The New ICE Directive To Detain Lawful Refugees

The New ICE Directive To Detain Lawful Refugees

Author: WNYC Studios February 20, 2026 Duration: 22:03

On Wednesday, the Trump administration issued a memo directing Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to detain lawful refugees who have yet to secure permanent U.S. residency. 

On Today's Show:
Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker staff writer and the author of Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis (Penguin Press, 2024), discusses the latest news, including his latest reporting on how the agency's bureaucracy works.


Each weekday, Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast from WNYC Studios offers a necessary pause in the news cycle. Instead of rapid-fire takes, Brian facilitates nuanced discussions that go beyond the headlines, focusing on how policy and political decisions directly shape our communities and lives. You'll hear from a wide range of voices-including policymakers, journalists, experts, and callers from across the nation-who engage in substantive dialogue that clarifies complex issues. This podcast is built on the belief that understanding precedes meaningful action. Tuning in feels like gaining a deeper, more contextual grasp of the day's most pressing events, delivered with a sense of civility and curiosity often missing from political discourse. It’s a daily resource for anyone looking to replace noise with insight and to participate in a more informed public conversation. The consistent, thoughtful approach makes this a standout listen for those who want their daily news accompanied by reflection and perspective.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
How "Epstein Email" Politics Shifted Over The Weekend [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:01
President Trump has reportedly reversed course on the Epstein investigation over the weekend, now urging his party to baack a vote to release a large tranche of emails and other documents.
What’s a Capitalist, Socialist or Marxist Anyway? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:35
With so much political baggage attached to labels like communism, socialism and Marxism, we look at the terminology, and how much the distinctions matter.
Epstein Leaks Meet Shutdown End Game Drama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:52
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives returned to work after a 54-day hiatus, and have been releasing documents throughout the day related to Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.
How Trump Lost Without Being On The Ballot [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:57
Democrats won big in several electoral contests across the nation yesterday, including in NYC, New Jersey, Virginia and California.

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