Sam Levin
@samtlevin.bsky.social
Guardian senior reporter, based in Los Angeles. Sam.Levin@theguardian [dot] com. https://www.theguardian.com/profile/sam-levin
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
NEW: police depts across the US spread a false story that Venezuelan gang members were planning to kill officers.
Records obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org and shared with @theguardian.com, reveal that the FBI quietly acknowledged a widely shared rumor about Tren de Aragua was false.
Records obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org and shared with @theguardian.com, reveal that the FBI quietly acknowledged a widely shared rumor about Tren de Aragua was false.
Revealed: police across US spread false rumors about Venezuelan gang threats
Claim that Tren de Aragua planned to attack officers was widely shared – only for FBI to later acknowledge it was mistaken, internal files show
www.theguardian.com
October 23, 2025 at 10:59 PM
NEW: police depts across the US spread a false story that Venezuelan gang members were planning to kill officers.
Records obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org and shared with @theguardian.com, reveal that the FBI quietly acknowledged a widely shared rumor about Tren de Aragua was false.
Records obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org and shared with @theguardian.com, reveal that the FBI quietly acknowledged a widely shared rumor about Tren de Aragua was false.
NEW: Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom "deceived" the Supreme Court + "profoundly misrepresented" LGBTQ+ research, according to scholars cited by ADF.
Quoted experts speak out about ADF's "distortions" + "false evidence" in major case, on deck tomorrow, to revive "conversion therapy"
Quoted experts speak out about ADF's "distortions" + "false evidence" in major case, on deck tomorrow, to revive "conversion therapy"
Christian group ‘deceived’ supreme court about LGBTQ+ research, cited scholars say
Exclusive: Experts say Alliance Defending Freedom, arguing to revive conversion therapy, ‘profoundly misrepresented’ their work in case threatening trans and queer youth
www.theguardian.com
October 6, 2025 at 9:43 PM
NEW: Christian legal group Alliance Defending Freedom "deceived" the Supreme Court + "profoundly misrepresented" LGBTQ+ research, according to scholars cited by ADF.
Quoted experts speak out about ADF's "distortions" + "false evidence" in major case, on deck tomorrow, to revive "conversion therapy"
Quoted experts speak out about ADF's "distortions" + "false evidence" in major case, on deck tomorrow, to revive "conversion therapy"
NEW: Six people detained in California’s newest + largest ICE facility speak out, saying they are confined in filthy cells, struggling to access basic medications, going hungry due to insufficient food, drinking dirty water, and faced with “military-like” staff.
“This place is built to break us”
“This place is built to break us”
‘Hell on earth’: immigrants held in new California detention facility beg for help
Six people at a remote Ice facility in California City describe medical problems and filthy conditions, which operator CoreCivic denies
www.theguardian.com
September 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NEW: Six people detained in California’s newest + largest ICE facility speak out, saying they are confined in filthy cells, struggling to access basic medications, going hungry due to insufficient food, drinking dirty water, and faced with “military-like” staff.
“This place is built to break us”
“This place is built to break us”
👽 🛡️ 👑 🤘🏼 ⚔️ 🥷 🚂 🏛️ 🍓
Those are emojis the FBI, NYPD, CBP and US Army have said could be signs of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang + part of their “code language”, internal records show.
“Just like tattoos, we could see folks rounded up + tortured based solely on their use of certain emojis”
Those are emojis the FBI, NYPD, CBP and US Army have said could be signs of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang + part of their “code language”, internal records show.
“Just like tattoos, we could see folks rounded up + tortured based solely on their use of certain emojis”
Revealed: US law enforcement claimed emojis could signal Tren de Aragua affiliation
Claims are ‘an unsophisticated, uneducated approach that demonstrates a lack of knowledge’, says one professor
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
👽 🛡️ 👑 🤘🏼 ⚔️ 🥷 🚂 🏛️ 🍓
Those are emojis the FBI, NYPD, CBP and US Army have said could be signs of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang + part of their “code language”, internal records show.
“Just like tattoos, we could see folks rounded up + tortured based solely on their use of certain emojis”
Those are emojis the FBI, NYPD, CBP and US Army have said could be signs of affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang + part of their “code language”, internal records show.
“Just like tattoos, we could see folks rounded up + tortured based solely on their use of certain emojis”
Reposted by Sam Levin
BIG: US law enforcement claims certain *emojis* could signal Tren de Aragua gang membership, leading to deportations, as revealed in intelligence documents we obtained & shared with @samtlevin.bsky.social / @maanvisingh.bsky.social / @us.theguardian.com. #FOIA www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Revealed: US law enforcement claimed emojis could signal Tren de Aragua affiliation
Claims are ‘an unsophisticated, uneducated approach that demonstrates a lack of knowledge’, says one professor
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
BIG: US law enforcement claims certain *emojis* could signal Tren de Aragua gang membership, leading to deportations, as revealed in intelligence documents we obtained & shared with @samtlevin.bsky.social / @maanvisingh.bsky.social / @us.theguardian.com. #FOIA www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Sam Levin
US law enforcement officials have claimed the use of certain emojis could signal affiliation with Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan gang, according to internal records reviewed by the Guardian and obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org, a government transparency non-profit.
September 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
US law enforcement officials have claimed the use of certain emojis could signal affiliation with Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan gang, according to internal records reviewed by the Guardian and obtained by @propertyofthepeople.org, a government transparency non-profit.
NEW: US law enforcement have claimed the use of certain *emojis* could signal affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang, records reveal. The "ludicrous" claims, like assertions about tattoos, could further fuel false gang labels + deportations. W/ @propertyofthepeople.org
emoji docs excerpted here ⬇️
emoji docs excerpted here ⬇️
Revealed: US law enforcement claimed emojis could signal Tren de Aragua affiliation
Claims are ‘an unsophisticated, uneducated approach that demonstrates a lack of knowledge’, says one professor
www.theguardian.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:46 PM
NEW: US law enforcement have claimed the use of certain *emojis* could signal affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang, records reveal. The "ludicrous" claims, like assertions about tattoos, could further fuel false gang labels + deportations. W/ @propertyofthepeople.org
emoji docs excerpted here ⬇️
emoji docs excerpted here ⬇️
UC Berkeley gives the Trump admin the names of 160 faculty + students for a federal investigation into “alleged antisemitic incidents.”
Judith Butler, one of the targeted scholars, tells me: "It is an enormous breach of trust... It's shocking. Did you consider not complying with this request?”
Judith Butler, one of the targeted scholars, tells me: "It is an enormous breach of trust... It's shocking. Did you consider not complying with this request?”
UC Berkeley shares 160 names with Trump administration in ‘McCarthy era’ move
Prominent professor Judith Butler among students and faculty investigated for ‘alleged antisemitic incidents’
www.theguardian.com
September 12, 2025 at 9:40 PM
UC Berkeley gives the Trump admin the names of 160 faculty + students for a federal investigation into “alleged antisemitic incidents.”
Judith Butler, one of the targeted scholars, tells me: "It is an enormous breach of trust... It's shocking. Did you consider not complying with this request?”
Judith Butler, one of the targeted scholars, tells me: "It is an enormous breach of trust... It's shocking. Did you consider not complying with this request?”
NEW: Los Angeles protesters successfully disrupted ICE's crackdown by targeting hotels where officers stayed, emails show. Widespread rallies led Army to make list of "hotels to avoid" due to "harassment."
"When we don’t want ICE in our neighborhoods, we can actually take actions to force them out"
"When we don’t want ICE in our neighborhoods, we can actually take actions to force them out"
LA Ice protests spurred US military to identify ‘hotels to avoid’ due to ‘harassment’
Exclusive: Organizers disrupted Trump’s immigration crackdown by targeting hotels where officers were staying, documents show
www.theguardian.com
August 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
NEW: Los Angeles protesters successfully disrupted ICE's crackdown by targeting hotels where officers stayed, emails show. Widespread rallies led Army to make list of "hotels to avoid" due to "harassment."
"When we don’t want ICE in our neighborhoods, we can actually take actions to force them out"
"When we don’t want ICE in our neighborhoods, we can actually take actions to force them out"
The largest ever data analysis of the US trans population is out today
•2.8m trans ppl total, including 724K youth
•3.3% of youth are trans
•Minnesota had highest rate of trans adults + Hawaii had highest rate of trans youth, tho trans ppl are widely represented in similar ranges in all 50 states
•2.8m trans ppl total, including 724K youth
•3.3% of youth are trans
•Minnesota had highest rate of trans adults + Hawaii had highest rate of trans youth, tho trans ppl are widely represented in similar ranges in all 50 states
More than 2.8m people in US identify as trans, including 724,000 youth, data shows
Exclusive: largest data analysis of its kind counters Trump’s aggressive efforts to deny trans minors’ existence
www.theguardian.com
August 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM
The largest ever data analysis of the US trans population is out today
•2.8m trans ppl total, including 724K youth
•3.3% of youth are trans
•Minnesota had highest rate of trans adults + Hawaii had highest rate of trans youth, tho trans ppl are widely represented in similar ranges in all 50 states
•2.8m trans ppl total, including 724K youth
•3.3% of youth are trans
•Minnesota had highest rate of trans adults + Hawaii had highest rate of trans youth, tho trans ppl are widely represented in similar ranges in all 50 states
NEW: Two US citizens jailed in LA ICE raids speak out. Andrea Velez + Adrian Martinez were both grabbed outside their workplaces + say agents refused to believe they were citizens.
Andrea was unsure the masked men were officers as they dragged her into their car: “I thought they were kidnapping me”
Andrea was unsure the masked men were officers as they dragged her into their car: “I thought they were kidnapping me”
US citizens jailed in LA Ice raids speak out: ‘They came ready to attack’
Exclusive: Andrea Velez and Adrian Martinez recount their capture by immigration officers and its effects on their lives
www.theguardian.com
August 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
NEW: Two US citizens jailed in LA ICE raids speak out. Andrea Velez + Adrian Martinez were both grabbed outside their workplaces + say agents refused to believe they were citizens.
Andrea was unsure the masked men were officers as they dragged her into their car: “I thought they were kidnapping me”
Andrea was unsure the masked men were officers as they dragged her into their car: “I thought they were kidnapping me”
NEW: Border patrol made false claims about Los Angeles protesters it jailed, misrepresenting basic facts of events that were filmed. I obtained records of officers acknowledging + "apologizing" for errors
The DOJ is now dismissing cases, an embarrassment for Trump-appointed US attorney Bill Essayli
The DOJ is now dismissing cases, an embarrassment for Trump-appointed US attorney Bill Essayli
Dropped cases against LA protesters reveal false claims from federal agents
Revealed: records show border patrol gave inaccurate testimony about people it jailed. Prosecutors now face ‘embarrassing’ dismissals
www.theguardian.com
July 28, 2025 at 6:19 PM
NEW: Border patrol made false claims about Los Angeles protesters it jailed, misrepresenting basic facts of events that were filmed. I obtained records of officers acknowledging + "apologizing" for errors
The DOJ is now dismissing cases, an embarrassment for Trump-appointed US attorney Bill Essayli
The DOJ is now dismissing cases, an embarrassment for Trump-appointed US attorney Bill Essayli
NEW: An Irish tourist visiting the US was jailed by ICE for 3 months after overstaying 3 days due to medical issue. Thomas agreed to be deported, but instead went to federal prison where he recounted horrific conditions + no medical care.
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
Irish tourist jailed by Ice for months after overstaying US visit by three days: ‘Nobody is safe’
Exclusive: For roughly 100 days, Thomas says he faced harsh detention conditions, despite agreeing to deportation
www.theguardian.com
July 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
NEW: An Irish tourist visiting the US was jailed by ICE for 3 months after overstaying 3 days due to medical issue. Thomas agreed to be deported, but instead went to federal prison where he recounted horrific conditions + no medical care.
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
“Nobody's safe from the system if they get pulled into it"
Federal officers from across US government depts have joined ICE to execute raids, but we don't know who they are while they widely cover their faces + refuse to identify themselves.
"Masked agents in casual clothing using force against people in public is associated with police states."
"Masked agents in casual clothing using force against people in public is associated with police states."
The alarming rise of US officers hiding behind masks: ‘A police state’
Mike German, an ex-FBI agent, said immigration agents hiding their identities ‘highlights the illegitimacy of actions’
www.theguardian.com
June 25, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Federal officers from across US government depts have joined ICE to execute raids, but we don't know who they are while they widely cover their faces + refuse to identify themselves.
"Masked agents in casual clothing using force against people in public is associated with police states."
"Masked agents in casual clothing using force against people in public is associated with police states."
DHS keeps accusing critics of "assaulting officers" when videos show otherwise. In some cases, it's the protesters + prominent Dems who are roughed up or injured by officers.
It's "classic policing," says @dreanyc123.bsky.social. “The harder you get beaten, the more likely you’ll get those charges"
It's "classic policing," says @dreanyc123.bsky.social. “The harder you get beaten, the more likely you’ll get those charges"
‘Authoritarian playbook’: DHS accuses critics of assaulting officers when videos say otherwise
Civil rights advocates and scholars say the US government’s claims are troubling indicators of rising authoritarianism
www.theguardian.com
June 23, 2025 at 5:32 PM
DHS keeps accusing critics of "assaulting officers" when videos show otherwise. In some cases, it's the protesters + prominent Dems who are roughed up or injured by officers.
It's "classic policing," says @dreanyc123.bsky.social. “The harder you get beaten, the more likely you’ll get those charges"
It's "classic policing," says @dreanyc123.bsky.social. “The harder you get beaten, the more likely you’ll get those charges"
NEWS: In one of the first major federal prosecutions of an LA protester, the DOJ has moved to dismiss the case. Jose Manuel Mojica was accused of assaulting officers, but came forward to Guardian to recount how he was brutally attacked by agents.
“I feel a huge relief. The truth always comes out."
“I feel a huge relief. The truth always comes out."
US drops charges against LA protester accused of assaulting officers: ‘A huge relief’
Federal prosecutors reverse course in case of Jose Manuel Mojica, who came forward to Guardian to say he was brutally attacked by agents
www.theguardian.com
June 19, 2025 at 7:56 PM
NEWS: In one of the first major federal prosecutions of an LA protester, the DOJ has moved to dismiss the case. Jose Manuel Mojica was accused of assaulting officers, but came forward to Guardian to recount how he was brutally attacked by agents.
“I feel a huge relief. The truth always comes out."
“I feel a huge relief. The truth always comes out."
NEW: A Los Angeles protester is facing 8 years in prison on federal charges of assaulting an officer. Jose Mojica, 30, comes forward to say it was he who was brutally assaulted by border patrol. We obtained video.
“We're not the violent ones. They escalated it. They're chasing down innocent people"
“We're not the violent ones. They escalated it. They're chasing down innocent people"
LA protester charged with assaulting officer says he was the one attacked: ‘I thought I was going to die’
A father facing eight years in prison comes forward to the Guardian as lawyers and advocates say US prosecutors are criminalizing free speech and targeting people injured by officers
www.theguardian.com
June 13, 2025 at 6:10 PM
NEW: A Los Angeles protester is facing 8 years in prison on federal charges of assaulting an officer. Jose Mojica, 30, comes forward to say it was he who was brutally assaulted by border patrol. We obtained video.
“We're not the violent ones. They escalated it. They're chasing down innocent people"
“We're not the violent ones. They escalated it. They're chasing down innocent people"
AB Hernandez, the teen athlete targeted by Trump's anti-trans attacks: “I know how hard I've worked. That's what matters...Track is everything to me. It's an honor I’m a champion for something I love"
Her mom Nereyda: “They try to intimidate ppl to quit, but I’m not scared of them"
My interviews:
Her mom Nereyda: “They try to intimidate ppl to quit, but I’m not scared of them"
My interviews:
Teen athlete targeted by Trump’s anti-trans attacks: ‘I know how hard I’ve worked. That’s what matters’
AB Hernandez, 16, and her mom tell the Guardian about her love of track, how her community has stood by her – and why ‘intimidation tactics’ won’t work
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
AB Hernandez, the teen athlete targeted by Trump's anti-trans attacks: “I know how hard I've worked. That's what matters...Track is everything to me. It's an honor I’m a champion for something I love"
Her mom Nereyda: “They try to intimidate ppl to quit, but I’m not scared of them"
My interviews:
Her mom Nereyda: “They try to intimidate ppl to quit, but I’m not scared of them"
My interviews:
New investigation: After Oregon invested $20m for drug addiction services, counties spent the funds on prosecutors, sheriffs, police gadgets + cars.
I got records revealing how law enforcement used $ meant for treatment, as providers face major cuts + patients are stuck on waiting lists to get help
I got records revealing how law enforcement used $ meant for treatment, as providers face major cuts + patients are stuck on waiting lists to get help
Revealed: Oregon spent funds meant for addiction services on prosecutors and police gadgets
As the state abandons decriminalization, treatment grants are going to sheriffs and district attorneys: ‘that might be two or three case managers’
www.theguardian.com
May 19, 2025 at 7:38 PM
New investigation: After Oregon invested $20m for drug addiction services, counties spent the funds on prosecutors, sheriffs, police gadgets + cars.
I got records revealing how law enforcement used $ meant for treatment, as providers face major cuts + patients are stuck on waiting lists to get help
I got records revealing how law enforcement used $ meant for treatment, as providers face major cuts + patients are stuck on waiting lists to get help
Trump's call to revive Alcatraz may be a far-fetched publicity stunt, but his efforts to reopen shuttered prisons are well underway across the US.
Five closed jails and prisons have reopened for ICE or will soon. More are being targeted. My breakdown of their scandals + the private firms profiting:
Five closed jails and prisons have reopened for ICE or will soon. More are being targeted. My breakdown of their scandals + the private firms profiting:
Not just Alcatraz: the notorious US prisons Trump is already reopening
Amid outrage over ‘far-fetched’ plans to revive Alcatraz, Trump is pushing to expand Ice detention to other closed lockups marked by scandals
www.theguardian.com
May 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Trump's call to revive Alcatraz may be a far-fetched publicity stunt, but his efforts to reopen shuttered prisons are well underway across the US.
Five closed jails and prisons have reopened for ICE or will soon. More are being targeted. My breakdown of their scandals + the private firms profiting:
Five closed jails and prisons have reopened for ICE or will soon. More are being targeted. My breakdown of their scandals + the private firms profiting:
Trump is now housing hundreds of immigrants in notorious federal prisons. I collected accounts from detainees who report:
Moldy food; shortages of food and toilet paper; given used underwear + bloodstained clothes; no medical care; filthy cells; cut off from family; some missing their ICE hearings
Moldy food; shortages of food and toilet paper; given used underwear + bloodstained clothes; no medical care; filthy cells; cut off from family; some missing their ICE hearings
Moldy food, used underwear: inside the US prisons where Trump is jailing immigrants
As Trump dramatically expands detention, immigrants are moved to notorious penitentiaries where they report horrific conditions
www.theguardian.com
May 2, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Trump is now housing hundreds of immigrants in notorious federal prisons. I collected accounts from detainees who report:
Moldy food; shortages of food and toilet paper; given used underwear + bloodstained clothes; no medical care; filthy cells; cut off from family; some missing their ICE hearings
Moldy food; shortages of food and toilet paper; given used underwear + bloodstained clothes; no medical care; filthy cells; cut off from family; some missing their ICE hearings
NEW: Thousands incarcerated in California were given faulty drug tests that produced false positives – some denied parole due to erroneous claims of opioid use, according to internal records + lawyer testimony.
Officials have known about the issue for months, but have not cleared people's records.
Officials have known about the issue for months, but have not cleared people's records.
Revealed: drug tests in California prisons yielded false positives, affecting thousands of people
Records suggest Quest Diagnostics erroneously detected opiates. Lawyers say parole requests were jeopardized in the process
www.theguardian.com
April 9, 2025 at 5:57 PM
NEW: Thousands incarcerated in California were given faulty drug tests that produced false positives – some denied parole due to erroneous claims of opioid use, according to internal records + lawyer testimony.
Officials have known about the issue for months, but have not cleared people's records.
Officials have known about the issue for months, but have not cleared people's records.
In Oregon, 4,000+ defendants facing criminal charges have no attorneys due to a public defender shortage, incl 400+ ppl who've waited 3+ months for a lawyer.
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
Oregon abandoned its radical drug law. Then came the mass arrests
Last year, the state ended a trailblazing law decriminalizing possession. Drug users in some counties are now in and out of jail, without lawyers, struggling to get treatment
www.theguardian.com
April 1, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In Oregon, 4,000+ defendants facing criminal charges have no attorneys due to a public defender shortage, incl 400+ ppl who've waited 3+ months for a lawyer.
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
The state's new "war on drugs" law is worsening the crisis, with cops now arresting + jailing thousands of drug users for minor possession:
Oregon's new War on Drugs: thousands of people are being arrested and jailed for low-level possession, many unhoused, unable to access lawyers + faced with long waits for treatment.
My dispatch on the end of decriminalization, reported from Medford, the city leading the way in jailing drug users:
My dispatch on the end of decriminalization, reported from Medford, the city leading the way in jailing drug users:
Oregon abandoned its radical drug law. Then came the mass arrests
Last year, the state ended a trailblazing law decriminalizing possession. Drug users in some counties are now in and out of jail, without lawyers, struggling to get treatment
www.theguardian.com
March 31, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Oregon's new War on Drugs: thousands of people are being arrested and jailed for low-level possession, many unhoused, unable to access lawyers + faced with long waits for treatment.
My dispatch on the end of decriminalization, reported from Medford, the city leading the way in jailing drug users:
My dispatch on the end of decriminalization, reported from Medford, the city leading the way in jailing drug users: