Ximena Bustillo
@ximenabustillo.bsky.social
🎧NPR Politics Reporter covering DHS & Immigration policy in the beltway + beyond. Still some rural y ag 🖊️ 📲Signal/Cell: 240.935.0166 💃🏻Co-Founder of Voces Internship of Idaho. 📸IG: @ximena.bustillo
There are at least three fires in and around the city. Large parts of Spokane are under Level 3 evacuation orders, which read: "Leave NOW! This may be your only notice."
Thousands of people under evacuation order from wildfires in Spokane, Wash.
There are at least three fires in and around the city. Large parts of Spokane are under Level 3 evacuation orders, which read: "Leave NOW! This may be your only notice."
n.pr
Asylum was first on the list of legal immigration processes to be reimagined by the Trump admin. Congressional statutes, admin court decisions, policy memos and arrest tactics have change the lives of those hoping to get + those already with this protection: My latest: www.npr.org/2026/07/30/n...
The Trump administration has undercut the U.S. asylum program. These 3 charts show how
A new rule for asylum applications adds to the bevy of changes under the Trump administration to the core program for those fleeing persecution in their home countries.
npr.org
Spouses of US citizens were never guaranteed status. But generally they were not a main target of arrests and could have a lapse in status while waiting green card approval + it wouldn’t be a sudden mark against. Trump’s sweepy policies changed that. www.npr.org/2026/07/06/n...
Marriage used to be a glide path to citizenship. Now there are more speed bumps
Spouses of U.S. citizens have traditionally had a special place in immigration law. That's no longer the case, according to the administration and immigration lawyers.
npr.org
Before SCOTUS decision on birthright citizenship, let’s take a step back. I breakdown exactly what the Trump administration immigration policy looks like and how it is playing out on the ground. Months of reporting, several locations + one ultimate goal. Watch: www.npr.org/2026/06/30/g...
Inside the coordinated strategy to radically reshape U.S. immigration
As the Supreme Court today weighs the Trump administration's effort to revoke birthright citizenship, NPR looks at what else the White House has done to curb illegal and legal migration.
npr.org
Last week SCOTUS issued a ruling on temporary protected status. A lot is unknown -- especially for the four countries with expiration dates later this year. Further terminations of TPS could impact more an a quarter of a million more people. My latest: www.npr.org/2026/06/29/g...
The Temporary Protected Status program may effectively be over. Here's what we know.
A Supreme Court ruling gives the Trump administration space to strip this status from hundreds of thousands of more people from the few remaining countries with this program.
npr.org
Federal officers shot Carlitos Ricardo Parias while detaining him in LA. 8 months later, his family wonders if he’s getting all the medical care possible in detention. My latest on dwindling oversight, and mandatory detention, leaving little recourse. www.npr.org/2026/06/20/n...
Shot by ICE and still in pain. LA detainee highlights gaps in DHS oversight
Federal officers shot Ricardo Parias eight months ago during an ICE operation to detain him. His lawyer says he is still in pain, highlighting gaps in oversight and care in DHS facilities.
npr.org
It’s been a week for NPR but last night a few of us got a rare moment to celebrate our work. My series on immigration policy through the lens of the Kentucky Derby won top news series and hats off to our international colleagues also honored for their work. Recap here: www.npr.org/series/g-s1-...
ICYMI: DHS says the Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman is shut down because of the ongoing funding lapses. OIDO is supposed to be separate from ICE and CBP. The further winnowing of the office comes as the admin wants to expand detention spaces. www.npr.org/2026/05/07/g...
DHS blames funding lapse for shutdown of internal detention oversight
The office investigates detainee deaths and access to medical care, among other issues. It's being wound down, even as the number of detention deaths and length of detention stays has grown.
npr.org
Wrapping up the week: Trump officials emphasized mass deportations and a unified government to get it done is still the goal amid leadership changes at DHS. And DHS officials said they’re moving fast to spend money Congress gave them last year. www.npr.org/2026/05/07/g...
Border czar promises 'mass deportations are coming' to fulfill Trump's promises
The remarks contrast with Border Czar Tom Homan's softer messaging earlier this year, after two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration officials in Minneapolis.
npr.org
In Phoenix to attend the Border Security Expo (among other tasks!). The federal gov plans to have a big presence - White House Border Czar Tom Homan keynoting - Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche keynoting - ICE acting director + CBP commissioner - sessions on federal policy
Immigrants with legal permission to live + work in the U.S. are losing status. Some are professionals, highly educated, others lived here all their lives or are newlyweds. They have one thing in common: they were born in a travel banned country My latest: www.npr.org/2026/04/28/n...
Stuck in limbo: millions of professionals risk losing legal status under Trump pause
Their experiences — of sudden financial insecurity, months of unemployment, and crippling anxiety — come as the administration seeks to restrict legal migration and boost mass deportation.
npr.org
NEW: A BIA order says valid DACA is not a reason for an immigration judge to prevent deportation. DHS said DACA doesn’t confer legal status + can still be removed. The order, on Catalina “Xochitl” Santiago’s case, is precedent for immigration judges to follow. www.npr.org/2026/04/25/n...
Justice Department makes it easier to deport those with DACA status
Three appellate immigration judges sided with Department of Homeland Security lawyers who appealed a decision from Immigration Judge Michael Pleters terminating removal proceedings for DACA recipient ...
npr.org
After the Baltimore Key Bridge collapse killed 6 immigrant workers, the Biden admin encouraged 30 loved ones to apply for temporary protection from deportation. Zoila was one. But this month DHS denied her application and started deportation proceedings An NPR exclusive www.npr.org/2026/04/23/n...
A child lost her dad in the Key Bridge collapse. Now, DHS wants to deport her mother
The mother's story is a stark example of how immigration policy can change drastically with each administration — and transform the lives of immigrants.
npr.org
NEW: More people have pending/unopened cases at USCIS than ever. The sharp jumps surpass increases during Trump's first term. Lawyers say it makes clients vulnerable to deportation. The admin says its their attempt to "not take shortcuts" www.npr.org/2026/04/17/n...
Logjam of U.S. immigration applications puts millions at greater risk of deportation
An NPR analysis shows how immigrants' attempts to live or work legally in the U.S. are caught in a bureaucratic morass.
npr.org
Confirming: Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who testified today before House lawmakers, has turned in his resignation. His last day is May 31 and he moves on to an “opportunity in the private sector.”
ICYMI: 8 top DHS officials testified before House appropriators today to discuss the FY 2027 budget and they addressed the elephant in the room: they don't have a FY 2026 budget. Lawmakers called the hearing an "absurdity," and the process "frustrating." www.npr.org/2026/04/16/g...
Top five takeaways from Homeland Security budget hearings
Lawmakers have been in a stalemate for over 60 days about funding the entire department, which includes agencies that oversee immigration enforcement, disaster relief, cybersecurity and the U.S. Coast...
npr.org
Last year had some volatility. The first shows of the apps reviewed how many were approved/denied. We see the number drop after staying steady (even starting really high). The second shows # of apps submitted. Key changes hit in the fall when some of the stricter policies started
The year began with many people becoming U.S. citizens, but by December, fewer people were doing so, driven by ramped-up scrutiny of applications and eroding trust in the system. n.pr/4vxZKeL
2025 was one of most volatile years ever for U.S. naturalizations
The year began with many people becoming U.S. citizens, but by December, fewer people were doing so, driven by ramped-up scrutiny of applications and eroding trust in the system.
n.pr
NEW: USCIS published its data for all of 2025, and even into Jan. 2026. The result: 2025 began w high numbers of citizenship apps submitted & decided (approved/denied). By winter fewer were applying to become citizens — and fewer were given a decision. Latest: www.npr.org/2026/04/13/g...
2025 was one of most volatile years ever for U.S. naturalizations
The year began with many people becoming U.S. citizens, but by December, fewer people were doing so, driven by ramped-up scrutiny of applications and eroding trust in the system.
npr.org
Tucked in the Justice Dept a little-known board is rapidly setting immigration policy. Reconfigured by Trump, the Board of Immigration Appeals is pushing out more precedent setting decisions than ever and almost all favor ICE attorneys. We broke it down: www.npr.org/2026/03/20/n...
An immigration court few have heard of is quietly shaping policy behind the scenes
President Trump has slashed the number of people on the Board of Immigration Appeals and stacked it with his appointees, tightening the due process available for immigrants, an NPR analysis shows.
npr.org
The case of Khalil, who was detained last March, sits at the vanguard of a battle of immigrants' due process and civil rights, and the Trump administration's mass detention and deportation policies. n.pr/4rne2eU
One year later: Mahmoud Khalil remains in limbo but ready to fight
The case of Khalil, who was detained last March, sits at the vanguard of a battle of immigrants' due process and civil rights, and the Trump administration's mass detention and deportation policies.
n.pr
Twenty-three people have died since October in ICE custody, as advocates warn about overcrowding and health care access. n.pr/4ujkO80
Immigration detention on track for deadliest fiscal year since 2004
Twenty-three people have died since October in ICE custody, as advocates warn about overcrowding and health care access.
n.pr
NEW: 23 people have died in ICE custody this fiscal year, already surpassing the number of deaths of last fiscal year. DHS did not respond to our questions about the tally but they did respond to GA Senator questions about detention conditions. Latest: www.npr.org/2026/03/10/g...
Immigration detention on track for deadliest fiscal year since 2004
Twenty-three people have died since October in ICE custody, as advocates warn about overcrowding and health care access.
npr.org
Mahmoud Khalil helped his wife pick out baby names while in immigration detention. Now, he hesitates to walk with his son alone. A year after being detained, this green card holders' legal battles continue to roil. @carriejohnson.bsky.social + I caught up w/ him. www.npr.org/2026/03/10/n...
One year later: Mahmoud Khalil remains in limbo but ready to fight
The case of Khalil, who was detained last March, sits at the vanguard of a battle of immigrants' due process and civil rights, and the Trump administration's mass detention and deportation policies.
npr.org
Everyone at @boisestatepublicradio.org is SOOOO proud of our intern Jaime Geary, who just had a feature air on @npr.org's All Things Considered. A major professional achievement for anyone in the business, let alone someone so early in their career. A name to watch. www.npr.org/2026/02/18/n...
Wrapping snow in blankets. Can it save the ski season?
Warming temperatures and snow droughts in the West threatens a billion-dollar industry. One ski area is experimenting with insulated blankets to keep snow from melting.
npr.org
Immigration courts by the #’s: - 25% less judges - 400 less legal assistants + clerks - 12 courts lost over half their judges, two have no full time IJs - supervisors spread across several locations We break down a clear picture of what is happening across the country: www.npr.org/2026/02/23/g...
U.S. has a quarter fewer immigration judges than it did a year ago. Here's why
The continued drain of personnel from the already strained immigration court system has contributed to depleted staff morale, mounting case backlogs — and floundering due process.
npr.org
Last week I spoke on the NPR Politics podcast about how USCIS was largely ignored during Congress's two oversight hearings. This week, USCIS and ICE issue a joint memo saying refugees could be detained if they are not granted a green card within a year. www.npr.org/2026/02/19/g...
Refugees in the U.S. could be arrested under new immigration memo
The move is another Trump administration effort to limit legal pathways to migration or resettlement, after already curbing the number of admitted refugees and re-reviewing those admitted under the Bi...
npr.org
ICE's chief testified today that dozens of agents have been investigated for abuse in the last year. So how many have actually been punished and fired? He wouldn't say. www.npr.org/2026/02/12/g...
Ximena Bustillo@ximenabustillo.bsky.social · 6mo agoNot often a Congressional hearing really breaks news. But today Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said there were nearly 40 investigations into ICE use of force in the last year. www.npr.org/2026/02/12/g...
Ticktock on DHS’s shutdown: the Senate has left the building. The next set of votes are not until Monday, Feb 23. www.npr.org/2026/02/12/n...
DHS expected to shut down as immigration talks falter
Senate Democrats blocked two Republican-backed measures Thursday to keep the department open, including a short-term funding extension for two weeks as negotiations continue.
npr.org
