Billal Rahman, Newsweek Journalist Profile

Articles

Texas grandmother detained by ICE after car bursts into flames

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

A grandmother in Texas dialed 911 when her car caught fire, but when police arrived, they reportedly told her she was facing deportation. Why It MattersThe arrest comes amid a crackdown on immigration by President Donald Trump's administration, which has made enforcement operations a top priority. Trump has vowed to conduct large-scale deportations as the administration looks to remove millions of undocumented immigrants and ramp up ICE detentions across the country.
Student visa crackdown hits huge milestone

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

More than 1,000 student visas have been revoked as part of President Donald Trump's crackdown on immigrants involved in campus protests and political activism. Why It MattersThe Trump administration has announced plans to revoke visas for foreign students linked to what it calls pro-Hamas activities, including involvement in campus protests and distributing materials such as flyers. It is part of Trump's executive order targeting antisemitism.
"They're our guests"

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

A Republican senator has appeared to question the Trump administration's decision to revoke the visas of several college students in his state. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) emphasized the need for fairness, arguing that international students deserve due process and respect as guests in the United States. "We're asking the State Department to say, 'Hey, help us understand this particular visa,'" Lankford told KFOR.
ICE realize they arrested wrong teen, say 'take him anyway'

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

Federal immigration authorities apprehended a 19-year-old in New York despite realizing he was not the intended target. The young man, Merwil Gutiérrez, was later deported to El Salvador's notorious super prison, despite his family's insistence that he has no gang ties or criminal history. His father, Wilmer Gutiérrez, is now searching for answers after his son was snatched by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) agents.
California experiences major migrant shift

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

California is experiencing a shift in its immigrant demographic as more immigrants from Asia arrive in the state, surpassing those coming from Latin America. Why It MattersThe rise of high-skilled immigrants, through the H-1B visa program, marks a major change in the workforce landscape. The trend reflects a broader national pattern in which skilled labor is increasingly coming from Asia, while fewer lower-skilled workers are migrating from Latin America.
Father detained by ICE in hospital after student visa revoked

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

Federal immigration authorities detained a Minnesota father in a hospital basement days after his student visa was revoked. Aditya Harsono, who had been living in Marshall and working as a hospital supply chain manager, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) on March 27. The 33-year-old had been legally residing in the United States until March 23, when his visa was unexpectedly revoked. He is currently being held at Kandiyohi County Jail.
DMV gives update on Real ID applications

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

The Real ID deadline is looming, and DMVs across the country are extending hours, adding staff, and launching new initiatives to help Americans secure an appointment. Why It MattersThe May 7, 2025, deadline for obtaining a Real ID is rapidly approaching and will impact millions of Americans who need it for domestic air travel and access to federal facilities.
School to host private graduation for students who are self-deporting

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

A high school in Vermont is preparing to host a private graduation ceremony for two Nicaraguan students who had planned to self-deport after losing their legal status under a humanitarian parole program. The students, both seniors at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg, faced an April 24 deadline to depart the country under a Trump administration directive.
Supreme Court justices address Donald Trump's idea of deporting US citizens

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

Three U.S. Supreme Court Justices have cautioned the Trump administration against attempting to deport people, including U.S. citizens, without the courts weighing in. The message was contained in the Supreme Court's ruling on Thursday that the government must facilitate the return to the United States of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly taken to El Salvador. Government lawyers had argued U.S. courts could not take action once a deportee crossed an international border.
California stops homeland security agents entering elementary schools

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Billal Rahman

Federal immigration authorities were refused entry to two elementary schools in Los Angeles this week, school officials said. According to officials, the agents arrived unannounced and attempted to contact five undocumented students. Newsweek has contacted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment. Why It MattersThe incident marks the first reported attempt by federal authorities to enter an L.A. public school amid President Donald Trump's hard-line crackdown.