Immigration

Of the nearly 3,000 bills that were introduced at the Legislature, about 270 have made it to the final step of the legislative process. Most of the measures will be voted on a final time by the House and Senate on Wednesday, and the legislative session will end on Friday. That’s a lot to digest. So here at HPR, we’re breaking down what you need to know as the Legislature heads into its final week.

Troy Nunley, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, talks about the strain that immigration cases have placed on his district and what led him to ask for help from Hawaiʻi judges; Honolulu's director of botanical gardens, Joshlyn Sand, on cleanup efforts at Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden in Kāne‘ohe following the Kona Lows

At least five federal judges in Hawai'i have been assigned more than 40 immigration cases from three districts in California. Habeas corpus petitions are a growing strategy from immigration lawyers.

Leilani Stacy, immigrants' rights attorney at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, explains what habeas petitions are and how they're used to aid immigrant detainees.

ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Attorney Leilani Stacy explains why Hawaiʻi judges are taking on California immigration cases; conflicting feelings from residents and experts arise around Wahiawā dam.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda shares from her experience visiting immigrants detained by ICE being held at the Honolulu Federal Detention Center.

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda shares what she has seen inside the Honolulu Federal Detention Center; Wildlife photographer Bryan Shirota captures rare sightings of Hawaiʻi's native birds

Hawai‘i Island resident Juan José Estrada Lopez was detained by ICE agents at his green card interview. He remained in the Honolulu FDC until late January. Juan and his wife recently gave their first extended interview to HPR.

HPR's Maddie Bender shares the story of a Hawaiʻi Island couple caught up in the immigration crackdown; Kalani High senior Anson Li, ʻIolani senior Jackson Brewer and University of Hawaiʻi freshman Mahealani Jackson talk about how AI is affecting their education

The Hawaiʻi House of Representatives passed a package of bills that would increase protections for immigrants. The measures have cleared a significant step in the legislative process.