Yesenia Barragan, she/they
@yeseniabarragan.bsky.social
historian of Latin America & African diaspora @Rutgers. Latinx surrealist & mama. proud working-class first-gen daughter of immigrants.
✍🏽 A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN: AFRICAN AMERICANS & THE PROMISE OF ANTEBELLUM LATIN AMERICA (forthcoming); FREEDOM’S CAPTIVES
✍🏽 A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN: AFRICAN AMERICANS & THE PROMISE OF ANTEBELLUM LATIN AMERICA (forthcoming); FREEDOM’S CAPTIVES
Pinned
My forthcoming book A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN: AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE PROMISE OF ANTEBELLUM LATIN AMERICA has a home! I am thrilled to be publishing with BASIC BOOKS and the supremely brilliant @rubenwrites.bsky.social and can’t wait to share with the world soon! Vamos!!!!!
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
The AP tracked down details of some of the people killed in President Trump's military strikes on drug smugglers he describes as narco-terrorists.
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
November 7, 2025 at 3:18 PM
The AP tracked down details of some of the people killed in President Trump's military strikes on drug smugglers he describes as narco-terrorists.
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
They were, with one exception, not high-level criminals. One was a fisherman. One was a bus driver; another a taxi driver.
apnews.com/article/trum...
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
ICE deported him anyways.
They literally put a man who was at death’s door on a plane to Costa Rica.
Doctors there found he had encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis and the inability to eat on his own.
What happened to him in ICE custody to cause this?
He died a few weeks after deportation:
They literally put a man who was at death’s door on a plane to Costa Rica.
Doctors there found he had encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis and the inability to eat on his own.
What happened to him in ICE custody to cause this?
He died a few weeks after deportation:
Family speaks out after death of man deported by ICE in vegetative state
Randall Alberto Gamboa Esquivel’s family alleges negligence and inhumane treatment
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:13 AM
ICE deported him anyways.
They literally put a man who was at death’s door on a plane to Costa Rica.
Doctors there found he had encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis and the inability to eat on his own.
What happened to him in ICE custody to cause this?
He died a few weeks after deportation:
They literally put a man who was at death’s door on a plane to Costa Rica.
Doctors there found he had encephalopathy, rhabdomyolysis and the inability to eat on his own.
What happened to him in ICE custody to cause this?
He died a few weeks after deportation:
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Imagine having a kid in this daycare who watches as their teacher is bodily dragged away by masked goons.
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Imagine having a kid in this daycare who watches as their teacher is bodily dragged away by masked goons.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
The Office of the Secretary of War acknowledged a series of detailed questions by The Intercept about designated terrorist organizations but would not even say if it knew which DTOs the U.S. is targeting with lethal attacks, much less provide a list of the groups.
The Trump administration is using NSPM-7 to compile the names of alleged domestic terror groups. It won’t tell us who’s on the list.
Are You on Trump’s List of Domestic Terrorists? There’s No Way to Know.
The Trump administration is using NSPM-7 to compile the names of alleged domestic terror groups. It won’t tell us who’s on the list.
interc.pt
November 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
The Office of the Secretary of War acknowledged a series of detailed questions by The Intercept about designated terrorist organizations but would not even say if it knew which DTOs the U.S. is targeting with lethal attacks, much less provide a list of the groups.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
I continue to believe that the Trump *campaign* successfully convinced quite a lot of people that mass deportations did not mean mass deportations; that it meant targeted enforcement against “the bad guys.”
The problem for the Trump *administration* is that no one believes that anymore.
The problem for the Trump *administration* is that no one believes that anymore.
More broadly, heavily-Latino counties moved far to the right in NJ last year, and back to the left this year:
November 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I continue to believe that the Trump *campaign* successfully convinced quite a lot of people that mass deportations did not mean mass deportations; that it meant targeted enforcement against “the bad guys.”
The problem for the Trump *administration* is that no one believes that anymore.
The problem for the Trump *administration* is that no one believes that anymore.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Importantly, Africana Studies is not just about the continent. The implication is that global Black history and life is not worthy of serious study.
It is worth saying that putting “Africana studies” in scare quotes as if it’s a ridiculous concept is not a political argument. It’s just racism. “Africa is not worthy of a major” is the implication. Yeah dude you’re just racist. (From Gerard Baker at the WSJ today)
www.wsj.com/opinion/mamd...
www.wsj.com/opinion/mamd...
November 4, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Importantly, Africana Studies is not just about the continent. The implication is that global Black history and life is not worthy of serious study.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Thursday at NYU Law! No one better to hear from about our current moment than Aziz Rana. Open to the public, but registration required - RSVP here as.nyu.edu/research-cen...
November 4, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Thursday at NYU Law! No one better to hear from about our current moment than Aziz Rana. Open to the public, but registration required - RSVP here as.nyu.edu/research-cen...
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
In the 1960s, local civil rights activists had to do a similar campaign to get the Fayetteville, NC Harris Teeter to hire Black cashiers. Except what they did was fill up their grocery carts and then abandon the carts when they didn't see a Black cashier. It worked!
I’m doing research for a project and found out about the “don’t buy where you can’t work” movement during the depression, where Black people boycotted and picketed places that wouldn’t hire us. Shout out to everyone who’s not going back to Target!
"Don't Buy Where You Can't Work" | National Museum of African American History & Culture.
<p>“Don’t Buy Where You Can’t Work” campaigns of the 1930s used effective direct-action tactics, such as boycotts and picketing. </p>
www.searchablemuseum.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:01 PM
In the 1960s, local civil rights activists had to do a similar campaign to get the Fayetteville, NC Harris Teeter to hire Black cashiers. Except what they did was fill up their grocery carts and then abandon the carts when they didn't see a Black cashier. It worked!
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Ruben Torres Maldonado returned home to his wife, sick daughter and 4-year old son after nearly two weeks in ICE custody.
Photos: ICE detainee released and reunited with family and 16-year-old daughter fighting cancer
Ruben Torres Maldonado returned home to his wife, sick daughter and 4-year old son after nearly two weeks in ICE custody.
trib.al
November 1, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Ruben Torres Maldonado returned home to his wife, sick daughter and 4-year old son after nearly two weeks in ICE custody.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Evidently there was an Auschwitz-themed float in a Halloween parade in Pennsylvania.
The float was for a Catholic school, and to their credit the church immediately disavowed it.
Thing is, I don’t think high school kids did this entirely on their own. I’m guessing parents had to be involved.
The float was for a Catholic school, and to their credit the church immediately disavowed it.
Thing is, I don’t think high school kids did this entirely on their own. I’m guessing parents had to be involved.
November 1, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Evidently there was an Auschwitz-themed float in a Halloween parade in Pennsylvania.
The float was for a Catholic school, and to their credit the church immediately disavowed it.
Thing is, I don’t think high school kids did this entirely on their own. I’m guessing parents had to be involved.
The float was for a Catholic school, and to their credit the church immediately disavowed it.
Thing is, I don’t think high school kids did this entirely on their own. I’m guessing parents had to be involved.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
October 31, 2025 at 2:33 AM
REV. BLACK (who was shot in the head with a pepper ball): “If this is what they’re doing to pastors, journalists, teachers, mothers, and the elderly gathered to sing and pray outside ICE facilities… what might they be doing to our neighbors who are behind those walls?”
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
A must-read long form explanation of what to expect if/when antifascism is designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization—leading to "unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space." Written by the DOJ's former Counsel for Domestic Terrorism. 1/
Designating Antifa as FTO Could Threaten Civil Liberties
Trump's plan to designate Antifa as an FTO has implications extending beyond anti-fascist activists to the architecture of US civil society.
www.justsecurity.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:26 PM
A must-read long form explanation of what to expect if/when antifascism is designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization—leading to "unprecedented expansion of counterterrorism authorities into the domestic political space." Written by the DOJ's former Counsel for Domestic Terrorism. 1/
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
@aaup.org Legal Advisory Letter to General Counsels about the significant First Amendment violations the Compact creates and that will face any compact signing university or college #NoCompact www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
October 30, 2025 at 2:48 PM
@aaup.org Legal Advisory Letter to General Counsels about the significant First Amendment violations the Compact creates and that will face any compact signing university or college #NoCompact www.aaup.org/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
We are crossing the rubicon into open fascist lawful authoritarianism. We will see similar prosecutions against anyone running for office who is not openly fascist now.
I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
October 29, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We are crossing the rubicon into open fascist lawful authoritarianism. We will see similar prosecutions against anyone running for office who is not openly fascist now.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Portland City Councilor @counciloravalos.bsky.social woke up to her car and home engulfed in flames late last night. She had to grab her cat and escape to safety.
October 26, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Portland City Councilor @counciloravalos.bsky.social woke up to her car and home engulfed in flames late last night. She had to grab her cat and escape to safety.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
"Andy Ngo and other far right extremists have been targeting Avalos since at least as early as July and trying to paint her as violent and a 'member of Antifa.' On court record, Ngo has admitted that his social media posts can lead to violence."
It's projection from the right. All the way down.
It's projection from the right. All the way down.
Portland City Councilor @counciloravalos.bsky.social woke up to her car and home engulfed in flames late last night. She had to grab her cat and escape to safety.
October 26, 2025 at 8:55 PM
"Andy Ngo and other far right extremists have been targeting Avalos since at least as early as July and trying to paint her as violent and a 'member of Antifa.' On court record, Ngo has admitted that his social media posts can lead to violence."
It's projection from the right. All the way down.
It's projection from the right. All the way down.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
OPINION: The United States is now executing people on the high seas whom Trump calls "enemy combatants."
Could Trump order the military to kill Americans? It might be closer than you think
The United States is now executing people on the high seas whom Trump calls “enemy combatants.” He’s doing so without a declaration of war, without input from Congress, and without any findings that they pose a threat to the United States.At this moment, Secretary of Defense (or Secretary of War, as...
bit.ly
October 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
OPINION: The United States is now executing people on the high seas whom Trump calls "enemy combatants."
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Thank you, Chicago.
October 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Thank you, Chicago.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Gov. JB Pritzker Friday to consider allowing remote learning at Chicago Public Schools after instances of parents and students arrested by federal immigration agents on their way to and from school.
Mayor Brandon Johnson urges Pritzker to consider allowing CPS remote learning due to ICE arrests
Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Gov. JB Pritzker Friday to weigh allowing Chicago public school students to learn from home because of ICE arrests.
trib.al
October 24, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Mayor Brandon Johnson urged Gov. JB Pritzker Friday to consider allowing remote learning at Chicago Public Schools after instances of parents and students arrested by federal immigration agents on their way to and from school.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
DHS posted a disturbing video today featuring a song that’s popular with Nazi creators
DHS Posts Video Featuring Song Popular With Nazi Creators
The agency denied making
gizmodo.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:30 AM
DHS posted a disturbing video today featuring a song that’s popular with Nazi creators
My god. Declaring war on Latin America too
Breaking News: The U.S. ordered warships and planes to waters off Latin America, a major escalation as the Trump administration expands an operation it says is a counterterrorism and counternarcotics mission.
Trump-Canada Trade Talks and U.S. Aircraft Deployment to Latin America: Live Updates
nyti.ms
October 24, 2025 at 7:52 PM
My god. Declaring war on Latin America too
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
For most of fall, Trump’s immigration agents have set out every day to scour Chicago neighborhoods where immigrants live. On Friday, Operation Midway Blitz fanned out across the wealthier white communities on the North Side where they work.
Federal immigration agents tear gas Lake View, raid Lincoln Park as feds focus on city’s tony North Side
Lincoln Park Ald. Timmy Knudsen, 43rd, said masked immigration agents hit “every corner of the ward” he represents, one of the city’s wealthiest communities.
trib.al
October 24, 2025 at 7:28 PM
For most of fall, Trump’s immigration agents have set out every day to scour Chicago neighborhoods where immigrants live. On Friday, Operation Midway Blitz fanned out across the wealthier white communities on the North Side where they work.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
As the Trump administration's mass deportation raids begin their second month, their impact has stretched across the Chicago region and the nation.
Political tensions have deepened, hundreds have been detained or arrested, and thousands have protested.
Here's what we know.
Political tensions have deepened, hundreds have been detained or arrested, and thousands have protested.
Here's what we know.
What to know about Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement raids in Chicago
Political tensions have deepened. Hundreds have been detained or arrested. And thousands have protested as federal mass deportations enter their second month in Chicago.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
As the Trump administration's mass deportation raids begin their second month, their impact has stretched across the Chicago region and the nation.
Political tensions have deepened, hundreds have been detained or arrested, and thousands have protested.
Here's what we know.
Political tensions have deepened, hundreds have been detained or arrested, and thousands have protested.
Here's what we know.
Reposted by Yesenia Barragan, she/they
New Yorkers are blocking Ice from kidnapping people. This is solidarity ✊✊🏽✊🏻✊🏿✊🏾
October 24, 2025 at 1:47 AM
New Yorkers are blocking Ice from kidnapping people. This is solidarity ✊✊🏽✊🏻✊🏿✊🏾