members freely harmed each other
- Lost 31 pounds
Ábrego García:
- Was beaten with batons
- Was forced to kneel overnight, beaten if he collapsed, made to soil himself
- Heard screams as gang members freely harmed each other
- Lost 31 pounds
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Arguably the most important part of the article was this policy expert saying:
This doesn't stop in 2028 no matter what.
Once you spend so much money on growing policing + detention, that creates its own local economies. That creates demand. It's hard to wind down. It becomes the norm.
This doesn't stop in 2028 no matter what.
Once you spend so much money on growing policing + detention, that creates its own local economies. That creates demand. It's hard to wind down. It becomes the norm.
July 3, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Arguably the most important part of the article was this policy expert saying:
This doesn't stop in 2028 no matter what.
Once you spend so much money on growing policing + detention, that creates its own local economies. That creates demand. It's hard to wind down. It becomes the norm.
This doesn't stop in 2028 no matter what.
Once you spend so much money on growing policing + detention, that creates its own local economies. That creates demand. It's hard to wind down. It becomes the norm.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
One provision in the House bill that would normally get stripped out of the Senate bill (because it lacks budget effect) would empower the Trump admin to shut down NGOs that it views as "terrorist."
If Pablo is right and the Senate is bending the rules, there's a real danger of this becoming law.
If Pablo is right and the Senate is bending the rules, there's a real danger of this becoming law.
May 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
One provision in the House bill that would normally get stripped out of the Senate bill (because it lacks budget effect) would empower the Trump admin to shut down NGOs that it views as "terrorist."
If Pablo is right and the Senate is bending the rules, there's a real danger of this becoming law.
If Pablo is right and the Senate is bending the rules, there's a real danger of this becoming law.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Of USAID programs that specifically mentioned Latin America and the Caribbean or specific countries, "the Trump administration has eliminated fully 84 percent, leaving a multi-year commitment of just $1.04 billion, of which $122 million remains unobligated."
April 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Of USAID programs that specifically mentioned Latin America and the Caribbean or specific countries, "the Trump administration has eliminated fully 84 percent, leaving a multi-year commitment of just $1.04 billion, of which $122 million remains unobligated."
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Detaining people, not sharing their names, then jailing them extrajudicially and indefinitely?
That's "enforced disappearance"—and Latin America has a sad but proud history of fighting it.
Join us Wed to hear from some of the fighters.
Event: bit.ly/apr-30-disap...
Register: bit.ly/apr-30-lessons
That's "enforced disappearance"—and Latin America has a sad but proud history of fighting it.
Join us Wed to hear from some of the fighters.
Event: bit.ly/apr-30-disap...
Register: bit.ly/apr-30-lessons
April 25, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Detaining people, not sharing their names, then jailing them extrajudicially and indefinitely?
That's "enforced disappearance"—and Latin America has a sad but proud history of fighting it.
Join us Wed to hear from some of the fighters.
Event: bit.ly/apr-30-disap...
Register: bit.ly/apr-30-lessons
That's "enforced disappearance"—and Latin America has a sad but proud history of fighting it.
Join us Wed to hear from some of the fighters.
Event: bit.ly/apr-30-disap...
Register: bit.ly/apr-30-lessons
Reposted by Abbey Combs
NEW: A federal judge raised alarm Friday that the Trump administration appeared to have deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras with "no meaningful process" — even as her father was fighting to keep her in the country.
Details w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Details w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
April 26, 2025 at 12:06 AM
NEW: A federal judge raised alarm Friday that the Trump administration appeared to have deported a 2-year-old U.S. citizen to Honduras with "no meaningful process" — even as her father was fighting to keep her in the country.
Details w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Details w/ @joshgerstein.bsky.social
www.politico.com/news/2025/04...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Wait, what? CBP makes people sign a tablet screen without the actual document they're signing, the text of which can be changed later?
(This is from @emilybregel.bsky.social yesterday: tucson.com/news/local/b...)
(This is from @emilybregel.bsky.social yesterday: tucson.com/news/local/b...)
April 24, 2025 at 3:06 AM
Wait, what? CBP makes people sign a tablet screen without the actual document they're signing, the text of which can be changed later?
(This is from @emilybregel.bsky.social yesterday: tucson.com/news/local/b...)
(This is from @emilybregel.bsky.social yesterday: tucson.com/news/local/b...)
Reposted by Abbey Combs
In 2025 through April 15, at its border with Panama—the beginning of the Darién Gap route—Colombia has detected 6,501 southbound migrants and 2,888 northbound migrants.
www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/publicacione...
www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/publicacione...
April 23, 2025 at 10:13 PM
In 2025 through April 15, at its border with Panama—the beginning of the Darién Gap route—Colombia has detected 6,501 southbound migrants and 2,888 northbound migrants.
www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/publicacione...
www.migracioncolombia.gov.co/publicacione...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
That perfect moment when Pope Francis stopped the car to embrace Sophie Cruz. I cried my fuckin eyes out. After all the pain this country puts migrants through, this moment the little Mexican girl broke through was ... everything (video cred: AP). He was a real one. Obit below.
April 21, 2025 at 11:09 AM
That perfect moment when Pope Francis stopped the car to embrace Sophie Cruz. I cried my fuckin eyes out. After all the pain this country puts migrants through, this moment the little Mexican girl broke through was ... everything (video cred: AP). He was a real one. Obit below.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
A woman uploaded a video on TikTok of a call made from within the Bluebonnet ICE detention center of panicked people saying that they were accused of being part of Tren de Aragua, ordered to sign papers in English, and told they'd be deported imminently no matter if they signed or not.
April 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
A woman uploaded a video on TikTok of a call made from within the Bluebonnet ICE detention center of panicked people saying that they were accused of being part of Tren de Aragua, ordered to sign papers in English, and told they'd be deported imminently no matter if they signed or not.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
🚨UPDATE: New evidence filed by the ACLU last night shows that the Trump administration is going forward with more Alien Enemies Act deportations in seeming violation of the Supreme Court's clear command that people be provided a "meaningful" opportunity to seek judicial review.
April 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
🚨UPDATE: New evidence filed by the ACLU last night shows that the Trump administration is going forward with more Alien Enemies Act deportations in seeming violation of the Supreme Court's clear command that people be provided a "meaningful" opportunity to seek judicial review.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Bukele mocks fears of torture despite evidence that brutal violence is routine policy in El Salvador's prisons.
He says Kilmar is alive and fine. Unfortunately the same can't be said for tens of thousands of other Salvadorans detained under the state of exception.
He says Kilmar is alive and fine. Unfortunately the same can't be said for tens of thousands of other Salvadorans detained under the state of exception.
April 18, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Bukele mocks fears of torture despite evidence that brutal violence is routine policy in El Salvador's prisons.
He says Kilmar is alive and fine. Unfortunately the same can't be said for tens of thousands of other Salvadorans detained under the state of exception.
He says Kilmar is alive and fine. Unfortunately the same can't be said for tens of thousands of other Salvadorans detained under the state of exception.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Scoop: Trump Will End Temporary Protections for Afghans and Cameroonians
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
Trump Will End Temporary Protections for Afghans and Cameroonians
More than 10,000 peopl
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Scoop: Trump Will End Temporary Protections for Afghans and Cameroonians
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/u...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Important note and context from my colleague
@jonesieman.bsky.social on the Khalil news today:
"The ruling is far from the final word on whether Mr. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, will be deported."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/n...
@jonesieman.bsky.social on the Khalil news today:
"The ruling is far from the final word on whether Mr. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, will be deported."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/n...
Immigration Judge Rules Khalil Can Be Deported, but Legal Hurdles Remain
The decision by a judge in Louisiana is an early victory for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but a broader challenge is still being heard in federal court in Newark.
www.nytimes.com
April 11, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Important note and context from my colleague
@jonesieman.bsky.social on the Khalil news today:
"The ruling is far from the final word on whether Mr. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, will be deported."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/n...
@jonesieman.bsky.social on the Khalil news today:
"The ruling is far from the final word on whether Mr. Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and legal permanent resident, will be deported."
www.nytimes.com/2025/04/11/n...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Pressuring Migrants to ‘Self-Deport,’ Trump Moves to Cancel Social Security Numbers www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Pressuring Migrants to ‘Self-Deport,’ White House Moves to Cancel Social Security Numbers
By placing migrants in Social Security’s “death master file,” the Trump administration is seeking to cut off their access to credit cards, bank accounts and other financial services.
www.nytimes.com
April 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Pressuring Migrants to ‘Self-Deport,’ Trump Moves to Cancel Social Security Numbers www.nytimes.com/2025/04/10/u...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
The vast majority (75%) of Venezuelan men taken to CECOT had no criminal convictions in the United States or abroad according to @60minutes.bsky.social.
Call your representatives to demand that they speak out to protect due process. #JusticeforAndry #FreeAndry
www.cbsnews.com/news/what-re...
Call your representatives to demand that they speak out to protect due process. #JusticeforAndry #FreeAndry
www.cbsnews.com/news/what-re...
U.S. sent 238 migrants to Salvadoran mega-prison; documents indicate most have no apparent criminal records
The U.S. sent 238 Venezuelan migrants to a Salvadoran mega-prison. The Trump administration says they're all gang members, but 60 Minutes could find no criminal records for 75 percent of them.
www.cbsnews.com
April 7, 2025 at 1:29 AM
The vast majority (75%) of Venezuelan men taken to CECOT had no criminal convictions in the United States or abroad according to @60minutes.bsky.social.
Call your representatives to demand that they speak out to protect due process. #JusticeforAndry #FreeAndry
www.cbsnews.com/news/what-re...
Call your representatives to demand that they speak out to protect due process. #JusticeforAndry #FreeAndry
www.cbsnews.com/news/what-re...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
New: US citizen Angie González’s Venezuelan-born husband Jesús Ríos was expelled to El Salvador having no criminal history, and despite applying for residency. Nor do at least two Salvadorans expelled to CECOT have a criminal record. elfaro.net/en/202505/el...
US Wife of CECOT Deportee: “He was seeking asylum… Sometimes I think he’s dead”
elfaro.net
April 6, 2025 at 11:03 PM
New: US citizen Angie González’s Venezuelan-born husband Jesús Ríos was expelled to El Salvador having no criminal history, and despite applying for residency. Nor do at least two Salvadorans expelled to CECOT have a criminal record. elfaro.net/en/202505/el...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Tonight the Supreme Court made it possible to have m ore cases like Andry's, by requiring that people challenging Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act file individual habeas corpus lawsuits.
Many people in detention don't have any money to hire a lawyer. They won't be able to do this.
Many people in detention don't have any money to hire a lawyer. They won't be able to do this.
Tonight we learned that it was indeed Andry, the gay man sent to El Salvador because of his “mom” and “dad” tattoos, who an American journalist saw sobbing as guards slapped him repeatedly and shaved his head.
He is an innocent. And Trump sent him to a torture prison.
Bring them back!
He is an innocent. And Trump sent him to a torture prison.
Bring them back!
April 7, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Tonight the Supreme Court made it possible to have m ore cases like Andry's, by requiring that people challenging Trump's use of the Alien Enemies Act file individual habeas corpus lawsuits.
Many people in detention don't have any money to hire a lawyer. They won't be able to do this.
Many people in detention don't have any money to hire a lawyer. They won't be able to do this.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
Family detention will officially resume, after the Biden admin shifted away from it in 2021.
The Dilley facility, a sprawling group of trailers surrounded by chain link fence about an hour south of San Antonio, was first opened in 2014 under Obama during the first "border crisis" of the decade.
The Dilley facility, a sprawling group of trailers surrounded by chain link fence about an hour south of San Antonio, was first opened in 2014 under Obama during the first "border crisis" of the decade.
BREAKING: Trump officials are reopening a sprawling detention center in Texas to hold migrant children and their parents, via @mariasacchetti.bsky.social @arelisrhdz.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/...
Trump officials to reopen Texas detention center for migrant families
Four years after the Biden administration stopped detaining migrant children, a private prison contractor says it has reached an agreement with ICE to reopen the South Texas Family Residential Center ...
www.washingtonpost.com
March 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Family detention will officially resume, after the Biden admin shifted away from it in 2021.
The Dilley facility, a sprawling group of trailers surrounded by chain link fence about an hour south of San Antonio, was first opened in 2014 under Obama during the first "border crisis" of the decade.
The Dilley facility, a sprawling group of trailers surrounded by chain link fence about an hour south of San Antonio, was first opened in 2014 under Obama during the first "border crisis" of the decade.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
The U.S. military—which prides itself on being apolitical—is being forced to lend itself to the current administration’s domestic political priorities. This threatens a historic break with more than a century of restraint in the United States’ democratic civil-military relations.
Soldiers Aren’t Border Police: the perils of using troops against migrants - WOLA
Soldiers are trained for combat. They exist to defend a state against aggression, or to keep order in extreme emergencies. Soldiers are not trained to be police, who are civilians charged with protect...
www.wola.org
March 4, 2025 at 12:58 AM
The U.S. military—which prides itself on being apolitical—is being forced to lend itself to the current administration’s domestic political priorities. This threatens a historic break with more than a century of restraint in the United States’ democratic civil-military relations.
Reposted by Abbey Combs
The Laken Riley Act was signed into law today. This eviscerates due process for undocumented ppl who are ACCUSED – not convicted – of certain low-level crimes like shoplifting, exposing them to indefinite detention. www.nytimes.com/article/lake...
LinkedIn
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lnkd.in
January 30, 2025 at 12:01 AM
The Laken Riley Act was signed into law today. This eviscerates due process for undocumented ppl who are ACCUSED – not convicted – of certain low-level crimes like shoplifting, exposing them to indefinite detention. www.nytimes.com/article/lake...
Reposted by Abbey Combs
This is the first time I've seen the US government return citizens of a country outside the Americas into #Mexico. That didn't even happen during Title 42. President Sheinbaum appears to have agreed to a lot.
January 29, 2025 at 7:15 PM
This is the first time I've seen the US government return citizens of a country outside the Americas into #Mexico. That didn't even happen during Title 42. President Sheinbaum appears to have agreed to a lot.