GET THE APP
Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Category: News
17 hours ago
Immigration
News

Two-Week ICE Op Nabs Hundreds of Illegals Without Incident – Because State and Local Officials Cooperated.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers arrested more than 650 illegal aliens across West Virginia during a two-week statewide operation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, 14 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, and the arrested migrants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 5-19, 2026, in cities including Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, and more across West Virginia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system.” – Michael Rose, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Philadelphia acting Field Office Director.

🎯IMPACT: Over 650 arrests were made, including migrants with criminal convictions, without incident, proving that the recent violent disorder in Minnesota could have been avoided if agitators and state officials had not sought to disrupt operations.

IN FULL

In a successful two-week immigration enforcement effort in West Virginia from January 5 to January 19, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers worked alongside 14 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to arrest more than 650 migrants who were in the country illegally. The operation spanned several cities, such as Charleston, Martinsburg, Beckley, Moorefield, Morgantown, and Huntington, and prioritized migrants who posed a risk to public safety and national security.

Acting Field Office Director for ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Philadelphia, Michael Rose, highlighted the value of state and local collaboration: “This operation demonstrates how strong partnerships between ICE and West Virginia law enforcement agencies enhance public safety and the integrity of our immigration system,” Rose said. He further explained that ICE’s training and support for local agencies have boosted their ability to locate, detain, and handle cases while upholding high standards of conduct and legal compliance

Detainees also included people with prior convictions for child sex abuse, drug possession, and other crimes. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, a participating agency, commended the ICE team’s approach: “The Sheriff’s Office was impressed with the professionalism and work ethic of the agents and how well they interacted with the citizens and local law enforcement officers,” Sheriff Tom Hansen stated, adding, “We are also gratified that through this program, we have had the opportunity to remove numerous dangerous criminals from our community.”

The effort in West Virginia showcased how effective cooperation between federal immigration authorities and willing local partners can lead to targeted arrests without disorder. In stark contrast, recent large-scale ICE operations in Minnesota have encountered significant resistance from Democrat state officials and local agitators, resulting in violence and two deadly shootings of activists attempting to disrupt immigration enforcement operations.

Vice President J.D. Vance, during a January 2026 visit to Minneapolis, attributed the chaos to “far-left agitators” and uncooperative local officials, arguing that greater cooperation from state and local law enforcement would substantially reduce the unrest.

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

show less
show more
18 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump’s ‘Project Vault’ Plan to Stockpile Critical Minerals Boosts Mining Shares.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Shares of U.S.-listed rare earth miners surged following news of a strategic stockpile plan.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, MP Materials, USA Rare Earth, Critical Metals Corp.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 2, 2026, United States.

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s initiative could boost domestic demand and government-backed financing for rare earth sectors, while reducing U.S. dependence on China.

IN FULL

Shares of U.S.-listed rare-earth mining companies rose on February 2 after reports that President Donald J. Trump is advancing a plan to build a strategic stockpile of critical minerals through a partnership with the private sector. The initiative, known as Project Vault, is intended to strengthen domestic supply chains and reduce U.S. dependence on China for materials essential to industries such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, and defense.

According to Bloomberg, citing senior administration officials, the proposal would be financed with $1.67 billion in private capital and a $10 billion loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank. Unlike traditional government reserves, the stockpile would be structured to support private-sector participation while ensuring access to key materials during supply disruptions.

Market reaction was swift. MP Materials, which operates the Mountain Pass rare earth mine in California, gained about four percent in early trading. Shares of USA Rare Earth and Critical Metals Corp climbed roughly seven percent and eight percent, respectively, as investors anticipated increased domestic demand and stronger government backing for U.S.-based producers.

USA Rare Earth is presenting its mining and magnet manufacturing assets as key to a potential arrangement with the federal government. Those talks could result in approximately $1.6 billion in funding, subject to certain conditions, and may include an equity stake for the U.S. government.

Federal involvement in the rare earth sector has expanded in recent years. The Department of War previously entered into a major agreement with MP Materials that included both an equity investment and a long-term purchase commitment for rare earth minerals and magnets, reflecting the strategic importance of these materials.

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metals used in high-performance magnets, electronics, advanced weapons systems, and renewable energy technologies. China currently dominates global refining and magnet production, but President Trump believes this is not an inevitable consequence of geography, as the materials are not actually all that rare, they are simply difficult to process.

Beyond domestic initiatives, the Trump administration has also pursued international agreements to diversify supply. The Trump administration has announced major rare earth and critical minerals deals with allies in Asia and with Australia, aimed at reducing the leverage China gets from being able to restrict exports. A deal on rare earths has also been struck with Ukraine.

At the same time, major U.S. technology companies have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to support domestic rare earth mining and processing, underscoring growing private-sector alignment with government efforts.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e

show less
show more
19 hours ago
Bonkers Britain
Corruption
News

Mandelson, Ex-Amb to US, Faces Esptein Inquiry Amid Spy Concerns.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Confidential British government documents were leaked to deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein—who may have been a Russian asset—by Lord Peter Mandelson, the former U.S. ambassador to Washington, D.C.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lord Mandelson, Jeffrey Epstein, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the Kremlin, and Britain’s governing Labour Party.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The leak occurred in 2009, after Epstein had been convicted of soliciting minors; recent revelations emerged in files published by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s another huge embarrassment for the Prime Minister, it shows just how poor his judgment is.” – Reform Party leader Nigel Farage

🎯IMPACT: Mandelson faces calls to remove his peerage and a possible criminal investigation; separate documents also suggest Epstein may have been a Russian asset.

IN FULL

Lord Peter Mandelson, the former British ambassador to the United States, has been implicated in leaking confidential documents from Downing Street—the Prime Minister’s official residence—to deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as Business Secretary. The leak involved an economic briefing intended for then-Prime Minister Gordon Brown, which Mandelson forwarded to Epstein in 2009, after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

The revelations have sparked demands for a criminal investigation into whether Mandelson’s actions constitute misconduct in public office and the potential misuse of commercially sensitive government information.

Following the release of three million files by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which included the evidence of Mandelson’s ties to Epstein, the peer has resigned from Britain’s governing Labour Party. Other documents released by the DOJ raise concerns that Epstein may have been a Russian asset, with one 2011 email to the sex trafficker from an unidentified correspondent reading, “Spoke with Igor. He said last time you were in Palm Beach, you told him you had an appointment with Putin on Sept 16 and that he could go ahead and book his ticket to Russia to arrive a few days before you.” Another email suggests a second Putin meeting was arranged in 2014, and a 2015 email sent by Epstein to himself references “friends in the FSB”—the post-communist version of the Soviet KGB—and appears to allude to blackmail operation.

Many of Epstein’s victims are believed to have been Russian, and another newly-released email shows him claiming that Bill Gates was seeking antibiotics to give to his wife in secret because he had caught a sexually-transmitted disease from “Russian girls.”

Mandelson had served in multiple government positions under Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and former prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as well as on the European Commission, with further revelations about his Epstein links having put an end to his most recent role as ambassador to the U.S.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested Mandelson could now be stripped of his peerage, which grants him a lifelong seat in the House of Lords, and has requested an urgent review of all available information regarding Mandelson’s interactions with Epstein.

Image by World Economic Forum swiss-image.ch/Photo by Remy Steinegger.

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

show less
show more
January 31, 2026
Bonkers Britain
Crime

Muslim Terrorist Stands for Election in Muslim Enclave.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Shahid Butt, a convicted terrorist, is running for a seat on Birmingham City Council in England.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Shahid Butt, a 60-year-old Muslim activist and convicted terrorist, and residents of Birmingham’s Sparkhill ward, which is around 84 percent Muslim and 92 percent non-white.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Sparkhill ward in Birmingham, United Kingdom, with local elections set for May 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Do not take the Jews or Christians as your friends and protectors… Stick with the Muslims, and for good or for worse, hold your ground.” – Shahid Butt

🎯IMPACT: The candidacy has sparked outrage, highlighting concerns over extremism in UK politics and the legal loopholes enabling such figures to stand for election.

IN FULL

A convicted radical Islamic terrorist who planned attacks on a British consulate and an Anglican church is standing for election in one of England’s ethnic enclaves. Shahid Butt, a 60-year-old Muslim activist, is seeking election in Birmingham City Council’s Sparkhill ward.

Butt was arrested in 1999 and later sentenced to five years in prison by a Yemeni court after being found guilty of helping form an armed group that planned attacks on the consulate, a church, and a Swiss-owned hotel. Reporting at the time linked him to an Islamist jihadi group accused of kidnapping 16 Western tourists in 1998. During the 1990s, Butt also joined an Islamic foreign fighters brigade aligned with the Bosnian army, and he was linked to a notorious Birmingham gang in the 1980s.

Now running as a pro-Gaza independent candidate in the Sparkhill ward, where an estimated 92 percent of residents are non-white and 84 percent are Muslim, Butt has urged Muslim youth to “work out at the gym and learn to fight” in preparation for potential attacks, and said on a recent podcast appearance, “Do not take the Jews or Christians as your friends and protectors… Stick with the Muslims, and for good or for worse, hold your ground.”

Councillor Russell Quirk, of Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, said Butt’s past should “disqualify [him] from standing for election.” Representatives of victims of Islamist violence have also condemned the move, with one source, who did not wish to be named, saying, “Allowing someone with this history to run for office undermines everything we stand for in fighting extremism.”

The Butt controversy comes amid heightened communal tensions across Britain, with recent anti-Israel protests occasionally turning violent and Jewish groups warning of increased insecurity. In October, a synagogue was attacked by a Syrian terrorist, leaving multiple dead.

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

show less
show more
January 31, 2026
Crime
Immigration

Migrant Housed in Taxpayer-Funded Hotel Sentenced for Murdering Hotel Staffer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An asylum seeker has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a hotel worker.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Deng Chol Majek, the convicted killer, and Rhiannon Whyte, the victim.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Whyte was murdered in October 2024 at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall, England; Majek was sentenced this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: CCTV footage showed Majek “laughing and dancing in the hotel car park” after the attack.

🎯IMPACT: Majek has been sentenced to a minimum of 29 years in prison.

IN FULL

Deng Chol Majek, an asylum seeker, has been sentenced to “life” in prison with a minimum term of 29 years before possible parole, for the murder of 27-year-old hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte in England. The attack took place in October 2024 after Majek followed Ms Whyte from the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall, where he was being housed at taxpayers’ expense, to Bescot Stadium railway station.

Prosecutors told the court that Majek launched an unprovoked assault at the station, using a screwdriver to stab his victim 23 times. One of the blows caused catastrophic damage to her brain stem. She was taken to the hospital but died three days later from her injuries. Whyte, who was a mother, was described by family members as devoted to her child and well-liked by colleagues.

CCTV footage showed Majek trailing Whyte after she finished work and later captured his behaviour back at the hotel. Jurors were shown images of him laughing and dancing in the parking lot while emergency services were attending to his victim. The court heard there was no clear motive for the killing. However, evidence was presented that Majek had previously been reported for making female staff uncomfortable by staring at them. During the trial and sentencing, he showed no remorse. Majek must serve at least 29 years in prison before he can be considered for parole.

The sentencing has drawn attention to the wider debate around crime linked to the asylum system in Britain. The country has seen hundreds of cases involving migrants housed in taxpayer-funded hotels who were later charged with serious offences, including rape, violent assault, and robbery. One hotel resident convicted of rape was reported to have had a prior terrorism conviction overseas.

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

show less
show more
January 30, 2026
William Upton
News

Trump Establishes First-Ever IndyCar Race in D.C.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., the first-ever IndyCar street race to be held in the nation’s capital.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Department of Transportation (USDOT).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The race will take place near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Give America’s founding in 1776 the incredible anniversary it truly deserves.” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Trump White House says the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will celebrate American history, showcase Washington, D.C.’s grandeur, and inspire future generations with a demonstration of American innovation and achievement.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Friday, clearing the way for the first-ever IndyCar Series street race in the Nation’s Capital. The Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington, D.C., in honor of America’s 250th birthday, will take place near the National Mall, according to the order.

The IndyCar Series is the United States’s highest class of open-wheel racing, and has several key differences with its popular international cousin, Formula One. Formula One emphasizes cornering speed with complex track routes and cars that utilize hybrid power and advanced technology. Meanwhile, IndyCar racing focuses on overall speed, spec chassis, and restricts what technology cars can utilize—making them often far more difficult to steer and corner on a more complex track.

According to President Trump’s directive, the Department of the Interior (DOI) and the Department of Transportation (USDOT) are to “designate a suitable race route that showcases the majesty of Washington, D.C., and its iconic national monuments.” Additionally, the Executive Order instructs federal agencies to issue all necessary permits and approvals promptly for the race, and authorizes Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to use available government funds to facilitate preparations for the race and to coordinate with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to clear airspace for aerial photography.

“American IndyCar racing has thrilled Americans for over a century, producing legends like A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti and drawing global attention to the Indianapolis 500 each Memorial Day weekend,” the White House said in a statement on Friday, adding, “The Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be the first motor race ever held in our Nation’s capital near the National Mall, uniting Americans in celebration of our 250th anniversary of independence.”

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 drew record ratings with 7.05 million average viewers and 8.4 million during the race’s climactic finish.

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

show less
show more
January 30, 2026
Health
News

Eli Lilly Invests $3.5 Billion in America for Advanced Obesity Drugs Plant.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Eli Lilly announced plans to invest over $3.5 billion to build a manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to produce next-generation obesity drugs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Eli Lilly, CEO Dave Ricks, President Donald J. Trump, and rival pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Friday, with construction expected to begin this year in Pennsylvania. The site is projected to be operational by 2031.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Lilly CEO Dave Ricks has told me the drugmaker aims to build six plants in the U.S.” – President Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The plant will create 850 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs, while advancing production capacity for obesity treatments.

IN FULL

Pharma giant Eli Lilly said it will invest $3.5 billion to build a new manufacturing facility in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, expanding its U.S. production footprint as demand for obesity and diabetes drugs continues to surge. The plant will focus on making next-generation obesity treatments, including retatrutide, an experimental drug that has delivered strong weight-loss results in late-stage clinical trials. Construction is expected to begin this year, with the facility scheduled to start operations in 2031. Once fully operational, the site is expected to employ about 850 full-time workers, including engineers, scientists, and technicians, and support roughly 2,000 construction jobs during the building phase.

The Pennsylvania project marks the fourth major U.S. manufacturing facility announced by the pharmaceutical giant in recent years. Lilly has pledged at least $27 billion toward new domestic manufacturing investments, in addition to roughly $23 billion it has spent in the United States since 2020. CEO Dave Ricks has reportedly told President Donald J. Trump that the company plans to build six U.S. plants, although Lilly has not formally confirmed that number.

The investment comes as drugmakers race to expand manufacturing capacity for GLP-1-based therapies, which have reshaped the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Obesity rates continue to climb worldwide, with projections showing that more than half of adults could be overweight or obese by mid-century, contributing to a sharp rise in diabetes and related chronic diseases.

Beyond healthcare, the widespread use of effective weight-loss drugs has drawn attention for its broader economic impact. Analysts have suggested that large-scale weight reduction could lower costs in industries such as aviation by reducing fuel consumption, while governments have focused on improving access to the medications to curb long-term healthcare spending.

Lilly recently overtook Novo Nordisk in the GLP-1 market, though Novo is seeking to regain ground with plans to launch the first GLP-1 pill for obesity. Both companies have increased U.S. investments following earlier tariff threats from President Trump, which have since eased after voluntary drug pricing agreements aimed at lowering costs for patients.

Image by Towfiqu barbhuiya.

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

show less
show more
January 30, 2026
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
Religion

Unsealed Indictment Reveals Charges Against Don Lemon.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former CNN host Don Lemon and several other far-left activists have been charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act over the storming of a Minnesota church, unsealed indictments show.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Don Lemon, far-left activists, and Harmeet Dhillon.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The indictment was unsealed on January 30, just hours after Lemon’s arrest.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He took steps to maintain operational secrecy by reminding co-conspirators to not disclose the target of the operation and stepped away momentarily so his mic would not accidentally divulge certain portions of the planning session.” – Indictment

🎯IMPACT: Lemon and his co-defendants could be facing months in prison for their actions.

IN FULL

Far-left former CNN host Don Lemon has been hit with two separate charges for his role in the storming and invasion of a Minnesota church earlier this month, including under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which also protects religious institutions. Lemon is listed with several other plaintiffs who took part in the invasion in a grand jury indictment, which was unsealed on January 30.

Lemon and his co-defendants are charged with Conspiracy Against the Right of Religious Freedom at a Place of Worship and attempting to injure, intimidate, and interfere with the exercise of the right of religious freedom at a place of worship under the FACE Act.

The indictment accuses Lemon of purposely trying to hide the actions of the group prior to the storming of the church, saying he “took steps to maintain operational secrecy by reminding co-conspirators to not disclose the target of the operation and stepped away momentarily so his mic would not accidentally divulge certain portions of the planning session” during a livestream broadcast.

The indictment further states that Lemon told his audience, “We’re going to head to the operation. Again, we’re not going to give any, any of the information away,” as well as communicating with others participating in the invasion and telling them to maintain operational security. It also notes that Lemon and his co-defendants did not leave the church when asked to by the pastor.

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon commented on the case, saying, “Being a journalist is not a badge or a shield that protects you from criminal consequences.” Many, including the federal government, believe he was not present for the church invasion as a journalist, but as an active participant in the demonstration. At minimum, his “reporting” from the scene was highly partisan, with intruders being told “Thank you for your service” while church members were subjected to hostile interrogations.

The church was allegedly targeted as the far-left activists believed that one of its pastors worked with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

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

show less
show more
January 30, 2026
News

After Taunting Trump, It Turns Out Elon’s the One in the Newest Epstein Files.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s emails to deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein about visiting his island have been revealed in newly released government files.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, Jeffrey Epstein, Talulah Riley, Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Communications took place in November 2012 and December 2013; Epstein’s island.

💬KEY QUOTE: “What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [sic] island?” – Elon Musk

🎯IMPACT: The revelations raise questions about his connections to Epstein, which he has previously denied.

IN FULL

Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), SpaceX, and Tesla, has been shown in the newly-released Epstein Files to have had a number of friendly exchanges with the late pedophile financier. Emails show Musk expressing a strong interest in visiting Epstein’s private Caribbean island, known as a notorious hub for his abuse.

In one November 25, 2012, email, Musk replies to a question from Epstein about how many people he planned to bring to the island, writing: “Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [sic] island?” At that time, Musk was married to British actress Talulah Riley.

A December 2013 email shows Musk asking about visiting the island over the holidays. Epstein responded: “always space for you.” However, Epstein later had to cancel on the tech mogul due to a scheduling conflict, writing, “Bad news- Unfortunately, my schedule will keep me in New York. I was really looking forward to finally spending some time together with just fun as the agenda. so i am very disappointed. Hopefully we can schedule another time in the near future.”

Notably, these exchanges occurred years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction in Florida for child sexual abuse-related offenses.

Previously, Musk had accused President Donald J. Trump of being involved with Epstein, writing on X, “[Donald Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public,” and adding “Have a nice day, DJT!”

Elsewhere, Musk wrote of an alleged Epstein-Trump connection, “Mark this post for the future. The truth will come out.”

This followed Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in the summer of 2025, which was initially smooth but turned acrimonious when Musk began aggressively lobbying against the One Big Beautiful Bill that Trump was championing. Musk opposed the bill, which increased spending on defense and immigration enforcement and cut taxes on tips and overtime for workers, among other provisions.

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

show less
show more
January 30, 2026
Immigration
News

Far-Left Mayor Orders City Police to ‘Investigate’ ICE.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Mayor Katie Wilson (D) announced sweeping measures targeting federal law enforcement in Seattle, Washington, including prohibiting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from using city-owned property and allocating $4 million in taxpayer funds to support illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, and federal law enforcement.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made this week in Seattle, Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Whoever you are, and wherever you come from: if Seattle is your home, then this is your city.” – Mayor Katie Wilson.

🎯IMPACT: Wilson’s measures aim to thwart the enforcement of federal immigration law in Seattle, despite no current evidence of a particular increase in ICE activity in the city.

IN FULL

Far-left Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (D) announced a set of new measures on Thursday designed to disrupt federal immigration enforcement activities within the city, even as officials acknowledged there is no evidence of particularly increased activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in Washington.

The plan includes allocating $4 million in city funds to provide legal and financial assistance to illegal immigrants, prohibiting ICE from using city-owned property for civil immigration enforcement, and directing the Seattle Police Department (SPD) to “investigate, verify and document ICE activity.” City departments will also conduct privacy reviews to restrict data-sharing, update employee training, and post signage on municipal properties designating certain areas as private spaces.

Wilson said the actions are meant to be preventative. “Whoever you are, and wherever you come from: if Seattle is your home, then this is your city,” she said. “And it’s our responsibility as city leaders to move quickly and get organized so we can keep people safe. That is why I am taking immediate steps today to bar federal agents from using city property for federal civil immigration enforcement activity, update SPD protocols, and support trusted community partners to aid the community response, which is our most powerful tool.”

The mayor also announced the creation of a “Stand Together Seattle Initiative” to encourage private property owners to restrict ICE access to their premises. Despite acknowledging that there is no current surge in federal immigration enforcement, Wilson and other city officials described the measures as necessary to prepare for potential future actions by the federal authorities.

Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes said SPD officers will not participate in immigration enforcement and will comply with the mayor’s directives to document federal activity when notified. “The City of Seattle is a welcoming city, and my officers will continue to abide by all laws and regulations that prohibit our participation in immigration enforcement,” Barnes said. “While we have no authority over federal agents or federal policies, we will document incidents if and when notified.”

Wilson, who took office earlier this year and has identified as a socialist, has faced several controversies during her short tenure. Earlier this month, city ethics officials fined her campaign for failing to disclose more than $10,000 in donations from her parents. She has also drawn criticism for suggesting she would have citizen journalists covering Somali fraud charged with hate crimes, and for directing police in Seattle not to arrest certain drug criminals.

Image by nathantain.

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

show less
show more