Alejandra Cancino
@writeralejandra.bsky.social
Senior reporter at Injustice Watch. Former deputy editor at City Bureau. Earlier: BGA & Chicago Tribune. IRE_NICAR board member. Headline Club alum. Hablo español. ☕️🌎🪴
https://www.injusticewatch.org/projects/tenant-trap/
https://www.injusticewatch.org/projects/tenant-trap/
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Eight years ago, I happened to cover the first public training a Chicago group held for neighbors to resist ICE enforcement. That groundwork, it turned out, was invaluable this fall. First of two stories here. The second airs on All Things Considered this afternoon.
www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
Grassroots resistance swells in the wake of the immigration crackdown in Chicago
Chicago is no longer the main focus of the federal immigration crackdown. For one neighborhood group, the intense enforcement activity was a test of resistance tactics they developed eight years ago.
www.npr.org
November 20, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Eight years ago, I happened to cover the first public training a Chicago group held for neighbors to resist ICE enforcement. That groundwork, it turned out, was invaluable this fall. First of two stories here. The second airs on All Things Considered this afternoon.
www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
www.npr.org/2025/11/19/n...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
As we research the candidates to create our next judicial election guide, we need your help. Have any of the candidates been your attorney or judge? Take a look at the list of candidates and send us your tips. buff.ly/DlOqYRA
airtable.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:00 PM
As we research the candidates to create our next judicial election guide, we need your help. Have any of the candidates been your attorney or judge? Take a look at the list of candidates and send us your tips. buff.ly/DlOqYRA
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
“A change in leadership at the juvenile temporary detention center is long overdue,” said Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Advisory Board member Amanda Klonsky. “The young people there deserve a superintendent who is present and accountable.” buff.ly/RP4himt
Leonard Dixon stepping down as head of Cook County juvenile detention center
The superintendent of one of the country’s largest juvenile jails is resigning Dec. 1 after a decade-long tenure marked by controversy.
www.injusticewatch.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
“A change in leadership at the juvenile temporary detention center is long overdue,” said Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Advisory Board member Amanda Klonsky. “The young people there deserve a superintendent who is present and accountable.” buff.ly/RP4himt
Chicago local newsrooms out with a powerful investigation today: Feds Used Chemical Weapons On Chicagoans At Least 49 Times — Even After Judge Said To Stop. Most of these incidents appear to involve nonviolent protesters or bystanders.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/f...
Feds Used Chemical Weapons On Chicagoans At Least 49 Times — Even After Judge Said To Stop
Contrary to federal claims about attacks on agents, most of these incidents appear to involve nonviolent protesters or bystanders.
blockclubchicago.org
November 19, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Chicago local newsrooms out with a powerful investigation today: Feds Used Chemical Weapons On Chicagoans At Least 49 Times — Even After Judge Said To Stop. Most of these incidents appear to involve nonviolent protesters or bystanders.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/19/f...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
NEW INVESTIGATION: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Then Never Charged With a Crime
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime
Authorities said Tren de Aragua “terrorists” had taken over the building. A ProPublica investigation found little evidence to back up the government’s claims. For the first time, the Venezuelans arres...
www.propublica.org
November 13, 2025 at 12:13 PM
NEW INVESTIGATION: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Then Never Charged With a Crime
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Now in the courtroom in Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse, waiting for the Broadview Six's arraignment hearing to begin.
The courtroom is packed with press and observers.
The courtroom is packed with press and observers.
Good afternoon from Chicago's Federal Plaza. A rally is underway now in support of the "Broadview Six," who face arraignment in about 45 minutes on federal conspiracy and impeding charges, stemming from their participation in a Sept. 26 protest in front of the Broadview, IL ICE facility.
November 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Now in the courtroom in Chicago's Dirksen Federal Courthouse, waiting for the Broadview Six's arraignment hearing to begin.
The courtroom is packed with press and observers.
The courtroom is packed with press and observers.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
NEW: Newly released video of a December 2023 incident inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center has raised questions about a judge’s decision to acquit one of the officers involved, experts and advocates told Injustice Watch. buff.ly/uM9m0zx
‘Horrific’ video of incident at Chicago’s juvenile jail raises questions about recent trial, experts say
Former Juvenile Temporary Detention Center employee Kevin Walker was acquitted last month of charges related to the incident, which left a 15-year-old boy bruised and unconscious.
www.injusticewatch.org
November 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
NEW: Newly released video of a December 2023 incident inside the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center has raised questions about a judge’s decision to acquit one of the officers involved, experts and advocates told Injustice Watch. buff.ly/uM9m0zx
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
Many unhoused Chicagoans uncounted among the disappeared - Chicago Reader
The Latino Union of Chicago, via its Adopt a Corner initiative, organizes patrols to watch for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents at intersections and landmarks wh...
chicagoreader.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:18 PM
new: at least 26 unhoused chicagoans have been abducted since the start of "operation midway blitz."
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
the full scope of people disappeared is likely much larger but is obscured by heavy criminalization, social stigma, and fewer eyes and phones around to bear witness.
via @katieprout.bsky.social
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Was just reflecting on this. Your local politics can be what they are and this can still be happening.
Have to admit, it's equally inspiring and devastating to see the joy and hope in NJ and NY and VA while ICE is running roughshod over Chicagoland.
Hard to feel hopeful here.
Hard to feel hopeful here.
November 5, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Was just reflecting on this. Your local politics can be what they are and this can still be happening.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Last year we got a tip about a children's pastor who'd managed to stay in ministry for decades even as allegations of sex abuse trailed him across four states.
I kept pulling thread and found something far bigger: a 50-year pattern of abuse and cover-up in the largest Pentecostal denomination 🧵 1/
I kept pulling thread and found something far bigger: a 50-year pattern of abuse and cover-up in the largest Pentecostal denomination 🧵 1/
October 30, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Last year we got a tip about a children's pastor who'd managed to stay in ministry for decades even as allegations of sex abuse trailed him across four states.
I kept pulling thread and found something far bigger: a 50-year pattern of abuse and cover-up in the largest Pentecostal denomination 🧵 1/
I kept pulling thread and found something far bigger: a 50-year pattern of abuse and cover-up in the largest Pentecostal denomination 🧵 1/
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
NEW: The states with the highest proportion of people relying on disability benefits are West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama — all states that lack their own aid programs for workers to turn to amid federal cuts.
Red State Workers Could Lose Out on Disability Benefits as Trump Administration Rewrites Eligibility Rules
Planned changes to Social Security’s disability program could leave hundreds of thousands of older blue-collar workers ineligible for aid. These changes would fall disproportionately on some of Presid...
www.propublica.org
October 31, 2025 at 10:12 AM
NEW: The states with the highest proportion of people relying on disability benefits are West Virginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi and Alabama — all states that lack their own aid programs for workers to turn to amid federal cuts.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
If you want to know what’s going on in Chicago with ICE/DHS — read this excellent piece by
@tinasfon.bsky.social
@jonseidel.bsky.social
And thank the journalists who are documenting events on the ground!
(No paywall at Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@tinasfon.bsky.social
@jonseidel.bsky.social
And thank the journalists who are documenting events on the ground!
(No paywall at Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Ex-CBP chief details 'unreasonable use of force,' ICE cites 'brazen' hostility in dueling lawsuit narratives
Records placed in front of U.S. District Judge April Perry by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, City Hall and by the Trump administration offer a behind-the-scenes snapshot from law enforcement a...
chicago.suntimes.com
October 17, 2025 at 7:08 PM
If you want to know what’s going on in Chicago with ICE/DHS — read this excellent piece by
@tinasfon.bsky.social
@jonseidel.bsky.social
And thank the journalists who are documenting events on the ground!
(No paywall at Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@tinasfon.bsky.social
@jonseidel.bsky.social
And thank the journalists who are documenting events on the ground!
(No paywall at Chicago Sun-Times/Chicago Public Media)
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Judge Ellis: "So, kids dressed in Halloween costumes, walking to a parade, do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just don't." Bovino did not react.
October 28, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Judge Ellis: "So, kids dressed in Halloween costumes, walking to a parade, do not pose an immediate threat to the safety of a law enforcement officer. They just don't." Bovino did not react.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Judge Sara Ellis has been reading the TRO line by line to Bovino on the stand, and commenting on what she's seen: "You've got to leave journalists alone. If they're doing their job, they need to be left alone to do their job."
October 28, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Judge Sara Ellis has been reading the TRO line by line to Bovino on the stand, and commenting on what she's seen: "You've got to leave journalists alone. If they're doing their job, they need to be left alone to do their job."
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Follow @jonseidel.bsky.social and I for updates today from the Dirksen Federal courthouse, where Border Patrol's Gregory Bovino is expected to appear. Here's a picture of protestors at the courthouse's entrance. It's unclear whether Bovino will go through this entrance.
October 28, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Follow @jonseidel.bsky.social and I for updates today from the Dirksen Federal courthouse, where Border Patrol's Gregory Bovino is expected to appear. Here's a picture of protestors at the courthouse's entrance. It's unclear whether Bovino will go through this entrance.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Looking for any current/former GOP members who are speaking publicly (or willing to) with concern about an apparent uptake in pro-Nazi sentiment among a certain strand of younger generation within their party. Plenty of reporting lately that points to this. Feel free to DM me. TIA.
October 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Looking for any current/former GOP members who are speaking publicly (or willing to) with concern about an apparent uptake in pro-Nazi sentiment among a certain strand of younger generation within their party. Plenty of reporting lately that points to this. Feel free to DM me. TIA.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
What are journalists dealing with on the front lines covering DHS and ICE?
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
Rights Under Attack: DHS Violence Against Journalists, Observers, and Protestors
YouTube video by American Constitution Society
www.youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
What are journalists dealing with on the front lines covering DHS and ICE?
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
@attorneynora.bsky.social @writeralejandra.bsky.social @plasticjesusart.bsky.social @mvtopic.bsky.social and I had a lot of ground to cover in this 1-hour panel hosted by
@exposedbycmd.bsky.social and @acslaw.bsky.social!
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Baltimore high school student Taki Allen was swarmed by police after an artificial intelligence system apparently mistook his bag of Doritos for a gun www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
October 24, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Baltimore high school student Taki Allen was swarmed by police after an artificial intelligence system apparently mistook his bag of Doritos for a gun www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
I cannot recommend this enough. Please read it all.
I've been on the ground a couple times at LA protests this year and reviewed endless hours of footage. Mel's account perfectly and beautifully captures all the humanity, the exasperation, and the chaos when protesters encounter LAPD. Bravo.
I've been on the ground a couple times at LA protests this year and reviewed endless hours of footage. Mel's account perfectly and beautifully captures all the humanity, the exasperation, and the chaos when protesters encounter LAPD. Bravo.
October 24, 2025 at 9:40 PM
I cannot recommend this enough. Please read it all.
I've been on the ground a couple times at LA protests this year and reviewed endless hours of footage. Mel's account perfectly and beautifully captures all the humanity, the exasperation, and the chaos when protesters encounter LAPD. Bravo.
I've been on the ground a couple times at LA protests this year and reviewed endless hours of footage. Mel's account perfectly and beautifully captures all the humanity, the exasperation, and the chaos when protesters encounter LAPD. Bravo.
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
People in one of the richest parts of Chicago’s North Side scream at federal agents who were detaining a Hispanic worker today - “Fuckin cowards! Fuckin Nazis!” - and chant at them to “LET HIM GO!”
October 24, 2025 at 9:45 PM
People in one of the richest parts of Chicago’s North Side scream at federal agents who were detaining a Hispanic worker today - “Fuckin cowards! Fuckin Nazis!” - and chant at them to “LET HIM GO!”
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
Federal judge appears poised to order release of at least some ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees
Federal judge appears poised to order release of at least some ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees
A Chicago federal judge appeared poised Friday to order at least a portion of the thousands of people detained in “Operation Midway Blitz” released on electronic monitoring while litiga…
www.chicagotribune.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Federal judge appears poised to order release of at least some ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ arrestees
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
President Donald Trump’s administration says federal agents in #deportation operations are wearing #masks to avoid #doxxing, but some #police chiefs and former top U.S. law enforcement officials are raising red flags, we report.
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Masked immigration agents erode trust and intimidate, former No. 2 DEA boss, others say
A former high-ranking Drug Enforcement Administration official says masking is "all about intimidation.” A police chiefs association says it can create mistrust.
chicago.suntimes.com
October 24, 2025 at 3:50 PM
President Donald Trump’s administration says federal agents in #deportation operations are wearing #masks to avoid #doxxing, but some #police chiefs and former top U.S. law enforcement officials are raising red flags, we report.
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
@suntimes.bsky.social
chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdog...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
It's not just the newspapers.
"While declines to print readership are almost a foregone conclusion, 'digital traffic to local news sites is experiencing a cratering similar to that of print,' State of Local News Project director Zach Metzger writes in the report. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/in-m...
"While declines to print readership are almost a foregone conclusion, 'digital traffic to local news sites is experiencing a cratering similar to that of print,' State of Local News Project director Zach Metzger writes in the report. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/in-m...
October 24, 2025 at 5:28 PM
It's not just the newspapers.
"While declines to print readership are almost a foregone conclusion, 'digital traffic to local news sites is experiencing a cratering similar to that of print,' State of Local News Project director Zach Metzger writes in the report. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/in-m...
"While declines to print readership are almost a foregone conclusion, 'digital traffic to local news sites is experiencing a cratering similar to that of print,' State of Local News Project director Zach Metzger writes in the report. www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/in-m...
Reposted by Alejandra Cancino
What could go wrong?
NBC News finds that:
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
-- ICE has shortened its training from 13 weeks to six.
-- Nearly half of recruits couldn’t pass an open-book written exam.
-- Recruits "are supposed to attest" they can pass the physical-fitness test, which requires them to run ... 6 mph.
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Some new ICE recruits have shown up to training without full vetting
The recruits have had criminal backgrounds or failed drug tests or were unable to meet physical or academic standards, raising concerns about the agency’s rush to hire immigration officers, sources to...
www.nbcnews.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:12 PM
What could go wrong?