Vera Institute of Justice

10/09/2026

“When a federal agency is given extraordinary resources and power without meaningful accountability, the result is fear, cruelty, and chaos.”—Vera’s Shayna Kessler

Last night, an ICE officer shot and injured a man sitting in a car in New York City. There was a five-year-old child in the same car. The officer fired at least seven bullets. This is yet another terrifying failure of public safety.

We cannot let the mass deportation dragnet continue to terrorize our communities. Democracy and accountability depend on a system built on safety and justice that protects, not harms. A system that strengthens neighborhoods, not tears them apart.

Our full statement:

NEW YORK (October 9, 2026)— Last night, an ICE officer shot and injured a man sitting in a car in New York City. There was a five-year-old child in the…

10/09/2026

The U.S. immigration court system is intended to provide a fair judicial process, yet the Trump administration’s latest plan does the opposite: assigning Department of Health and Human Services attorneys to represent unaccompanied migrant children in immigration court.

True due process requires independent representation for immigrants, not an arrangement where the government sits on both sides of the courtroom.

Putting government counsel on both sides "makes me feel like it's all a farce," says one immigration attorney.

10/09/2026

As crime rates plummet nationally—a trend experts attribute to comprehensive safety investments—Republicans continue to bash Democrats for being "soft on crime." But voters see right through it. The political reign of "tough on crime" is coming to an end.

In North Carolina, Republicans have spent $18.5 million in ads attacking the Democratic candidate for Senate, Roy Cooper, over lawlessness and violence. But it’s falling flat — polls show Cooper consistently leading his Republican opponent, Michael Whatley.

The takeaway for all candidates in this year’s midterms: stop wasting valuable campaign funds on unhelpful “tough on crime” rhetoric when poll after poll shows that a message that’s serious about delivering real safety, accountability, and justice works better with voters.

Across the country, especially in the North Carolina Senate race, Republicans have charged opponents with being soft on crime, even as crime rates plummet.

10/08/2026

“The things that are in place to prevent violence are being cut much more heavily than the police budget.” —Vera’s Sarah Omojola

As New Orleans faces budget cuts, it's essential the city keeps funding the community-based programs that build public safety.

Without new property taxes, New Orleans' public safety agencies could cut funding for traffic accident response, emergency management personnel, and body-worn officer cameras, as Mayor Helena Moreno's administration seeks to close a $77 million budget gap.

10/08/2026

American cities are safer than they’ve been in years—even decades. Experts credit innovative investments in designated safety infrastructure, like community safety departments, for stoking the trend, per Tahir Duckett for The New Republic.

New York, Baltimore, Albuquerque, Durham, Greensboro, Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis, and Harris County, Texas have invested in lasting government entities focused on community safety, violence prevention, and crisis response efforts—and they’re delivering real results.

Municipalities all across the country are making innovative investments in community safety departments—and it’s starting to pay off.

10/07/2026

At the Annual Legislative Conference in , Vera co-hosted a policy roundtable with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation to build a policy agenda that delivers both safety and justice.

After our session concluded, we spoke with Rep. Shontel Brown about the CBC’s role in leading a public safety agenda that moves beyond a fear-driven, reactionary approach.

10/06/2026

Public safety can't be measured by crime statistics alone. It's something that people feel, both in their communities and the country as a whole.

Vera's Ellen Flenniken breaks down how views on crime are shaped and what it takes to deliver safety:

Public safety is rarely measured by crime statistics alone: it is defined by how people actually feel about their communities and the country as a whole.…

10/06/2026

Across the country, due process in immigration court is being gutted.

In Chicago, the numbers are stark: Of the 1,638 asylum cases decided so far this year by the court’s newly appointed immigration judges, only 25 resulted in asylum being granted.

A revolving door of judges with little immigration law experience. Expedited deportation timelines. Immigration policies and rules changing at breakneck speed.

The result is a system enforcing an anti-immigrant agenda over fairness—raising serious questions about whether people facing life-altering consequences have a chance to make their case.

Asylum was historically hard to obtain but since Trump returned to office, a shake-up at immigration courts in Chicago and across the country has put judges under pressure to deny asylum petitions.

10/06/2026

As SCOTUS prepares to review the federal government’s migrant detention policy, immigrants continue to face prolonged detention without the opportunity for a bond hearing, separation from their families, and the denial of a fair day in court.

The administration’s policy of detaining immigrants who crossed the border illegally years ago and holding them without a bond hearing has divided lower courts.

10/05/2026

Rikers Island should not be New York's largest mental health provider.

As the city works toward closing the jail, there is a clear path to fixing this crisis: invest in community-based care, expand diversion programs, and improve reentry planning.

Vera works closely with government and civic leaders to urgently build and improve justice systems that ensure fairness, promote safety, and strengthen…