NIJC’s own Mary Meg McCarthy joined the TimeLine Theatre Company's “Sunday Scholars” panel following a performance of Hundreds and Hundreds of Stars, a powerful immigration story. The show runs through November 9th! Learn more & get your tickets: https://timelinetheatre.com/events/hundreds-stars/

Last week, our colleagues at Cooley LLP partnered with NIJC's Recent Arrivals team to host a workshop to help people apply for asylum. We prepared seven initial asylum applications for immigrant community members, helping them with the first step toward security here in the United States.

ICE abducted thousands in Chicago—community members w/ families, jobs & roots are trapped and disappeared into unlawful detention. We're holding the govt accountable. More by @nbcnews.com: https://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/could-ice-have-lost-3000-immigrant-arrestees-in-chicago/3844220/

Hurricane Melissa is now a Category 5 hurricane with winds up to 160 mph it heads towards Jamaica. At least seven hurricane-related deaths have been reported across the Caribbean so far, with three each in Jamaica and Haiti and one in the DR.

There have been over 22 deaths in ICE custody since Trump’s inauguration, a record number of deaths within a calendar year since DWN began tracking in 2006. Take action as we collectively honor, remember, and grieve lives lost in ICE custody. #deadlydetention 🔗Join us: www.disappearedinamerica.us

Save the date November 1-2! Join DWN, our members and partners across the country in honoring lives lost to immigration detention. Immigration detention is deadly and inherently inhumane. #DeadlyDetention @ndlon.bsky.social 🔗Go to www.disappearedinamerica.us to host and action or vigil.

“This is a mass incarceration bill,” said NIJC’s Jesse Franzblau to @theguardian.com about HR3486, which aims to impose 10 yr mandatory jail term minimums on migrants- giving huge profits to private prisons: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/03/republicans-bill-prison-sentence-immigration

Thank you @jayapal.house.gov @chuygarcia.house.gov @ramirez.house.gov @robinkelly.house.gov Rep. Danny K. Davis & others for amplifying the voices of people impacted by Trump admin's illegal actions & holding it accountable. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/live/Ae9TVow1ztY?si=tnNbh4-v0aSjNGdL

Today, I hosted the fourth shadow hearing in my series Kidnapped and Disappeared focusing on Trump’s assault on Chicago. We must continue to shine a light on the unlawful and inhumane way this administration is treating immigrants across the country.

Genesis is only 19 years old, but when her mother was kidnapped by ICE, she was left with no choice but to care for her younger sister, pay the family’s bills, and do all this while going to school. We cannot allow ICE to continue tearing families apart.

At this week’s shadow hearing in Chicago, we heard from Lawrence Benito, the Executive Director at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, about the work he is doing to protect immigrants, and what he has seen from ICE. Listen to his story:

Pastor David Black was attacked by ICE while praying for immigrants. During our shadow hearing in Chicago, he shared his story, his fight, and his demand that we all continue to work to protect immigrant communities.

Bob Reiter, President of the Chicago Federation of Labor, walks us through the devastating economic implications of ICE’s crackdown in Chicago. Listen here:

Free DACA renewal clinic in downtown Chicago on Nov 13! 💫 Whether it’s your 1st or 4th renewal, we’re here to help. RSVP by Nov 4 to save your spot: https://immigrantjustice.org/calendar/daca-renewal-clinic-11-13-2025/

NIJC's director of Litigation, Keren Zwick, spoke to @wbez.org @sashaannsimons.bsky.social about how lawyers, activists, and community members in Chicago are coming together to protect people from ICE. Hear the full segment here:

@govpritzker.illinois.gov launched a commission to track ICE & federal agent abuses in IL — a step toward accountability. More by @chicagotribune.com @olivia0.bsky.social: https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/23/illinois-accountability-commission-immigration-raids/?share=2tnwo1mniiioiiswa2tn

Here's what people are experiencing on the ground in Chicago right now—trauma, constitutional violations, racial profiling, violence from fed agents—& how our communities are protecting each other 👇 https://immigrantjustice.org/blog/chicago-field-hearing-background-stories-of-impacted-individuals/

In a "shadow" hearing today in Chicago, Congress members examined Trump's unlawful actions, hearing from the community, clergy & rapid responders abt trauma, constitutional violations & labor impacts. https://immigrantjustice.org/blog/chicago-field-hearing-background-stories-of-impacted-individuals/

I’m in Chicago, hosting a shadow hearing on Trump’s unlawful immigration actions. Follow along here: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae9T...

@newyorker.com quotes NIJC's Mark Fleming on our recent litigation victory prohibiting ICE from arresting people without warrants or probable cause in parts of the Midwest. Read more about how the Chicago community is defending due process & our neighbors:

Federal agents are defying court orders, tear gassing peaceful communities, and making unlawful arrests across Chicagoland. ABC 7 Chicago + NIJC's Mark Fleming unpacks what’s at stake if ICE keeps ignoring the law:

Today is the LAST DAY of the #5KforImmigrantJustice virtual race week! Hundreds of people around the country are doing their race to support immigrants in our communities. Check out these photos from our virtual racers! There's still time to join! Sign up at https://immigrantjustice.org/5K

A federal court dealt a major blow to ICE’s use of racial profiling and warrantless arrests. Read @nytimes.com coverage about this major win for due process and immigrant rights in the Midwest: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/chicago-ice-federal-judge-warrantless-arrests.html

This week pro bono volunteers from Cozen O'Connor helped 10 people renew their DACA applications! Thanks to our pro bono colleagues for helping their clients maintain stability in the United States & advancing NIJC's mission to establish and defend the legal rights of all immigrants..

The @aclu.org, @unitedwedream.org and Abundant Futures Fund are joining forces to launch the Defending Our Neighbors Fund, a historic initiative housed within Rockefeller Philanthropy that surges financial support to nonprofit legal service providers supporting thousands of families.

NIJC is partnering with No Kings Rally & March on 10/18 in Chicago! Join us Saturday at noon to oppose attacks on families & due process. 📍 Butler Field @ Grant Park 🔗 http://bit.ly/HandsOffChiOct18

Trump has sent troops + ICE to Chicagoland to terrorize immigrant families & Black citizens, attack protesters & journalists, assault elected leaders & clergy. ✋🏼✋🏾 We say #HandsOffChicago! ❌👑 We say #NoKings! 📅📍 Rally/march Sat Oct 18, noon, Grant Park See Info here (registration not required) ⤵️

In an interview with Fox 32 News, NIJC’s Associate Director of Litigation Mark Fleming sounds the alarm on ICE’s growing, inexcusable lack of transparency around unlawful arrests — including how many U.S. citizens have been illegally detained: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5AVX3TFQdE

A federal court dealt a BIG blow to ICE’s use of racial profiling & warrantless arrests. Read @nytimes.com @schwartzesque.bsky.social coverage about this win for due process & immigrant rights in the Midwest: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/us/chicago-ice-federal-judge-warrantless-arrests.html

The 7th Annual #5KForImmigrantJustice yesterday in Goshen, Indiana was a huge success! Shout out to the hundreds of people who showed up to support immigrants in our communities. You can still join us! The virtual race week goes through Saturday 10/18. Sign up at www.immigrantjustice.org/5K

NIJC is proud to share our FY2025 Impact Report, showcasing how your support has made a profound difference in the lives of immigrants and their families during one of the most challenging years in recent history. Read the report here: https://immigrantjustice.org/blog/fy2025-nijc-impact-report/

NIJC's Mark Fleming spoke to Fox 32 News abt the recent extension of the Castañon Nava consent decree and how ICE must no longer act w/ illegal disregard for rules concerning warrants for arrests and probable cause. WATCH this clip & view the full convo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5AVX3TFQdE

SIGN UP FOR THE 5K IT'S TWO DAYS AWAY: Register now to join the 7th Annual NIJC #5kForImmigrantJustice, virtually or in Goshen, IN on Saturday, October 11th. Support immigrants in our communities and provide vital legal services: https://immigrantjustice.org/5K

“The stories we’re hearing are pretty horrific,” said NIJC’s Olivia Abrecht to @wbez.org, describing inhumane conditions at ICE’s Broadview facility. These abuses must stop NOW. Read more by @bylaurenfitz.bsky.social @adrianacardmag.bsky.social:

BIG NEWS: A federal judge has extended the consent decree prohibiting ICE from arresting people w/o warrants or probable cause and ordered ICE to produce a list of people who have been arrested w/o warrants since June in six Midwest states including Illinois. Read more ⬇️

GOOD NEWS: Volunteers from Faegre Drinker and Discover helped 12 refugees from Burma, Iraq & Venezuela apply for green cards, bringing them one step closer to permanent residency in Chicago! 😊 💗

ICE is rapidly expanding detention in the Midwest. We demand due process protections for all who are being taken. Read more: : https://immigrantjustice.org/press-release/nijc-sounds-the-alarm-over-drastic-expansion-of-ice-detention-in-the-midwest/

A federal judge has ordered ICE to follow a 2021 court ruling prohibiting the govt from transferring unaccompanied immigrant youth to ICE jails on their 18th bdays. @immcouncil.org & NIJC filed a motion early this morning after cases emerged in which ICE resumed this inhumane practice. Read more ➡️

ICE is rapidly expanding detention in the Midwest and new reports confirm it's aiming to hold 100 ppl in Indiana’s Miami Correctional Facility by the end of this week. We refuse to let ICE expand private prisons in our backyard. Read more: immigrantjustice.org/press-releas...

🚨 ALERT: Immigration attorneys have received troubling notice of a potential ICE operation targeting unaccompanied immigrant kids. ⚠️📞 If you see ICE activity or need help, call the FSN Hotline: 855-435-7693. For more support visit ICIRR's website: bit.ly/ILEyesOnICE

🚨Breaking: I led a letter with Senators Durbin, Blumenthal, Duckworth, and Rep Ramirez demanding an independent investigation into the killing of Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez by an ICE officer. Our communities deserve transparency and accountability for the deadly actions of DHS personnel.

Abducting ppl in broad day and invading workplaces and homes makes no one feel safer. We thank @durbin.senate.gov for leading the call to stop ICE's unlawful arrests and for defending due process. Read more:

What's happening with DACA? Swipe through to get the info you need! On Sept 29th, the administration filed a brief. These briefs are not final decisions. They do not make changes to the program right now. We encourage DACA recipients to renew as soon as possible.

After being denied access to ICE's Broadview facility, @ramirez.house.gov, @durbin.senate.gov, and IL Dems are demanding oversight. Accountability is needed NOW. Read more in @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Leading anti-trafficking experts are sounding the alarm: The Trump administration is backpedaling on critical efforts to fight human trafficking. Decades of progress are at risk. Experts warn the rollback of protections will leave vulnerable survivors at even greater risk.

This week, ICE agents in Leominster, MA detained a 5-year old girl to pressure her father to surrender to ICE. In response, CTAN issued the following statement: www.nbcboston.com/news/local/i...

What happened to Jackie and Carlos Merlos and their young children is outrageous. We need urgent action to help reunite this family: act.nilc.org/page/88106/p... 🧵Read about their story and the extraordinarily cruel lengths that CBP and ICE went to disappear them⤵️

@thisamericanlife.org exposes how the Trump administration is actively reshaping immigration courts with the end goal of eroding due process. Hear a plaintiff in our joint lawsuit share their firsthand experience:

Over 9,000 people have joined @momsrising.org's petition to demand that Congress fund programs that help communities NOT ICE's family separation agenda. Congress still has time to act, join the petition here and let your voice be heard:

⚠️ UPDATE: Our federal court filing w/ ACLU of IL challenges Trump admin's violent, illegal arrests in Chicago 27 people—including US citizens—arrested without warrants since May, violating court consent decree. People grabbed from neighborhoods & homes. immigrantjustice.org/press-releas...