Hello and welcome to the latest edition of the Up First newsletter. Don’t miss out, subscribe here to receive it directly in your inbox, and make sure to listen to the Up First podcast for your daily dose of news.
Top Stories Today
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was recently released from immigration detention by a federal judge. After being wrongly deported to El Salvador due to an “administrative error,” he was brought back to the U.S. and detained. The judge ruled that the government failed to provide a lawful order for his removal. This decision coincided with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem facing questions about President Trump’s compliance with court orders.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (R) and his wife Jennifer Vasquez look on as his supporters address the press as he arrives at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in Baltimore, Maryland, on Aug. 25, 2025.
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
hide caption
toggle caption
Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images
- 🎧 The White House plans to appeal this ruling, as reported by NPR’s Ximena Bustillo. Abrego Garcia’s legal team sees this as a significant win for their client and due process. During the hearing, Democrats highlighted the impact of immigration enforcement on families of those deported or detained. Secretary Noem expressed concerns about national security risks posed by immigrants who entered the U.S. under the previous administration. Her department is reevaluating refugee cases from that time and reviewing asylum applications.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insists that any decision to surrender territory must be made through a public referendum, a move the U.S. is urging as part of peace negotiations with Russia. Zelenskyy and European allies are exploring options to counter Trump’s push for a resolution to the conflict.
- 🎧 Zelenskyy is engaging with the Trump administration’s proposals to demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to peace, according to NPR’s Joanna Kakissis. Giving up territory is a sensitive issue for Ukrainians, and Zelenskyy is considering options like elections or a referendum to end the war. However, due to martial law and constitutional restrictions, holding elections is currently challenging. Public opinion favors caution in this matter.
The Indiana Senate rejected congressional redistricting proposed by the president, a rare move in a state where Republicans dominate. This decision marks a departure from Trump’s redistricting strategy that has succeeded in other states like Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.
- 🎧 Senator Spencer Deery opposed redistricting for political advantage, citing his conservative principles. Other lawmakers echoed their constituents’ disapproval of the new map. Despite some gains for Republicans, Democrats have managed to secure key seats as well.
