Kimiko Hirota
@kimikohirota.bsky.social
policy at Church World Service
advocate for migrant justice
she/her | views my own
advocate for migrant justice
she/her | views my own
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Today I received FOUR death notifications for people in ICE custody. That's 30 deaths since Trump took office. It's appalling & unacceptable.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
December 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Today I received FOUR death notifications for people in ICE custody. That's 30 deaths since Trump took office. It's appalling & unacceptable.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
NEW: President Trump is expanding the previous 19-country travel ban to a whopping 39 countries (plus the Palestinian Authority), and appears to expand a block on legal immigration to now include spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens, who were previously exempted.
December 16, 2025 at 8:32 PM
NEW: President Trump is expanding the previous 19-country travel ban to a whopping 39 countries (plus the Palestinian Authority), and appears to expand a block on legal immigration to now include spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens, who were previously exempted.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
RCUSA joins 130 organizations calling on the administration to reverse harmful policies targeting refugee and immigrant communities.
Read our full statement: https://rcusa.org/news-and-media/130-organizations-urge-administration-to-reverse-harmful-policies-attacking-refugee-immigrant-communities/
Read our full statement: https://rcusa.org/news-and-media/130-organizations-urge-administration-to-reverse-harmful-policies-attacking-refugee-immigrant-communities/
December 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
RCUSA joins 130 organizations calling on the administration to reverse harmful policies targeting refugee and immigrant communities.
Read our full statement: https://rcusa.org/news-and-media/130-organizations-urge-administration-to-reverse-harmful-policies-attacking-refugee-immigrant-communities/
Read our full statement: https://rcusa.org/news-and-media/130-organizations-urge-administration-to-reverse-harmful-policies-attacking-refugee-immigrant-communities/
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
🚨 ALERT🚨 DC Police (MPD) has announced that they will start collaborating with ICE at traffic checkpoints. What does this mean 👉🏽
August 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
🚨 ALERT🚨 DC Police (MPD) has announced that they will start collaborating with ICE at traffic checkpoints. What does this mean 👉🏽
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Today I met with Church World Service to discuss the vital work they do supporting refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers in our city, who are under unprecedented attack from Trump’s militarized ICE police.
Trump’s ongoing attacks on immigrants are inhuman, un-American, & unacceptable.
Trump’s ongoing attacks on immigrants are inhuman, un-American, & unacceptable.
August 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Today I met with Church World Service to discuss the vital work they do supporting refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers in our city, who are under unprecedented attack from Trump’s militarized ICE police.
Trump’s ongoing attacks on immigrants are inhuman, un-American, & unacceptable.
Trump’s ongoing attacks on immigrants are inhuman, un-American, & unacceptable.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
NEW: a federal court in DC has barred DHS from using “expedited removal” to strip those people who entered the country legally through humanitarian parole of a right to a court hearing.
Full opinion here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Full opinion here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
August 1, 2025 at 2:49 PM
NEW: a federal court in DC has barred DHS from using “expedited removal” to strip those people who entered the country legally through humanitarian parole of a right to a court hearing.
Full opinion here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Full opinion here: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
NEW: We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
By @nicolefoy.bsky.social @mckenziefunk.com
ICE claims officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
By @nicolefoy.bsky.social @mckenziefunk.com
Bloodied Faces, Sobbing Children: Immigration Officers Smash Car Windows to Speed Up Arrests
We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office. ICE claims its officers use a “mini...
projects.propublica.org
July 31, 2025 at 10:40 AM
NEW: We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office.
ICE claims officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
By @nicolefoy.bsky.social @mckenziefunk.com
ICE claims officers use a “minimum amount of force.”
You can judge for yourself.
By @nicolefoy.bsky.social @mckenziefunk.com
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Well, seems like it's over. Trump will get his almost $200 billion more for immigration agents, weapons, surveillance tools, and huge detention expansion. This will entail at minimum another roughly 19,000 immigration agents across ICE and CBP, that will probably be shotgun-hired at lower standards
The Worst Part of Trump’s Big Bill Is Getting Almost No Attention
The Republican budget bill is stuffed with terrible policies, but Democrats have been largely silent on perhaps its most destructive component.
newrepublic.com
July 3, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Well, seems like it's over. Trump will get his almost $200 billion more for immigration agents, weapons, surveillance tools, and huge detention expansion. This will entail at minimum another roughly 19,000 immigration agents across ICE and CBP, that will probably be shotgun-hired at lower standards
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
“Over a century after his great-grandfather Wong Kim Ark fought to establish birthright citizenship in the U.S., Norman Wong is picking up the torch to defend his family's legacy and the rights of all Americans.” documentedny.com/2025/05/14/s...
May 15, 2025 at 1:54 PM
“Over a century after his great-grandfather Wong Kim Ark fought to establish birthright citizenship in the U.S., Norman Wong is picking up the torch to defend his family's legacy and the rights of all Americans.” documentedny.com/2025/05/14/s...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
The Dallas ICE office is involved in a mass removal effort targeting nearly 200 people — many without removal orders — scheduled to be deported to El Salvador today.
This is not just cruel – it is lawless. I refuse to stay quiet while families are being torn apart, and lives are being put at risk.
This is not just cruel – it is lawless. I refuse to stay quiet while families are being torn apart, and lives are being put at risk.
April 18, 2025 at 10:14 PM
The Dallas ICE office is involved in a mass removal effort targeting nearly 200 people — many without removal orders — scheduled to be deported to El Salvador today.
This is not just cruel – it is lawless. I refuse to stay quiet while families are being torn apart, and lives are being put at risk.
This is not just cruel – it is lawless. I refuse to stay quiet while families are being torn apart, and lives are being put at risk.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
"I write this letter as the sun rises, hoping that the suspension of my rights will raise alarm bells that yours are already in jeopardy."
If you read one thing today, let it be this piece by detained US greencard holder Mahmoud Khalil for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
If you read one thing today, let it be this piece by detained US greencard holder Mahmoud Khalil for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Mahmoud Khalil: What does my detention by ICE say about America?
A democracy for some is no democracy at all.
www.washingtonpost.com
April 17, 2025 at 9:57 PM
"I write this letter as the sun rises, hoping that the suspension of my rights will raise alarm bells that yours are already in jeopardy."
If you read one thing today, let it be this piece by detained US greencard holder Mahmoud Khalil for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
If you read one thing today, let it be this piece by detained US greencard holder Mahmoud Khalil for @washingtonpost.com: www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
SCOTUS ruled that Trump had to give people adequate notice before deporting them.
Yet today, there are reports that he's deporting 177 immigrants with under 24 hours' notice—not enough time to assert due process. We cannot stand by as this admin continues to disappear people.
Yet today, there are reports that he's deporting 177 immigrants with under 24 hours' notice—not enough time to assert due process. We cannot stand by as this admin continues to disappear people.
April 18, 2025 at 7:57 PM
SCOTUS ruled that Trump had to give people adequate notice before deporting them.
Yet today, there are reports that he's deporting 177 immigrants with under 24 hours' notice—not enough time to assert due process. We cannot stand by as this admin continues to disappear people.
Yet today, there are reports that he's deporting 177 immigrants with under 24 hours' notice—not enough time to assert due process. We cannot stand by as this admin continues to disappear people.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Felt like this needed more attention. We can't overlook that the El Paso shooter recently said that his actions were motivated by Donald Trump's rhetoric. As an El Pasoan, this piece for me is personal, and sadly, not much has changed in terms of the GOP's rhetoric. elpasomatters.org/2025/04/16/o...
Opinion: El Paso’s mass shooting is proof of the impact of words. Trump and Republicans don’t care
The Walmart gunman didn’t have a fringe interpretation of Trump’s language — it is a logical endpoint.
elpasomatters.org
April 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Felt like this needed more attention. We can't overlook that the El Paso shooter recently said that his actions were motivated by Donald Trump's rhetoric. As an El Pasoan, this piece for me is personal, and sadly, not much has changed in terms of the GOP's rhetoric. elpasomatters.org/2025/04/16/o...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Proud to lead 40+ of my colleagues in calling on Sec. Rubio to reinstate the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Refugees fleeing violence and persecution deserve to be welcomed— that's the promise of America. I'm fighting to make that happen.
Refugees fleeing violence and persecution deserve to be welcomed— that's the promise of America. I'm fighting to make that happen.
April 16, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Proud to lead 40+ of my colleagues in calling on Sec. Rubio to reinstate the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.
Refugees fleeing violence and persecution deserve to be welcomed— that's the promise of America. I'm fighting to make that happen.
Refugees fleeing violence and persecution deserve to be welcomed— that's the promise of America. I'm fighting to make that happen.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Forced registries. Mass detention. Attacks on free speech.
We’ve seen this playbook before — and it reeks of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.
We know where it leads, and we refuse to go back.
We’ve seen this playbook before — and it reeks of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.
We know where it leads, and we refuse to go back.
April 7, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Forced registries. Mass detention. Attacks on free speech.
We’ve seen this playbook before — and it reeks of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.
We know where it leads, and we refuse to go back.
We’ve seen this playbook before — and it reeks of the most shameful episodes in U.S. history.
We know where it leads, and we refuse to go back.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
A gay makeup artist named Andry José Hernández Romero was among the Venezuelans President Trump deported to El Salvador. Andry’s offense? Having the wrong tattoos.
The Makeup Artist Donald Trump Deported Under the Alien Enemies Act
The President has invoked the law to send Venezuelans to prison in El Salvador without due process—and, in many cases, under false pretenses.
www.newyorker.com
April 1, 2025 at 12:50 AM
A gay makeup artist named Andry José Hernández Romero was among the Venezuelans President Trump deported to El Salvador. Andry’s offense? Having the wrong tattoos.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
The latest Strauss Center Asylum Processing report is out. @sleutert.bsky.social and I chronicle:
1) The cessation of asylum along the US southern border since Jan. 20
2) The effect these recent policy changes are having on asylum seekers in border cities
www.strausscenter.org/publications...
1) The cessation of asylum along the US southern border since Jan. 20
2) The effect these recent policy changes are having on asylum seekers in border cities
www.strausscenter.org/publications...
March 18, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The latest Strauss Center Asylum Processing report is out. @sleutert.bsky.social and I chronicle:
1) The cessation of asylum along the US southern border since Jan. 20
2) The effect these recent policy changes are having on asylum seekers in border cities
www.strausscenter.org/publications...
1) The cessation of asylum along the US southern border since Jan. 20
2) The effect these recent policy changes are having on asylum seekers in border cities
www.strausscenter.org/publications...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
NEW: Judge Jamal Whitehead, a Biden appointee, has blocked Trump’s executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions, saying it appears to violate the separation of powers.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Judge blocks Trump’s executive order suspending refugee admissions to the U.S.
The Seattle-based judge's injunction blocks key components of one of Trump’s Day One executive orders.
www.politico.com
February 25, 2025 at 7:25 PM
NEW: Judge Jamal Whitehead, a Biden appointee, has blocked Trump’s executive order indefinitely suspending refugee admissions, saying it appears to violate the separation of powers.
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
www.politico.com/news/2025/02...
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Asylum seekers navigating immigration court are invited to a virtual presentation on 02/19 at 4 PM PST covering essential topics to empower them w/ knowledge about their rights and how to present their strongest case. Materials will be available in Eng & Span.
Click the link to join: bit.ly/3QjWvnu
Click the link to join: bit.ly/3QjWvnu
February 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Asylum seekers navigating immigration court are invited to a virtual presentation on 02/19 at 4 PM PST covering essential topics to empower them w/ knowledge about their rights and how to present their strongest case. Materials will be available in Eng & Span.
Click the link to join: bit.ly/3QjWvnu
Click the link to join: bit.ly/3QjWvnu
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Immigrants & refugees make our economies stronger & our communities better.
Today, I introduced my first piece of legislation: a resolution celebrating the legacy of immigrants & refugees in Arizona & across the country, standing up against discriminatory immigration policies from the Trump Admin.
Today, I introduced my first piece of legislation: a resolution celebrating the legacy of immigrants & refugees in Arizona & across the country, standing up against discriminatory immigration policies from the Trump Admin.
February 12, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Immigrants & refugees make our economies stronger & our communities better.
Today, I introduced my first piece of legislation: a resolution celebrating the legacy of immigrants & refugees in Arizona & across the country, standing up against discriminatory immigration policies from the Trump Admin.
Today, I introduced my first piece of legislation: a resolution celebrating the legacy of immigrants & refugees in Arizona & across the country, standing up against discriminatory immigration policies from the Trump Admin.
Reposted by Kimiko Hirota
Here We Stand: Open Letter to National, State, and Local Leaders.
Read the open letter from thirty members of Refugee Council USA on our website: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
Read the open letter from thirty members of Refugee Council USA on our website: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
January 15, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Here We Stand: Open Letter to National, State, and Local Leaders.
Read the open letter from thirty members of Refugee Council USA on our website: rcusa.org/news-and-med...
Read the open letter from thirty members of Refugee Council USA on our website: rcusa.org/news-and-med...