‘The Bird-Watchers’ of Memphis: tracking ICE flights and documenting detainees in shackles

By: Meghnad Bose

Outlets: Tennessee Lookout

Published: August 6, 2026

Words: 2,205

Last Updated: 1 week, 5 days ago

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This story was originally published by the Institute for Public Service Reporting Memphis.

On a Saturday morning in July, Joni Laney, a 73-year-old retired English teacher, parked her car in a small lot overlooking Wilson Air Center near Memphis International Airport. She had received word from her group of fellow volunteers that a flight there was going to be used to transport several detainees held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Laney had …

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