When she's done reading select quotes from the plaintiff's declarations, Judge Sooknanan sums it up as follows: "And so this doesn't quite line up with what I'm hearing from the government.
Replies
Would DOJ stretch truth?
aug 31, 2025, 6:05 pm • 2 0 • view
My God! We live in such a world that ten year olds are having to seek counsel and go to law in order to have what are essentially child protection matters fairly processed. What manner of creature in the government wants to conduct a fast clandestine deportation of children at risk?
aug 31, 2025, 6:35 pm • 22 0 • view
Ask Stephen Miller.
aug 31, 2025, 7:24 pm • 10 0 • view
Hmm .. I am not sure my parents brought me up to talk to that sort of creature. As a safety precaution I might insist on meeting on sacred ground, with a font of Holy Water, and a mirror as a backup test.
aug 31, 2025, 7:41 pm • 4 0 • view
Proving yet again that this Administration's immigration roundup was never about combating crime, but about abject cruelty and committing crimes against humanity.
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 36 8 • view
Jesus…
aug 31, 2025, 8:20 pm • 1 0 • view
Judge Sooknanan is a Real American Shero!💚🔥💚
aug 31, 2025, 8:41 pm • 8 0 • view
She's wise to doubt the truthfulness of Trump's DOJ and the Trumpian defendants.
sep 1, 2025, 12:16 am • 4 0 • view
Judge Sooknanan to Ensign: "This is why we have process. This is why we have courts." Then she says that she also took the opportunity to look at the provision that Ensign cited. "I'm pretty skeptical that it gives the government the authority to do what you are claiming it does," she says.
aug 31, 2025, 6:05 pm • 923 116 • view
Judge Sooknanan: For unaccompanied minors in particular, there are special procedural protections under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act...that's because this population is incredibly vulnerable. I don't see anything in what you're citing that would override those protections.
aug 31, 2025, 6:07 pm • 974 136 • view
Judge Sooknanan says that she will wait to see Ensign's brief but at this point she's not seeing anything that would displace the statutory protections she just mentioned. Further, she says, I know it's extraordinary to enter a TRO on an ex parte basis. But I felt the situation was imminent...
aug 31, 2025, 6:09 pm • 703 56 • view
Good for her.
sep 1, 2025, 7:58 am • 0 0 • view
Imminence pervades lawless power
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 2 0 • view
I'll say again, if this operation were legit the government would announce it in advance. Press would be encouraged to film happy children boarding planes to see their parents. It would not be done by weekend secret sneak flights. We see no pics because the kids are shackled.
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 26 2 • view
And how did the children get separated from their parents to start with ? When it comes to this administration and unification of children I don’t believe a single word. They can’t be trusted. They couldn’t reunite the ones they separated during the sessions era
aug 31, 2025, 10:50 pm • 1 0 • view
Tots norm for the G to schedule child deportation flights at crack o dawn Labor Day Sunday, no OT costs, etc etc
sep 1, 2025, 10:54 am • 0 0 • view
Judge Sooknanan: As I said at the start of this hearing, I got a call at 2:36 am [last night] because the government chose the wee hours of the morning on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend to execute a plan to move these children. That's why we're here.
aug 31, 2025, 6:10 pm • 3,398 884 • view
Repubcans are brave when attacking, abusing and murdering children.
aug 31, 2025, 7:47 pm • 15 3 • view
It was no “accident” that it was the wee hours; they likely thought no way would you pick up.
aug 31, 2025, 7:01 pm • 30 3 • view
People who do things in the wee hours of the morning may be trying to hide something. IMHO.
sep 1, 2025, 5:46 am • 0 0 • view
Russian-style evil
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 28 0 • view
You expect the Administration (actually the last several) to care about deporting kids? They won't lift a finger to protect kids from mass shooting, you think deporting is a high bar.
aug 31, 2025, 11:11 pm • 2 0 • view
Trying to remove children in the middle of the night...If they thought it was a legal act, they'd do it in broad daylight. But they're clearly trying to get away with something. Kind of like ICE wearing masks and not showing ID. My question is, Why aren't they charged?
aug 31, 2025, 9:01 pm • 15 2 • view
They're so warped that if they aren't doing the slimiest, most dishonest thing possible, they feel like they are failing their cult leader
aug 31, 2025, 6:55 pm • 14 1 • view
Sad
aug 31, 2025, 9:43 pm • 0 0 • view
Judge blocks deportation of unaccompanied migrant minors to Guatamala. www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
aug 31, 2025, 6:51 pm • 28 5 • view
Judge Sooknanan: And I tried to reach the government. I have been up since then..and didn't reach anyone from the government until later this morning. And the imminence that the plaintiff claimed proved true, because, in fact, those planes *were* loaded. One actually took off and was returned.
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 1,768 303 • view
Don’t answer that Pam, it’s article III calling
aug 31, 2025, 6:16 pm • 0 0 • view
EVIL
aug 31, 2025, 6:23 pm • 0 0 • view
The government is straight up lying to the judge… again. This is a continual theme under Führer Trump.
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 5 0 • view
Judge Sooknanan continues her monologue: And so, absent action and intervention by the court, all of those children would have been returned to Guatemala, potentially to extremely dangerous situations.
aug 31, 2025, 6:13 pm • 1,584 221 • view
Over the years I’ve had plenty of run ins with DOJ lawyers in district and appeals courts. Lost many more arguments than I won because more often than not the DOJ lawyer was a step ahead than me. At least they didn’t dissemble like this.
aug 31, 2025, 6:34 pm • 7 2 • view
Ensign has done nothing but dissemble all year .. he's not being told much, and he's certainly not asking questions ..
aug 31, 2025, 7:07 pm • 3 0 • view
Judge Sooknanan to Ensign: And even now that the government has appeared, you're telling me that even though you think you have the authority to do this, and that what you're trying to do here is unify families, not violate the law, you need five days to respond.
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 1,527 184 • view
Judge Sooknanan: And again, I'm not going to force you to respond sooner, but if you need five days, my order is going to stay in place. I have done all I can to try to make a decision based on what's in front of me. The government hasn't put anything in front of me to counter plaintiff's narrative
aug 31, 2025, 6:16 pm • 1,550 173 • view
Thank you Anna!
aug 31, 2025, 6:28 pm • 1 0 • view
This story should be all over the news All these children suffering this way
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 25 2 • view
Judge Sooknanan: I am trying to do the best I can to fulfill my obligation as an Article III judge. I appreciate you all showing up today, and I particularly appreciate the government's representation. But I'm going to put it on the record again, just so there's absolutely no ambiguity...
aug 31, 2025, 6:18 pm • 1,423 156 • view
Judge Sooknanan: "These children are going to be deplaned. They're going to be returned to ORR custody. And no attempts will be made to remove them from ORR custody and remove them to Guatemala, in light of my order, while these preliminary emergency proceedings are pending."
aug 31, 2025, 6:18 pm • 2,456 428 • view
aug 31, 2025, 9:11 pm • 3 1 • view
🫡
aug 31, 2025, 7:17 pm • 0 0 • view
Why on earth did she say "I particularly appreciate the government's representation"? Was she being sarcastic?
sep 1, 2025, 12:53 am • 1 0 • view
Drew Ensign is a POS
aug 31, 2025, 8:41 pm • 6 0 • view
Shade all day!
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 3 0 • view
What they are attempting to do to these children is pure evil.
aug 31, 2025, 9:26 pm • 4 0 • view
I wish 80% of current events didn't make me drop F bombs about Trump and his pedo-supporting clown car
aug 31, 2025, 6:19 pm • 14 2 • view
My swear jar is going to retire long before I can afford it.
aug 31, 2025, 7:00 pm • 7 1 • view
Thank you Anna, for this amazing reporting!
sep 1, 2025, 5:40 pm • 0 0 • view
You're doing God's work. Thank you
aug 31, 2025, 6:19 pm • 2 1 • view
Perhaps she should require the government to provide proof of their statement that Guatemala and the parents/guardians for each of the children has requested their return? If no proof can be provided, that would indicate that the DOJ attorney lied to the court, right?
aug 31, 2025, 6:21 pm • 5 1 • view
I wish she had said "or any other country" since I don't trust the government for a second.
aug 31, 2025, 8:02 pm • 24 0 • view
I thought the same thing. These bad actors are as slippery as eels.
sep 1, 2025, 1:42 am • 2 0 • view
Thanks Anna and Lawfare. Really appreciate this work. Any sign that Ensign is wilting under the heat of his employer’s disgraceful efforts to kidnap and remove people of color?
aug 31, 2025, 8:26 pm • 6 0 • view
When if ever does the court get to say, “We’ve seen this purported ignorance-based delay tactic from this government before, so you need to represent your position NOW, not five days from now? All the supposed lack of insight from govt counsel is b.s.
aug 31, 2025, 9:48 pm • 4 0 • view
Oof
aug 31, 2025, 6:20 pm • 2 0 • view
Calling out the lies for what they are. Unifying families couldn't be the furthest thing from the truth. If they had the authority they wouldn't be trying to explain what they're doing in front of a judge.
aug 31, 2025, 7:21 pm • 9 0 • view
Corruption and cruelty, deception Are their only policies
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 30 1 • view
How can she be certain the planes haven’t taken off? Is she relying on the word of govt lawyer Ensign?
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 16 1 • view
Well, in this matter, she sent him to personally check, and he’s saying he has personally checked and they haven’t. If he’s lying on this point, it’s sanctions time.
aug 31, 2025, 6:35 pm • 25 1 • view
If DHS simply lied to HIM, the sanctions would be against DHS, not him. 'Course Roberts & Friends could grant DHS's emergency application to vacate it. And I'm not sure by now that that would shock me; I'm really not.
aug 31, 2025, 7:04 pm • 8 1 • view
Yes, but if they directly and clearly lied to him upon direct questioning, every judge would be justified in not trusting any assertion ever made by counsel for DHS ever; I don’t think even DHS would be stupid enough to do it with that clear a trail.
aug 31, 2025, 8:41 pm • 3 0 • view
Extremely bad that the government itself is acting like a clandestine criminal people-smuggler, especially because there were children.
aug 31, 2025, 6:48 pm • 37 5 • view
I'm sure the Q-Anon folk will be outraged... Yeah, they don't care, do they?
sep 1, 2025, 10:06 am • 2 0 • view
If I were that judge or any judge having to deal with Ensign, I would hold him in contempt and jail him if the government doesn't comply with the judge's order. Ensign is a menace.
aug 31, 2025, 8:58 pm • 0 0 • view
@jjindc.bsky.social
aug 31, 2025, 6:14 pm • 0 0 • view
This is HORRENDOUS!
aug 31, 2025, 6:50 pm • 0 0 • view
Umm no 3 took off and doesn’t look like any have been returned.
aug 31, 2025, 6:13 pm • 1 0 • view
What’s your proof?
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 1 0 • view
You don't know who is on those planes. Plenty of deportations happening that aren't this case, unfortunately.
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 6 0 • view
Those pilots need to never fly again
aug 31, 2025, 6:15 pm • 7 1 • view
Seriously, I don’t expect one could keep a taxi medallion or an Uber account after having been the driver for a kidnapping operation How on earth can a person keep their pilot’s license
aug 31, 2025, 6:19 pm • 11 1 • view
You can’t go anonymous to ATC either, has there been any effort to name & shame these child traffickers?
aug 31, 2025, 6:44 pm • 5 1 • view
And Ensign should be explicitly barred from selling or otherwise profiting from his memoirs
aug 31, 2025, 6:44 pm • 3 0 • view
Sneaky MFERs 😡
aug 31, 2025, 6:11 pm • 44 1 • view
And this is one case where someone was able to get the matter before a judge in the middle of the night. How many were not?
aug 31, 2025, 10:04 pm • 1 0 • view
As someone who sponsored a child in Guatemala for years (through Compassion) I am horrified that anyone could even consider sending unaccompanied minors there without a solid plan for their care.
aug 31, 2025, 10:12 pm • 3 0 • view
Leave these poor children ALONE!! JFC!!!
aug 31, 2025, 7:09 pm • 11 1 • view
The hallmark of a bully is picking on people who can't defend themselves.
sep 1, 2025, 12:15 am • 3 2 • view
sep 1, 2025, 12:16 am • 1 0 • view
It’s really too bad that these Trump administration lawyers and officials don’t get slapped with contempt. They’ve tried to sneakily evade court orders before and then lie about it. If and when the rule of law applies once again, these people need to be prosecuted.
aug 31, 2025, 7:48 pm • 11 1 • view
this administration is truly truly horrible...horrific things happening.
aug 31, 2025, 7:53 pm • 3 0 • view
DHS / DOJ --- classy, dudes, learning from Hitler memos?
aug 31, 2025, 7:04 pm • 2 0 • view
😡😳😱🆘
aug 31, 2025, 9:32 pm • 0 0 • view
📌
aug 31, 2025, 8:44 pm • 0 0 • view
Thank goodness for the judge
aug 31, 2025, 9:11 pm • 0 0 • view
Thank you so much for being fully invested in these kids. And the Constitution and rule of law. And human rights. You aren’t just fighting the good fight, you’re fighting the best possible fight.
aug 31, 2025, 7:40 pm • 12 1 • view
These people, under Trump, are the literal devil.
aug 31, 2025, 6:51 pm • 5 1 • view
I honestly have no idea how you get a hold of a federal judge at 2 in the morning, but awfully glad these guys did. Ensign is a ghoul.
aug 31, 2025, 7:18 pm • 117 6 • view
The courts need to order all actions of removal may not begin before 8 am or after 5 pm. This middle of the night, under cover of darkness while the rest of America is asleep. Had has got to stop. This is the Gestapo disappearing people.
aug 31, 2025, 8:43 pm • 23 2 • view
They truly are ghouls, straight from the crypt.
aug 31, 2025, 9:12 pm • 1 0 • view
Thank you, Anna!
aug 31, 2025, 7:16 pm • 2 0 • view
So the US government is in the child trafficking business now. Given the current president, it doesn’t come as a surprise
sep 1, 2025, 11:13 am • 1 0 • view
Gosh, it sounds like the Judge doesn’t trust the government one bit. Welcome to the club!
aug 31, 2025, 6:59 pm • 61 3 • view
They have proven themselves untrustworthy. Plus they apparently don't give their own lawyers information that can be relied on. If I were a DOJ lawyer I'd be pissed.
aug 31, 2025, 7:49 pm • 22 2 • view
It’s on purpose. The lawyers don’t ask for the information so they don’t have to lie to the judge.
aug 31, 2025, 8:47 pm • 21 3 • view
Yes
sep 1, 2025, 12:24 pm • 1 0 • view
Trafficking children. You don't say.
aug 31, 2025, 8:13 pm • 24 0 • view
epstein is waiting in Guatemala for them.
sep 1, 2025, 2:26 am • 0 0 • view
They are such mother fuckers They need to be punished
aug 31, 2025, 6:11 pm • 7 0 • view
Nuremberg 2.0 is gonna be lit
aug 31, 2025, 6:13 pm • 7 0 • view
And they have the audacity to call themselves "Christians."
sep 1, 2025, 3:53 pm • 0 0 • view
I wonder if they have successfully executed this stunt before. I am too ashamed to call myself American.
sep 1, 2025, 3:50 pm • 0 0 • view
Stephen Miller will have a lot to answer for in this world or the next.
aug 31, 2025, 6:54 pm • 23 1 • view
Here would be preferable.
aug 31, 2025, 9:11 pm • 5 0 • view
I hope he spends the rest of his miserable life nervously looking over his shoulder
sep 1, 2025, 11:14 am • 1 0 • view
I sincerely hope that there is an afterlife of his beliefs for him. Because from everything I have been taught about religion, he isn't going to like where he's going.
aug 31, 2025, 7:06 pm • 9 0 • view
Needs to start here & now.
sep 1, 2025, 2:25 am • 1 0 • view
They were trying to do it in the dark of night so they wouldn’t be discovered.
aug 31, 2025, 6:11 pm • 142 11 • view
Nothing says "we're sure we're on solid legal ground" like sneaking around to present the courts with a fair accompli.
aug 31, 2025, 10:02 pm • 50 1 • view
They don't give a shit about solid legal ground. They only speak one language: the language of power.
aug 31, 2025, 11:06 pm • 7 1 • view
Of course they do: that's why they're trying so hard to avoid it. Don't give them more power than they have, it's bad enough without that, it's bad enough they're trying to circumvent the law and due process. But right now they still don't have the guts for a showdown and that's an asset for us.
sep 1, 2025, 12:07 am • 6 0 • view
But you and I don't give them any power.
sep 1, 2025, 12:22 am • 2 0 • view
& language of criminality & trauma.
sep 1, 2025, 2:24 am • 0 0 • view
Trump supports subterfuge
sep 1, 2025, 1:15 am • 0 0 • view
Fucking criminals.
aug 31, 2025, 6:36 pm • 7 0 • view
So wonderful she's such a dedicated judge. 💖
sep 1, 2025, 3:37 am • 1 0 • view
WTF is wrong with these people ??
aug 31, 2025, 9:53 pm • 2 0 • view
Damn!!!
aug 31, 2025, 7:09 pm • 1 0 • view
Of course they did. They have one seating only and it’s always on “sadistic”.
aug 31, 2025, 8:04 pm • 3 0 • view
*setting not seating!
aug 31, 2025, 8:12 pm • 2 0 • view
aug 31, 2025, 6:16 pm • 6 0 • view
And not for the first time she was very very much NOT WRONG
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 6 0 • view
Wow. Ex Parte with this judge.... www.dcd.uscourts.gov/content/dist...
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 2 0 • view
Sooknanan "clerked for the Honorable Sonia Sotomayor."
aug 31, 2025, 7:23 pm • 3 0 • view
Call these MFERs OUT💥💥💥
aug 31, 2025, 6:08 pm • 10 1 • view
They need fodder for their kiddie porn
aug 31, 2025, 6:12 pm • 0 0 • view
i'd say Ensign should be happy working from a holding cell for the next five days.
aug 31, 2025, 7:02 pm • 6 0 • view
aug 31, 2025, 8:04 pm • 0 0 • view
Aw we s we w ewssdswsxsgxs
aug 31, 2025, 6:55 pm • 0 0 • view
I hope this isn't those children. Anyone know how to find out?
aug 31, 2025, 6:27 pm • 8 0 • view
bsky.app/profile/jjin...
aug 31, 2025, 6:27 pm • 9 5 • view
Thank you. I am wondering if they could be other individuals and not these children. I don't trust our govt any longer. I will start following the account you pointed to. Thank you 👍🏻
aug 31, 2025, 6:29 pm • 12 0 • view
Not sure - but we know they admitted at least one plane was in the air. Just wanted to share the original link as well. I count at least 3 times Ensign on behalf of the DOJ got caught lying during Anna's excellent reporting. The government is beyond being trusted.
aug 31, 2025, 6:34 pm • 17 1 • view
Agreed and, yes, his claim that one was in the air but turned around seemed far fetched given the timeline Anna was reporting along. Felt way too quick for him to know it really has turned around
aug 31, 2025, 7:25 pm • 7 0 • view
Sickening. Those poor children. What is wrong with the Trump administration? Maybe Melania should write a letter to her husband? Wtf?!
sep 1, 2025, 12:02 am • 0 0 • view
What are the realistic odds that Judge Sooknanan will levy a charge of contempt on the DOJ’s counsel for lying to the Court?
aug 31, 2025, 7:00 pm • 3 0 • view
OMG this admin is beyond horrible to do this to children. They’re monsters. Evil to the core.
sep 1, 2025, 12:01 pm • 1 0 • view
It's not the party of family values. It's the party of family abuse.
aug 31, 2025, 8:32 pm • 1 0 • view
"This doesn't quite line up" is a polite way to say "You are lying." As the conflicting depositions were entered under oath, should they turn out to be false*, will those who entered them be charged with perjury or at least held in contempt? (Spoiler:No.) *Should the sun rise in the East.
aug 31, 2025, 7:24 pm • 9 0 • view
Orange is the new black www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-HY...
aug 31, 2025, 7:23 pm • 2 0 • view
That’s easy to resolve. The government is lying.
aug 31, 2025, 6:17 pm • 6 0 • view