Immigration

Democrats compare ICE with the Gestapo as they push to curb agency’s power

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement “Donald Trump’s modern-day Gestapo,” as protests against the Trump administation immigration policies spread.

Federal agents shoot pepper balls at protestors outside an ICE facility during a protest against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), January 11, 2026.
A poster of nine-year-old Haymanut Kasau, who has been missing since 2023, seen on December 18, 2025

MK Tsega Melaku: Missing girl Haymanut Kasau ignored for nearly two years - interview

Alisa Rubin Peled (2nd row, C) in blue dress, with Argov class of 2025.

Aliyah: Navigating the contours of academia

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump gestures as he addresses House Republicans at their annual issues conference retreat, at the Kennedy Center, renamed the Trump-Kennedy Center by the Trump-appointed board of directors, in Washington, DC, US, January 6, 2026.

Trump administration creates new DOJ division to combat 'rampant' fraud nationwide


Federal agents shoot two people in Portland, FBI launches investigation

An ABC News affiliate reported that agents involved in the shooting were US Customs and Border Protection agents and that the FBI was leading the probe.

People gather for a vigil for Renee Good, who was killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, near City Hall on January 7, 2026 in Portland, Oregon; illustrative.

Hilton removes Minneapolis hotel from system over canceled ICE agent bookings

After ICE officers booked rooms using official government email addresses and rates, Hilton canceled their reservations, the Department of Homeland Security said in a post on social media platform X.

IMMIGRATIONA AND Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents check the identity documents of a group of agricultural workers at a grocery store parking lot during an immigration raid in Mecca, California, US December 19, 2025.

Over 150 young immigrants to make aliyah, join IDF, through Garin Tzabar this winter

The announcement follows about 350 arrivals in summer 2025, bringing the program’s total for the year to roughly 500 and marking a record since its founding in 1991.

Tzofim Garin Tzabar.

John Irving's new novel follows a Jewish heroine across decades

John Irving’s Queen Esther follows an orphaned Jewish girl who becomes a family’s anchor, fights Nazis, and shapes Israel’s birth –while her son comes of age amid Vietnam and identity, love, and loss

Queen Esther by John Irving

From visiting to belonging: Micol Radzik's path to aliyah

Not a sudden move but a long decision, how Israel became home through patience, purpose, and planning.

Micol Radzik on the Tayelet in Tel Aviv, 2019.

In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza

Leo, the first US pope, said the story of Jesus being born in a stable showed that God had "pitched his fragile tent" among the people of the world.

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Christmas Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, December 25, 2025.

Florida bishops urge Trump to halt immigration enforcement for Christmas holidays

"Such a pause would show a decent regard for the humanity of these families. Now is not the time to be callous toward the suffering caused by immigration enforcement," the bishops wrote.

US President Donald Trump attends a press conference, as he makes an announcement about the Navy's "Golden Fleet" at Mar-a-lago in Palm Beach, Florida, US, December 22, 2025.

Fulcro Theatre looks for happiness in Hanoch Levin’s ‘Suitcase Packers’

Suitcase Packers is the flagship show of the Fulcro Theatre group and its first full show in Hebrew since the company made its move to Israel from St. Petersburg in 2022.

MICHAL WEINBERG and Boris Repetur in ‘Suitcase Packers.’

Israel advancing emergency aliyah plans in wake of Bondi Beach massacre

The “Aliyat HaTekuma” plan was requested by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a few days before the Sydney terrorist attack, but the murder of 15 people at the Hanukkah event created new urgency.

Ofir Sofer (middle), Rabbi Eli Schlanger (Far right)

Trump set to expand immigration crackdown in 2026 despite brewing backlash

ICE and Border Patrol will get $170 billion in additional funds through September 2029 - a huge surge of funding over their existing annual budgets of about $19 billion.

IMMIGRATIONA AND Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents check the identity documents of a group of agricultural workers at a grocery store parking lot during an immigration raid in Mecca, California, US December 19, 2025.

Israel expected to advance aliyah emergency aid plan for applicants, new immigrants

Following the Bondi Beach attack and in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents worldwide, an emergency plan was proposed with the national target of absorbing 30,000 new immigrants in 2026.

 New immigrants from USA and Canada arrive on a special " Aliyah Flight 2016" on behalf of Nefesh B'Nefesh organization, at Ben Gurion airport in central Israel on August 17, 2016.