Immigration News Today: Key Rulings and Rights in 2026
A mother held in a Texas detention center with her two children for weeks gave up her green card just to get them out. Courts are blocking ICE at churches while judges say they are being pressured to deport faster. Here is what happened this week — and what it means for you.
What if you had to give up your green card to get your child out of detention? That is not a hypothetical. Ana Kikabidze, held with her 11-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son at the Dilley detention center in Texas for weeks, faced exactly that choice — and she is not alone. Families across the country are surrendering their permanent residency to free their children, according to reporting by The Marshall Project.
Courts, TPS, and ICE at houses of worship
A federal judge allowed the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — a humanitarian protection that lets people from certain countries live and work legally in the US — for roughly 5,000 Ethiopians. At the same time, a separate federal court upheld an order that limits ICE arrests at Quaker, Sikh, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship houses of worship. That protection for worshippers remains in place for now. Meanwhile, immigration judges told NOTUS they feel pressure to speed up deportations or risk losing their jobs, as firings across the immigration court system continue.
Immigration Policy Checklist — Free
DACA, TPS, Executive Orders: what to monitor
University groups and labor unions filed a lawsuit challenging a new Trump administration rule that caps international students' visas at fixed four-year periods. The groups argue the rule harms students' education and university finances. Separately, 23 states — including Nevada — sued over the administration's demand for commercial driver license data to identify and target noncitizen drivers. The Department of Justice is also trying to reinstate criminal charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison last year.
New data from Pew Research Center shows refugee admissions have collapsed: just over 10,000 people were admitted in the first ten months of fiscal year 2026, compared to 38,000 in FY2025 and over 100,000 in FY2024. A report by the Institute for Policy Studies puts the cost of the administration's mass deportation agenda at over $268.9 billion. And a FOIA document release revealed that ICE coordinated with the Iranian government last year to deport certain individuals, according to The Intercept.
What to do
- If you have TPS and are Ethiopian, contact an immigration lawyer immediately to understand your options — your status may have changed after the court ruling.
- If ICE approaches you at a house of worship, know that a federal court order currently limits arrests there. Document the encounter and call a lawyer.
- If you or a family member is in detention and someone is pressuring you to give up a green card or other status, do not sign anything without speaking to an attorney first. Lawyers recommend treating any such request as a red flag.
- Queens residents can look for local "Know Your Rights" events organized by community advocates in neighborhoods like East Elmhurst to learn how to respond to ICE activity.
Fishkin Law Firm, New York
The ruling on TPS for Ethiopians is a reminder that humanitarian protections can end quickly and with limited notice — if your status depends on TPS, you should already be exploring alternative pathways such as asylum or family-based petitions. The court order protecting houses of worship is real, but it does not make you immune from arrest outside those spaces or if you have an outstanding removal order. Anyone facing detention or pressure to sign away immigration benefits should invoke their right to remain silent and request an attorney before signing any document.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can ICE arrest me at my church or mosque right now?
A federal court order currently limits ICE arrests at Quaker, Sikh, and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship houses of worship. However, this order may not cover every religious institution, and it does not protect you from arrest outside those buildings or if you have an active removal order. Check with an immigration attorney about your specific situation.
My TPS is from Ethiopia. What happens now?
A judge allowed the government to end TPS for approximately 5,000 Ethiopians. If this affects you, your work authorization and protection from deportation may be at risk. Contact an immigration lawyer as soon as possible to explore other options, such as applying for asylum or another form of relief.
Can the government really force me to give up my green card to release my child from detention?
No one can legally force you to give up your green card. However, some families have felt pressured to do so in exchange for their children's release. Lawyers strongly advise against signing any document surrendering your immigration status without first speaking to an attorney. You have the right to legal counsel.
I am an international student. Does the new four-year visa rule affect me?
A new Trump administration rule limits international student visas to fixed four-year periods. University groups and labor unions have filed a lawsuit to block it, so the rule's future is uncertain. Talk to your university's international student office and consult an immigration attorney to understand how this may affect your specific visa and enrollment.