Jon Collins
@jcollins.bsky.social
Reporter @MPRNews.org '25 Nieman fellow at Harvard. Co-creator of Peabody Award-winning 74 Seconds podcast. Victory gardener. Joncollinsjournalism.com
Reposted by Jon Collins
I can’t help thinking there’s so much money changing hands wrt ICE detention that there aren’t even enough investigative reporters to track
www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
Michigan ICE detention center owner reports $254 million profit, record new business in 2025
The company that owns Michigan’s North Lake Processing Center, the largest immigration detention facility in the Midwest, reported $254 million in profit last year, up nearly 700 percent from $32 mill...
www.michiganpublic.org
February 17, 2026 at 7:08 PM
I can’t help thinking there’s so much money changing hands wrt ICE detention that there aren’t even enough investigative reporters to track
www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
www.michiganpublic.org/criminal-jus...
Reposted by Jon Collins
A kidney transplant recipient from Minnesota now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas may be released on bond Tuesday.
Kidney transplant recipient in ICE custody may be released soon
A kidney transplant recipient from Minnesota now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas may finally be released on bond Tuesday. Javier Abreu-Vasquez has been held by ICE for nea...
www.mprnews.org
February 17, 2026 at 6:02 PM
A kidney transplant recipient from Minnesota now in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas may be released on bond Tuesday.
Reposted by Jon Collins
have you or someone you know had to find care for your pet after being detained by ICE? are you in hiding and worried about vet care? i am working on a story about what happens to pets during the ICE surge. DM me or email [email protected]
February 17, 2026 at 5:19 PM
have you or someone you know had to find care for your pet after being detained by ICE? are you in hiding and worried about vet care? i am working on a story about what happens to pets during the ICE surge. DM me or email [email protected]
“I am not afraid of deportation. I am a citizen and have done nothing wrong. I am afraid of miscommunication. If I am approached suddenly and cannot hear commands, I worry the situation could escalate before I understand what is happening..." via @sdas98.bsky.social sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
For disabled Minnesotans, ICE surge brought heightened risk and fear
As Operation Metro Surge ramped up, disabled immigrants found themselves facing additional challenges, including disruptions to their caregivers and anxiety about communicating in high-conflict encoun...
sahanjournal.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:17 PM
“I am not afraid of deportation. I am a citizen and have done nothing wrong. I am afraid of miscommunication. If I am approached suddenly and cannot hear commands, I worry the situation could escalate before I understand what is happening..." via @sdas98.bsky.social sahanjournal.com/immigration/...
Reposted by Jon Collins
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
February 17, 2026 at 7:55 PM
If you are a journalist — or know one — who has been attacked, seriously threatened, denied access by a public official or targeted with a legal order in the course of reporting, let us know. You can now submit tips in English or Spanish.
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Reposted by Jon Collins
In other news, Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts. The company is run by Tricia McLaughlin’s husband. www.propublica.org/article/kris...
February 17, 2026 at 7:26 PM
In other news, Firm Tied to Kristi Noem Secretly Got Money From $220 Million DHS Ad Contracts. The company is run by Tricia McLaughlin’s husband. www.propublica.org/article/kris...
"Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he welcomed the opportunity to speak with [Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good's] families in private. But he said he would not apologize or comment on the shootings." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Top Immigration Officials Refuse to Discuss Minnesota Shootings at Hearing
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:09 PM
"Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said he welcomed the opportunity to speak with [Alex Pretti and Renee Macklin Good's] families in private. But he said he would not apologize or comment on the shootings." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/u...
Springsteen planned his opening show in Minneapolis.
We are living through dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair — the cavalry is coming! Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band will be taking the stage this spring from Minneapolis to California to Texas to Washington, D.C. for the Land of Hope And Dreams American Tour.
February 17, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Springsteen planned his opening show in Minneapolis.
Most telling line: "DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment about who will take over communications." www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin to leave Trump administration
The move comes as public opinion has turned on the administration’s hardline immigration policies.
www.politico.com
February 17, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Most telling line: "DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment about who will take over communications." www.politico.com/news/2026/02...
"[W]e were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said of Talarico, a Democrat." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/a...
Colbert Doesn’t Give an FCC About Calling Out CBS
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:15 PM
"[W]e were told in no uncertain terms by our network’s lawyers, who called us directly, that we could not have him on the broadcast,” Colbert said of Talarico, a Democrat." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/17/a...
Pretty cool that national places are delving into how Minneapolis is different. But they have really got to dig a little deeper. People know about the music scene, but no other city in the country had a worker co-op community over generations like Minneapolis.
February 17, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Pretty cool that national places are delving into how Minneapolis is different. But they have really got to dig a little deeper. People know about the music scene, but no other city in the country had a worker co-op community over generations like Minneapolis.
"Most of those migrants and their lawyers...say they’ve been told by local authorities that they cannot leave the facility unless they agree to return to their home countries, from which they fled to escape war or persecution."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/w...
U.S. Deports Nine Migrants in Secret, Ignoring Legal Protections
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:20 PM
"Most of those migrants and their lawyers...say they’ve been told by local authorities that they cannot leave the facility unless they agree to return to their home countries, from which they fled to escape war or persecution."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/w...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/w...
Reposted by Jon Collins
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
FBI will not provide the BCA access to evidence gathered from Pretti shooting, BCA says
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
www.mprnews.org
February 16, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Minnesota criminal investigators have again been denied access to evidence and other materials collected by federal authorities after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, state officials said Monday.
Reposted by Jon Collins
I don't think my fellow journalists quite understand how traumatizing and stressful helicopter flyovers are at this point. Can we please find different ways to cover things?
February 16, 2026 at 12:30 PM
I don't think my fellow journalists quite understand how traumatizing and stressful helicopter flyovers are at this point. Can we please find different ways to cover things?
Reposted by Jon Collins
The acting director of ICE told Congress, under oath, that local law enforcement in Colorado leaked raid plans, allowing gang members to escape.
After 9NEWS questioned ICE's claim and its timeline, ICE deleted the claim from its social media platforms.
After 9NEWS questioned ICE's claim and its timeline, ICE deleted the claim from its social media platforms.
February 15, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The acting director of ICE told Congress, under oath, that local law enforcement in Colorado leaked raid plans, allowing gang members to escape.
After 9NEWS questioned ICE's claim and its timeline, ICE deleted the claim from its social media platforms.
After 9NEWS questioned ICE's claim and its timeline, ICE deleted the claim from its social media platforms.
Pastor targeted after influencer misinformation in Springfield: “These attacks have just made me more motivated to stand with our Haitians and do everything we can to protect them … They’re causing a lot of hassle, but they’re not really getting under my skin.” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/tiktoke...
TikTokers Came to Springfield Looking for ICE. Then the Child Trafficking Rumors Began.
This story was originally reported by Amanda Becker of The 19th. Meet...
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 16, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Pastor targeted after influencer misinformation in Springfield: “These attacks have just made me more motivated to stand with our Haitians and do everything we can to protect them … They’re causing a lot of hassle, but they’re not really getting under my skin.” talkingpointsmemo.com/news/tiktoke...
Reposted by Jon Collins
It took the city of Minneapolis more than five years to figure out how to officially memorialize the site of George Floyd Square, and construction is set to begin this year.
Now, the city has two more high-profile memorials to manage.
Now, the city has two more high-profile memorials to manage.
Minneapolis left to decide future of streetside memorials to 2 people killed by federal officers
As the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota winds down, Minneapolis will need to decide how to manage makeshift memorial sites for two U.S. citizens killed by federal agents last ...
www.mprnews.org
February 15, 2026 at 8:54 PM
It took the city of Minneapolis more than five years to figure out how to officially memorialize the site of George Floyd Square, and construction is set to begin this year.
Now, the city has two more high-profile memorials to manage.
Now, the city has two more high-profile memorials to manage.
"'Resist and Unsubscribe,' was started by influential podcaster...Scott Galloway, who said he was increasingly frustrated by what he sees as the Trump administration's indifference to protests and public outrage over immigration enforcement, especially in Minneapolis..." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
DVDs and public transit: Boycott drives people to ditch Big Tech to protest ICE
A sweeping boycott has begun — targeting tech giants who participants believe are enabling President Trump and his immigration crackdown.
www.npr.org
February 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM
"'Resist and Unsubscribe,' was started by influential podcaster...Scott Galloway, who said he was increasingly frustrated by what he sees as the Trump administration's indifference to protests and public outrage over immigration enforcement, especially in Minneapolis..." www.npr.org/2026/02/07/n...
“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE’s detention and threatened deportation of her father...We mourn Ofelia’s passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what’s right to our last breaths.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/c...
Chicago teen whose father was detained by ICE while she fought cancer dies
The Torres family story came to public attention after the teen’s father was detained at a Home Depot in Niles.
www.chicagotribune.com
February 15, 2026 at 2:28 PM
“Ofelia was heroic and brave in the face of ICE’s detention and threatened deportation of her father...We mourn Ofelia’s passing, and we hope that she will serve as a model for us all for how to be courageous and to fight for what’s right to our last breaths.” www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/14/c...
Reposted by Jon Collins
thousands marching through little earth in minneapolis right now to say no more missing and murdered indigenous relatives
February 14, 2026 at 7:16 PM
thousands marching through little earth in minneapolis right now to say no more missing and murdered indigenous relatives
Reposted by Jon Collins
Medical providers are increasingly concerned that some rural patients who must drive long distances to see specialists are missing appointments out of fear of being picked up by federal immigration agents.
Rural Minnesotans of color skipping medical care out of fear of ICE
Medical providers are increasingly concerned that some of their rural patients who need to drive long distances to see specialists are missing appointments because they fear being picked up by federal...
www.mprnews.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Medical providers are increasingly concerned that some rural patients who must drive long distances to see specialists are missing appointments out of fear of being picked up by federal immigration agents.
"The decisions amount to a sweeping legal rebuke of Trump’s immigration crackdown. Yet the administration has continued jailing people indefinitely even after courts ruled the policy was illegal." www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Courts have ruled 4,400 times that ICE jailed people illegally. It hasn’t stopped.
The decisions amount to a huge legal rebuke, but the administration has continued jailing people indefinitely.
www.reuters.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:29 PM
"The decisions amount to a sweeping legal rebuke of Trump’s immigration crackdown. Yet the administration has continued jailing people indefinitely even after courts ruled the policy was illegal." www.reuters.com/legal/govern...
Reposted by Jon Collins
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
Meet Minnesota Bathrobe Lady Sam Stroozas of MPR News | Minnesota Public Radio
Earlier this week, an unexpected and fast-moving incident unfolded in St. Paul, Minnesota involving both federal and local law enforcement. As crowds gathered and questions mounted, one of our MPR New...
www.mpr.org
February 14, 2026 at 4:44 AM
hello minnesota and beyond! thank you for your kind messages. it is very weird to be the news when you cover the news. i love this beautiful state and journalism, and i am hopeful for better days. but we will be forever changed bc of the last two months.
"Google, Meta and Reddit complied with some of the requests... the department asked the companies for identifying details of accounts that do not have a real person’s name attached and that have criticized ICE or pointed to the locations of ICE agents." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Homeland Security Wants Social Media Sites to Expose Anti-ICE Accounts
www.nytimes.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:04 PM
"Google, Meta and Reddit complied with some of the requests... the department asked the companies for identifying details of accounts that do not have a real person’s name attached and that have criticized ICE or pointed to the locations of ICE agents." www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Reposted by Jon Collins
Russia used poison from a tropical frog to kill opposition leader Alexey Navalny in prison, say five European nations.
https://cnn.it/4kBC2c8
https://cnn.it/4kBC2c8
February 14, 2026 at 2:14 PM
Russia used poison from a tropical frog to kill opposition leader Alexey Navalny in prison, say five European nations.
https://cnn.it/4kBC2c8
https://cnn.it/4kBC2c8