We're back! Judge: All right, Mr. Ensign, do you have an update for me? DOJ: Yes, I've spoken with HHS and confirmed that plan is to deplane the children and return them to ORR custody during TRO Judge: OK. Will you file a status report on the docket to confirm when that's happened? DOJ: Yes
Oh gosh, I just watched Errol Morris's "Separated" last night. All these initials... it's deja vu, but much worse.
Judge: During recess, I read provision you cited and then the complaint. Every one of 10 named plaintiffs says they are *afraid* of being sent back to Guatemala. (Reads aloud from declarations.) Doesn't line up with what govt is saying. This is why we have courts.
“This is why we have courts.”
Judge: My understanding is we have two paths. One is removal, the other is voluntary departure. Protections are recognition of the fact that this population is incredibly vulnerable. And I don't see anything in what you're saying to me that overrides those protections.
Judge: I got a call at 2:36 a.m. because the govt chose this time on a holiday weekend to execute this plan. I have been up since then. I haven't been able to reach anyone from govt until this morning at 9:30 a.m. So absent this intervention, all children would already have been sent to Guatemala!
Trying to sneak children out of the country in the middle of the night should be a crime.
She's amazing. We need a thousand more like her.
Layer after layer of evil.
They were obviously hoping to sneak them out of the country before anyone could stop them, then shrug their shoulders and say "oops can't get them back now”. No other reason to do that. Pure evil. We need serious consequences for this shit.
3 flights already landed five minutes ago. She better have another hearing.
Not seeing this reported elsewhere. Citation, please?
bsky.app/profile/jjin...
Those are both planes associated with ICE/CBP, but that doesn’t show departure time or that planes contained members of the class.
Fair. Given the track record of this admin in ignoring court orders it is a fair question.
Judge: I have done all I can to make a decision based on what's in front of me. I will continue to be here and act expeditiously. I am trying to do the best *I* can to fulfill *my* obligations as an Article III judge.
Judge: I will look forward to the govt's status report, hopefully today, that all the children have been removed from the planes and returned to ORR custody. I want to take a moment to thank my courtroom staff, who I called at 2:30 a.m., who have been working on Labor Day wknd, and my law clerks
(Hearing ends)
UPDATE: Judge Sooknanan asks the govt for a status update WITHIN THE HOUR on the status of removing the Guatemalan children from planes, after previously asking for an update without a specified time
Fuck did they do it again?
I’m getting that feeling at least some of those kids are in Guatemala or at least still on the planes. Bove is (really) somehow still at DOJ saying Fuck You to the judges.
I wish there was an update
👀 ⌛
Thank you for your attention to this matter. (No, really 😉)
What time zone is this in?
Ok I see that Judge Sparkle is in DC. So is it overdue now? Anything posted?
New order, I'm kinda worried they didn't actually turn the plane that was in the air around and are waiting for it to land and say "oh too late"
They can use the they were out of US airspace BS excuse I guess.
Creating an even longer receipt for evidence of malfeasance. "Surely SCOTUS can't ignore this level of Fuck You." HAAAH HAAH HAH HAH HA HA
@joshuajfriedman.com One gets the distinct impression of a lack of trust. Behaviour more typically seen in schoolteachers with fractious students...
Human trafficking most likely. Bad players involved imo.
Thank you for highlighting the fact that this evil administration has now attempted to traffick CHILDREN. Jaysus
Is there an update?
@unroll.skywriter.blue unroll
This thread is bananas my goodness
Thank you for this remarkable story!
Or what? I mean, what recourse do judges have for government non-compliance?
Disappointed the judge did not demand a list of the names of all the minors.
I’m impressed this judge went as far as she did holding the DOJs feet to the fire and getting them on record about every detail to make sure kids will not be deported without hearings
Absolutely INSANE that it is necessary but agree; she's calling them on their bs with whatever remnant of power the Sub-prime Court has left her.
"It's not deportation, it's unification" is definitely a take.
That is so despicable and vile. These bastards.
It's not deportation unless the order issues from Portland, Or. This is just sparkling reunification.
@joshuajfriedman.com America ❤️
@joshuajfriedman.com Thank you
Yes, thank you for taking time Labor Day weekend to summarize and share this!
God. It's unspeakable. Thank you for the reporting.
Thank you for your reporting. I can’t help but think the plane will take off anyway.
We all thank the honorable judge and her staff and clerks for their service in this matter.
🥺❤️❤️
❣️🇺🇸 Grateful for Judge Sparkle Sooknanan, staff & your reporting Joshua Friedman. 💔 that ‘we the people’ are witnessing the cruelty, unethical behavior & actions that so clearly offend the constitutional & foundational wishes on which our government was founded. ❣️🇺🇸 We really need to vote better.
Bloody hell. Fuck these fascist DHS fucks
People need to go to prison.
Thank you for this reporting. And can I say that I love the judge's name. But I get the sense she means business - Sparkle turning to something like lightening and thunder if the DOJ runs amok?
Judge Sparkle sounds like she’s knocking it out of the park. Listing every possible avenue for shenanigans and then shutting that shit down.
Another failed orgasm for Stephen Miller.
They need to rush because they’re just trying to get the worst of the worst out of here, right?
Sounds to me like the govt is trafficking children to Guatemala. I thought republicans were against that.
This administration is full of fucking monsters
Wow. Sneaky as fuck.
So cruel and awful, this administration
Now that? That I believe was the government’s “plan.”
Sparkle was pissed! 💖
"this is why we have courts"
If only we had consequences for DOJ lawyers filing false statements in federal court.
“The plan”? Keep that bastard in the room until it’s done. Risky to do any less, at this point.