Facts Over Fear

They took her phone and left her stranded – even citizenship wasn't enough. A Syrian American graduate student describes being detained, searched, and cut off from the outside world by U.S. authorities at Newark Airport.U.S. authorities confiscated Elyanna Sharbaji’s phone at Newark Liberty International Airport on January 13, 2026. She was questioned by Customs and Border Protection, searched, and then left at the airport without her phone, without her luggage, and without any way to contact family, friends, or legal help.Luckily, she had planned to rent a car when she was leaving for the United States and drove from New Jersey to Pennsylvania completely cut off in the dead of night — while federal authorities kept her phone and her airline could not account for her bags.Elyanna Sharbaji is a Syrian American and a Master of Social Work student at the University of Pittsburgh. She is also a Syrian refugee with family still living in Syria and Lebanon — family she speaks to daily, and worries about constantly, as she has said publicly.Her story is not an anomaly. It is part of a broader growing pattern. And while all four attention recently has been on ICE, it is important to note that American citizens are being detained and harassed at the border as they attempt to re-enter their own country.Across the country, immigration enforcement has expanded far beyond the border, with airport interrogations, electronic device seizures, and prolonged detentions increasingly affecting U.S. citizens and lawful residents — particularly those from Muslim and Arab communities, and those engaged in political organizing.Citizenship, it turns out, is no shield and Elyanna’s experience does not exist in a vacuum. Public reporting has previously noted her involvement in Palestinian solidarity organizing, including leadership roles with Students for Justice in Palestine and work with advocacy groups — facts cited by outlets like the Jewish Chronicle. That context matters, not because it justifies what happened, but because it raises a critical question:Was this about security — or surveillance of political speech?When federal authorities seize devices, interrogate travelers, and offer little explanation, the chilling effect is the point. It tells communities already under scrutiny that they are never fully safe, never fully trusted, and always one stop away from losing their autonomy.ICE and CBP insist their actions are lawful. But lawful does not mean just. Legality has increasingly been stretched to accommodate practices that traumatize people, separate families, and suppress dissent.Our friends, family members, coworkers, classmates, and neighbors are being questioned, followed, detained, and intimidated in plain sight. Her story deserves to be heard — not as an exception, but as a warning.Because when the government can take your phone, cut you off, and send you on your way without answers, the question isn’t who’s next. It’s how long we’re willing to accept this as normal.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

ICE is moving enforcement into neighborhoods — and Frontline DIGNITY is organizing a response.Executive Director Jaime Martinez explains why rapid response training matters, how fear and disinformation put communities at risk, and what real solidarity looks like right now.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Just 40 miles north of Philadelphia, Bucks County has earned a reputation as the swingiest county in the swing state of Pennsylvania and one of the most closely watched political bellwethers in the country.Under the second Trump administration, the incumbent sheriff, Republican Frederick Harran, joined a growing number of conservative law enforcement officials by signing an agreement to cooperate directly with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Known as 287(g) agreements, these arrangements allow state and local law enforcement to help enforce federal immigration law. The task force model Harran adopted empowered sheriff’s deputies to question people about their immigration status and make immigration-related arrests during routine encounters — including traffic stops.Community advocates protested outside the courthouse. County commissioners argued that Harran lacked the authority to sign the agreement in the first place. For many residents, the policy raised fears that everyday interactions with local law enforcement could turn into immigration enforcement actions.That backlash helped fuel the rise of Danny Ceisler, a 33-year-old Army veteran who has worked at the Pentagon and served in Governor Josh Shapiro’s administration.Running as a Democrat, Ceisler challenged Harran — a longtime sheriff with three decades in law enforcement — on a clear promise: end the county’s partnership with ICE.Ceisler won decisively. He defeated Harran by 11 points, a margin of more than 23,000 votes, delivering a stunning upset in one of the most politically divided counties in the country.His victory sent a sharp signal in the national immigration debate: even in a county Donald Trump carried, explicit alignment with ICE can be a political liability.Yesterday, on Jan. 15, he held a press conference announcing the termination of the 287(g) agreement between the Bucks County Sheriff’s Department and ICE, citing serious public safety concerns.He also signed an additional order prohibiting deputies from asking crime victims, witnesses, or court observers about their immigration status during any interaction.His message was direct: “You are safe to call 911. You are safe to report crime. You are safe to come into the courthouse and testify. This is the right balance between protecting our community from crime — and from fear.”Why this matters. Bucks County is home to more than 500,000 people, including roughly 70,000 foreign-born residents. For critics of the ICE partnership, the concern was never abstract: policies like 287(g), they argued, discourage victims and witnesses from coming forward, making everyone less safe.Ceisler’s win — and his first official act as sheriff — underscores a growing reality in American politics: immigration enforcement strategies that blur the line between local policing and federal deportation are no longer an automatic political winner, even in places long considered battleground territory.In the country’s swingiest county, fear turned out to be a losing proposition.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

As the Trump regime marches us towards war, what can we do?Facts Over Fear: Venezuela, Greenland and Iran are in Trump's sights. And with ICE waging war on American citizens, what is the next step towards collective liberation?Trump’s regime wants an empire, with or without the support of the American people.Taylor Goel, organizer with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Pittsburgh chapter, joined me live to discuss Trump’s insatiable need for world domination.But who is this expansion for? Who does it benefit and how is generative AI a key component? Why are Venezuela, Greenland and Iran of particular interest?As ICE terrorizes our neighbors and friends in Minnesota and around the nation, we must ask ourselves: What are the things we CAN do as community members, as citizens and as neighbors to take care of each other while the government fails us both here and abroad.Share your thoughts below!And as always until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.In solidarity,NatalieFOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Even as I type this, more breaking news keeps flooding in. Are we going to war with Iran? #Greenland? What the hell is happening in #Venezuela? #Minnesota?So how do you handle it all and what do you DO with it once you see it? Kim Lyons and I discuss how to keep your mental health in check in these unprecedented times at the end of this video.We also discussed:When the FBI Targets a Journalist: What’s Next for Press Freedom? FBI agents searched the home of #WashingtonPost reporter Hannah Natanson as part of a classified information investigation tied to a government contractor. The raid, which included seizing her electronic devices, has drawn rare and intense criticism from press freedom advocates as an escalation in government tactics. Officials say the search was requested by the Defense Department, but many see it as a troubling move against independent journalism. (Reuters)ICE agent who shot Renee Good suffered internal bleeding, officials say. An ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis last week suffered internal bleeding to his torso after being struck by her vehicle, officials told CBS News. The extent of his injuries remains unclear, and the Department of Homeland Security has not provided further detail.But can CBS News be trusted?Trump administration is facing new pushback from an unexpected source: the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office.I’m so proud to announce that Kim Lyons is a new, regular contributor to Facts Over Fear. We discuss her first story for the platform.Until next time, take care of yourselves and each other.In solidarity,NatalieFOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

The End of an Era: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to Shut Down by May 2026At its earliest iteration, the #Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has been around since 1786 — making it one of the country’s oldest newspapers. Yesterday, the paper announced it will cease operations by May 2026, a shocking development coming from Block Communications Inc., which cited more than $350 million in losses over the past 20 years.I worked at the PG for six years and learned HOW to be a journalist through the mentorship and support of so many incredible people who worked there. I am vacillating between rage and deep sadness right now at the thought of losing our daily news outlet.What does this mean for Pittsburgh’s journalism landscape? What do news deserts mean as they spread across the nation and how does this impact our ability to have a functioning democracy?To break it down, I spoke with Steve Mellon, longtime photojournalist and writer, to discuss the fallout, the history, and what this closure signals for local news across the country.What do you think of this situation and is there hope for a people-first publication in the future?FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

ICE IS EVERYWHERE. Local police departments in towns like Stowe and Munhall entered into cooperation agreements with ICE — often without public notice or input — only to reverse course after residents and reporters started asking questions.PublicSource reporter Quinn Glabicki joined me to break down what’s happening.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

In collaboration with Age Friendly Greater Pittsburgh, Natalie chats with Laura Poskin and Hazel Leroy about the importance of intergenerational connection.FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

The news cycle is moving so fast that we aren’t always able to absorb important stories that fly past us on social media. But this one needs more attention. Please share my interview with Ashley Grieco, Nurse at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA as we discuss the absolute crisis the nursing profession faces brought on by the Trump regime and more cuts to the Department of Education.I asked Ashley this during the interview, and I want to pose it here for your thoughts, too. What purpose do our taxes serve if not to invest in the health and wellbeing of our society?The Trump administration’s Department of Education has proposed new rules that would exclude nurses from the “professional” category — a move that would sharply limit federal loans for advanced nursing degrees starting July 1, 2026. Nurses say the change would worsen an already dire staffing crisis and put patient care at risk.Pennsylvania alone faces a shortage of 20,000 nurses, the worst in the nation. Nurses represented by SEIU Healthcare PA, the state’s largest healthcare union, are calling the proposal dangerous, short-sighted, and deeply disrespectful to the profession.“Nurses across Pennsylvania strongly condemn the Trump administration’s proposal to exclude nursing from the ‘professional’ category, which will worsen the nursing shortage crisis, reduce access to needed care and hurt our patients.”The proposed rules would impose much lower federal loan limits on students pursuing advanced nursing degrees, including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives—roles that are critical to care delivery, especially in rural and underserved communities.“These changes will discourage nurses from pursuing advanced degrees, push more nurses out of the field, and deter many people from entering the profession in the first place.”Nurses say the policy also threatens the pipeline of nurse educators needed to train future generations.“The proposed rules are a symbolic slap in the face and devaluing of a majority-women workforce… This is not a Republican or Democratic issue, this is about the health and future of our entire nation.”FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.

Thank you to Nick Powers for joining me for this important conversation. I hope to bring you more in-depth analysis of the issues that matter most. We discussed:🥕 Consumer Reports Uncovers Instacart’s Hidden Algorithmic Price Experiments That Could Raise Grocery Costs🧑‍🌾 Tariffs are hurting farmers, and they want Trump to bail them out🩺 ACA Subsidies set to expire after Senate refuses both bills🍕 Fun Fact: Nick Powers wrote a book: “As the Pizza Burns.”FOLLOW NATALIEsubstack: https://substack.com/@factsoverfearnataliebinstagram: https://www.instagram.com/@nataliebencivenga/#tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nataliebencivengathreads: https://www.threads.com/@nataliebencivengapodcast via spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/47JYsn9LQchErS3cnHP2YFpodcast via apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/facts-over-fear/id1855901950FACTS OVER FEARLet's dismantle the fear that is used to divide us surrounding the issues impacting the people and talk facts.ABOUT NATALIENatalie Bencivenga is a socially-conscious journalist working towards building equity in our communities through storytelling. Her goal is to inspire, educate and activate people to become catalysts for positive change. Join her for transformative conversations that uplift and challenge the ways in which we perceive the world. Let's turn this moment into a movement – together.