Adam Isacson
@adamisacson.com
He/Him. I work on security, borders, and migration at the Washington Office on Latin America (my views, not necessarily theirs). I'm also at wola.org, adamisacson.com, borderoversight.org, Mastodon elefanti.co/@adam
Only 58% of republicans support the boat strikes; only 39% support using the military for regime change.
From Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
From Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
November 14, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Only 58% of republicans support the boat strikes; only 39% support using the military for regime change.
From Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
From Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
In this week's @wola-org.bsky.social Border Update:
The Border Patrol contingent that carried out controversially aggressive operations in Chicago is leaving. US military involvement in border and migration missions has leveled off, but may increase in the interior.
www.wola.org/2025/11/week...
The Border Patrol contingent that carried out controversially aggressive operations in Chicago is leaving. US military involvement in border and migration missions has leveled off, but may increase in the interior.
www.wola.org/2025/11/week...
Weekly U.S.-Mexico Border Update: Border Patrol Chicago drawdown, the U.S. military's role - WOLA
The Border Patrol contingent that carried out controversially aggressive operations in Chicago is leaving after two months. U.S. military involvement in border and migration missions has leveled off, ...
www.wola.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:19 PM
In this week's @wola-org.bsky.social Border Update:
The Border Patrol contingent that carried out controversially aggressive operations in Chicago is leaving. US military involvement in border and migration missions has leveled off, but may increase in the interior.
www.wola.org/2025/11/week...
The Border Patrol contingent that carried out controversially aggressive operations in Chicago is leaving. US military involvement in border and migration missions has leveled off, but may increase in the interior.
www.wola.org/2025/11/week...
This one photo op almost certainly cost more than my program's annual budget. (Please donate to WOLA, by the way.)
Worth 1,000 words. This picture is so revealing about so much about this “administration.”
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
Step back five feet from the dram of any photo about any Trump action or policy, and you’ll see the boom arms, the rigging, the floodlights…
November 14, 2025 at 2:22 PM
This one photo op almost certainly cost more than my program's annual budget. (Please donate to WOLA, by the way.)
No official announcement, but this makes the total 80 murdered. www.cbsnews.com/news/us-20th...
U.S. conducts 20th strike on alleged drug boat, killing 4 people in Caribbean Sea
Since September, U.S. forces have destroyed multiple vessels in international waters, killing at least 80 people.
www.cbsnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:33 AM
No official announcement, but this makes the total 80 murdered. www.cbsnews.com/news/us-20th...
If you like painfully convoluted, dishonest lawyering, the Office of Legal Counsel memo on the boat strikes has it all.
Come for "it's an armed conflict but not 'hostilities.'" Stay for whatever in the hell this is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Come for "it's an armed conflict but not 'hostilities.'" Stay for whatever in the hell this is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
November 14, 2025 at 1:28 AM
If you like painfully convoluted, dishonest lawyering, the Office of Legal Counsel memo on the boat strikes has it all.
Come for "it's an armed conflict but not 'hostilities.'" Stay for whatever in the hell this is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
Come for "it's an armed conflict but not 'hostilities.'" Stay for whatever in the hell this is.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/13/u...
They’re so good at branding/marketing.
That’s a much better name than “Operation Forget About the Files.”
That’s a much better name than “Operation Forget About the Files.”
November 14, 2025 at 12:01 AM
They’re so good at branding/marketing.
That’s a much better name than “Operation Forget About the Files.”
That’s a much better name than “Operation Forget About the Files.”
This is from a few days ago, but worth emphasizing: in the current scenario, Tom Homan is the "moderate."
From www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
From www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
November 13, 2025 at 3:41 AM
This is from a few days ago, but worth emphasizing: in the current scenario, Tom Homan is the "moderate."
From www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
From www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Adam Isacson
“We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by…the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Catholic Bishops Rebuke U.S. ‘Mass Deportation’ of Immigrants
www.nytimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:10 AM
“We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by…the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
What a time to have an aircraft carrier and 8 destroyers parked near Venezuela.
November 13, 2025 at 12:21 AM
What a time to have an aircraft carrier and 8 destroyers parked near Venezuela.
Panama just made its largest maritime cocaine seizure since 2008: 13.5 tons. Authorities arrested 10 people.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Panamá incauta 13,5 toneladas de cocaína en un barco, entre los 10 detenidos hay ecuatorianos
Panamá registra su mayor incautación de cocaína desde 2008, con el decomiso de 13,5 toneladas en un barco al suroeste de Isla San José. Las autoridades informaron que 10 hombres fueron detenidos duran...
www.primicias.ec
November 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Panama just made its largest maritime cocaine seizure since 2008: 13.5 tons. Authorities arrested 10 people.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
Since they are _alive_ and not _barbarically blown out of the water_, these 10 people are all potential sources of intelligence to dismantle criminal networks.
The Tear Gas Tour may depart Chicago and head to Charlotte, in Bovino’s home state.
Trump border commander could head to Charlotte, New Orleans, sources say reut.rs/3LDh8Ms
Trump border commander could head to Charlotte, New Orleans, sources say
U.S. President Donald Trump's top immigration enforcer in Chicago could leave as soon as this week and travel next to Charlotte, North Carolina, one current U.S. official and two former officials said.
reut.rs
November 12, 2025 at 4:37 AM
The Tear Gas Tour may depart Chicago and head to Charlotte, in Bovino’s home state.
Interesting that ~10 agents chose to mask for this photo, while the rest were apparently fine with showing their faces.
Border Patrol boss Greg Bovino and other federal immigration agents could be leaving Chicago this week, reports say. blockclubchi.co/4qT41qx
November 11, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Interesting that ~10 agents chose to mask for this photo, while the rest were apparently fine with showing their faces.
Reposted by Adam Isacson
Border Patrol agents led by Greg Bovino have used force far more often relative to assaults they've faced than anywhere else in that agency, according to a new @pogo.org & Amer. Uni. Investigative Reporting Workshop analysis of four ys of federal data
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Greg Bovino’s Border Patrol Agents Use Disproportionate Force, Data…
Border Patrol agents in the El Centro Sector have reported using force on other people more than three times as many times as they have faced assaults – a ratio higher than anywhere else in the agency...
www.pogo.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Border Patrol agents led by Greg Bovino have used force far more often relative to assaults they've faced than anywhere else in that agency, according to a new @pogo.org & Amer. Uni. Investigative Reporting Workshop analysis of four ys of federal data
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
www.pogo.org/investigatio...
Look at all the “competitive authoritarianism” and “authoritarian playbook” cases around the world. Nearly everywhere, the “feckless opposition party that fails to meet the moment” is a major character in the story.
November 10, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Look at all the “competitive authoritarianism” and “authoritarian playbook” cases around the world. Nearly everywhere, the “feckless opposition party that fails to meet the moment” is a major character in the story.
Senate Democrats apple pie recipe:
- Make crust, cut apples, add sugar, butter, cinnamon
- Place top crust and put in oven at 375
- When nearly golden brown and exuding delicious aroma: remove pie from oven and throw in garbage
- Make crust, cut apples, add sugar, butter, cinnamon
- Place top crust and put in oven at 375
- When nearly golden brown and exuding delicious aroma: remove pie from oven and throw in garbage
November 9, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Senate Democrats apple pie recipe:
- Make crust, cut apples, add sugar, butter, cinnamon
- Place top crust and put in oven at 375
- When nearly golden brown and exuding delicious aroma: remove pie from oven and throw in garbage
- Make crust, cut apples, add sugar, butter, cinnamon
- Place top crust and put in oven at 375
- When nearly golden brown and exuding delicious aroma: remove pie from oven and throw in garbage
Latin America-Related Events in Washington and Online This Week
7 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
7 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
adamisacson.com
November 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Latin America-Related Events in Washington and Online This Week
7 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
7 events about Latin America this week, that I know about, that can be attended in person in Washington or online anywhere.
"Impede caravans" sounds way more festive than they intend.
Something with a name like that would probably involve a lot of jam band music. "I got this hemp necklace from a merch table at the impede caravan."
Something with a name like that would probably involve a lot of jam band music. "I got this hemp necklace from a merch table at the impede caravan."
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
"Impede caravans" sounds way more festive than they intend.
Something with a name like that would probably involve a lot of jam band music. "I got this hemp necklace from a merch table at the impede caravan."
Something with a name like that would probably involve a lot of jam band music. "I got this hemp necklace from a merch table at the impede caravan."
The @apnews.com confirms: the "boat strikes" are the equivalent of straight-up massacring 16-year-old drug dealers on US street corners.
It satisfies some people's anger or bloodlust, but hitting the poorest and most replaceable links in the trafficking chain does nothing to affect drug supplies.
It satisfies some people's anger or bloodlust, but hitting the poorest and most replaceable links in the trafficking chain does nothing to affect drug supplies.
The Trump administration alleges the boats targeted by recent U.S. strikes were being operated by narco-terrorists and cartel members. The AP identified four of the men who were on the boats—and found the truth is far more nuanced.
Trump has accused boat crews of being narco-terrorists. The truth, AP found, is more nuanced
One was a fisherman struggling to eke out a living on $100 a month. Another was a career criminal. A third was a former military cadet.
bit.ly
November 7, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The @apnews.com confirms: the "boat strikes" are the equivalent of straight-up massacring 16-year-old drug dealers on US street corners.
It satisfies some people's anger or bloodlust, but hitting the poorest and most replaceable links in the trafficking chain does nothing to affect drug supplies.
It satisfies some people's anger or bloodlust, but hitting the poorest and most replaceable links in the trafficking chain does nothing to affect drug supplies.
In this week's @WOLA_org US-Mexico Border Update:
- Fiscal 2025 Drug Seizures
- Pope Leo speaks out about US migration policies
- Notes from elsewhere in the hemisphere
- Links: “mass deportation” and rights in the US interior
Some graphical highlights 🧵
- Fiscal 2025 Drug Seizures
- Pope Leo speaks out about US migration policies
- Notes from elsewhere in the hemisphere
- Links: “mass deportation” and rights in the US interior
Some graphical highlights 🧵
Weekly U.S.-Mexico Border Update: Drug seizure data, Pope Leo voices concern, updates from the Americas - WOLA
Seizures of fentanyl plummeted, but cocaine increased, at the border in fiscal 2025. Pope Leo again voiced strong concern about migrants' rights in the United States. Mexico's asylum system is teeteri...
www.wola.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
In this week's @WOLA_org US-Mexico Border Update:
- Fiscal 2025 Drug Seizures
- Pope Leo speaks out about US migration policies
- Notes from elsewhere in the hemisphere
- Links: “mass deportation” and rights in the US interior
Some graphical highlights 🧵
- Fiscal 2025 Drug Seizures
- Pope Leo speaks out about US migration policies
- Notes from elsewhere in the hemisphere
- Links: “mass deportation” and rights in the US interior
Some graphical highlights 🧵
Wow, this leak to CNN very likely means no attacks inside Venezuela for now.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
November 7, 2025 at 11:53 AM
Wow, this leak to CNN very likely means no attacks inside Venezuela for now.
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/p...
All Democrats (including Fetterman this time), plus Rs Paul and Murkowski, were not enough to put the brakes on a possible US military intervention in Venezuela.
Thanks to everyone who made calls and tried to pry away moderate Republicans who remain glued to Trump even after Tuesday’s vote outcome.
Thanks to everyone who made calls and tried to pry away moderate Republicans who remain glued to Trump even after Tuesday’s vote outcome.
Not agreed to, 49-51: Motion to discharge from Foreign Relations Committee S.J.Res.90, Kaine War Powers Resolution (Venezuela).
November 6, 2025 at 11:22 PM
All Democrats (including Fetterman this time), plus Rs Paul and Murkowski, were not enough to put the brakes on a possible US military intervention in Venezuela.
Thanks to everyone who made calls and tried to pry away moderate Republicans who remain glued to Trump even after Tuesday’s vote outcome.
Thanks to everyone who made calls and tried to pry away moderate Republicans who remain glued to Trump even after Tuesday’s vote outcome.
Like dozens of judges (including Trump appointees) who’ve had to spell out what their rulings mean, a resolution before the Senate today spells out, in the case of Venezuela, what “Congress’s power to declare war” means.
This should pass easily—if Congress still cares about being a coequal branch.
This should pass easily—if Congress still cares about being a coequal branch.
November 6, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Like dozens of judges (including Trump appointees) who’ve had to spell out what their rulings mean, a resolution before the Senate today spells out, in the case of Venezuela, what “Congress’s power to declare war” means.
This should pass easily—if Congress still cares about being a coequal branch.
This should pass easily—if Congress still cares about being a coequal branch.
Not true obviously, but you save more lives when you stop a vessel and arrest those aboard, alive, if they're actually trafficking drugs.
Instead of drowned bodies, you get useful intel about their criminal structures, their support networks, their finances, and future vessels.
Instead of drowned bodies, you get useful intel about their criminal structures, their support networks, their finances, and future vessels.
November 6, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Not true obviously, but you save more lives when you stop a vessel and arrest those aboard, alive, if they're actually trafficking drugs.
Instead of drowned bodies, you get useful intel about their criminal structures, their support networks, their finances, and future vessels.
Instead of drowned bodies, you get useful intel about their criminal structures, their support networks, their finances, and future vessels.