Social Justice Posts
Protect Communities, Not Criminals (Social Justice Brief #191)
On May 15, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a new initiative titled “Protect Communities, Not Criminals,” which includes a proposal to create a statewide prosecutor with the authority to override local district attorneys in certain cases. This proposed role would allow a state-appointed prosecutor to step in when a local prosecutor has not secured an indictment within 90 days, effectively creating a “backstop” to ensure cases move forward. Supporters of the proposal frame it as a necessary response to what they describe as “rogue prosecutors” local district attorneys who decline to pursue certain categories of crimes based on policy or resource limitations. The initiative is presented to ensure consistency in enforcement across Texas counties and to prioritize victims’ rights.
Grindr Hosts Networking Event Ahead of WH Correspondents’ Dinner to Advocate for LGBT Policy Change (Social Justice Policy Brief #190)
LGBT hookup app, Grindr, will host its inaugural White House Correspondents’ Dinner Weekend Party on April 24, one day before the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Professional Exclusion and the Texas Workforce Crisis
Between March 29 and April 6, 2026, a major workforce crisis intensified across Texas as state regulatory bodies began a coordinated effort to revoke or deny occupational licenses for non-citizens and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients.
The Department of Justice’s Inconsistencies Regarding the Release of the Epstein Files (Social Justice Policy Brief #189)
On July 23rd, 2025, a House Subcommittee voted to subpoena the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Epstein files. During that time, the Subcommittee agreed to redact the names and personal information to protect the victims. However, in January 2026, with the release of more than 3 million more documents, that agreement was not fulfilled.
The Expanding Web: ICE Detention and the Machinery of Mass Removal (Social Justice Policy Brief #188)
The American immigration detention system is currently undergoing an unprecedented and rapid metamorphosis, transitioning from a network of civil holding centers into a massive carceral apparatus designed for industrial-scale deportation. As of February 2026, the number of individuals held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody has reached a historic peak of over 70,000 people across 225 facilities nationwide. This surge represents a nearly 75 percent increase in the detained population since early 2025, fueled by the staggering 45 billion dollars in ICE funding authorized under the signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The administration’s current strategic roadmap aims to bring upwards of 108,000 detention beds online by the end of this year, with a long-term capacity target of 135,000 beds to facilitate the largest mass removal operation in the history of the United States.
Trans Athlete Case Faces Uphill Battle in SCOTUS (Social Justice Policy Brief #186)
The Supreme Court is currently debating whether or not trans athletes should be able to compete in girls and women’s sports. SCOTUS is hearing a case challenging state-level laws that ban trans women and girls from competing in sports that align with their gender identity. The current case involves two different arguments involving trans female athletes who were barred from competing on sports teams that align with their gender identity.
Trump Government Suspends Childcare Funds for Five Democrat-led States (Social Justice Policy Brief #187)
Social Justice Policy Brief #187 | Yelena Korshunov | February 23, 2026 About 170 years ago, Frederick Douglass proclaimed that “it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.”Few would argue with the idea that a child growing up in a family in...
ICE and excessive use of force
Earlier this month, the state of Minnesota made national and international headlines when Minneapolis resident and U.S. citizen, Renee Nicole Good, was fatally shot by an ICE officer while attempting to leave an area she was overseeing as a legal observer.
The State of Sports Betting Policy in the United States (Social Justice Policy Brief #184)
The legal landscape of sports betting has been tumultuous for years now. Last February, for instance, Ohio banned prop bets on college sports and federal legislation to limit sports betting advertising has been introduced. Going further back, the 2017 Murphy v. NCAA Supreme Court ruling reversed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which was passed in 1992 and prohibited sports gambling in most states, allowing for such a legal landscape today. Justice Samuel Alito authored the opinion and argued that the PASPA violated the 10th amendment which protects the power of the states. As of 2025, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting to some extent, whether through in-person or virtual avenues.
