Jacob Lesniewski
@jplesniewski.bsky.social
Area Director, Mennonite Central Committee, South America, Mexico and Cuba
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 27, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Reuters reached out to everyone that Trump or his subordinates singled out publicly for retribution, and reviewed hundreds of official orders, directives and public records. The result: the most comprehensive accounting yet of his campaign of payback.
www.reuters.com/investigates...
www.reuters.com/investigates...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“Whether you vote for me or you don’t vote for me, I really want to be your greatest champion, and I will be your champion” — Trump to crowd in Little Haiti, 9/16/16
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:37 PM
“Whether you vote for me or you don’t vote for me, I really want to be your greatest champion, and I will be your champion” — Trump to crowd in Little Haiti, 9/16/16
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Trump says Haiti no longer meets requirements for TPS. Haitians have to leave
The Department of Homeland Security said TPS for Haiti ends Feb. 3, 2026, affecting over half a million people who may face return to gang-controlled Port-au-Prince.
amp.miamiherald.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:43 PM
the requirement is, of course, “be white” amp.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“When three ICE agents took Ms. Cordero into custody for overstaying her visa, she began to weep, as did the Citizenship and Immigration Services officer who had been interviewing her, according to Mr. Cordero.”
I need everybody to read this and understand what’s going on. These are spouses of US citizens in the country legally. They have entry clearance and green cards, they’ve passed background checks and have no criminal records. ICE is taking them anyway.
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“When three ICE agents took Ms. Cordero into custody for overstaying her visa, she began to weep, as did the Citizenship and Immigration Services officer who had been interviewing her, according to Mr. Cordero.”
Reading it seemed like a similar experience to Voldemort getting one of his horcrux destroyed
People are calling my lede here "appalling," "nightmare fuel," "actively evil," and "a desecration of the human spirit"
The Olivia Nuzzi and RFK Jr. Affair Is Messier Than We Ever Could Have Imagined
Inside the most important, and also least important, story of our time
www.theringer.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reading it seemed like a similar experience to Voldemort getting one of his horcrux destroyed
"The common thread that runs through all of the elements of this particular Dallas lifestyle is the implicit belief that the world is here for us, and no one else." Maybe the best summary of Christian nationalism?
Dallas is the future of America-- physically, spiritually, and politically. I went to the fastest-growing city in America to see what is in store for us all.
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
Today, the final part of my story: Sprawling to Freedom.
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/america-is...
America Is Becoming Dallas
Part Two: Sprawling to Freedom
www.hamiltonnolan.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:27 PM
"The common thread that runs through all of the elements of this particular Dallas lifestyle is the implicit belief that the world is here for us, and no one else." Maybe the best summary of Christian nationalism?
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Nine Minutes in the Fire, Eight Years For the First Light
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country…
beta.elfaro.net
November 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Months later, another nursing home magnate who stole public funds gets a pardon. This guy pled guilty to using $38 MILLION in payroll taxes for personal gain and corporate expenses.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
November 23, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Months later, another nursing home magnate who stole public funds gets a pardon. This guy pled guilty to using $38 MILLION in payroll taxes for personal gain and corporate expenses.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Pardoning those who exploit care workers and elderly & disabled people seems like a pattern.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
One woman had no family left in Guatemala. Some men were snatched from their jobs. Every deportee was distraught, confused, or angry. When Guatemalans flip the coin of abandonment, they often find brutality on the other side. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/letter-fr...
Irrefutable Images
From the time Donald Trump took office in January until mid-October, when El Faro visited the Center for the Reception of Returnees in Guatemala City, the Department of Homeland Security had sent 398…
beta.elfaro.net
November 22, 2025 at 11:30 PM
One woman had no family left in Guatemala. Some men were snatched from their jobs. Every deportee was distraught, confused, or angry. When Guatemalans flip the coin of abandonment, they often find brutality on the other side. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/letter-fr...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
completely outside of politics, this is so charming
November 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
When I talk to students about public speaking or teaching, I always bring this up: Just tell people when you don't know something! It's remarkably powerful b/c it signals to your audience that you know the boundaries of your expertise and they can trust what you DO talk about.
He should bring quarters for the visiting room vending machines. Pizza's really good tbh
Trump says he spoke to Bolsonaro last night and plans to meet with him soon
November 22, 2025 at 6:08 PM
He should bring quarters for the visiting room vending machines. Pizza's really good tbh
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
“If every time that ICE strikes, they leave each community more mobilized, interconnected, and radicalized than before, we can use their efforts to eventually become capable of defeating them.”
For months, protesters have sought to tie down ICE agents at a holding facility outside Chicago.
Here, participants reflect on this strategy, evaluating it alongside other strategies such as rapid response networks and showing how Democratic politicians have been instrumental in supporting ICE.
Here, participants reflect on this strategy, evaluating it alongside other strategies such as rapid response networks and showing how Democratic politicians have been instrumental in supporting ICE.
Reflections on Resisting ICE in Chicago
Participants in the ongoing protests at the ICE holding facility in Broadview reflect on what has worked and explore the complicity of Democratic politicians with the violence of ICE.
crimethinc.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:01 AM
“If every time that ICE strikes, they leave each community more mobilized, interconnected, and radicalized than before, we can use their efforts to eventually become capable of defeating them.”
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Detention Management
www.ice.gov
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
After more than two months with no updates, ICE has finally released new detention statistics.
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
ICE reports a total of 65,135 detainees as of Nov. 16, 2025.
www.ice.gov/detain/deten...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Our Bottomless Well
There are bodies down there. Not prosecutors, not gang members, not journalists, not policemen, not even the government doubts that in this exact spot, deep below ground level, there are bodies. And…
beta.elfaro.net
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Six Guatemalan officials have now been convicted of locking dozens of girls in their cell as a fire consumed them. For eight years, the Hogar Seguro children’s home fire has symbolized a country failing to care for its girls. #efPhoto beta.elfaro.net/en/by-invita...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The federal blitz moved to Charlotte, but the trauma and damage in Chicago are still with us—and DHS says 1,000 agents will hit our streets in March. I wrote about what this moment demands of us: care, clarity, and preparation.
What Now, Chicago? Regrouping After Midway Blitz
Let’s make this a winter of fortification, of learning, and bonding together like the winter snow that federal agents are so afraid of.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
The federal blitz moved to Charlotte, but the trauma and damage in Chicago are still with us—and DHS says 1,000 agents will hit our streets in March. I wrote about what this moment demands of us: care, clarity, and preparation.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Today marks the 36th anniversary of the murder of six Jesuit priests along with their housekeeper and her daughter at their residence on the campus of the ‘José Simeon Cañas’ Central American University (UCA El Salvador).
November 16, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Today marks the 36th anniversary of the murder of six Jesuit priests along with their housekeeper and her daughter at their residence on the campus of the ‘José Simeon Cañas’ Central American University (UCA El Salvador).
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
The culture of disposability around criminalized people set us up for this moment, and to fight fascism, we are going to have to rage against that culture of disposal. Submitting to it (or hiding behind it) is an egregious form of surrender.
November 15, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The culture of disposability around criminalized people set us up for this moment, and to fight fascism, we are going to have to rage against that culture of disposal. Submitting to it (or hiding behind it) is an egregious form of surrender.
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
“When the 8 African American sheriffs took over the largest counties in North Carolina, it became a threat to the good ol’ boy system,” says the sheriff of Charlotte. These new sheriffs broke ties with ICE.
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
But GOP lawmakers cracked down this week, overbidding the governor’s veto to adopt this law:
North Carolina GOP Is Cracking Down on the Black Sheriffs Who Stood Up to ICE
Boosted by new supermajorities, Republicans are closing in on legislation to mandate more collaboration with ICE and preempt local policies hard-won by immigrants’ rights advocates.
boltsmag.org
November 15, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I'm seeing people wonder why ICE is going after Charlotte.
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
ICE has been at war with Charlotte's sheriff ever since he won in 2018.
We'd covered this at Bolts back in the day; this quote is from that sheriff:
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Teen brothers have been on the front lines of Midway Blitz, following the Feds and helping their neighbors. This is their story. “If I get the opportunity to fight like this for the rest of my life, I would be totally OK with that.” By @tesskenny.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
West Chicago brothers are on the front lines against ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ And they’re only teenagers.
The wave of youth activists who have been galvanized into action by “Operation Midway Blitz” follow a long tradition paved around the world by young activists.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Teen brothers have been on the front lines of Midway Blitz, following the Feds and helping their neighbors. This is their story. “If I get the opportunity to fight like this for the rest of my life, I would be totally OK with that.” By @tesskenny.bsky.social
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/14/c...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
For two months, the U.S. government has been racial profiling as masked federal agents hunted for immigrants throughout Chicago. They’ve repeatedly snatched up U.S. citizens while traumatizing communities. “I felt like a piece of trash.” Here is our story www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Latino US citizens racially profiled by federal immigration agents in Chicago: ‘I felt like a piece of trash’
The Tribune spoke to U.S. citizens and green card holders who have either been questioned or detained during Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:05 PM
For two months, the U.S. government has been racial profiling as masked federal agents hunted for immigrants throughout Chicago. They’ve repeatedly snatched up U.S. citizens while traumatizing communities. “I felt like a piece of trash.” Here is our story www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
Testimonies of torture in El Salvador began to surface soon after the state of exception was imposed. In this editorial, El Faro names those responsible. #efEditorial beta.elfaro.net/en/el-faro-w...
Time to Name Names
Nayib Bukele is directly responsible for the systematic practice of torture in Salvadoran prisons, the extension of the state of exception, and the detention of his critics. He long ago ceased to…
beta.elfaro.net
November 14, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Testimonies of torture in El Salvador began to surface soon after the state of exception was imposed. In this editorial, El Faro names those responsible. #efEditorial beta.elfaro.net/en/el-faro-w...
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
I always get a kick out of the NYT Defense Squad trotting out harrumphing takes about how serious journalists don't report on mere speculation, blow things out of proportion, dig into their colleagues' email, etc etc
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
I always get a kick out of the NYT Defense Squad trotting out harrumphing takes about how serious journalists don't report on mere speculation, blow things out of proportion, dig into their colleagues' email, etc etc
Reposted by Jacob Lesniewski
BREAKING: At Pope Leo XIV’s urging, U.S. Catholic bishops just delivered the strongest rebuke of a sitting president in Church history — condemning Trump-Vance raids as “inhumane” and “dehumanizing” in a 216–5 vote.
NEW: At Pope Leo’s Urging, Bishops Issue Historic Rebuke of Trump’s Raids
Nearly all U.S. Catholic bishops united in Baltimore to denounce the Trump administration’s “inhumane” deportation campaign — a near-unanimous, unprecedented moral stand against a sitting president.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
BREAKING: At Pope Leo XIV’s urging, U.S. Catholic bishops just delivered the strongest rebuke of a sitting president in Church history — condemning Trump-Vance raids as “inhumane” and “dehumanizing” in a 216–5 vote.