GET THE APP
Monday, October 13, 2025

Category: Immigration
September 3, 2025
Immigration
Politics

These House Republicans Blocked Censure of Anti-ICE Dem Rep McIver.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: An effort to censure Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was blocked after some Republicans joined Democrats to vote against it.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), and several other Republicans and Democrats in the House.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: September 3, 2025, in the U.S. House of Representatives.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I’m going to have some conversations with my colleagues, with Ms. McIver in particular, and some of our leadership.” – Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY)

🎯IMPACT: The censure resolution against McIver was tabled, creating uncertainty as to whether a similar measure against Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) will proceed.

IN FULL

A censure resolution aimed at Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was thwarted in the House after a coalition of Democrats and Republicans-in-name-only (RINOs) voted against it. The resolution, initiated by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-LA), sought to reprimand McIver for her involvement in the alleged assault of federal law enforcement officers outside an immigration detention center in May.

Five Republicans, including Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Mike Flood (R-NE) joined Democrats in voting to table the measure.  =Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Mike Turner (R-OH), and David Valadao (R-CA) also voted for the table motion. Two other Republicans, Reps. Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) opted to vote present. Rep. Turner claimed after the roll call that he inadvertently voted to kill the censure measure, though his vote would not have changed the final outcome.

The incident in question occurred during an oversight visit to a Newark, New Jersey, facility, where McIver and other Democratic officials were present and ended up physically interfering with law enforcement. Federal agents arrested the city’s mayor, Ras Baraka, and charges against McIver were eventually brought by acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, accusing the Congresswoman of assaulting federal agents.

McIver has denied all allegations, with her legal team asserting that federal agents’ actions led to an “unnecessary, reckless, and disproportionate escalation” at the scene.

The failed censure of McIver has prompted Democrats to consider withdrawing a similar resolution brought against Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) in retaliation, as they weigh their next steps. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-NY), who is the sponsor of the censure measure against Mills, said after the McIver vote: “I’m going to have some conversations with my colleagues, with Ms. McIver in particular, and some of our leadership, and we’ll make that determination.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 3, 2025
Immigration

Trump Single-Handedly Reversing U.S. Immigration Trends, Data Shows.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The United States is projected to experience its first-ever population decline due to a significant drop in immigration numbers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The American Enterprise Institute (AEI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), President Donald J. Trump, and the U.S. State Department.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Forecasts for 2025, across the United States.

🎯IMPACT: A potential population decrease of 6,000 people, with a 96 percent drop in net immigration at the low end of predictions.

IN FULL

The United States could see its population shrink for the first time in history, as new forecasts predict a dramatic drop in immigration numbers. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has projected that net international immigration could fall to as low as negative 525,000 in 2025. With a net of 519,000 births reported in last year’s Census, this would result in a population decrease of 6,000 people.

The AEI forecast suggests net immigration could plummet from 2.8 million to between 115,000 and negative 525,000, marking a 96 percent decline at the low end of predictions. Notably, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reported that 1.6 million illegal immigrants have voluntarily left the U.S. since President Donald J. Trump returned to the White House. Additionally, DHS figures reveal that over 359,000 illegal immigrants have been arrested, and 332,000 deported, within the first 200 days of the new administration.

The U.S. State Department has also implemented a new policy subjecting visa holders to “continuous vetting.” This includes reviewing the records of 55 million foreigners with valid U.S. visas to determine if they have violated any rules. If infractions such as overstaying visas or engaging in criminal activity are discovered, visas may be revoked, potentially leading to deportation. A statement from the department emphasized, “We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records of any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential liability.”

The policy shift represents a significant escalation in curbing mass migration and in deportation efforts aimed at removing millions of illegal immigrants who entered the United States under the former Biden government.

President Trump’s administration has also increased restrictions and requirements for visa applicants, including mandatory in-person interviews, in light of new national security and public safety concerns.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 3, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Judges Block Trump Effort to Deport Violent Gang Members.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A federal appeals court ruled that President Donald J. Trump cannot use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Tuesday, September 3, 2025, in the United States.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “A country’s encouraging its residents and citizens to enter this country illegally is not the modern-day equivalent of sending an armed, organized force to occupy, to disrupt, or to otherwise harm the United States,” the court wrote in its ruling.

🎯IMPACT: The decision blocks the Trump administration from using the Alien Enemies Act to deport illegal immigrants, though other legal avenues for deportation remain available.

IN FULL

A federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that President Donald J. Trump cannot use the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan illegal immigrant members of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang. The administration had invoked the 18th-century wartime law in March to deport 137 alleged gang members to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

The law allows presidents to deport people from enemy countries during an “invasion or predatory incursion.” However, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals determined that the activities of the TdA gang do not constitute an “invasion” or “predatory incursion.” The court stated, “There is no finding that this mass immigration was an armed, organized force or forces.”

Since retaking office in January, the Trump administration has deported over 6,000 Venezuelans, including 238 sent to CECOT earlier this year. Family members and illegal immigrant advocates claim that many of those deported have no criminal record or gang ties—though evidence from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suggests otherwise.

The case originated with illegal immigrants detained in Texas who sued to block their deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. After the lower court dismissed the case, the Supreme Court intervened, ruling that the Fifth Circuit was wrong to dismiss the matter and that illegal immigrants had not been given adequate notice of their deportations.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 3, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Dem-Run Town Refusing to Help ICE Catch Fugitive Child Rapist: Report.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Liberal Police Department in Kansas has reportedly refused to assist in locating an illegal immigrant fugitive wanted for child rape if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is involved in the case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Democrat Mayor Jose Lara, fugitive Guatemalan illegal alien Juan Ralios-Batz, the Liberal Police Department, U.S. Marshals, and federal agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The case is ongoing in Liberal, Kansas, with connections to Nebraska. The crimes occurred over the past two years.

🎯IMPACT: The refusal to cooperate with ICE could hinder efforts to capture a foreign fugitive wanted for heinous crimes, raising concerns about public safety and immigration law enforcement.

IN FULL

The local police department in Liberal, Kansas, has stated it will no longer assist a U.S. Marshals Task Force in locating an illegal immigrant fugitive wanted for the rape and impregnation of a teenage minor if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) becomes involved in the investigation. The fugitive, Juan Ralios-Batz, a Guatemalan national believed to be 40 years old, is accused of repeatedly raping a female 13-year-old unaccompanied alien child (UAC) over two years.

Liberal Mayor Jose Lara (D) reportedly has a history of opposing federal immigration enforcement. Federal sources now say he has barred the Liberal Police Department from working with ICE in any capacity.

Notably, the teenage victim in the case—who authorities believe may have been trafficked into the U.S.—was impregnated by Ralios-Batz. The minor crossed into the U.S. illegally under the Biden government after being sponsored by the fugitive’s sister.

Ralios-Batz is wanted on multiple charges, including three counts of child rape, aggravated kidnapping, human trafficking, and child abuse. Federal sources disclosed that he unlawfully reentered the U.S. after a previous deportation, and his family may have helped him relocate to Nebraska to evade capture. A relative of his is already serving jail time for the rape of another unaccompanied alien child.

Federal investigators also discovered that several illegal immigrants interviewed during the search for Ralios-Batz had obtained REAL IDs using Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) issued under the Biden government. These documents were reportedly granted without rigorous verification of identity.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 2, 2025
Immigration

UN: Migration Towards the U.S. Is Down 97 Percent Under Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A United Nations (UN) report has revealed that migration from Venezuela towards the U.S. is down around 97 percent, with over 14,000 migrants reversing course and abandoning their plans to cross into the United States mid-journey, citing the Trump administration’s strict border enforcement policies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Migrants primarily from Venezuela, along with the governments of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica, supported by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Migration through Central America and the Darién Gap peaked under former President Joe Biden in 2023, with a significant decline reported in early 2025 as U.S. border policies tightened under Trump.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “It’s time to go back,” said one migrant quoted in the report.

🎯IMPACT: Migration toward the U.S. has slowed dramatically, with July 2025 recording the lowest monthly apprehensions in U.S. Border Patrol history.

IN FULL

A United Nations (UN) report has confirmed a dramatic shift in migration trends, with migration towards the U.S. from Venezuela down almost 100 percent. Over 14,000 migrants have abandoned their journeys north through Central America in what has been dubbed “reverse flow” migration. The transformation comes after President Donald J. Trump reinstated strict border enforcement policies, resulting in record-low illegal crossings.

The report, compiled by the governments of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica with support from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, shows that migration from Venezuela toward the U.S. has dropped by a staggering 97 percent. Migrants cited tougher U.S. policies (46 percent) and being unable to cross the border (49 percent) as their main reasons for turning back. Others mentioned running out of money (34 percent) or fear of detention and deportation (17 percent).

“It’s time to go back—the American dream wasn’t like this,” complained one migrant quoted in the report.

“The world is hearing our message that America’s borders are closed to lawbreakers,” commented Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, pointing to a near halt in crossings through Panama’s treacherous Darién Gap. In June, just 10 migrants reportedly made the journey, down from over 500,000 in 2023.

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data for May 2025 also show a 93 percent decrease in illegal crossings compared to the same month last year. Only 8,725 encounters were recorded, with zero migrants paroled into the U.S., compared to over 62,000 releases in May 2024. Border Czar Tom Homan has previously highlighted that releases have dropped by 99.99 percent compared to the Biden era.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 2, 2025
Immigration

SecDef Hegseth Drafting 600 Military Judges to Clear Backlog of Immigration Cases.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is deploying military lawyers to assist with the backlog of immigration cases.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the White House.

📍WHEN & WHERE: A memo dated August 27 outlined plans to begin deploying 150 military lawyers to the DOJ “as soon as practicable.”

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: Clearing the backlog “should be a priority that everyone—including those waiting for adjudication—can rally around,” said a White House official.

🎯IMPACT: The move aims to double the number of immigration judges and accelerate deportation processing.

IN FULL

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly approved the assignment of 600 military lawyers to serve temporarily as immigration judges within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The immigration case backlog currently totals about 3.5 million, and the Trump administration is keen to clear it—while removing previous immigration judges with an ideological bias against deportations.

A memo obtained by the Associated Press, dated August 27, states that the Pentagon will initially deploy 150 lawyers to the DOJ “as soon as practicable,” with the first group expected to be chosen by next week. This initiative follows the dismissal or deferred resignations of some immigration judges earlier this year, leaving roughly 600 judges to manage the caseload.

The addition of military lawyers will effectively double the number of judges handling immigration cases. Beyond this, the Trump administration has deployed 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states to aid in processing immigration cases and supporting federal immigration and law enforcement efforts.

A White House official emphasized that addressing the backlog should be a “priority that everyone—including those waiting for adjudication—can rally around.” Under the former Biden-Harris regime, illegal immigrants arriving in the U.S. en masse were being released into the country almost immediately, with little oversight beyond a requirement to appear before an immigration judge at some point years in the future.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
September 2, 2025
Immigration
Lawfare

Trump Using Troops to Tackle LA Rioters was Unlawful: Clinton Judge.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A Bill Clinton-appointed federal judge ruled President Donald J. Trump’s deployment of troops to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and federal buildings in Los Angeles, California, was largely unlawful, barring their use for police functions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued in September 2025, related to the Trump administration’s response to pro-illegal immigrant riots starting in June 2025, in Los Angeles.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There was no rebellion, nor was civilian law enforcement unable to respond to the protests and enforce the law,” Judge Breyer claimed.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling restricts military involvement in domestic law enforcement, with potential implications for future deployments—but is likely to be appealed. Notably, a previous ruling by Breyer against President Trump deploying the National Guard in L.A. was overturned unanimously.

IN FULL

A federal judge appointed by Bill Clinton has ruled that President Donald J. Trump’s deployment of military troops in Los Angeles, California, is largely unlawful. The ruling prohibits the Pentagon from using the National Guard and U.S. Marines for police duties, U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer complaining about President Trump potentially “creating a national police force with the President as its chief.”

In June, Trump sent troops to Los Angeles to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and federal buildings, arguing that state and local law enforcement were not sufficiently defending them against pro-illegal immigrant rioters due to “sanctuary” laws. Although most troops have now been withdrawn, approximately 300 remain, with plans under consideration to deploy federal law enforcement and troops to restore order in other cities in Washington, D.C.-style crime crackdowns.

San Francisco-based Judge Breyer ruled that the deployment violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military’s role in domestic law enforcement. His ruling bans the Pentagon from “ordering, instructing, training, or using the National Guard currently deployed in California, and any military troops heretofore deployed in California, [to engage] in arrests, apprehensions, searches, seizures, security patrols, traffic control, crowd control, riot control, evidence collection, interrogation, or acting as informants.”

Technically, the ruling does not mandate the removal of the remaining 300 troops, only that they be used only for what Breyer deems lawful purposes. Notably, although the decision is a victory for Democrat California Governor Gavin Newsom, who brought the case, its longevity is uncertain. Breyer previously ruled that President Trump could not deploy the National Guard in L.A. at all, only to be overturned swiftly and unanimously on appeal.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 29, 2025
Immigration

Trump DOJ Loosens Qualifications for Temporary Judges to Tackle Immigration Backlog.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a rule change allowing attorneys without immigration law experience to serve as temporary immigration judges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The DOJ’s Office of Immigration Review, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and immigration judges.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The rule was published on Thursday in the Federal Register and applies to immigration courts nationwide.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Immigration law experience is not always a strong predictor of success as an [immigration judge],” the DOJ stated in the Federal Register.

🎯IMPACT: The new rule aims to address a backlog of over three million immigration cases by expanding the pool of eligible judges.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a rule change to allow attorneys without immigration law experience to act as temporary immigration judges as part of an effort to clear a backlog of immigration cases numbering in the millions. On Thursday, the DOJ’s Office of Immigration Review published the rule in the Federal Register removing the requirement that temporary immigration judges have substantive prior experience in immigration law.

According to the rule change, Attorney General Pam Bondi will hold authority over the approval of jurists appointed to serve as immigration judges. This represents a significant shift following the dismissal or buyout of over 100 judges by the Trump administration earlier this year, amid concerns that many had an anti-deportation bias.

The Federal Register rule change states that the DOJ “no longer believes the restriction of TIJs to current department employees with a threshold level of immigration law experience serves EOIR’s interests,” adding: “Immigration law experience is not always a strong predictor of success as an [immigration judge] and EOIR has hired individuals from other federal agencies and Department components without prior immigration experience who have become successful and exemplary [immigration judges].” It further explained that the change allows for “the greatest degree of flexibility” in finding qualified candidates.

In addition, the rule notes that attorneys with experience in prominent courts or those who have clerked for the Supreme Court should not be disqualified from serving in an immigration-related capacity.

The DOJ emphasized that the need for assistance in adjudicating immigration cases has significantly increased since the original plan to utilize temporary immigration judges was introduced in 2014.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 29, 2025
Immigration

ICE Has Tripled Arrests of Illegal Aliens in This Democrat City:

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has tripled the rate of arrests of illegal immigrants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, compared to the Biden government’s final year in office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, Pittsburgh police, eight regional agencies, and illegal immigrants.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We continue to honor and protect our immigrant neighbors, who are an essential part of what makes Pittsburgh strong—through their contributions, cultures, and presence in our communities.” – Mayor Ed Gainey (D)

🎯IMPACT: ICE arrests have increased and leftist activists are protesting.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has surged agents in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, taking about 580 illegal immigrants into custody in the city so far this year, compared with only 210 in the same time frame during former President Joe Biden’s final year in office. The surge in arrests comes despite Pittsburgh’s Democrat-enacted policy barring local police from assisting ICE in federal immigration enforcement actions.

Notably, the arrest data was compiled by the Deportation Data Project, a pro-open borders non-profit group that works with organizations providing aid to illegal immigrants. Estimates from both Pew and the Center for Migration Studies suggest around 300,000 illegal immigrants currently reside in Pennsylvania.

Despite Democrat-backed legal measures preventing assistance from the Pittsburgh police, at least eight other regional law enforcement agencies have approved ICE’s 287(g) cooperation agreements. The federally coordinated immigration enforcement operation has sparked backlash from far-left activists, who allege ICE raids have damaged several local businesses, including causing a restaurant kitchen fire. However, ICE contends the fire was caused by a group of illegal immigrants employed by the establishment.

According to an ICE spokesman, the “damage to the restaurant, including the small fire, was created by the illegal aliens themselves while they were trying to escape or hide from law enforcement officers.”

Despite Pittsburgh recently being removed from the Justice Department’s list of “sanctuary” jurisdictions, Democrat city mayor Ed Gainey has stressed that “It’s important to make clear that the City of Pittsburgh has not altered its policies or practices.”

“We continue to honor and protect our immigrant neighbors, who are an essential part of what makes Pittsburgh strong—through their contributions, cultures, and presence in our communities,” he added.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
August 29, 2025
Crime
Immigration

ICE Captures Pedophile Living Illegally in California Daycare.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: An illegal immigrant, convicted sex offender, and gang member was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being found living inside a daycare for children in California.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez, an illegal immigrant from Mexico and a documented member of the Logan Heights gang.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Cruz-Rodriguez was arrested in San Diego, California, at an in-home daycare facility.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is sickening to think that this pedophile criminal illegal alien was residing inside the home where a daycare operates and hiding out in a sanctuary city.” – Senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official

🎯IMPACT: The arrest ensures highlights the threat to children and the wider American public posed by illegal aliens, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have arrested an illegal immigrant from Mexico with an extensive criminal record that includes convictions for sexual abuse of a child under 14, sexual battery, illegal possession of a firearm, robbery, and drunk driving. Ezequiel Cruz-Rodriguez, a documented member of the Logan Heights gang who was previously deported from the United States on three separate occasions, was discovered living with his wife, a DACA recipient, inside an in-home daycare for children in San Diego, California.

“It is sickening to think that this pedophile criminal illegal alien was residing inside the home where a daycare operates and hiding out in a sanctuary city,” a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official said in a statement, adding: “Thanks to the brave work of our ICE law enforcement officers, this criminal illegal alien, convicted pedophile, and known Logan Heights gang member—will no longer be able to prey on children inside a daycare.”

Cruz-Rodriguez was first ordered deported by a federal immigration judge in 1996 and was removed from the United States that same year. Subsequently, he reentered illegally and was deported again in 2003. A third deportation occurred in December 2012 after another illegal reentry. Following this, he reentered the U.S. again as an unknown “got-away.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more