Mike Allison
@centampolmike.bsky.social
Central Americanist. Fulbright alum to Guatemala & El Salvador. #asylum #expertwitness he/his/him/dr. Long suffering Yankee, Jets, Rangers, and Knicks fan.
Pinned
The Economy. Crime. The Border. Trump could just keep Biden's policies in place for the next four years in order to succeed. Instead, he's going to make each one worse and declare victory.
There's no reason that searching for El Salvador's disappeared shouldn't be a higher priority. english.elpais.com/internationa...
And he never came back’: In El Salvador, mothers desperately search for the disappeared
President Nayib Bukele claims that years of gang violence have left 80,000 people missing. However, the Legislative Assembly has rejected a proposed bill centered around the search for the disappeared...
english.elpais.com
September 17, 2026 at 12:11 PM
There's no reason that searching for El Salvador's disappeared shouldn't be a higher priority. english.elpais.com/internationa...
Opinion | Civil Libertarians Knew This Would Happen. We Should Have Listened. - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/o...
Opinion | Civil Libertarians Knew This Would Happen. We Should Have Listened. (Gift Article)
The civil libertarians’ warnings have come true.
www.nytimes.com
September 12, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Opinion | Civil Libertarians Knew This Would Happen. We Should Have Listened. - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/o...
Here’s what’s lost when Black studies programs are cut goodauthority.substack.com/p/heres-what...
Here’s what’s lost when Black studies programs are cut
This type of interdisciplinary scholarship teaches us to ask different questions – and that benefits American political knowledge.
goodauthority.substack.com
September 8, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Here’s what’s lost when Black studies programs are cut goodauthority.substack.com/p/heres-what...
Opinion | We’ve Forgotten the Most Important Lessons of 9/11 - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/o...
Opinion | We’ve Forgotten the Most Important Lessons of 9/11
The world has lost track of the truth about Al Qaeda.
www.nytimes.com
September 8, 2026 at 2:21 PM
Opinion | We’ve Forgotten the Most Important Lessons of 9/11 - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/o...
State of Emergency | Current History | University of California Press online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
State of Emergency
Nayib Bukele’s presidency has transformed El Salvador into an electoral autocracy by systematically dismantling democratic institutions, subverting the constitution, and consolidating power under his ...
online.ucpress.edu
August 28, 2026 at 1:14 PM
State of Emergency | Current History | University of California Press online.ucpress.edu/currenthisto...
What a mess: Jeanine Pirro’s office fails to convict accused MS-13 ringleaders twice | CNN Politics www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/p...
Jeanine Pirro’s office fails to convict accused MS-13 ringleaders twice | CNN Politics
The Trump administration celebrated the arrival of an alleged MS-13 mastermind on American soil in March 2025.
www.cnn.com
August 24, 2026 at 4:19 PM
What a mess: Jeanine Pirro’s office fails to convict accused MS-13 ringleaders twice | CNN Politics www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/p...
‘The number of remains is difficult to determine’: civil war death site dug up for landfill in El Salvador | Global development | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
‘The number of remains is difficult to determine’: civil war death site dug up for landfill in El Salvador
Despite a 2018 ruling to stop waste being dumped where civilians were executed in the country’s civil war, diggers are working at what campaigners call a place where ‘human life, biodiversity and the ...
www.theguardian.com
August 6, 2026 at 9:20 PM
‘The number of remains is difficult to determine’: civil war death site dug up for landfill in El Salvador | Global development | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
Reposted by Mike Allison
Want some movies to help understand the politics of immigration? ▶️
These great films tackle the challenges of immigration, and what drives families to leave their homes.
goodauthority.org/news/movies-...
These great films tackle the challenges of immigration, and what drives families to leave their homes.
goodauthority.org/news/movies-...
Movies to help understand the politics of immigration
Explore powerful films that illuminate the challenges of immigration, examining policy impacts and sociopolitical drivers for migration.
goodauthority.org
August 6, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Want some movies to help understand the politics of immigration? ▶️
These great films tackle the challenges of immigration, and what drives families to leave their homes.
goodauthority.org/news/movies-...
These great films tackle the challenges of immigration, and what drives families to leave their homes.
goodauthority.org/news/movies-...
Reposted by Mike Allison
In my review of Dave Zirin's new biography of Howard Zinn, I finally settle the question of whether Zinn was good or bad in a way that will be convincing to everyone, because we all know how to be normal about this guy newrepublic.com/article/2137...
Did Howard Zinn Tell Too Simple a Story About American History?
As a new biography makes clear, “A People’s History of the United States” arose from a life of deep and admirable commitment, but it has many gaps.
newrepublic.com
August 3, 2026 at 3:43 PM
In my review of Dave Zirin's new biography of Howard Zinn, I finally settle the question of whether Zinn was good or bad in a way that will be convincing to everyone, because we all know how to be normal about this guy newrepublic.com/article/2137...
Exploited and abused: Salvadorans fighting and dying in global conflict zones
open.substack.com/pub/timmuth/...
open.substack.com/pub/timmuth/...
Salvadorans fighting and dying in global conflict zones
Deceptive recruiting has led hundreds of ex-soldiers and police to sign up for non-combat security jobs, only to find themselves on the front-line.
open.substack.com
July 29, 2026 at 1:34 PM
Exploited and abused: Salvadorans fighting and dying in global conflict zones
open.substack.com/pub/timmuth/...
open.substack.com/pub/timmuth/...
Reposted by Mike Allison
Guatemala is a country that has abandoned the majority of their territory to criminal groups and the majority of the population. Corruption has left the country a difficult place to live for so many residents. This is why so many Guatemalans have emigrated. Tragedies like this are going to increase.
“If immigration hadn't picked up my brother, my sister-in-law would still be alive, and the children wouldn't be going through this sorrow,” he said. “Unfortunately, immigration — the [U.S.] government — doesn't see that. It makes no difference to them.” www.stlpr.org/law-order/20...
Overland couple shot dead in Guatemala after local ICE stop led to deportations
The couple’s 14-month-old daughter was found crying beside her mother’s body in a sugarcane field last week, according to Guatemalan authorities and media.
www.stlpr.org
July 28, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Guatemala is a country that has abandoned the majority of their territory to criminal groups and the majority of the population. Corruption has left the country a difficult place to live for so many residents. This is why so many Guatemalans have emigrated. Tragedies like this are going to increase.
Reposted by Mike Allison
“If immigration hadn't picked up my brother, my sister-in-law would still be alive, and the children wouldn't be going through this sorrow,” he said. “Unfortunately, immigration — the [U.S.] government — doesn't see that. It makes no difference to them.” www.stlpr.org/law-order/20...
Overland couple shot dead in Guatemala after local ICE stop led to deportations
The couple’s 14-month-old daughter was found crying beside her mother’s body in a sugarcane field last week, according to Guatemalan authorities and media.
www.stlpr.org
July 27, 2026 at 10:10 PM
“If immigration hadn't picked up my brother, my sister-in-law would still be alive, and the children wouldn't be going through this sorrow,” he said. “Unfortunately, immigration — the [U.S.] government — doesn't see that. It makes no difference to them.” www.stlpr.org/law-order/20...
Reposted by Mike Allison
Immigrants and asylum seekers are being made to travel hours to El Paso from across the southwest for their check-ins with ICE. These trips often end with them being placed under surveillance with an ankle monitor. These visits are causing fear and anxiety for them and their loved ones.
My story:
My story:
Immigrants are traveling hundreds of miles to El Paso for ICE check-ins
Immigrants with scheduled ICE check-ins are being forced to travel from across the Southwest to El Paso for their check-ins.
www.elpasotimes.com
July 23, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Immigrants and asylum seekers are being made to travel hours to El Paso from across the southwest for their check-ins with ICE. These trips often end with them being placed under surveillance with an ankle monitor. These visits are causing fear and anxiety for them and their loved ones.
My story:
My story:
A night with the Toledo Mud Hens!
July 21, 2026 at 11:38 PM
A night with the Toledo Mud Hens!
Opinion | Can Democrats Finally Understand the Latino Voter in an Era of Mass Deportations? - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/o...
Opinion | Can Democrats Finally Understand the Latino Voter in an Era of Mass Deportations? (Gift Article)
For decades, Democrats have misunderstood Latino voters. Trump’s deportation campaign offers a chance for them to get it right.
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Opinion | Can Democrats Finally Understand the Latino Voter in an Era of Mass Deportations? - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/o...
Is Venezuela a Colony Now? A Sovereign State? Modern Empires Rule in Ambiguity. - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/m...
Is Venezuela a Colony Now? A Sovereign State? Modern Empires Rule in Ambiguity. (Gift Article)
Occupation is a hassle. Large countries have many new ways to control small ones.
www.nytimes.com
July 17, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Is Venezuela a Colony Now? A Sovereign State? Modern Empires Rule in Ambiguity. - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/m...
What in the world?
July 7, 2026 at 5:57 PM
What in the world?
What!!! Croatia!!!
July 3, 2026 at 1:04 AM
What!!! Croatia!!!
Why El Salvador is Turning to Soft Power | AULA Blog aulablog.net/2026/06/03/w...
Why El Salvador is Turning to Soft Power
Sonja Wolf, Research Professor at the Panamerican University in Mexico City* El Salvador’s elected autocrat claims to have ended gang violence. Soft power is central to Bukele’s efforts to legitimi…
aulablog.net
June 17, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Why El Salvador is Turning to Soft Power | AULA Blog aulablog.net/2026/06/03/w...
A surprise morning blessing from Pope Leo #barcelona
June 10, 2026 at 11:19 AM
A surprise morning blessing from Pope Leo #barcelona
Opinion | Marco Rubio: Florida Centrist, Tea Party Darling, MAGA Warrior, President? - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/o...
Opinion | How Long Can Marco Rubio Keep This Up?
www.nytimes.com
June 1, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Opinion | Marco Rubio: Florida Centrist, Tea Party Darling, MAGA Warrior, President? - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/06/01/o...
Venezuelan makeup artist who was deported to El Salvador seeks asylum in Spain: ‘I feel safe here’ | US immigration | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Venezuelan makeup artist who was deported to El Salvador seeks asylum in Spain: ‘I feel safe here’
Andry José Hernández Romero was deported from the US to El Salvador’s notorious Cecot prison before he was allowed to return to Venezuela
www.theguardian.com
June 1, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Venezuelan makeup artist who was deported to El Salvador seeks asylum in Spain: ‘I feel safe here’ | US immigration | The Guardian www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Barrio 18 gang founder 'El Viejo Lin' dies in El Salvador prison www.newsnationnow.com/world/el-vie...
'Old Man Lin,' founder of Barrio 18, dies in El Salvador prison
Carlos Mojica, known as “El Viejo Lin,” had been in maximum security for more than 20 years, but authorities say he continued to be a leader in the notorious gang.
www.newsnationnow.com
June 1, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Barrio 18 gang founder 'El Viejo Lin' dies in El Salvador prison www.newsnationnow.com/world/el-vie...
Guatemala Agrees to Joint Drug Gang Strikes With U.S., Expanding Trump’s Campaign - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/w...
Guatemala Agrees to Joint Strikes With U.S. Against Drug Gangs
www.nytimes.com
May 29, 2026 at 1:48 PM
Guatemala Agrees to Joint Drug Gang Strikes With U.S., Expanding Trump’s Campaign - The New York Times www.nytimes.com/2026/05/28/w...