@ackocher

I untangle the data behind the US immigration enforcement system that touches millions of lives across the country. https://xitter.cf/t.co/9FF5st1QG6

 Baltimore, MD
linktr.ee/austinkocher
Joined August 2013
  • Tweets14.2K
  • Following5.7K
  • Followers23.4K
2.1KMedia
The US government collected over $1 billion in immigration fees then refused to process the applications. No denials. No refunds. Just silence. This is the largest fee fraud in the history of the American immigration system. Here's what's happening. 🧵
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On Tuesday, Oct. 27, at noon: what role should local police play when federal immigration operations come to a city? I'm joining former DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson, Eileen Grench of Documented and moderator Dara Lind. Register: is.gd/8JnyRR @Documentedny @dlind
Event card. When ICE Comes to Town: The Role of Law, Local Police and Neighbors. A conversation on Zoom, Tuesday, October 27 at 12:00 to 1:00 PM, from Vital City and Documented. Featuring Dara Lind, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council and moderator; Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter at Documented; and Austin Kocher, research fellow at The Immigration Lab at American University. Portrait photographs of the four speakers on a black background.

ALT Event card. When ICE Comes to Town: The Role of Law, Local Police and Neighbors. A conversation on Zoom, Tuesday, October 27 at 12:00 to 1:00 PM, from Vital City and Documented. Featuring Dara Lind, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council and moderator; Jeh Johnson, former Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter at Documented; and Austin Kocher, research fellow at The Immigration Lab at American University. Portrait photographs of the four speakers on a black background.

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Austin Kocher, PhD retweeted
Andrea R. Flores@ArosafloresOct 21
Must read story from @JonathanBlitzer on ICE’s unprecedented role in the midterms. This isn’t normal immigration enforcement and Congress needs to investigate this mission. newyorker.com/news/the-polit…
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You have to listen to this WILD story -- “Bob is as colorful as you’re gonna find somebody”: Reece Jones and Greg Boos talk about their unbelievable new book “Smuggler” austinkocher.substack.com/p/…
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Austin Kocher, PhD retweeted
Natascha Dea Burdeinei@nataschadeaOct 21
The Central Valley produces a quarter of this nation’s food. An ICE operation in the Central Valley is targeting farms and vineyards. 1/4 of this nation’s food.
Austin Kocher, PhD@ackocherOct 21
Advocates confirmed over 100 people detained in California's Central Valley since October 12. Bay Area groups cannot verify a wider operation rumored after a report citing two unnamed sources. kqed.org/news/12104776/an-ic…

An ICE Surge in California Ahead of the Midterms? Here’s What We Know | KQED

With midterm elections less than three weeks away and reports of an immigration enforcement surge in California, immigrant communities are bracing for a potentially heightened ICE presence — and are...

kqed.org
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Starting now: my conversation with Reece Jones and Greg Boos about Smuggler. Join here: us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Book Event: “Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at...

“Strange things happen at borders,” writes Reece Jones in Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border, coauthored with immigration attorney Greg Boos. The book follows Bob...

us06web.zoom.us
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Starting in one hour: Reece Jones, Greg Boos and I talk about Smuggler and Egbert v. Boule. There’s still time to register. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Book Event: “Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at...

“Strange things happen at borders,” writes Reece Jones in Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border, coauthored with immigration attorney Greg Boos. The book follows Bob...

us06web.zoom.us
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Legal groups ask a court to order better care at Camp East Montana, where the ACLU says three died. No one should die in civil custody. aclu.org/press-releases/lega…

Legal Organizations Urge Federal Court to End Abuse and Deadly Conditions and Protect People...

Following expert reports of deficient and dangerous healthcare system, groups are seeking immediate relief for dangerous conditions, including medical...

aclu.org
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Emiliano Andrade-Covarrubias, 56, died in ICE custody in Laredo, Texas, on October 17. He is the first death of fiscal 2027, after 37 in fiscal 2026, the most on record. No person should ever die in civil custody. austinkocher.substack.com/p/…
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Advocates confirmed over 100 people detained in California's Central Valley since October 12. Bay Area groups cannot verify a wider operation rumored after a report citing two unnamed sources. kqed.org/news/12104776/an-ic…

An ICE Surge in California Ahead of the Midterms? Here’s What We Know | KQED

With midterm elections less than three weeks away and reports of an immigration enforcement surge in California, immigrant communities are bracing for a potentially heightened ICE presence — and are...

kqed.org
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Days after a fire destroyed their Massachusetts home, ICE detained a father near Albany. His family says it's over a new address he hadn't yet reported. berkshireeagle.com/newscentr…

A Pittsfield family lost its home to fire. Days later, ICE detained the father

Days after a Pittsfield family lost its home in a fire, ICE detained the father of a 5-month-old girl in New York. Now, the family is struggling to recover from the fire while seeking his release.

berkshireeagle.com
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Today at 3 pm ET: my conversation with Reece Jones and Greg Boos about Smuggler, the story of a Border Patrol informant who ended up helping asylum seekers reach Canada. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Book Event: “Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at...

“Strange things happen at borders,” writes Reece Jones in Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border, coauthored with immigration attorney Greg Boos. The book follows Bob...

us06web.zoom.us
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San Francisco educators are accompanying parents to immigration court hearings. Faith in Action says they have attended more than 130 appointments since January. abc7news.com/post/ice-detent…

As ICE detentions ramp up, SF educators are now accompanying families to immigration hearings

Several times a week, educators step out of the classroom to accompany parents to appointments, including hearings at 630 Sansome Street, where many San Francisco immigration court hearings take...

abc7news.com
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Tomorrow at 3 pm ET, Reece Jones and Greg Boos join me to talk about Bob Boulé, the northern border, and holding federal agents accountable. us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi…

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Book Event: “Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at...

“Strange things happen at borders,” writes Reece Jones in Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border, coauthored with immigration attorney Greg Boos. The book follows Bob...

us06web.zoom.us
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Aleksander Nilaj founded a Bronx food pantry that serves 7,000 to 8,000 people a month. Supporters say ICE detained him at a court appearance and that the pantry may close without him. bronx.news12.com/bronx-food-…

Bronx food pantry founder remains in ICE custody at Delaney Hall detention center

In an X post Saturday, Torres said he visited Aleksander Nijal at Delaney Hall to “ensure he receives the medical care he needs and to demand his release.”

bronx.news12.com
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One hour until The Truth Tellers in NYC, with Pamela Yates, Paco de Onís, Cristina Jimenez, Eileen Grench, Nara Milanich and me. Organized by Documented. Tue, Oct 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Columbia SIPA. Tickets: givebutter.com/Documented-Tr… @Documentedny @pacony @NaraMilanich
Event banner. Film preview and conversation. The Truth Tellers: Documenting the Persecution of Immigrants for Future Accountability. Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, Columbia SIPA, 420 W 118th St, Room 1512. Registration required at givebutter.com/Documented-Truthtellers. Organized by Documented. A still from the film Borderland shows a girl waving in front of the border wall. Panel: Pamela Yates and Paco de Onís, filmmakers, Skylight; Cristina Jimenez, founder of United We Dream, Shared Future; Austin Kocher, Relevant Research; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter, Documented; Nara Milanich, Barnard College, facilitator.

ALT Event banner. Film preview and conversation. The Truth Tellers: Documenting the Persecution of Immigrants for Future Accountability. Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, Columbia SIPA, 420 W 118th St, Room 1512. Registration required at givebutter.com/Documented-Truthtellers. Organized by Documented. A still from the film Borderland shows a girl waving in front of the border wall. Panel: Pamela Yates and Paco de Onís, filmmakers, Skylight; Cristina Jimenez, founder of United We Dream, Shared Future; Austin Kocher, Relevant Research; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter, Documented; Nara Milanich, Barnard College, facilitator.

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Getting there: SIPA is at 420 W 118th St, a short walk from the 116 St-Columbia stop on the 1 train. Registration is required. @UNITEDWEDREAM @crisalexjimenez
Map of Columbia University's Morningside campus in Manhattan. SIPA's building at 420 W 118th St is highlighted at the east side of campus near Amsterdam Avenue. The 1 train runs under Broadway on the west side, with the 116 St-Columbia stop at West 116th Street. An inset locates Columbia in New York City.

ALT Map of Columbia University's Morningside campus in Manhattan. SIPA's building at 420 W 118th St is highlighted at the east side of campus near Amsterdam Avenue. The 1 train runs under Broadway on the west side, with the 116 St-Columbia stop at West 116th Street. An inset locates Columbia in New York City.

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Body camera video shows a Texas trooper using Signal to send ICE an 18-year-old's ID during a traffic stop in Austin, and an ICE agent replying "Detain." The teen was later released after a habeas petition. aol.com/articles/texas-troop…

Texas trooper used encrypted app to help ICE detain high school senior, prompting DPS warning - AOL

Emails obtained through public records requests show repeated warnings about encrypted messaging apps and evidence preservation as video reveals how

aol.com
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An Iowa City woman who lived there for two decades was deported to Sierra Leone last week. An advocate says that country may send her back to Ivory Coast. wvik.org/news-from-iowa/2026…

Third-country deportation of Iowa City woman puts her at risk of violence in home country

Fatou Traore was granted humanitarian relief in the U.S. due to a high risk of violence against her in Ivory Coast. In September, she was pulled out of her car by unmarked immigration officers. Now,...

wvik.org
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Tonight in NYC: The Truth Tellers, with Pamela Yates, Paco de Onís, Cristina Jimenez, Eileen Grench, Nara Milanich and me. Organized by Documented. Tue, Oct 20, 6 to 7:30 p.m., Columbia SIPA. Tickets: givebutter.com/Documented-Tr… @Documentedny @pacony @NaraMilanich
Event banner. Film preview and conversation. The Truth Tellers: Documenting the Persecution of Immigrants for Future Accountability. Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, Columbia SIPA, 420 W 118th St, Room 1512. Registration required at givebutter.com/Documented-Truthtellers. Organized by Documented. A still from the film Borderland shows a girl waving in front of the border wall. Panel: Pamela Yates and Paco de Onís, filmmakers, Skylight; Cristina Jimenez, founder of United We Dream, Shared Future; Austin Kocher, Relevant Research; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter, Documented; Nara Milanich, Barnard College, facilitator.

ALT Event banner. Film preview and conversation. The Truth Tellers: Documenting the Persecution of Immigrants for Future Accountability. Tuesday, October 20, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. ET, Columbia SIPA, 420 W 118th St, Room 1512. Registration required at givebutter.com/Documented-Truthtellers. Organized by Documented. A still from the film Borderland shows a girl waving in front of the border wall. Panel: Pamela Yates and Paco de Onís, filmmakers, Skylight; Cristina Jimenez, founder of United We Dream, Shared Future; Austin Kocher, Relevant Research; Eileen Grench, immigration enforcement reporter, Documented; Nara Milanich, Barnard College, facilitator.

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Getting there: SIPA is at 420 W 118th St, a short walk from the 116 St-Columbia stop on the 1 train. Registration is required. @UNITEDWEDREAM @crisalexjimenez
Map of Columbia University's Morningside campus in Manhattan. SIPA's building at 420 W 118th St is highlighted at the east side of campus near Amsterdam Avenue. The 1 train runs under Broadway on the west side, with the 116 St-Columbia stop at West 116th Street. An inset locates Columbia in New York City.

ALT Map of Columbia University's Morningside campus in Manhattan. SIPA's building at 420 W 118th St is highlighted at the east side of campus near Amsterdam Avenue. The 1 train runs under Broadway on the west side, with the 116 St-Columbia stop at West 116th Street. An inset locates Columbia in New York City.

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