[Libs-Or] Civics for Adults - What does immigration, civil rights, the Constitution, censorship and civic literacy all have in common? They are all in this Update!

Mon Feb 16 21:33:29 PST 2026

[Note: lately my email carrier has been doing a poor job. If you are so
moved to let me know you received this, it would help me know what’s
happening. Thanks!]

Civics for Adults Update February 16, 2026

Upcoming workshops!

Representation, Our Federal Government and the Constitution

Saturday, March 7, 2026. 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM. PST. No registration required. 

Multnomah County Library - Northwest Branch. 2030 NW Pettygrove Street.
Portland, OR.

<https://multcolib.org/events-classes/everybody-reads-representation-governm
ent-constitution>
https://multcolib.org/events-classes/everybody-reads-representation-governme
nt-constitution 

“Donna is a consummate professional. Donna delivered relevant, timely,
fact-based information in a non-partisan way. Participants were engaged and
left knowing more. Thank you, Donna.” ~ Liz Goodrich, Events Supervisor,
Deschutes PL

Misinformation and Propaganda - Telling Truth from Fiction.

Sunday, March 15th. 2-3:30 PST.  No registration necessary. 

Multnomah County Library - Northwest Branch. 2030 NW Pettygrove Street.
Portland, OR.

<https://multcolib.org/events-classes/misinformation-and-propaganda-telling-
truth-fiction>
https://multcolib.org/events-classes/misinformation-and-propaganda-telling-t
ruth-fiction 

Selected Civics for Adults Facebook posts: [Note, most bolding in the
following is mine.]

Check out the updated Resource Lists for both the Constitution and the
Activism workshops PLUS a new list specifically focused on Our Rights!
<http://www.civicthinker.info/resources> www.civicthinker.info/resources 

**

I hope folks are watching Black and Jewish in America. It’s important and
timely and provides both historical and current context for both groups.
Racism and anti-Semitism continue to be afflictions in our society and it
would benefit all of us to learn more. First two [maybe three, by the time
you get this] episodes have been broadcast; I would be sure to start with
episode one. 

<https://www.pbs.org/show/black-and-jewish-america-an-interwoven-history/?ga
d_source=1&gad_campaignid=23480324820&gbraid=0AAAAAooDyp3HD74fRRiLDV3b5qA9wk
wnf&gclid=CjwKCAiA-sXMBhAOEiwAGGw6LOTpczk_NKpzZygrJrgnfWnNoUylhPjf6ACaAci6_A
RIA3dWnJGn_hoCJIEQAvD_BwE>
https://www.pbs.org/show/black-and-jewish-america-an-interwoven-history/?gad
_source=1&gad_campaignid=23480324820&gbraid=0AAAAAooDyp3HD74fRRiLDV3b5qA9wkw
nf&gclid=CjwKCAiA-sXMBhAOEiwAGGw6LOTpczk_NKpzZygrJrgnfWnNoUylhPjf6ACaAci6_AR
IA3dWnJGn_hoCJIEQAvD_BwE

**

For everyone, but, especially, librarians – have you seen the PBS
Independent Lens documentary, Banned Books and the Librarians Caught in the
Political Battle, aka, The Librarians? 

“When lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves
on the frontlines of a national battle. Across the U.S., librarians face the
impact of uniting against library collection standards”. A must see. A
review of what is happening and possibly a harbinger for even worse. 

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywQOCY-qDzE>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywQOCY-qDzE 

**

Have ya'll seen the glossy brochure for the Everybody Reads programs for
Multnomah County Library - the selection is Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s
Lovely One! I'm presenting TWO of my workshops for the series!! One was in
February and the next one is March 7, listed above!

<https://multcolib.org/everybody-reads?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEydTYw
c0lCV2NOOHB5Q0M5YXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4gp_BmlqvY9Ymey2pH
LKNbvN9wdrovE4LA45MNgs4C2SbGkR6jlJrRuJJdZA_aem_AG9uBcM5AS62Xi9mbApGlg>
https://multcolib.org/everybody-reads

**

Here is a slide from the short “civic literacy” section of my workshop March
7. How sad that of the 5 rights delineated in the 1st Amendment, a majority
of the public only know ONE of them!! [and even that, imperfectly, as many
think freedom of speech applies in any situation, rather than just
government actions].

There is many, many more topics in the workshop, including more on rights,
how the Constitution was created, and, significantly, how representative –
or not – the structure of our federal government is in the workshop!

**

We all need to be paying attention to what is going on with immigration
activities. I know it’s not easy. I spend a vast amount of time trying to
stay up-to-date. Please take advantage of my curation. Take a look at what I
provide, here and on my Facebook page [link at bottom]. 

**

If you’re a glutton for information, as I am, you may want to watch the
recent oversight hearings about the Department of Homeland Security. Both
the House [Feb 10
<https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/oversight-of-the-department-of-homeland-
security-ice-cbp-and-uscis/>
https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/oversight-of-the-department-of-homeland-s
ecurity-ice-cbp-and-uscis/ ] and the Senate [ Feb 12
<https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/oversight-hearing/>
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/hearings/oversight-hearing/ ] conducted them.
The combined time for both was about 8 ½ hours [of which I watched about 7
½]. 

My overall takeaway, unfortunately, is that ICE and CBP are unwilling to
acknowledge any instances of bad behavior and infringements of peoples’
rights. Senate Committee Chair Rand Paul, a Libertarian, used video of the
killing of Alex Pretti to showcase actions by federal agents which
“escalated” the situation, rather than “de-escalated” as policy requires. He
said that in order to earn back the trust of the American public the
agencies will have to change their approach. We shall see. 

**

An Insider’s View of the Immigration System

“A former senior immigration policy official offers insight into how the
system works and highlights urgent problems that must be addressed.”
O’Herron and Sanchez. Brennan Center for Justice. 11/12/25.

<https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insiders-view-immig
ration-system?fbclid=IwY2xjawP96oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQ
zlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrRnZ4023IieYuZYL-yO3uHja_leldwvl
Jp4MqCOVFjfJBY4ueyo8VzNg3iC_aem_NIkmft0dVVC2iJ7GUN2V7A>
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/insiders-view-immigr
ation-system?fbclid=IwY2xjawP96oNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQz
lhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrRnZ4023IieYuZYL-yO3uHja_leldwvlJ
p4MqCOVFjfJBY4ueyo8VzNg3iC_aem_NIkmft0dVVC2iJ7GUN2V7A   

Excerpts:

“
We have already seen the administration try to undermine due process. As I
mentioned earlier, ICE attorneys are diverting many immigrants to expedited
removal, which makes it harder for people to defend themselves from
deportation. The administration is also denying immigrants bond proceedings
and has illegally invoked a wartime law to deport immigrants without a
hearing.

These issues may get worse. For many years, funding for immigration
enforcement has exceeded funding for immigration courts and the processing
of lawful applications. The new funding bill that Congress passed in July
supercharges that trend, giving ICE a 300 percent budget increase but
limiting the increase in immigration judges to 14 percent.

So even though there will be a huge surge in enforcement and in the number
of people detained for deportation, the government is not hiring anywhere
near enough judges to process their cases. That means that
people may stay
behind bars for longer while immigration judges work through the backlog of
cases, or people may not receive hearings at all.

Despite the Trump administration’s rhetoric about targeting the “worst of
the worst” criminals, reports have found that its enforcement policies
target many immigrants who have not committed crimes.”

**

Due Process is one of the most important rights we have. Why? 

Due process is so important it is in both the 5th and the 14th Amendments to
the Constitution. Without it, we are not a democracy!

**

>From perhaps the most prominent Libertarian magazine in the country

As American as Due Process. Billy Binion. Reason Magazine. July 2025. 

<https://reason.com/2025/06/08/as-american-as-due-process/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNh
ZW0CMTAAYnJpZBEydTYwc0lCV2NOOHB5Q0M5YXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIA
AR4p-e1e3gQuf3TnpymuAohtfYAAmh_TI1IGHHPhOyhZbUFzxRijoRk15-Ywfg_aem_RzNsZb-3Z
On7ShBNOhKwNA> https://reason.com/2025/06/08/as-american-as-due-process/

"Those accused of wrongdoing have the right to challenge the evidence
against them before the government takes away their liberty."

**

>From the respected nonpartisan, nonprofit, investigative publication,
ProPublica, in collaboration with the nonpartisan, nonprofit, publication,
Texas Tribune. Rebala et al. 2/10 20206.

Immigrants Who Say Their Detention Is Illegal Have Filed More Than 18,000
Cases. It’s a Historic High.

<https://www.propublica.org/article/habeas-petitions-immigrant-detentions-tr
ump?fbclid=IwY2xjawP-9i9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZ
hcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjIE8uvW_jy7N9gYKhZzuVd7s4cSmuV7GETlKaxRu2J
mCGY8xNFfnUIuJJX8_aem_8T_XxQ_-JdZ7EJlIiDDPow>
https://www.propublica.org/article/habeas-petitions-immigrant-detentions-tru
mp?fbclid=IwY2xjawP-9i9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZh
cHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjIE8uvW_jy7N9gYKhZzuVd7s4cSmuV7GETlKaxRu2Jm
CGY8xNFfnUIuJJX8_aem_8T_XxQ_-JdZ7EJlIiDDPow 

**

The Minnesota Star Tribune has also been doing some great reporting on
immigration and rights. 

Judge Rules Whipple Detainees Must Have Access to Attorneys, Private Calls.

<https://www.startribune.com/judge-rules-whipple-detainees-must-have-access-
to-attorneys-private-calls/601581387?fbclid=IwY2xjawP-9uxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicm
lkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjjASj_wni
Bk48hxvS2ViJKvjIJuX4e7394iMbvz_YlGwjiwyMbapr9mfGff_aem_GeKmoNRtX0gGbfRZ5mgyC
g>
https://www.startribune.com/judge-rules-whipple-detainees-must-have-access-t
o-attorneys-private-calls/601581387?fbclid=IwY2xjawP-9uxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicml
kETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjjASj_wniB
k48hxvS2ViJKvjIJuX4e7394iMbvz_YlGwjiwyMbapr9mfGff_aem_GeKmoNRtX0gGbfRZ5mgyCg

Excerpt: "A federal judge on Feb. 12 ordered the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security to improve access to phones and lawyers for detainees at the
Whipple Federal Building, while also barring the federal government from
transferring detainees out of state during the first 72 hours of detention.

Thursday’s ruling, although temporary, is a major victory for human rights
advocates, attorneys and elected officials who had been raising concerns
about detainees’ access to basic legal services.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel, who was appointed to the federal bench by
President Donald Trump in 2018, ripped the federal government for its lack
of consideration for the constitutional rights of detainees brought in by
immigration agents.

“It appears that in planning for Operation Metro Surge, the government
failed to plan for the constitutional rights of its civil detainees,” Brasel
wrote. “The government suggests — with minimal explanation and even less
evidence — that doing so would result in ‘chaos.’ The Constitution does not
permit the government to arrest thousands of individuals and then disregard
their constitutional rights because it would be too challenging to honor
those rights.”

[You might want to look at a current Oregon bill - HB 4117 – “Relates to
universal representation.  Money from the General fund would be appropriated
to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services for purposes of deposit
in the Universal Representation Fund providing due process for low-income
immigrants & refugees.”]

**

>From opinion, 2/9/2026, Judge Goodwin, Southern District for West Virginia:
Here is a flavor of what a ruling against the type of detention the
government is doing sounds like...

"The husband and wife before this court are charged with civil violations of
our country’s immigration laws. Civil. Not criminal. That distinction is not
a technicality or a formality. It is the line the law draws between
regulation and punishment. Yet these two working parents appear in
unmistakable prison garb. They wear orange jumpsuits, are shackled, and are
restrained in heavy chains. They have been kept away from their children,
forced to languish in detention hundreds of miles away from where they live
and work. They have been confined for days alongside persons accused of or
convicted of crimes. They are held without any custody determination or bond
hearing. This is not what civil enforcement looks like in a humane system of
government under law.

The Constitution does not permit such cruelty as a condition of civil
enforcement. It does not permit the government to strip people of dignity
simply because they lack lawful status. It has long been settled that
noncitizens, “even [those] whose presence in this country is unlawful, have
long been recognized as ‘persons’ guaranteed due process of law.” The
authority the political branches possess over immigration does not include
the power to seize liberty first and justify confinement later. Due process
is not a courtesy extended at the government’s convenience. Due process is
the condition that makes custody lawful in the first place. Congress itself
has recognized this principle by requiring that civil immigration detention
be tethered to a lawful custody determination—one that determines whether
continued detention is warranted or whether release on bond is appropriate.
When liberty is restrained without a meaningful opportunity to be heard, the
Constitution’s promise is not delayed. It is denied."

<https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wvsd.242913/gov.uscour
ts.wvsd.242913.32.0.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawP--LtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJ
XY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrRnZ4023IieYuZYL-yO3uH
ja_leldwvlJp4MqCOVFjfJBY4ueyo8VzNg3iC_aem_NIkmft0dVVC2iJ7GUN2V7A>
https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.wvsd.242913/gov.uscourt
s.wvsd.242913.32.0.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawP--LtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJX
Y044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrRnZ4023IieYuZYL-yO3uHj
a_leldwvlJp4MqCOVFjfJBY4ueyo8VzNg3iC_aem_NIkmft0dVVC2iJ7GUN2V7A 

**

The CATO Institute is a Libertarian “think tank” that does some excellent
analysis around issues of civil rights and also immigration. Here are some
examples:

The Government Unconstitutionally Labels ICE Observers as Domestic
Terrorists

David Bier. CATO. 12/15/2025.

<https://www.cato.org/blog/dhs-policy-threatening-arresting-ice-observers-vi
olates-their-rights?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_term&utm_co
ntent&utm_campaign&fbclid=IwY2xjawP95-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044
cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHin57V7eBC5_dOenKa4CiG19gACa
H9MjUgYcc-E7KFltQXPFGKOhGTXn5jB-_aem_RzNsZb-3ZOn7ShBNOhKwNA>
https://www.cato.org/blog/dhs-policy-threatening-arresting-ice-observers-vio
lates-their-rights?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_medium=facebook&utm_term&utm_con
tent&utm_campaign&fbclid=IwY2xjawP95-FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044c
HlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHin57V7eBC5_dOenKa4CiG19gACaH
9MjUgYcc-E7KFltQXPFGKOhGTXn5jB-_aem_RzNsZb-3ZOn7ShBNOhKwNA 

**

Another Constitutional issue we are dealing with is our 4th Amendment right
to be secure in our homes. The 4th Amendment applies to all persons, not
just citizens. We have always required a judicial warrant, based on probable
cause, in order for law enforcement to enter one’s home without permission
[with very limited exceptions]. 

Brief explainer:

Judicial warrant – one signed by a judge, based on probable cause.

Administrative warrant – one signed only by someone working for the same
agency as that which will carry out the warrant. 

Steve Vladeck, Law Professor, Georgetown University, talks about this in a
short video. 1/25/26.

<https://georgetown.app.box.com/v/Vladeck-ICE-4A?fbclid=IwY2xjawP97vFleHRuA2
FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenDIdj8g3tKJb9qBf38prr9JHE0
yuB_7y6tlx8IH9F6nLnwLiLZZbErm0wTs_aem_jR3Bm1kIW4Quup0X3cQ2sQ>
https://georgetown.app.box.com/v/Vladeck-ICE-4A?fbclid=IwY2xjawP97vFleHRuA2F
lbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenDIdj8g3tKJb9qBf38prr9JHE0y
uB_7y6tlx8IH9F6nLnwLiLZZbErm0wTs_aem_jR3Bm1kIW4Quup0X3cQ2sQ 

His One First Substack at  <https://www.stevevladeck.com/>
https://www.stevevladeck.com/ 

Article from One First that continues this discussion
<https://www.stevevladeck.com/p/206-administrative-warrants-and-the>
https://www.stevevladeck.com/p/206-administrative-warrants-and-the 

**

Wrenching and vital interview.

Exclusive: 'Pink coat lady' who recorded fatal encounter between federal
officers and Alex Pretti speaks to Anderson Cooper. CNN. 1/27/26

<https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/us/video/ac360stellacarlson?fbclid=IwY2xjawP
-AZFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc
4ODIwMDg5MgABHin57V7eBC5_dOenKa4CiG19gACaH9MjUgYcc-E7KFltQXPFGKOhGTXn5jB-_ae
m_RzNsZb-3ZOn7ShBNOhKwNA>
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/us/video/ac360stellacarlson?fbclid=IwY2xjawP-
AZFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETJ1NjBzSUJXY044cHlDQzlhc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4
ODIwMDg5MgABHin57V7eBC5_dOenKa4CiG19gACaH9MjUgYcc-E7KFltQXPFGKOhGTXn5jB-_aem
_RzNsZb-3ZOn7ShBNOhKwNA

**

More on my Civics for Adults Facebook page!

More at  <https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036>
https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036 

Ask your local library or community group to sponsor a workshop! Thanks. 

Flyer describing workshops:
<https://files.cdn-files-a.com/uploads/2516289/normal_68015c18b94c1.pdf>
https://files.cdn-files-a.com/uploads/2516289/normal_68015c18b94c1.pdf 

Donna L Cohen, MLIS, MEd

Portland, Oregon

503-333-2646

dcoheninfo at comcast.net <mailto:dcoheninfo at comcast.net>  

Civics for Adults – and Others – Workshops: To Enhance Civic Knowledge and
Inspire Political Engagement

Webpage www.civicthinker.info <http://www.civicthinker.info/>  

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Civics-for-Adults-1490728887922036/

“My philosophy is very simple. When you see something that is not fair, not
right, not just – stand up, say something, speak up!” Rep. John Lewis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6lzPpqc2WY 

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