Joe Gordon
@joegordon.bsky.social
He/him. Lawyer. I defend against removal and help people reaching for their American dreams. Member of AILA, Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Bar Assn, Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel.
#immigrationsky
#immigrationsky
Pinned
Joe Gordon
@joegordon.bsky.social
· Oct 15
Immigration to the U.S. should be simple, easy, speedy, affordable and humane. Our policies should support our values, our needs. Families should be able to be safe, and together. Workers should be able to work. We should be a beacon. We should educate and welcome the world. We could. We can.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Never in a million years did I ever fathom when I resurrected the Epstein story in 2018 that it would lead to first arrest of a British Royal in four centuries. Not since King Charles I was arrested in 1647.
open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...
open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...
Prince Andrew's Arrest
Across the pond in Britain, justice and accountability is a serious matter
open.substack.com
February 19, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Never in a million years did I ever fathom when I resurrected the Epstein story in 2018 that it would lead to first arrest of a British Royal in four centuries. Not since King Charles I was arrested in 1647.
open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...
open.substack.com/pub/jkbjourn...
Reposted by Joe Gordon
The underlying decision is HUGE. Judge Sykes vacated under the APA "Matter of Yajure-Hurtado," the decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals that had blessed the Trump admin's new interpretation of a 1996 law to deny the right to seek bond to huge swathes of people it takes into custody.
I missed this real banger of an opinion yesterday from judge sunshine sykes (the best-named judge), vacating the BIA ruling on mandatory immigration detention
![Respondents engage in a deliberately dense three-step maneuver to reach
their core absurd conclusion that no further relief is warranted.
Step 1: Identify an immaterial difference between two things that are
functionally the same. [Opp. at 9; Dkt. No. 103 at 3].
Step 2: Insist that the immaterial difference is so consequential that it
can violate separation of powers. [Opp. at 12; Dkt. No. 103 at 3].
Finally, and most importantly,
Step 3: Make sure to never mention the Constitution with the hope
that a federal court will not notice. [See generally Opp.; Dkt. No. 103
at 3].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:maiw2rfujepnphhrejytvuu5/bafkreiepred3mp25pbguz42hxzu2gv7iqdvtinq4dwumxcjhc43f5bz62q@jpeg)
February 19, 2026 at 5:09 PM
The underlying decision is HUGE. Judge Sykes vacated under the APA "Matter of Yajure-Hurtado," the decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals that had blessed the Trump admin's new interpretation of a 1996 law to deny the right to seek bond to huge swathes of people it takes into custody.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Let me explain what this genuinely EVIL memo does. The admin is doubling down on its plan to arrest, detain, and interrogate tens of thousands of legally present refugees; people already vetted who’ve lived here legally for 1+ year.
Hundreds were arrested in Minnesota before a court blocked this.
Hundreds were arrested in Minnesota before a court blocked this.
![П.
New Policy
When a refugee is admitted to the United States, the admission is conditional and subject to a mandatory review after one year of physical presence in the United States under INA § 209(a)(1), 8 U.S.C. § 1159(a)(1). [footnote 1] At one year after admission:
[Footnote 1] 18 C.F.R. § 209.1(a)(1) states that every refugee whose status has not been terminated "is required to apply to USCIS one year after entry in order for USCIS to determine his or her admissibility ." 8 C.F.R. § 209.1(b) provides that this [end fragment of footnote 1]
The refugee must return, or be returned, to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody for inspection and examination for admission as an LPR.
If the refugee does not voluntarily return, DHS will return the individual to custody (i.e., arrest and detain) for this purpose.
DHS may maintain custody for the duration of the inspection and examination process.
This detain-and-inspect requirement ensures that refugees are re-vetted after one year, aligns post-admission vetting with that applied to other applicants for admission, and promotes public safety.
SHA](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2vtbmhmrwzbqcfv4we4uxzzt/bafkreibwkaebuwxs4pylzfqptflvvzlgoe4zoa7uyqiocyriuoz2uuizz4@jpeg)
February 19, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Let me explain what this genuinely EVIL memo does. The admin is doubling down on its plan to arrest, detain, and interrogate tens of thousands of legally present refugees; people already vetted who’ve lived here legally for 1+ year.
Hundreds were arrested in Minnesota before a court blocked this.
Hundreds were arrested in Minnesota before a court blocked this.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
In Minnesota, this policy involved ICE officers arresting refugees who had done EVERYTHING right, then flying them to Texas in chains for interrogation.
Remember, these people had filed every application on time, had done nothing wrong, and were here in the country 100% legally.
Remember, these people had filed every application on time, had done nothing wrong, and were here in the country 100% legally.
February 19, 2026 at 4:08 PM
In Minnesota, this policy involved ICE officers arresting refugees who had done EVERYTHING right, then flying them to Texas in chains for interrogation.
Remember, these people had filed every application on time, had done nothing wrong, and were here in the country 100% legally.
Remember, these people had filed every application on time, had done nothing wrong, and were here in the country 100% legally.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
In a section of the memo that is truly Orwellian, the Trump admin actually says it's REFUGEES who have the "misguided belief" about the law — even though this policy is a brand new interpretation of a 45-year-old law — and therefore it's THEIR fault they're traumatized when ICE comes to jail them.
February 19, 2026 at 4:11 PM
In a section of the memo that is truly Orwellian, the Trump admin actually says it's REFUGEES who have the "misguided belief" about the law — even though this policy is a brand new interpretation of a 45-year-old law — and therefore it's THEIR fault they're traumatized when ICE comes to jail them.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Big developments at the state level in several blue states to block local assistance to ICE.
NEW: Major, BFD action by blue states standing up to ICE.
Maryland, on Tuesday, banned local law enforcement from being part of ICE's notorious 287(g) program.
That automatically forces *9* sheriffs out of their ICE contract!
And New Mexico did the same last week:
Maryland, on Tuesday, banned local law enforcement from being part of ICE's notorious 287(g) program.
That automatically forces *9* sheriffs out of their ICE contract!
And New Mexico did the same last week:
Maryland, New Mexico Become Latest Blue States to Ban Local Contracts with ICE - Bolts
Governors Lujan Grisham and Moore signed laws barring local sheriffs and police from partnering with ICE’s 287(g) program, joining a string of ten states with similar prohibitions.
boltsmag.org
February 19, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Big developments at the state level in several blue states to block local assistance to ICE.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Wow.
Fed. judge tells DHS, ICE, Sec. Noem, AG Bondi, EOIR and others that they are harming "the fabric of this very nation" by defying a court order that vacated their automatic-detention policy.
Order is linked here:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Fed. judge tells DHS, ICE, Sec. Noem, AG Bondi, EOIR and others that they are harming "the fabric of this very nation" by defying a court order that vacated their automatic-detention policy.
Order is linked here:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
February 19, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Wow.
Fed. judge tells DHS, ICE, Sec. Noem, AG Bondi, EOIR and others that they are harming "the fabric of this very nation" by defying a court order that vacated their automatic-detention policy.
Order is linked here:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Fed. judge tells DHS, ICE, Sec. Noem, AG Bondi, EOIR and others that they are harming "the fabric of this very nation" by defying a court order that vacated their automatic-detention policy.
Order is linked here:
www.reuters.com/world/us/us-...
Departments with good policies across the country, take note:
Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison suspended two officers for coordinating with Border Patrol in violation of department policy. He said he “intends to terminate them."
Our public records request showed two more instances of officers calling immigration agents, with @kobylevin.bsky.social:
Our public records request showed two more instances of officers calling immigration agents, with @kobylevin.bsky.social:
What we know about Detroit police calls to CPB at traffic stops
Detroit police officers coordinated with Border Patrol more often than the department acknowledged.
outliermedia.org
February 19, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Departments with good policies across the country, take note:
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Got on the road at 6:30 am, drove for two and half hours, spent 3 hours in a court in the Bronx to get a child client out of detention, drove back and sat down to review the records I requested over a month ago that were only delivered today for a trial tomorrow to get another kid...
February 18, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Got on the road at 6:30 am, drove for two and half hours, spent 3 hours in a court in the Bronx to get a child client out of detention, drove back and sat down to review the records I requested over a month ago that were only delivered today for a trial tomorrow to get another kid...
Reposted by Joe Gordon
...out of an inappropriate placement, and then I have day 2 of another trial on Friday to force DCF to provide an adequate foster care placement to the kid who was locked up in the Bronx, which they refuse to do despite two court orders, and I gotta tell you: I am feeling very tired, ...
February 18, 2026 at 9:49 PM
...out of an inappropriate placement, and then I have day 2 of another trial on Friday to force DCF to provide an adequate foster care placement to the kid who was locked up in the Bronx, which they refuse to do despite two court orders, and I gotta tell you: I am feeling very tired, ...
Reposted by Joe Gordon
both in the immediate sense (I want to sleep) and in the institutional sense (I want a better infrastructure of state support for the needs of children and families).
February 18, 2026 at 9:49 PM
both in the immediate sense (I want to sleep) and in the institutional sense (I want a better infrastructure of state support for the needs of children and families).
Reposted by Joe Gordon
1. DHS surges 3,000 officers to Minneapolis without doing anywhere near enough prep first.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
February 18, 2026 at 11:09 PM
1. DHS surges 3,000 officers to Minneapolis without doing anywhere near enough prep first.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
2. Hundreds of habeas cases overwhelm local courts.
3. Dozens of DOJ lawyers quit in disgust/anger.
4. The DOJ brings in JAGs to cover.
5. A JAG was just held in contempt and fined $500/day for ICE's failures.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
2026 basically
February 18, 2026 at 4:23 PM
2026 basically
Guy is maybe the most clear example of “it’s a 1A crackdown against peace activists, it’s not sincere, it’s punishment of speech” - dude is a Buddhist sidelined by hardliners bc he was too sympathetic and open to working with and hearing from Jews.
The case could still be appealed to the BIA I gather. Baffling that the decision seems to be based on “authenticity of a photocopy of a document signed by [SOS Rubio]” saying his presence undermines the ME peace process by fostering antisemitism. Bc cmon. Rubio didn’t testify. Obvs. It was a lie/BS
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student activist, faced deportation proceedings amid a protest crackdown under Trump.
February 18, 2026 at 11:20 AM
Guy is maybe the most clear example of “it’s a 1A crackdown against peace activists, it’s not sincere, it’s punishment of speech” - dude is a Buddhist sidelined by hardliners bc he was too sympathetic and open to working with and hearing from Jews.
The case could still be appealed to the BIA I gather. Baffling that the decision seems to be based on “authenticity of a photocopy of a document signed by [SOS Rubio]” saying his presence undermines the ME peace process by fostering antisemitism. Bc cmon. Rubio didn’t testify. Obvs. It was a lie/BS
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student activist, faced deportation proceedings amid a protest crackdown under Trump.
US immigration judge rejects Trump bid to deport Columbia student Mahdawi
Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian student activist, faced deportation proceedings amid a protest crackdown under Trump.
www.aljazeera.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:17 AM
The case could still be appealed to the BIA I gather. Baffling that the decision seems to be based on “authenticity of a photocopy of a document signed by [SOS Rubio]” saying his presence undermines the ME peace process by fostering antisemitism. Bc cmon. Rubio didn’t testify. Obvs. It was a lie/BS
May his memo be for a blessing, and may those responsible face swift and sobering justice.
Mr. Sim lived in the US for 43 years. He was ordered deported 20 years ago after a larceny conviction. Because Cambodia wasn’t accepting deportations, he was allowed to stay on an order of supervision.
After 20 years, he was suddenly arrested at an ICE check-in and sent to detention, where he died.
After 20 years, he was suddenly arrested at an ICE check-in and sent to detention, where he died.
February 18, 2026 at 2:06 AM
May his memo be for a blessing, and may those responsible face swift and sobering justice.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Can corroborate @sojo.net here: CSPL has also told me they have yet to hear from DHS about clergy being granted access to the Broadview ICE facility.
A federal court order issued last week requires them not only to allow clergy in, but to work to CSPL to do so. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
A federal court order issued last week requires them not only to allow clergy in, but to work to CSPL to do so. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
February 17, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Can corroborate @sojo.net here: CSPL has also told me they have yet to hear from DHS about clergy being granted access to the Broadview ICE facility.
A federal court order issued last week requires them not only to allow clergy in, but to work to CSPL to do so. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
A federal court order issued last week requires them not only to allow clergy in, but to work to CSPL to do so. religionnews.com/2026/02/13/j...
I believe that a big chunk of future applicants to USCIS has not yet priced in the lesson of this article. They expect to be treated fairly, to be “fine” if they are good people/ follow instructions.
Some are awake. Some worry. But it takes time for the word to get to everyone.
Some are awake. Some worry. But it takes time for the word to get to everyone.
Incredible story that is worth your time to read. It exposes the ways in which the Trump admin is turning the legal immigration system into yet another arm of the mass deportation machine, transforming a benefits agency into a trap for those seeking legal status.
February 17, 2026 at 10:10 PM
I believe that a big chunk of future applicants to USCIS has not yet priced in the lesson of this article. They expect to be treated fairly, to be “fine” if they are good people/ follow instructions.
Some are awake. Some worry. But it takes time for the word to get to everyone.
Some are awake. Some worry. But it takes time for the word to get to everyone.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Spoilation of evidence
“I don’t want to be in this place I want to go to my school.”
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
- 7 year old imprisoned by ICE for 70 days in a concentration camp in Texas.
Today, after @propublica.org published this story, the camp was raided to confiscate letters from the children.
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
February 17, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Spoilation of evidence
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Someone needs to write a private bill for this guy and dare Republicans to oppose it.
Breaking:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
February 17, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Someone needs to write a private bill for this guy and dare Republicans to oppose it.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Breaking:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
February 17, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Breaking:
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
WASHINGTON (AP) - Judge says government can't take Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody because it lacks viable deportation plan.
WHAT a thread. What a set of policies. What a life.
February 17, 2026 at 6:36 PM
WHAT a thread. What a set of policies. What a life.
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Chilling phrase of the day: “final hold”
As in, USCIS will not be adjudicating this application because a final hold has been placed on it
As in, USCIS will not be adjudicating this application because a final hold has been placed on it
February 17, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Chilling phrase of the day: “final hold”
As in, USCIS will not be adjudicating this application because a final hold has been placed on it
As in, USCIS will not be adjudicating this application because a final hold has been placed on it
Reposted by Joe Gordon
Fed. judge holds that it likely violated the law for the Trump administration to remove displays and exhibits about enslaved people at President Washington's first official residence in Philadelphia.
PI issued to stop Trump from trashing President's House.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
PI issued to stop Trump from trashing President's House.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Fed. judge holds that it likely violated the law for the Trump administration to remove displays and exhibits about enslaved people at President Washington's first official residence in Philadelphia.
PI issued to stop Trump from trashing President's House.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
PI issued to stop Trump from trashing President's House.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...