The DOJ admitted it misused ICE guidance to justify arrests at immigration courts.
Why this matters
This admission could influence ongoing legal battles and impact immigration enforcement policies in the United States.
The U.S. Department of Justice acknowledged in a court filing that it misused a memo from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to justify arrests at immigration courts. The acknowledgment came from Jay Clayton, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, in a letter to Judge Kevin Castel regarding ongoing litigation led by civil rights groups challenging the practice.
The contested practice, initiated by the Trump administration, involves arresting individuals at immigration courts. This tactic has faced criticism for potentially transforming court environments into intimidating spaces for immigrants attending hearings. The government initially relied on a May 2025 ICE guidance deemed relevant to enforcement near courthouses, not specifically at immigration courts, which fall under Justice Department jurisdiction. Clayton stated ICE had informed the DOJ that this guidance was inapplicable to actions near immigration courts.
Consequently, the DOJ will retract parts of its prior legal filings and arguments. “We deeply regret that this error has come to light at this late stage,” Clayton wrote, noting the significant resources already spent litigating the case. Civil rights organizations such as the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union involved in the lawsuit expressed concern over the wider implications.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, following a judge’s order. According to North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, FEMA announced its decision on March 20.
Jackson had won a case in December 2025, arguing that FEMA’s cancellation of the BRIC program violated the law, affecting $200 million designated for disaster prevention across North Carolina. More than 60 infrastructure projects were halted as a result of the cancellation.
In a status report to the court, FEMA stated it would distribute the remaining BRIC program funds to states soon and begin accepting new funding applications, amounting to $1 billion for the upcoming year, starting March 27.
Timeline of AG Jackson’s lawsuit:
– July 2025: Jackson sued FEMA for canceling the $200 million storm relief program.
– December 2025: A federal court ordered the program’s reinstatement, ruling the cancellation unlawful.
– February 2026: Jackson reported FEMA’s non-compliance and requested court intervention.
– March 6, 2026: A judge mandated FEMA to accept new grant applications within 21 days and to outline a funding timeline.
– March 20, 2026: FEMA agreed to allocate the remaining funds.
– March 27, 2026: New funding applications begin.
A 26-year-old woman from Hilton Head Island was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence (DUI) with two infants in her vehicle. On Saturday night, police charged her with DUI and child endangerment, according to inmate records. South Carolina law increases DUI penalties when a child under 16 is present during such offenses.
Police stopped her Toyota SUV around 11 p.m. on Fording Island Road for driving at 39 mph in a 55 mph zone and nearly hitting other vehicles. Officers reported a strong alcohol odor and noted she appeared unsteady. She refused field sobriety tests, leading to her arrest.
While being placed in a patrol car, the woman allegedly became combative, attempting to harm officers. Inside the vehicle, she slipped a hand from the cuffs, using them to hit the plexiglass barrier, the incident report states. Officers later removed her, but she allegedly used the cuff and kicked them, striking one officer in the throat and another in the chest.
The report indicates that officers eventually restrained her using two sets of handcuffs. At the Beaufort County Detention Center, she refused a breath test.
The woman’s mother took custody of the infants. Jail records show she remained in custody as of Wednesday, with bonds set at about $1,500.
Certification of federal primary election results in North Carolina is delayed due to complications involving the state’s ‘registration repair’ project. Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper both won their U.S. Senate primaries. However, some ballots require additional processing because of missing government ID numbers. According to the state Board of Elections, 16 ballots distributed over 10 counties should be partially tallied in federal races but excluded from state and local counts. Elections Director Sam Hayes announced the delay affects certification for six congressional districts.
In Rockingham County, Sheriff Sam Page’s win over Senate leader Phil Berger has been certified. The state board commended Rockingham and Guilford County election officials for their professional conduct in recounts and handling election protests. Berger conceded. Primary turnout reached approximately 19.7%, with early voting increasing by 25% compared to the previous midterms.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel announced talks between Cuba and the United States, with former President Raul Castro’s involvement, as tensions between the countries grow. Diaz-Canel, in a video interview released by state media, confirmed the early stages of these discussions amid ongoing nationwide blackouts, which he attributes to an oil blockade by U.S. President Donald Trump.
Raul Castro, 94, who is viewed as influential in Cuban politics despite stepping down as president in 2018, previously led discussions with former U.S. President Barack Obama, resulting in restored diplomatic relations in 2014.
In January, Trump threatened tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba, seeking political changes on the island. Although these threats were later softened, the embargo remains, leading to fuel shortages and repeated nationwide blackouts affecting Cuba’s power grid. U.N. Resident Coordinator Francisco Pichon warned of a looming humanitarian crisis if the situation persists, estimating $94 million is needed to address the energy crisis and last year’s hurricane damage. The World Health Organization raised concerns about the impact on health services.
The U.S. military reported a strike on a boat in the Caribbean Sea on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. This operation is part of the Trump administration’s extended campaign against drug traffickers in Latin America.
The U.S. Southern Command stated it targeted alleged drug traffickers along established smuggling routes. A video shared online showed the boat moving before it was enveloped in an explosion.
President Donald Trump has labeled the situation as an ‘armed conflict’ with Latin American cartels, advocating that these measures are crucial to reducing the influx of drugs into the U.S. and addressing overdose fatalities.
Critics have challenged the legal standing and efficacy of these boat strikes. Some argue that fentanyl, a major cause of overdose deaths, is mainly trafficked overland from Mexico, with chemicals sourced from China and India.
