The government made it impossible for refugees to get green cards, then ordered their arrest for not having them.
DHS halted green card processing months ago for dozens of countries, and yesterday issued a memo authorizing federal agents to arrest and indefinitely detain any refugee who hasn’t obtained one. An estimated 100,000 people entered this country legally, were vetted, and were promised protection. Now they’re targets.
No administration has ever done this. Meanwhile, judges in two states have documented more than 140 court order violations, and the government’s own attorney called a ruling against them “lawless abuse.”
Today a judge in Minnesota issued the first contempt finding, with a DOJ attorney personally liable for $500 daily fines. Courts are reaching for personal consequences because the government treated judicial orders as suggestions. Call your senators and your representative and demand they reverse the green card freeze that made this manufactured crisis possible.
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Energy Secretary Wright threatens to withdraw the U.S. from the International Energy Agency unless it stops producing renewable energy scenarios and drops its net-zero work.
Today’s GovBrief News
DHS halts FEMA disaster travel during shutdown despite Stafford Act funding, requiring headquarters approval for staff responding to 14 active disaster declarations from last month's winter storms.
Source: The Washington Post
February 18, 2026
Trump convenes his Board of Peace at the building he renamed for himself, with Belarus as a member despite US sanctions and most European allies refusing to join.
Source: CNN
February 18, 2026
FDA agrees to review Moderna's mRNA flu vaccine after Trump's vaccine chief initially rejected it by overruling career scientists who recommended the application proceed.
Source: Ars Technica
February 18, 2026
FDA drops longtime requirement for two clinical studies before approving new drugs, a shift that primarily affects common diseases since 60% of novel disease drugs already cleared on single trials.
Source: The Associated Press
February 18, 2026
FDA removes online warnings about dangerous unproven autism treatments as Kennedy restaffs federal autism panel with advocates of chlorine dioxide, raw camel milk and chelation.
Source: ProPublica
February 18, 2026
NIH director Bhattacharya adds acting CDC director to his portfolio, becoming the fifth person to lead the agency in 18 months as the 210-day nomination deadline approaches in late March.
Source: Reuters
February 18, 2026
DHS orders arrest and indefinite detention of an estimated 100,000 legal refugees who lack green cards, months after the administration halted the green card process for their countries.
Source: The Washington Post [gift link]
February 18, 2026
DC Mayor Bowser declares state of emergency over Potomac sewage spill and requests federal disaster declaration, after meeting with White House staff and EPA about the weeks-long ecological crisis.
Source: WUSA Washington
February 18, 2026
Trump administration appeals order to restore Philadelphia slavery exhibits as judge sets Friday deadline and invokes Orwell's 1984 in ruling.
Source: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star
February 18, 2026
White House economic advisor Hassett calls for discipline of New York Fed researchers whose study found 90% of tariff costs fall on US companies and consumers.
Source: CNBC
February 18, 2026
Hegseth invites Idaho pastor who believes women should not vote to preach at the Pentagon's monthly prayer service, praising his "willingness to be bold" as service members look on.
Source: The Spokane Spokesman-Review
February 18, 2026
US military prepares to strike Iran as early as this weekend as carrier group and UK-based air assets reposition to the Middle East, one day after indirect Geneva talks end without resolution.
Source: CNN
February 18, 2026
US prepares to withdraw all troops from Syria as military repositions for potential Iran strike, abandoning Kurdish allies who fought alongside American forces against ISIS.
Source: The Hill
February 18, 2026
Federal judge holds government attorney in civil contempt with $500 daily fines after ICE released detained Minnesota man in Texas without his identification documents.
Source: KMSP Minneapolis
February 18, 2026
Justice Department admits to violating more than 50 court orders in New Jersey immigration cases, including 17 transfers of detainees after judges ruled they could not be moved.
Source: Courthouse News Service
February 18, 2026
ICE deports 2-month-old with bronchitis and his family from Dilley detention center to Mexico with $190, a day after the infant was hospitalized for being unresponsive.
Source: KSAT San Antonio
February 18, 2026
Federal agencies told to surveil disabled employees' social media and challenge medical records when reevaluating telework accommodations, as guidance dismisses anxiety as "unlikely" barrier to office work.
Source: Federal News Network
February 18, 2026
Transportation Department orders more than 550 driving schools shut after inspections find unqualified instructors and inadequate testing, with another 109 schools withdrawing when they learned inspectors were coming.
Source: The Independent
February 18, 2026
FCC chair confirms enforcement proceedings against The View, challenging whether the show qualifies as "bona fide news" exempt from equal time rules for political candidates.
Source: Mediaite
February 18, 2026
Seventeen health and environmental groups sue EPA over repeal of the endangerment finding, the 2009 scientific framework that allowed regulation of greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act.
Source: CBS News
February 18, 2026