Tuesday, November 18, 2025
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A View From the Ground
News and information about politics, government, civic participation and engagement from URL Media's network of Black and Brown publishers.
This week, let’s talk about the secretive deportation deals coming to light after a tragic suicide attempt; the Asian Americans dying in ICE custody; and the Black women sweeping small-town mayoral races. And as always, we’re bringing you the latest updates at url-media.com.
Credit: iStock
Secret deportation deals under fire
A West African woman recently attempted suicide while detained in Ghana after being deported from the US under a controversial Trump administration program. The incident highlights growing concerns about secretive deportation deals struck with at least five African nations.
Under these agreements, migrants are sent to third countries where they have no ties, even when US courts have blocked their return home due to safety risks. One attorney's client, who legally won protection from deportation, was transferred from a detention camp and forced back to his home country anyway. He's now in hiding and fears for his life.
Black immigrants bear the brunt of these policies, facing deportation at rates roughly four times higher than their share of the undocumented population. Nearly a quarter of migrants in solitary confinement are Black, despite making up less than 4% of ICE detainees. Advocates say there's no oversight mechanism to protect deportees' safety once they arrive.Keep reading at Capital B.
Source: Pexels / Andrea Piacquadio
Immigration case mistakes, fixing the economy, deaths in ICE custody and more stories from the URL Media network
10 ways to accidentally lose your immigration case: If you have an immigration case, seemingly minor actions could tank your future in the US. Using marijuana (even where it's legal), underage drinking, driving without a license, or even certain social media posts can lead to deportation or denial of status. Immigration officials review your entire record, not just convictions, and federal law often overrides state laws. Even accidentally registering to vote at the DMV or being falsely accused of gang affiliation can have serious consequences for your case. Keep reading at Documented.
42 days that broke the economy: The 42-day shutdown wiped out $14 billion in permanent economic output and froze programs that power inclusive growth like the CDFI Fund and MBDA. Federal workers get back pay, but contractors don't. Nearly one-third of lower-income families already live paycheck to paycheck, and for disadvantaged business owners, these government supports mean the difference between survival and collapse. The Senate bill reopens agencies but can't undo the damage already done. Keep reading at URL Media.
ICE deaths under Trump already nearly match Biden total: Twenty-one people have died in ICE custody this year, making 2025 the deadliest since 2004 and nearly matching Biden's entire four-year total in just 10 months. Five were Asian immigrants, including a Chinese man found hanging with his arms and legs tied in a shower stall. Arrests of Asian immigrants tripled earlier this year, and advocates say overcrowded facilities, medical neglect, and isolation are creating a lethal combination. Families are demanding answers as detention centers routinely exceed capacity and deaths continue climbing. Keep reading at AsAm News.
Black women sweep small town races: While everyone watched NYC's mayoral race, Black women were quietly making history in small towns across America. A 35-year-old cosmetology teacher became the youngest woman elected to her Georgia city council. A 39-year-old illustrator became the first Black mayor in her Pennsylvania town's 175-year history. One Georgia city saw record turnout in its 200-year history. These everyday people aren't waiting for change from D.C. They're running for office themselves to fix discolored water, crumbling infrastructure, and systems stuck in the Stone Age. Keep reading at Capital B.
Source: iStockOther recommended reading
Native hemp producers caught off guard by near total ban in the bill reopening federal government - Native America Calling
What Chicago’s boulevards reveal about community, climate change and inequality - Inside Climate News
A state just made child care free. Here’s why it matters - Word In Black
Spill the tea: The gentrification of Vancouver Chinatown - Simon Fraser University
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This content was created with AI assistance or collection.
