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Aline Barros

DHS reports 1,328 arrests in two-week ICE operation in Maryland and Virginia

Immigration

DHS reports 1,328 arrests in two-week ICE operation in Maryland and Virginia

A two-week federal immigration enforcement initiative conducted across Maryland and Virginia resulted in the arrest of 1,328 individuals between August 1 and August 14. According to press statements released by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), “Operation Safe

By Aline Barros 29 Aug 2026
Montgomery County records 79 overdose deaths despite statewide decline

News

Montgomery County records 79 overdose deaths despite statewide decline

Overdose deaths involving fentanyl, opioids, and cocaine remain among the most common in Maryland, according to the Maryland Department of Health. In Montgomery County, at least 79 residents died from overdoses over the past year. Statewide, 98 Latino men and 12 Latino women died from overdoses between August 2025 and

By Aline Barros, Cristina Caicedo Smit 20 Aug 2026
Increase presence of immigration enforcement in upper Montgomery County

Immigration

Increase presence of immigration enforcement in upper Montgomery County

Immigration enforcement has become a growing source of tension in upper Montgomery County, with the most visible activity so far concentrated in Gaithersburg, even as residents in nearby Germantown and Damascus watch warily for signs it could spread to their communities. Two people were detained by U.S. Immigration and

By Aline Barros 14 Aug 2026
Montgomery County proposes banning housing discrimination based on citizenship status

Community

Montgomery County proposes banning housing discrimination based on citizenship status

The hearing on Bill 38-26 will take place on Sept. 15 at 1:30 p.m. at the Council Office Building in Rockville, Maryland, with options available for virtual testimony.  The Montgomery County Council will hold a public hearing Sept. 15 to take community testimony on proposed legislation expanding

By Aline Barros 31 Jul 2026
State data reveals impact of federal SNAP cuts in Montgomery County

Community

State data reveals impact of federal SNAP cuts in Montgomery County

Thousands of Maryland residents are coping with a sharp reduction in safety-net support following sweeping federal changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, according to Gov. Wes Moore’s office. Among the hardest hit are lawful immigrant families across Montgomery County, where local food pantries and community hubs are

By Aline Barros 30 Jul 2026
USCIS now directs dome asylum cases straight to immigration courts

Immigration

USCIS now directs dome asylum cases straight to immigration courts

A new federal rule that took effect July 28 allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to refer some affirmative asylum applications directly to immigration judges without first interviewing the applicant. That is a change U.S. officials say will help reduce the nation’s growing asylum backlog.  The U.

By Aline Barros 28 Jul 2026
They ran for the river. Not to swim. To get away.

They ran for the river. Not to swim. To get away.

They chose the river. On a quiet stretch of the Potomac at Lock 7, the water ran fast and cold and for a few minutes, it became the only way out. They ran for the river. Just after a federal operation unfolded near Lock 7 along the Potomac River, right

By Aline Barros, Cristina Caicedo Smit 24 Jul 2026
Proposed strategy would halt Montgomery County data center development

News

Proposed strategy would halt Montgomery County data center development

Data center development has become a topic of growing debate in Montgomery County, with residents raising concerns about issues including energy consumption, environmental impacts, land use. Data center development in Montgomery County is facing a deliberate slowdown under a newly proposed legislative strategy, giving county officials time to establish long-

By Aline Barros 15 Jul 2026
New pay rates take effect in Montgomery County

Community

New pay rates take effect in Montgomery County

Under the updated regulations, the exact hourly rate now depends strictly on the size of the business. Montgomery County workers are expected to see a bump in their paychecks as the county implements its latest annual minimum wage increase.  The mandatory adjustment, triggered by rising inflation across the Washington-Arlington-

By Aline Barros 13 Jul 2026
A new ICE reporting tool is now available for Montgomery County residents

Immigration

A new ICE reporting tool is now available for Montgomery County residents

The tool is the latest effort by local leadership to shield its immigrant population from In a direct effort to counter fear and streamline community support, Montgomery County officials officially launched Wednesday a new online reporting portal designed to track Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the county. The

By Aline Barros 09 Jul 2026
The Montgomery Brief is here

News

The Montgomery Brief is here

This is The Montgomery Brief, a local newsroom by Aline Barros and Cristina Caicedo Smit that's just getting started. The Montgomery Brief covers local news and immigrant voices through stories, events, and neighborhood spotlight from Montgomery County, Md. Things will be up and running here shortly, but you

By Cristina Caicedo Smit, Aline Barros 11 May 2026

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