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Ariana Figueroa

@arianalfigueroa.bsky.social

6K followers 340 following 620 posts

Covering Congress & immigration for @statesnewsroom.com | signal ariana.92 | [email protected] | https://www.newsfromthestates.com/category/dc-bureau

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 16d

I took a look at Justice Kavanaugh's opinion on racial profiling that ICE officers can quickly check citizenship status. It's more complicated than that, and is already resulting in U.S. citizens, particularly Latinos, caught up in immigration sweeps.

www.newsfromthestates.com/article/immi...

As immigration raids step up, US citizens predicted at risk for detainment

WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh argued in a major case earlier this month that U.S. citizens face few problems in having their immigration status verified if federal agents apprehen...

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

Judge weighs Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from immigration detention www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judg...

Judge weighs Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from immigration detention

GREENBELT, Md. — A federal judge in Maryland seemed inclined to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention after oral arguments in court Friday, a potentially major developm...

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

Trump pledges additional 100% tariffs on China by Nov. 1, reports @fischler.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Trump pledges additional 100% tariffs on China by Nov. 1

President Donald Trump threatened to add a 100% tariff rate on Chinese goods Friday, saying in a social media post he was responding to export controls from the world’s second-largest economy.“China h...

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

Chicago Tribune @chicagotribune.com · 1d

A WGN-TV video editor and producer was roughly detained by two Border Patrol agents on Friday morning during a highly visible rush hour enforcement action in Lincoln Square.

WGN-TV producer detained during ICE enforcement action in Lincoln Square

A WGN-TV video editor and producer was roughly detained by two Border Patrol agents on Friday morning during a highly visible rush hour enforcement action in Lincoln Square.

trib.al

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown. Story by @jennifershutt.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/subs...

‘Substantial’ layoffs of federal workers launched by Trump administration amid shutdown

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration announced Friday it had begun mass layoffs of federal employees, a step not taken during previous government shutdowns and one that could significantly reshape th...

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

Schultz of handily says that ICE has 62,000 people detained. Most recent government stats hover around 59,000, which were already record numbers.

Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

While Uganda is no longer a third country of removal for Abrego Garcia, ICE is trying to remove him to Eswatini. Schultz says Eswatini has not agreed to take Abrego Garcia, but discussions are underway.

Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 1d

In today’s evidentiary hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ICE Dep. Assistant Director for Removal Management John Schultz says that White House had involvement in selecting Uganda for his removal. State Dept. picks 3rd country removals, but Homeland Security Council (in WH) picked Uganda, he says.

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

The Washington Post @washingtonpost.com · 2d

The 2025 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to María Corina Machado, the Venezuelan opposition leader who has become a symbol of democratic resistance against an increasingly authoritarian regime, even as she has been forced into hiding and barred from holding public office. https://wapo.st/42AcHaX

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

ProPublica @propublica.org · 2d

NEW: Venezuelan immigrants signed up for a Trump-promoted app called CBP Home, which promised a safe and easy way to leave the country, and prepared to leave on their given departure dates.

Those dates have come and gone.

They’re still stuck here.

“I Don’t Want to Be Here Anymore”: They Tried to Self-Deport, Then Got Stranded in Trump’s America

Venezuelan immigrants signed up for a Trump-promoted app called CBP Home, which promised a safe and easy way to leave the country, and prepared to leave on their given departure dates. Those dates have come and gone. They’re still stuck here.

www.propublica.org

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 2d

Former governors, state AGs weigh in on Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops. Story by @fischler.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/form...

Former governors, state AGs weigh in on Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops

President Donald Trump’s novel use of National Guard troops for law enforcement purposes has reopened a debate over states’ authority to control police powers, as dueling briefs from current and forme...

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 2d

Trump threatens 'permanent' cuts to Democratic programs on day nine of shutdown gridlock. Story by @jennifershutt.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trum...

Trump threatens 'permanent' cuts to Democratic programs on day nine of shutdown gridlock

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday he’s prepared to cancel funding approved by Congress that he believes is going toward programs supported by Democrats, though he didn’t share any addi...

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

Majorities disapprove of RFK Jr. performance, doubt autism-Tylenol claims, KFF poll finds. Story by @jennifershutt.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/majo...

Majorities disapprove of RFK Jr. performance, doubt autism-Tylenol claims, KFF poll finds

WASHINGTON — A majority of Americans disapprove of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s job performance and the federal government’s evolving vaccine policy, according to a poll...

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

The Upshot @upshot.nytimes.com · 3d

NYT World:
The vast majority of cocaine is produced and smuggled elsewhere. And Venezuela does not supply fentanyl at all.

www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

Why Blowing Up Venezuelan Boats Won’t Stop the Flow of Drugs

President Trump says striking drug traffickers from Venezuela will prevent deadly drugs from reaching the United States. But the major smuggling routes are elsewhere.

www.nytimes.com

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

US Senate rejects restriction of military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-s...

US Senate rejects restriction of military strikes on vessels in the Caribbean

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate failed to advance Wednesday night a resolution designed to curb the president’s power regarding military actions abroad after the Trump administration ordered four strikes...

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

Joshua Eaton @joshuaeaton.bsky.social · 3d

Today, CT Insider published an investigation I worked on for months with my colleagues @brigurciullo.bsky.social and @blockhartreporter.bsky.social.

It’s a complicated story, so I wanted to break down what we found and why it’s important. 🧵 www.ctinsider.com/news/article... #nutmegsky

Why couples traveling to Connecticut to wed are raising questions about sham marriages

A CT Insider investigation has found that Bridgeport has become a destination for quick marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens, with couples traveling from out of state to wed.

www.ctinsider.com

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

US House GOP delays seating Rep.-elect Grijalva, potential deciding vote on Epstein petition. Story by Shauneen Miranda www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-h...

US House GOP delays seating Rep.-elect Grijalva, potential deciding vote on Epstein petition

WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats failed again Wednesday to force Speaker Mike Johnson to swear in Rep.-elect Adelita Grijalva.

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

Air traffic control staffing steady, but stress during shutdown worries DOT. Story by @fischler.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/air-...

Air traffic control staffing steady, but stress during shutdown worries DOT

The Federal Aviation Administration reported no travel delays due to staffing levels at U.S. air traffic control facilities Wednesday, following a day of some delays related to above-average absences ...

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

Shutdown day eight: Congress standoff unchanged as first missed federal payday nears. Story by @jennifershutt.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/shut...

Shutdown day eight: Congress standoff unchanged as first missed federal payday nears

WASHINGTON — Congress has just one week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck of the shutdown. That would be followed later in th...

www.newsfromthestates.com

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 3d

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings found that ICE arrested 22 people early this year without a warrant, and in violation of what's known as the Castanon Nava settlement agreement.

Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 3d

A federal judge in Chicago argued Tuesday that last week's South Shore immigration raid undermines recent controversial claims by Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

NEW from @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/immigration/...

Chicago judge cites South Shore raid, Supreme Court controversy while ruling against ICE

U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings found that ICE arrested 22 people early this year without a warrant, and in violation of what’s known as the Castanon Nava settlement agreement.

chicago.suntimes.com

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Ariana Figueroa @arianalfigueroa.bsky.social · 3d

Former FBI Director Comey pleads not guilty to criminal charges demanded by Trump. Story by @ashleymurray.bsky.social www.newsfromthestates.com/article/form...

Former FBI Director Comey pleads not guilty to criminal charges demanded by Trump

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to two felony charges Wednesday in federal court in Virginia, in response to an indictment that followed an extraordinary pressure ...

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

Jennifer Shutt @jennifershutt.bsky.social · 3d

Speaker Johnson appears to say furloughed federal workers should get back pay under 2019 law

"It has always been the case. It is tradition and I think it is statutory law that federal employees be paid. And that’s my position."

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Reposted by Ariana Figueroa

Daniel Knowles @dlknowles.bsky.social · 4d

Good reporting on the South Shore raid from South Side weekly here.

Confirms one thing I was told but didn't put in my own piece because I didn't have a second source and it seemed too insane: border agents segregated arrested residents by race

southsideweekly.com/federal-agen...