Think Immigration: A Rule Meant to Protect Is Cutting Both Ways: Why Matter of Lozada Makes the Case for Independent Immigration Courts
AILA’s Rekha Sharma-Crawford argues Matter of Lozada—meant to protect immigrants—now too often blocks legitimate ineffective-assistance claims on technicalities, while also forcing unnecessary bar complaints against attorneys. Her takeaway: the real fix isn’t a tweak to paperwork—it’s independent immigration courts insulated from political control. Read the full AILA post →
4 Missouri & Kansas immigrants held in KC for months without bond, lawsuit says
The Kansas City Star reports immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford filed a federal lawsuit arguing DHS is unlawfully holding people for months without bond hearings after a 2025 policy shift reclassified many longtime residents as “applicants for admission.” The suit seeks emergency court action to require bond hearings without forcing detainees to file individual petitions case-by-case. […]
Immigration arrests nearly triple in Missouri under Trump
St. Louis Public Radio reports ICE arrests in Missouri have nearly tripled under Trump, based on new ICE data obtained by the Deportation Data Project—showing more than 3,200 arrests since January 2025 across nearly 80 countries, including children and elderly detainees. The story examines what the numbers suggest about enforcement priorities and the ripple effects […]
What Immigrants in Chicago Should Know Before Traveling
Borderless Magazine published a practical, Chicago-focused guide on what immigrants should consider before traveling—including how status, documentation, and border/airport screening can affect reentry and risk. It’s a strong “read-before-you-go” checklist for anyone planning domestic or international travel. Read the full Borderless Magazine guide →
The ICE debate Part 2: Use of force Force & Oversight: State vs Federal Authority
In this YouTube video, Rekha Sharma-Crawford addresses key questions shaping today’s immigration enforcement debate—highlighting accountability, legal boundaries, and the human impact behind headlines.
The ICE debate Part 1: Immigration Enforcement practices
Rekha Sharma-Crawford joins a debate examining immigration enforcement and the questions surrounding oversight, accountability, and the limits of state power.
Put ICE on Ice?
In “Put ICE on Ice?”, Rekha Sharma-Crawford examines the constitutional boundaries of ICE enforcement in a televised debate that has sparked renewed scrutiny of accountability and oversight. Read the full artcile and watch the debate on universul.net
How a quiet ICE warehouse tour blindsided Kansas City
In Straight Arrow News’ report on Kansas City’s surprise ICE warehouse tour, immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford warns that a proposed “mega” detention facility could strain local resources and raises urgent questions about legality, oversight, and humane treatment. The story also captures growing community anxiety as reports of aggressive enforcement tactics spread nationwide. Read the full […]
ICE wants to build a Kansas City detention center that could hold 10,000 people
In KCUR’s Up To Date segment on a proposed Kansas City ICE detention center that could hold up to 10,000 people, immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford describes “huge fear in the community” and raises a core question local leaders will have to confront: how a massive facility can be made humane. Read (and listen) to the […]
Local refugee agencies, immigration attorney react to potential ICE detention center in Kansas City
KSHB reports that local refugee resettlement leaders and immigration attorney Rekha Sharma-Crawford are raising alarms after news of a potential ICE detention center in Kansas City. Sharma-Crawford urges local lawmakers to step up and insists that if a facility moves forward, it must include real oversight to prevent human rights violations. Read the full story […]