Dara Lind
@daralind.bsky.social
Former journalist, currently employed at @immcouncil.org (all posts here VERY MUCH my own), forever immigration explainer. Because the public has a right and a duty to know what its government is doing in its name.
Signal: daralind.18
Signal: daralind.18
Pinned
Dara Lind
@daralind.bsky.social
· Oct 3
Anyway, this is your regular reminder that my Signal is available in my bio, and that if you have something you want publicly known I'm happy to chat with you about it and come up with a plan.
Not so that I can break it -- breaking news isn't my profession anymore! -- but so it can get out there.
Not so that I can break it -- breaking news isn't my profession anymore! -- but so it can get out there.
I keep yelling this at my phone when I see these photos and I’m going to start yelling it here:
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
November 11, 2025 at 1:40 AM
I keep yelling this at my phone when I see these photos and I’m going to start yelling it here:
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
NEVER. POINT. YOUR FIREARM. AT ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT INTEND. TO DESTROY.
“Gently tending to my beloved herd of pasta” is now going to be what I imagine in calming visualization exercises until the end of time
i misread this as domesticating. gently tending to my beloved herd of pasta.
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 PM
“Gently tending to my beloved herd of pasta” is now going to be what I imagine in calming visualization exercises until the end of time
Reposted by Dara Lind
Many people recently deported on flights told Capital & Main that the U.S. government had taken their phones, and they struggled with the little money that they had to find their way out of being stranded in a city they did not know.
Read more here: www.laprogressive.com/immigration-...
Read more here: www.laprogressive.com/immigration-...
www.laprogressive.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Many people recently deported on flights told Capital & Main that the U.S. government had taken their phones, and they struggled with the little money that they had to find their way out of being stranded in a city they did not know.
Read more here: www.laprogressive.com/immigration-...
Read more here: www.laprogressive.com/immigration-...
Okay okay I know that (economic and certainly industrial policy is not my lane and) it is not as simple as “if tariffs make importing too expensive it will create profit opportunities to manufacture those goods in the U.S.”
But WHAT IF WE START DOMESTIC BUCATINI INDUSTRY.
But WHAT IF WE START DOMESTIC BUCATINI INDUSTRY.
Trump trade war costs US Italian pasta: “Exporters say import and antidumping duties totaling 107% on their pasta brands will make doing business in America too costly and are preparing to pull out of U.S. stores as soon as January.” Via WSJ
Italian Pasta Is Poised to Disappear From American Grocery Shelves — The Wall Street Journal
Trump administration is set to impose duties of 107% on Italian pasta imports, among most punitive of tariffs it has levied
apple.news
November 10, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Okay okay I know that (economic and certainly industrial policy is not my lane and) it is not as simple as “if tariffs make importing too expensive it will create profit opportunities to manufacture those goods in the U.S.”
But WHAT IF WE START DOMESTIC BUCATINI INDUSTRY.
But WHAT IF WE START DOMESTIC BUCATINI INDUSTRY.
Look. A two-writer marriage is difficult. But a two-editor marriage? That’s just fun.
“I can tell you’re really mad when you use “sclerotic” and “rejuvenated” in the same Bluesky post.” - @daralind.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Look. A two-writer marriage is difficult. But a two-editor marriage? That’s just fun.
We really don’t talk enough about how much the 21st-century three-branch equilibrium (executive branch makes policy; judicial branch red-light-green-lights policy; Senate turns the judge-making machine on and off) is an absolute disaster for a) basic administration and b) policy predictability.
This is an absolutely insane administrative process. Within the space of a week, states were told by judges/White House
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
*no SNAP benefits
*half benefits
*full benefits
*pause provision of benefits.
Result is chaos, uncertainty, and uneven access to benefits depending on where people live.
NEW: The Trump admin told states it must immediately "undo" the work to provide full food stamp benefits, or face penalties. The feds sent this in a late-night memo, only adding to the chaos and confusion around SNAP. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/09/b...
November 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
We really don’t talk enough about how much the 21st-century three-branch equilibrium (executive branch makes policy; judicial branch red-light-green-lights policy; Senate turns the judge-making machine on and off) is an absolute disaster for a) basic administration and b) policy predictability.
Getting new glasses and a new haircolor on the same day is…a lot of change.
November 9, 2025 at 12:29 AM
Getting new glasses and a new haircolor on the same day is…a lot of change.
I’m not quoting to dunk but I think we really need to start distinguishing, even in casual conversation, between CBP/USBP (involved in this case and SO many of the other most shocking cases) and ICE ($50k bonus but underrepresented in recent outrages compared to BP).
Yes but these aren't professionals, these are stormtroopers who took the job to get their $50k signing bonus.
November 8, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I’m not quoting to dunk but I think we really need to start distinguishing, even in casual conversation, between CBP/USBP (involved in this case and SO many of the other most shocking cases) and ICE ($50k bonus but underrepresented in recent outrages compared to BP).
Apprehending someone with a kid there is not an unprecedented law-enforcement situation. Professionals understand this as posing a question of what to do with the kid: wait until a relative can pick them up? Take them somewhere? Etc?
To _not think about this_ is a CHOICE.
To _not think about this_ is a CHOICE.
So immigration agents drove off in a citizen’s car with a toddler in the back.
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
**Then DHS refused to answer questions about it.**
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/07/u...
November 8, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Apprehending someone with a kid there is not an unprecedented law-enforcement situation. Professionals understand this as posing a question of what to do with the kid: wait until a relative can pick them up? Take them somewhere? Etc?
To _not think about this_ is a CHOICE.
To _not think about this_ is a CHOICE.
I really appreciate that this year everyone is learning that Midwestern nice doesn’t mean Midwestern pushover.
Seriously, try pushing us over, many of us have powerful peasant builds and low centers of gravity.
Seriously, try pushing us over, many of us have powerful peasant builds and low centers of gravity.
November 8, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I really appreciate that this year everyone is learning that Midwestern nice doesn’t mean Midwestern pushover.
Seriously, try pushing us over, many of us have powerful peasant builds and low centers of gravity.
Seriously, try pushing us over, many of us have powerful peasant builds and low centers of gravity.
Love to spend an entire TV interview repeating insights I’ve learned from my husband. Anyway if you liked me on MSNBC and care about law enforcement, institutional cultures, professionalism, you should be following the work of @blanksslate.bsky.social
November 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Love to spend an entire TV interview repeating insights I’ve learned from my husband. Anyway if you liked me on MSNBC and care about law enforcement, institutional cultures, professionalism, you should be following the work of @blanksslate.bsky.social
In 2012 I wrote an unsuccessful application focused on the prospect of immigration enforcement fully “unsewing” immigrants from public and communal life.
Like, okay, it’s a “chilling effect,” until it’s strong enough that it’s never going to un-chill no matter what happens in future.
Like, okay, it’s a “chilling effect,” until it’s strong enough that it’s never going to un-chill no matter what happens in future.
Attendance has dropped at Chicago schools in communities with increased immigration enforcement.
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
November 7, 2025 at 3:02 PM
In 2012 I wrote an unsuccessful application focused on the prospect of immigration enforcement fully “unsewing” immigrants from public and communal life.
Like, okay, it’s a “chilling effect,” until it’s strong enough that it’s never going to un-chill no matter what happens in future.
Like, okay, it’s a “chilling effect,” until it’s strong enough that it’s never going to un-chill no matter what happens in future.
Reposted by Dara Lind
Attendance has dropped at Chicago schools in communities with increased immigration enforcement.
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Attendance has dropped at Chicago schools in communities with increased immigration enforcement.
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
Chalkbeat reports: blockclubchi.co/43hlTBr
Listening to this Rest Is History series and…good grief, Horatio Nelson had the most acute imaginable case of main character syndrome, didn’t he
November 7, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Listening to this Rest Is History series and…good grief, Horatio Nelson had the most acute imaginable case of main character syndrome, didn’t he
This is highly related to my main takeaway from my jury duty earlier this year: "beyond a reasonable doubt" for _every element_ of the crime charged is a HIGH STANDARD TO MEET in a jury trial, esp when the gov is doing all this. Every juror should be prepared to hold the government to that standard.
There's a deep point here: the line between jury nullification and acquittal for other reasons is not always clear. Nullification is just one of many ways a prosecution can go wrong for the government when the jury is skeptical of law enforcement and prosecutors.
the jury nullification take is wrong. If that’s what had happened they wouldn’t have sent a note to the judge asking for definitions of relevant terms.
They just didn’t think he did the crime after considering the evidence and following the given instructions.
Don’t charge sandwich cases.
They just didn’t think he did the crime after considering the evidence and following the given instructions.
Don’t charge sandwich cases.
November 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
This is highly related to my main takeaway from my jury duty earlier this year: "beyond a reasonable doubt" for _every element_ of the crime charged is a HIGH STANDARD TO MEET in a jury trial, esp when the gov is doing all this. Every juror should be prepared to hold the government to that standard.
A while back I asked on here where I could buy genuinely striking glasses in DC.
Those of you who said A Brighter Image — I owe you a drink.
Incredible selection, INCREDIBLE service, customer for life over here.
Those of you who said A Brighter Image — I owe you a drink.
Incredible selection, INCREDIBLE service, customer for life over here.
November 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
A while back I asked on here where I could buy genuinely striking glasses in DC.
Those of you who said A Brighter Image — I owe you a drink.
Incredible selection, INCREDIBLE service, customer for life over here.
Those of you who said A Brighter Image — I owe you a drink.
Incredible selection, INCREDIBLE service, customer for life over here.
Reposted by Dara Lind
"[Chicago mom] Andrea Soria... overheard her 6-year-old whisper to her dolls: 'We have to be good or ICE will get us.'"
apnews.com/article/chic...
apnews.com/article/chic...
Chicago's children are getting caught in the chaos of immigration crackdowns
In Chicago, children and families have been traumatized by an immigration enforcement action involving tear gas.
apnews.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:42 PM
"[Chicago mom] Andrea Soria... overheard her 6-year-old whisper to her dolls: 'We have to be good or ICE will get us.'"
apnews.com/article/chic...
apnews.com/article/chic...
Reposted by Dara Lind
Reposted by Dara Lind
On DHS’s unauthorized use of Norman Rockwell’s paintings across social media, an op-ed from our family today in @usatoday.com www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
We're Norman Rockwell's family. Trump's DHS has shamefully misused his work. | Opinion
As Norman Rockwell's family, we know he'd be devastated to see the Department of Homeland Security's unauthorized misuse of his work.
www.usatoday.com
November 2, 2025 at 1:03 PM
On DHS’s unauthorized use of Norman Rockwell’s paintings across social media, an op-ed from our family today in @usatoday.com www.usatoday.com/story/opinio...
People of Canada. You have one job. For the next 24 hours you have to get Drake as far away from Rogers Centre as possible. And keep him there.
November 1, 2025 at 3:16 AM
People of Canada. You have one job. For the next 24 hours you have to get Drake as far away from Rogers Centre as possible. And keep him there.
Every time I talk to a general-assignment reporter doing an immigration story I feel like the oldest, most cynical person in the world.
"Do you know where I can get data on XYZ?"
"...oh, you sweet summer child."
"Do you know where I can get data on XYZ?"
"...oh, you sweet summer child."
October 31, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Every time I talk to a general-assignment reporter doing an immigration story I feel like the oldest, most cynical person in the world.
"Do you know where I can get data on XYZ?"
"...oh, you sweet summer child."
"Do you know where I can get data on XYZ?"
"...oh, you sweet summer child."
Not at all sure why I have this stuck in my head, but since it's a total bop I might as well share it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWVp...
I will defend Godspell to the death. "What if Hair, but about Jesus and the songs were actually good, and it gained rather than losing coherence in the second act?"
I will defend Godspell to the death. "What if Hair, but about Jesus and the songs were actually good, and it gained rather than losing coherence in the second act?"
"All For The Best" ~ Godspell (1973)
YouTube video by PatchesAndFacePaint
www.youtube.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Not at all sure why I have this stuck in my head, but since it's a total bop I might as well share it. www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWVp...
I will defend Godspell to the death. "What if Hair, but about Jesus and the songs were actually good, and it gained rather than losing coherence in the second act?"
I will defend Godspell to the death. "What if Hair, but about Jesus and the songs were actually good, and it gained rather than losing coherence in the second act?"
This is absolutely worth reading. Among other things, it features an ICE agent testifying in a sworn affidavit that the defendant had a removal order and final tags…based on assumptions another agent made that as it happened were wrong.
This dismissal opinion on a failed ICE arrest that @seamushughes.bsky.social found is worth reading in its entirety. Come for the debunking of DHS "fiction," stay for the snark about wiener dog, but definitely take time to read the 18 USC 111 analysis.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![The sworn affidavit submitted in support of the Criminal Complaint in this matter tells a
very different—and largely fictional—story. For example, Special Agent Steven Fuentes of ICE,
HSI, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) swore to the following:
On June 20, 2025, [HSI, ICE-ERO, and TxDPS] were conducting
surveillance at a residence on Benrus, in San Antonio, Texas, in the Western
District of Texas. Database checks indicated that Jaime Albert
QUINTANILLA-Chavez, with a Final Order of Removal from an
Immigration Judge, was residing at the above address. At approximately
0715 a.m., QUINTANILLA exited the residence and entered a white Dodge
Ram. The Dodge Ram was towing a trailer containing construction
equipment. Both license plates for the truck and trailer were expired.
ECF No. 1 ¶ 2 (emphasis added). Fuentes also swore that (1) the Defendant refused to “follow any
commands”; (2) after the Defendant was blocked in between the officers’ vehicles, he was given
“multiple verbal commands to exit the vehicle”; and (3) the Defendant “fought the law
enforcement officers.” Id. ¶¶ 3–4. Fuentes further testified at the preliminary hearing that the
Defendant was surveilled (and taken into custody) because he was subject to a Final Order of
Removal from an Immigration Judge. See ECF No. 12, 6/26 Preliminary Hr’g Tr. at 4:20–25.
Despite HSI’s sworn statement to the Magistrate Judge that the vehicle was stopped
because of expired license plates, the Assistant U.S. Attorney conceded at a bond hearing in July
2025 that Fuentes had “misrepresented what was going on.” ECF No. 29, 7/10 Hr’g Tr. at 8:12–](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreie6x3oqkmgiyywtsyowz35tyuqw2ra27hpaxj2h2npzdlaskrurjm@jpeg)
October 31, 2025 at 11:51 AM
This is absolutely worth reading. Among other things, it features an ICE agent testifying in a sworn affidavit that the defendant had a removal order and final tags…based on assumptions another agent made that as it happened were wrong.
Reposted by Dara Lind
ICYMI: Georgia has 3rd-highest pop'n of Venezuelans in US; I wrote abt what life is like for them right now:
@austinkocher.com @daralind.bsky.social @maria-hinojosa.bsky.social @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
atlpresscollective.com/2025/10/19/v...
@austinkocher.com @daralind.bsky.social @maria-hinojosa.bsky.social @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
atlpresscollective.com/2025/10/19/v...
Venezuelans in Georgia live with uncertainty, 'persecution'
As a result of increasing pressure from the Trump administration and ICE, many Venezuelans in Georgia have uncertain futures.
atlpresscollective.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:32 PM
ICYMI: Georgia has 3rd-highest pop'n of Venezuelans in US; I wrote abt what life is like for them right now:
@austinkocher.com @daralind.bsky.social @maria-hinojosa.bsky.social @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
atlpresscollective.com/2025/10/19/v...
@austinkocher.com @daralind.bsky.social @maria-hinojosa.bsky.social @iwillnotbesilenced.bsky.social
atlpresscollective.com/2025/10/19/v...
Reposted by Dara Lind
NEW: How ICE mistakenly deported Alejandro Juarez to Mexico.
Alejandro was detained in NYC, put on the wrong ICE plane and sent to Mexico.
He never saw a judge, no deportation order - a likely violation of law.
W/ @haleaziz.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
Alejandro was detained in NYC, put on the wrong ICE plane and sent to Mexico.
He never saw a judge, no deportation order - a likely violation of law.
W/ @haleaziz.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
How a Former Trump Golf Club Worker Was Mistakenly Deported to Mexico
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
NEW: How ICE mistakenly deported Alejandro Juarez to Mexico.
Alejandro was detained in NYC, put on the wrong ICE plane and sent to Mexico.
He never saw a judge, no deportation order - a likely violation of law.
W/ @haleaziz.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...
Alejandro was detained in NYC, put on the wrong ICE plane and sent to Mexico.
He never saw a judge, no deportation order - a likely violation of law.
W/ @haleaziz.bsky.social:
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/30/n...