Andrew Wimer
@andrewwimer.bsky.social
Media Relations Director at the Institute for Justice, ij.org. Posting about how government violates property rights, the First Amendment, and economic liberty.
Opinions are my own.
Opinions are my own.
Thanks to @katiecouric.bsky.social for having @ij.org attorney Jaba on to talk about our cases on behalf of citizens wrongly detained by immigration agents. Watch the interview here: katiecouric.substack.com/p/attacks-on...
Attacks on the Press, Venezuela, and Epstein
A recording from Katie Couric's live video
katiecouric.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Thanks to @katiecouric.bsky.social for having @ij.org attorney Jaba on to talk about our cases on behalf of citizens wrongly detained by immigration agents. Watch the interview here: katiecouric.substack.com/p/attacks-on...
This is George Retes' story of being arrested and held for three days without any communication. He was let go without ever being told what crime he had been accused of and missed his daughter's 3rd birthday. Please watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y91V...
ICE Raid Mistake: American Vet Jailed for Days
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
www.youtube.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This is George Retes' story of being arrested and held for three days without any communication. He was let go without ever being told what crime he had been accused of and missed his daughter's 3rd birthday. Please watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y91V...
You are not paranoid. You are being watched. And police may pull you over for almost nothing if automated cameras flag you as suspicious. When @ij.org client Alek Schott sued a Texas county over an unconstitutional traffic stop, we had no idea what we had uncovered. @apnews.com story below.
November 20, 2025 at 1:01 PM
You are not paranoid. You are being watched. And police may pull you over for almost nothing if automated cameras flag you as suspicious. When @ij.org client Alek Schott sued a Texas county over an unconstitutional traffic stop, we had no idea what we had uncovered. @apnews.com story below.
In Indiana, prosecutors are supposed to report all forfeiture cases, but @ij.org found a huge gap between filed cases and reported cases. The study shows that Indiana lawmakers are getting a far from complete report card when it comes to forfeiture. It may be sending them the wrong signals.
November 17, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Indiana, prosecutors are supposed to report all forfeiture cases, but @ij.org found a huge gap between filed cases and reported cases. The study shows that Indiana lawmakers are getting a far from complete report card when it comes to forfeiture. It may be sending them the wrong signals.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
The latest from @jaredmcclain.bsky.social, a senior attorney at @ij.org, who represents Leonardo Garcia Venegas in a federal class-action lawsuit:
I'm in WaPo today explaining why the administration's profiling of people for immigration stops based on their ethnicity and occupation is unconstitutional:
wapo.st/43W3haf
wapo.st/43W3haf
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
The latest from @jaredmcclain.bsky.social, a senior attorney at @ij.org, who represents Leonardo Garcia Venegas in a federal class-action lawsuit:
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
"When officers detain groups of people based on their occupation, their location, or 'how they look,' ... the stop will rarely — if ever — be justified."
[email protected]'s @jaredmcclain.bsky.social on ICE's unconstitutional work site raids. @postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
[email protected]'s @jaredmcclain.bsky.social on ICE's unconstitutional work site raids. @postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | He’s a citizen with a Real ID. ICE detained him anyway. Twice.
Leo Garcia Venegas’s experience shows why Trump’s immigration raids are unconstitutional.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
"When officers detain groups of people based on their occupation, their location, or 'how they look,' ... the stop will rarely — if ever — be justified."
[email protected]'s @jaredmcclain.bsky.social on ICE's unconstitutional work site raids. @postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
[email protected]'s @jaredmcclain.bsky.social on ICE's unconstitutional work site raids. @postopinions.bsky.social
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Federal officers are abusing people in Chicago. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court cracked the door open for people all over the U.S. to get justice in a case brought by Trina Martin. She talks with @cbschicago.bsky.social about the legal battle: www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
SCOTUS decision for case in Georgia could result in lawsuits against federal agent operations in Chicago
Lawyer Patrick Jaicomo said he expects a tidal wave of lawsuits nationwide against federal agents by U.S. citizens and non-citizens in communities impacted the most by federal agents over the last sev...
www.cbsnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Federal officers are abusing people in Chicago. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court cracked the door open for people all over the U.S. to get justice in a case brought by Trina Martin. She talks with @cbschicago.bsky.social about the legal battle: www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news...
Libby Souder taught swim lessons to kids in her backyard in Columbia, SC for years and she did it with the approval of the city. But last year, the city reinterpreted its rules and banned her backyard lessons. Now @ij.org is helping her fight back against abusive zoning rules.
November 5, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Libby Souder taught swim lessons to kids in her backyard in Columbia, SC for years and she did it with the approval of the city. But last year, the city reinterpreted its rules and banned her backyard lessons. Now @ij.org is helping her fight back against abusive zoning rules.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
Throughout the country, local governments are partnering with private companies to install automatic license plate reader cameras (#ALPRs) on their roadways.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
Check out @ij.org's newest episode of Beyond the Brief, featuring me and IJ Attorney Michael Soyfer talking about warrantless mass surveillance and license plate readers.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xU5...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xU5...
How Police Around the Country Are Conducting Mass Surveillance
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Throughout the country, local governments are partnering with private companies to install automatic license plate reader cameras (#ALPRs) on their roadways.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
But IJ is fighting back against mass surveillance.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
🔗: https://www.al.com/news/2025/10/alabama-citizen-detained-by-ice-twice-asks-judge-for-class-action.html
A U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by federal agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case.
A U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by federal agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case.
October 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
🔗: https://www.al.com/news/2025/10/alabama-citizen-detained-by-ice-twice-asks-judge-for-class-action.html
A U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by federal agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case.
A U.S. citizen who was arrested twice at work by federal agents is asking to expand his lawsuit to a class action case.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
This is nowhere close to being true.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Kristi Noem: "No American citizens have been arrested or detained. We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting."
October 30, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This is nowhere close to being true.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Two @ij.org clients are citizens who were arrested & @propublica.org found 168 more.
Plus, we have witness statements from others who--like most of the citizens caught up by Noem's tactics--didn't have their arrests recorded so they didn't make the news.
Another blockbuster story from @nicolefoy.bsky.social. This time on immigration agents smashing windows. projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm... IJ client George Retes had his window smashed as agents were yelling contradictory directions, telling him to both back up his car and leave his car.
“We’ll Smash the Fucking Window Out and Drag Him Out”
We’ve documented nearly 50 incidents of immigration officers shattering car windows to make arrests — a tactic experts say was rarely used before Trump took office. ICE claims its officers use a “mini...
projects.propublica.org
October 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Another blockbuster story from @nicolefoy.bsky.social. This time on immigration agents smashing windows. projects.propublica.org/trump-ice-sm... IJ client George Retes had his window smashed as agents were yelling contradictory directions, telling him to both back up his car and leave his car.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
George Retes on His 3 Day ICE Detention
October 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
George Retes on His 3 Day ICE Detention
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
Latest: I wrote about the DHS Office of Public Affairs shameless lies about ICE arrests and all the times it's lied to me and other reporters lately.
DHS did not respond to my request for comment about all the lies it's told. reason.com/2025/10/22/h...
DHS did not respond to my request for comment about all the lies it's told. reason.com/2025/10/22/h...
Homeland Security won't stop lying about who immigration enforcers are arresting
In case after case, Homeland Security's Public Affairs Office releases incorrect information about arrests carried out by federal immigration officers.
reason.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Latest: I wrote about the DHS Office of Public Affairs shameless lies about ICE arrests and all the times it's lied to me and other reporters lately.
DHS did not respond to my request for comment about all the lies it's told. reason.com/2025/10/22/h...
DHS did not respond to my request for comment about all the lies it's told. reason.com/2025/10/22/h...
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:08 PM
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And nearly 20 children, two of whom have cancer. @nicolefoy.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
I’ve been asked about Joe Arpaio and last decade’s “show me your papers” laws in a few interviews recently.
The current regime feels even worse because showing ICE your papers is not enough if you look Latino.
Officers just refuse to believe the papers are real.
ij.org/case/alabama...
The current regime feels even worse because showing ICE your papers is not enough if you look Latino.
Officers just refuse to believe the papers are real.
ij.org/case/alabama...
October 15, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I’ve been asked about Joe Arpaio and last decade’s “show me your papers” laws in a few interviews recently.
The current regime feels even worse because showing ICE your papers is not enough if you look Latino.
Officers just refuse to believe the papers are real.
ij.org/case/alabama...
The current regime feels even worse because showing ICE your papers is not enough if you look Latino.
Officers just refuse to believe the papers are real.
ij.org/case/alabama...
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
Leo, an American citizen, was violently detained by immigration agents after he recorded them making an arrest. DHS claims he obstructed agents, but the cell footage shows the reality: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BeI...
Alabama man sues federal government after being detained by ICE twice
YouTube video by ABC News
www.youtube.com
October 3, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Leo, an American citizen, was violently detained by immigration agents after he recorded them making an arrest. DHS claims he obstructed agents, but the cell footage shows the reality: www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BeI...
Yesterday I was in Mobile to launch a new @ij.org case on behalf of a U.S. citizen detained multiple times by immigration enforcement. If the Fourth Amendment means anything, then law enforcement can't waltz onto private property and stop people who are doing nothing wrong: youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M?...
Innocent CITIZEN Arrested TWICE by ICE
YouTube video by Institute for Justice
youtu.be
October 1, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Yesterday I was in Mobile to launch a new @ij.org case on behalf of a U.S. citizen detained multiple times by immigration enforcement. If the Fourth Amendment means anything, then law enforcement can't waltz onto private property and stop people who are doing nothing wrong: youtu.be/rYSfX9Wxs3M?...
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
WOW. Remember this May video of a US citizen wrestled to the ground by ICE agents and detained for an hour despite having a valid REAL ID?
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
September 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
WOW. Remember this May video of a US citizen wrestled to the ground by ICE agents and detained for an hour despite having a valid REAL ID?
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
It gets worse. Two weeks later, ICE did it AGAIN — handcuffed him and detained him for 20 minutes despite his REAL ID. Now the Institute for Justice is suing.
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
🚨 New Case Alert 🚨
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
September 30, 2025 at 6:21 PM
🚨 New Case Alert 🚨
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Leo Garcia Venegas is an American citizen and construction worker in south Alabama.
Even though he has done nothing suspicious and is working on private property, Leo has been repeatedly detained (once violently) by federal officers enforcing immigration laws.
🧵
Reposted by Andrew Wimer
U.S. citizens, many of them Latino men, have been stopped and in some cases taken into custody by law enforcement officers who are carrying out President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
‘I’m From Here!’: U.S. Citizens Are Ending Up in Trump’s Dragnet
As immigration agents take a more aggressive approach, they have stopped and in some cases detained American citizens.
nyti.ms
September 29, 2025 at 9:45 PM
U.S. citizens, many of them Latino men, have been stopped and in some cases taken into custody by law enforcement officers who are carrying out President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
About once a year I write a @forbes.com
article about some outrageous use of forfeiture funds. Today is that day and this self-serving "newsletter" is the subject this time.
article about some outrageous use of forfeiture funds. Today is that day and this self-serving "newsletter" is the subject this time.
September 26, 2025 at 1:35 PM
About once a year I write a @forbes.com
article about some outrageous use of forfeiture funds. Today is that day and this self-serving "newsletter" is the subject this time.
article about some outrageous use of forfeiture funds. Today is that day and this self-serving "newsletter" is the subject this time.
DHS says that George was arrested for assaulting officers but released him without charges. Some way to stand up for law enforcement.
@ij.org's take: ij.org/press-releas...
@ij.org's take: ij.org/press-releas...
September 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
DHS says that George was arrested for assaulting officers but released him without charges. Some way to stand up for law enforcement.
@ij.org's take: ij.org/press-releas...
@ij.org's take: ij.org/press-releas...
With federal law enforcement surging onto the streets, it's a good time to remember that recording officers in public is protected speech. Recently another federal court struck down a "buffer" law in Indiana. It's the 3rd such law to be struck down in recent years. 🧵
September 12, 2025 at 12:38 PM
With federal law enforcement surging onto the streets, it's a good time to remember that recording officers in public is protected speech. Recently another federal court struck down a "buffer" law in Indiana. It's the 3rd such law to be struck down in recent years. 🧵