brian nam-sonenstein
@bson.bsky.social
senior editor & researcher @prisonpolicy.org; 1/2 of @beyondprisons.bsky.social; fmr editor and founder shadowproof.com
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Minneapolis has seen a stunning 1,646% spike in calls from families who can't pay rent because they're afraid to leave their homes to work.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
Hotline operators report flood of calls for rental assistance as residents hide during ICE surge
211 calls from Spanish-speakers have increased more than 1,600 percent and requests for rental assistance have more than tripled, according to Greater Twin Cities United Way. Local officials are pushi...
www.mprnews.org
January 27, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Minneapolis has seen a stunning 1,646% spike in calls from families who can't pay rent because they're afraid to leave their homes to work.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
This is state violence manufacturing housing precarity in real time.
People should not be facing eviction when their city is under occupation.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
National Nurses United also at Susan Collins's offices today to urge her to stop doling out $$$ to ICE. Busy day for Team Collins! #MEpolitics (via @aobrien2024.bsky.social)
January 27, 2026 at 10:30 PM
National Nurses United also at Susan Collins's offices today to urge her to stop doling out $$$ to ICE. Busy day for Team Collins! #MEpolitics (via @aobrien2024.bsky.social)
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Nine local clergy and faith leaders were arrested on charges of criminal trespassing outside of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' downtown Portland office at One Canal Plaza on Tuesday:
Nine faith leaders arrested at 'pray-in' at Susan Collins' Portland office
Nine local clergy and faith leaders were arrested on charges of criminal trespassing during a "pray-in" outside of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' downtown Portland office on Tuesday.
www.mainepublic.org
January 27, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Nine local clergy and faith leaders were arrested on charges of criminal trespassing outside of Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins' downtown Portland office at One Canal Plaza on Tuesday:
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Abolish ICE/DHC. For those hoping for reforms - especially better training, better staffing of detention centers, more oversight, etc. - I offer this book of mine, co-written with Nancy Heitzeg (@naheitzeg.bsky.social), "Carceral Con: The Deceptive Terrain of Criminal Justice Reform."
January 27, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Abolish ICE/DHC. For those hoping for reforms - especially better training, better staffing of detention centers, more oversight, etc. - I offer this book of mine, co-written with Nancy Heitzeg (@naheitzeg.bsky.social), "Carceral Con: The Deceptive Terrain of Criminal Justice Reform."
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Report from a user calling the Augusta office of Senator Susan Collins...
If you're a Mainer calling Collins, maybe add that her staff shouldn't be arguing with a constituent. Or calling them a fucking bitch.
If you're a Mainer calling Collins, maybe add that her staff shouldn't be arguing with a constituent. Or calling them a fucking bitch.
January 27, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Report from a user calling the Augusta office of Senator Susan Collins...
If you're a Mainer calling Collins, maybe add that her staff shouldn't be arguing with a constituent. Or calling them a fucking bitch.
If you're a Mainer calling Collins, maybe add that her staff shouldn't be arguing with a constituent. Or calling them a fucking bitch.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
People held at the Fort Bliss immigration detention camp in Texas report guards have crushed their testicles, beaten them, broken their teeth, and more.
We're demanding an end to this inhumane treatment and to immigration detention at Fort Bliss for good.
We're demanding an end to this inhumane treatment and to immigration detention at Fort Bliss for good.
ICE accused of overseeing "unfolding humanitarian crisis" at Texas detention center - Salon.com
A recent death at Fort Bliss in Texas has renewed criticism of the ICE holding facility.
www.salon.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:04 PM
People held at the Fort Bliss immigration detention camp in Texas report guards have crushed their testicles, beaten them, broken their teeth, and more.
We're demanding an end to this inhumane treatment and to immigration detention at Fort Bliss for good.
We're demanding an end to this inhumane treatment and to immigration detention at Fort Bliss for good.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
One observer said ICE agents approached an older woman driving a Volkswagen who had gotten closest to the officers, spoke with her, and then fired projectiles at her.
They watched immigration agents in Maine. Then one fired projectiles at their cars.
ICE agents were seen in a South Portland Home Depot parking lot telling people filming them they were impeding federal law enforcement.
www.bangordailynews.com
January 27, 2026 at 11:02 PM
One observer said ICE agents approached an older woman driving a Volkswagen who had gotten closest to the officers, spoke with her, and then fired projectiles at her.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Amid growing calls for the abolition of ICE, Rep. Delia Ramirez is calling for the entire DHS to be dismantled. Highlighting how much experience the officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti had, Ramirez said, “DHS was built to violate our rights and has been empowered to act with impunity.”
House Democrat Says Abolishing ICE Isn’t Enough — DHS Must Go, Too
“The problem isn’t ‘training.’ DHS was built to violate our rights,” said Rep. Delia C. Ramirez.
truthout.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Amid growing calls for the abolition of ICE, Rep. Delia Ramirez is calling for the entire DHS to be dismantled. Highlighting how much experience the officers who killed Renee Good and Alex Pretti had, Ramirez said, “DHS was built to violate our rights and has been empowered to act with impunity.”
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
My Senator Raphael Warnock voted for the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention, without bond, of non-citizens who committed certain crimes, which has led to over 17,500 people being detained or turned over to ICE:
www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
January 27, 2026 at 10:28 PM
My Senator Raphael Warnock voted for the Laken Riley Act, which requires the detention, without bond, of non-citizens who committed certain crimes, which has led to over 17,500 people being detained or turned over to ICE:
www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
www.warnock.senate.gov/newsroom/pre...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Race as a construct is so powerful that only now are many people saying ‘they are killing us’.
They have been killing us. We have all been us the whole time.
They have been killing us. We have all been us the whole time.
January 27, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Race as a construct is so powerful that only now are many people saying ‘they are killing us’.
They have been killing us. We have all been us the whole time.
They have been killing us. We have all been us the whole time.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
It's impossible to express how it feels to repeatedly live through the exact same cycles over and over and over again. The reformers just consistently fucking everyone over.
January 27, 2026 at 3:47 PM
It's impossible to express how it feels to repeatedly live through the exact same cycles over and over and over again. The reformers just consistently fucking everyone over.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Something's going on in Maryland's prisons. As @conarck.bsky.social continues to chronicle, last year had the highest prison killings in a decade (13) and there's been 3 more already this month alone www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Another Maryland prisoner is killed as homicide surge continues
A prisoner was killed inside the Jessup Correctional Institution on Monday, representing the third prison homicide this month, state officials said.
www.thebanner.com
January 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Something's going on in Maryland's prisons. As @conarck.bsky.social continues to chronicle, last year had the highest prison killings in a decade (13) and there's been 3 more already this month alone www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The Department of Homeland Security blamed winter weather for severe overcrowding at a Baltimore immigration facility, but weather records and the video’s timeline contradict that explanation.
DHS Blames Weather for Baltimore ICE Overcrowding — The Timeline Doesn't Add Up
Federal officials cite storm that hadn't yet peaked when video was already online
open.substack.com
January 27, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The Department of Homeland Security blamed winter weather for severe overcrowding at a Baltimore immigration facility, but weather records and the video’s timeline contradict that explanation.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Some people keep saying it is "standard practice" to release the names of officers who kill people. It is not. Less than half of all officers who shoot people have their names disclosed.
January 27, 2026 at 3:26 PM
Some people keep saying it is "standard practice" to release the names of officers who kill people. It is not. Less than half of all officers who shoot people have their names disclosed.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
"Return CBP to the border"
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
January 27, 2026 at 1:23 PM
"Return CBP to the border"
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Now that you have seen what CBP does, why is it okay to have them on the US-Mexico or US-Canada border? Some people say they want "a controlled border" but at what cost to life?
Victoria is raffling off a Valentine’s Day cake to raise money for the Maine Solidarity Fund! If you live in Maine, details here www.instagram.com/reel/DT_ql59...
Victoria Nam 🍉 Siblings Bakery on Instagram: "I'm raffling off a sweet little V-Day cake for two to support the @mainesolidarityfund This fund defends our most vulnerable community members and helps p...
132 likes, 2 comments - tinysaltybones on January 26, 2026: "I'm raffling off a sweet little V-Day cake for two to support the @mainesolidarityfund This fund defends our most vulnerable community memb...
www.instagram.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:30 AM
Victoria is raffling off a Valentine’s Day cake to raise money for the Maine Solidarity Fund! If you live in Maine, details here www.instagram.com/reel/DT_ql59...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
ICE operations are spinning up in Maine. @themainemonitor.org is looking to help report on ICE activity there and has set up a page to report what you're seeing. Also includes Signal and encrypted Protonmail options for secure communications.
We want to hear from you if you've seen federal agents detain someone in #Maine, if you know someone who is in #ICE custody, or if you have faced repercussions for observing their activities. If you prefer to contact a specific reporter or editor, you can via email or Signal. Click to learn more 👇
Help us report on ICE activity
We want to hear from you if you have witnessed federal agents detain someone in Maine, if you know someone who is in ICE custody, or if you have faced repercussions for observing their activities.
themainemonitor.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:34 PM
ICE operations are spinning up in Maine. @themainemonitor.org is looking to help report on ICE activity there and has set up a page to report what you're seeing. Also includes Signal and encrypted Protonmail options for secure communications.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
They tried to roll Tom Homan out back when this started—to Chicago, with his sidekick Dr. Phil. They were run out of town, Homan bitching that in Chicago people were too educated about their rights.
at 4:00 Tom Homan:
"For instance, Chicago, very well educated, they've been educated how to how to defy ICE. How to hide from ICE. And, I've seen many pamphlets from the NGOs. Here's how you escape ICE...here's what you need..How to hide from ICE...know your rights.."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1v...
"For instance, Chicago, very well educated, they've been educated how to how to defy ICE. How to hide from ICE. And, I've seen many pamphlets from the NGOs. Here's how you escape ICE...here's what you need..How to hide from ICE...know your rights.."
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hk1v...
Collins presses Trump’s border czar on possibility of raiding schools and churches
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:00 AM
They tried to roll Tom Homan out back when this started—to Chicago, with his sidekick Dr. Phil. They were run out of town, Homan bitching that in Chicago people were too educated about their rights.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced the Democrats have to push their hand immediately. The parallels with the delays and subsequent failures after January 6th are blaring warning signs about what will happen if they don’t go after the issues with ICE and CBP at the root RIGHT NOW.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
January 26, 2026 at 11:35 PM
The biggest risk in this moment is something sociologists call “symbolic compliance.”
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
That’s when an institution that is violating civil rights gives the public just enough symbolic victories that accountability efforts lose steam before there has been any meaningful change.
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
ICE is changing tactics in Maine: "Now, the volunteers in Maine say federal agents have started showing up at their homes and intimidating them or threatening arrest. Some of them, masked and wearing tactical gear, have issued stark warnings not to follow them." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:06 PM
ICE is changing tactics in Maine: "Now, the volunteers in Maine say federal agents have started showing up at their homes and intimidating them or threatening arrest. Some of them, masked and wearing tactical gear, have issued stark warnings not to follow them." www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
ICE watchers in Maine say they were threatened by federal agents
Community members have been monitoring the activity of immigration agents in Greater Portland.
www.pressherald.com
January 26, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Why is the msm outside of Maine not covering this? It seems like a huge and very troubling story to me. ICE coming to observers houses or calling them on the phone warning them to back off??!! www.pressherald.com/2026/01/23/i...
Reposted by brian nam-sonenstein
Those who live under absolute violence know that the question for movements is not: were our demands met? But: who has become capable of acting, and who has lost the power to name and govern the world.
January 26, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Those who live under absolute violence know that the question for movements is not: were our demands met? But: who has become capable of acting, and who has lost the power to name and govern the world.