Saira Hussain
@sairahussain.bsky.social
Senior Staff Attorney at EFF focused on racial and immigrant justice, surveillance, & tech. Asian Law Caucus alum. Baker & dessert aficionado. Views my own.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Putting aside Kilmar Ábrego García’s fate in immigration court, which is not a real court:
He has been winning at every step of the federal judiciary, in a maze of criminal and civil cases, and that’s why the Trump administration is throwing everything at him.
This streak continues in Tennessee:
He has been winning at every step of the federal judiciary, in a maze of criminal and civil cases, and that’s why the Trump administration is throwing everything at him.
This streak continues in Tennessee:
BREAKING: A federal judge finds that there is evidence Kilmar Abrego was VINDICTIVELY PROSECUTED. The judge GRANTS Abrego's motion for discovery and a hearing, and the government must now PROVE it did not vindictively prosecute Mr. Abrego. 1/
October 3, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Putting aside Kilmar Ábrego García’s fate in immigration court, which is not a real court:
He has been winning at every step of the federal judiciary, in a maze of criminal and civil cases, and that’s why the Trump administration is throwing everything at him.
This streak continues in Tennessee:
He has been winning at every step of the federal judiciary, in a maze of criminal and civil cases, and that’s why the Trump administration is throwing everything at him.
This streak continues in Tennessee:
Reposted by Saira Hussain
If I were JD Vance, I would consider whether God is perhaps sending me some fairly specific messages
May 8, 2025 at 6:25 PM
If I were JD Vance, I would consider whether God is perhaps sending me some fairly specific messages
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Always remember that Brad Karp decided it wasn’t worth standing up for the rule of law when his firm of Paul Weiss was targeted. Never forget it, not for a minute.
BREAKING: Federal judge rules that President Donald Trump's executive order targeting the Perkins Coie law firm — the first of several such orders — is unconstitutional and, accordingly, "null and void."
Background at Law Dork on the original TRO in the case: www.lawdork.com/p/perkins-co...
Background at Law Dork on the original TRO in the case: www.lawdork.com/p/perkins-co...
![IV. CONCLUSION
The U.S. Constitution affords critical protections against Executive action like that ordered
in EO 14230. Government officials, including the President, may not “subject[] individuals to
‘retaliatory actions’ after the fact for having engaged in protected speech.” Hous. Cmty. Coll. Sys.,
595 U.S. at 474 (quoting Nieves, 587 U.S. at 398). They may neither “use the power of the State
to punish or suppress disfavored expression,” Vullo, 602 U.S. at 188, nor engage in the use of
“purely personal and arbitrary power,” Yick Wo, 118 U.S. at 370. In this case, these and other
foundational protections were violated by EO 14230. On that basis, this Court has found that EO
14230 violates the Constitution and is thus null and void. For the reasons explained, plaintiff is
entitled to summary judgment and declaratory and permanent injunctive relief on Counts II
through IX of the Amended Complaint. The government’s motion to dismiss is denied.
An order consistent with this Memorandum Opinion will be entered contemporaneously.
Date: May 2, 2025
__________________________
BERYL A. HOWELL
United States District Judge](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreiao7yxugdwnz4olk32epcxvgerj5kdhnzylfw6t74rlsuymhegl7q@jpeg)
May 2, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Always remember that Brad Karp decided it wasn’t worth standing up for the rule of law when his firm of Paul Weiss was targeted. Never forget it, not for a minute.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Howell drips with disdain for the firms who capitulated to the White House and says of those who resisted "will be the models lauded when this period of American history is written." ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
May 2, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Howell drips with disdain for the firms who capitulated to the White House and says of those who resisted "will be the models lauded when this period of American history is written." ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
JUST IN: Judge HOWELL rules forcefully in favor of Perkins Coie against Trump's punitive executive order, comparing him to a Shakespearean character who famously called to "kill all the lawyers" in order to amass power.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
May 2, 2025 at 10:26 PM
JUST IN: Judge HOWELL rules forcefully in favor of Perkins Coie against Trump's punitive executive order, comparing him to a Shakespearean character who famously called to "kill all the lawyers" in order to amass power.
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
I’ve watched too many of these raids to count. This one is one of the most infuriating in recent memory.
Appropriate that we learn about it on the same day SCOTUS hears oral arguments for a case that may remove the last remaining way to hold federal agents accountable for this kind of terror.
Appropriate that we learn about it on the same day SCOTUS hears oral arguments for a case that may remove the last remaining way to hold federal agents accountable for this kind of terror.
'We're citizens!': Oklahoma City family traumatized after ICE raids home, but they weren't suspects
A woman says her family’s fresh start in Oklahoma turned into a nightmare after federal immigration agents raided their home, taking their phones, laptops, and life savings – even though they were …
kfor.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:32 AM
I’ve watched too many of these raids to count. This one is one of the most infuriating in recent memory.
Appropriate that we learn about it on the same day SCOTUS hears oral arguments for a case that may remove the last remaining way to hold federal agents accountable for this kind of terror.
Appropriate that we learn about it on the same day SCOTUS hears oral arguments for a case that may remove the last remaining way to hold federal agents accountable for this kind of terror.
Let's call this out for what it is: a kidnapping. This is every parent's worst nightmare.
The Trump administration continues to ignore the courts.
278 men are still in CECOT prison without a trial, sentence, or any form of due process.
Here's one of their stories. Dad is in CECOT. Mom, deported to Venezuela. Their beautiful toddler, in foster care in the US, whereabouts unknown.
278 men are still in CECOT prison without a trial, sentence, or any form of due process.
Here's one of their stories. Dad is in CECOT. Mom, deported to Venezuela. Their beautiful toddler, in foster care in the US, whereabouts unknown.
A Mother and Father Were Deported Under Trump. But What Happened to Their Daughter? (Gift Article)
The Trump administration sent the mother of a 2-year-old to Venezuela and the father to a Salvadoran prison. Their daughter remains somewhere in the United States.
www.nytimes.com
April 29, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Let's call this out for what it is: a kidnapping. This is every parent's worst nightmare.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Massachusetts federal court will allow @aaup.bsky.social First Amendment challenge to Trump administration's unwritten policy targeting noncitizen "speech that could be construed as pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel" to move forward. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com
April 29, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Massachusetts federal court will allow @aaup.bsky.social First Amendment challenge to Trump administration's unwritten policy targeting noncitizen "speech that could be construed as pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel" to move forward. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
US citizens aren't legally required to carry citizenship documents, but “the law is divorced from reality,” EFF’s Saira Hussain told @huffpost.com - the practical reality is that DHS, CBP, and ICE “may not necessarily be following case law at the moment.”
You Don't Have To Carry Proof Of U.S. Citizenship. But Amid ICE Detainments, You Might Want To.
Just last week, a U.S. citizen was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
www.huffpost.com
April 24, 2025 at 8:58 PM
US citizens aren't legally required to carry citizenship documents, but “the law is divorced from reality,” EFF’s Saira Hussain told @huffpost.com - the practical reality is that DHS, CBP, and ICE “may not necessarily be following case law at the moment.”
Reposted by Saira Hussain
this is, by definition, not an "immigration crackdown"
April 23, 2025 at 9:02 PM
this is, by definition, not an "immigration crackdown"
Reposted by Saira Hussain
This drives me mad. If polls say voters don’t disapprove of disappearing people to gulags, then the voters are fucked up and need to be persuaded or shamed into decency. You can’t just treat a view like that as an unshakeable given. There’s no modus vivendi with a fundamentally indecent electorate.
This is why it's stupid for dem consultants to keep insisting "don't hit them on immigration." Hit them on what they're strong on, *because they're doing terrible shit and you can make them not so strong any more*
New Reuters poll finds Trump is no longer in positive territory *even on immigration*:
April 22, 2025 at 10:15 PM
This drives me mad. If polls say voters don’t disapprove of disappearing people to gulags, then the voters are fucked up and need to be persuaded or shamed into decency. You can’t just treat a view like that as an unshakeable given. There’s no modus vivendi with a fundamentally indecent electorate.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
How are things going with respect to the discovery before Judge Xinis in Abrego García?
Well, the government describes as a “false premise” that it “has been ordered to facilitate Abrego García’s release.”
(That’s *literally* what #SCOTUS held.)
pacer-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/84/578815/09...
Well, the government describes as a “false premise” that it “has been ordered to facilitate Abrego García’s release.”
(That’s *literally* what #SCOTUS held.)
pacer-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/84/578815/09...
April 22, 2025 at 12:16 PM
How are things going with respect to the discovery before Judge Xinis in Abrego García?
Well, the government describes as a “false premise” that it “has been ordered to facilitate Abrego García’s release.”
(That’s *literally* what #SCOTUS held.)
pacer-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/84/578815/09...
Well, the government describes as a “false premise” that it “has been ordered to facilitate Abrego García’s release.”
(That’s *literally* what #SCOTUS held.)
pacer-documents.s3.amazonaws.com/84/578815/09...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Almost every line of this story would have been simply unbelievable a few months ago:
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
New images could change cancer diagnostics, but ICE detained the Harvard scientist who analyzes them
Without scientist Kseniia Petrova’s expertise, no one can fully unlock the data’s potential, putting crucial advancements in early cancer detection at risk.
www.nbcnews.com
April 22, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Almost every line of this story would have been simply unbelievable a few months ago:
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
—Pioneering cancer researcher;
—*Arrested* at airport in Boston;
—Now indefinite ICE detention in Louisiana;
—"Crime": not declaring some frog-embryo samples for research.
Read it.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Mahmoud Khalil's baby arrives:
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/n...
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/n...
Mahmoud Khalil’s Son Arrives After ICE Refuses to Let Him Attend Birth (Gift Article)
Mr. Khalil, a permanent resident detained in Louisiana, had requested a monitored furlough for the birth. His request was denied in less than an hour.
www.nytimes.com
April 22, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Mahmoud Khalil's baby arrives:
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/n...
"My son and I should not be navigating his first days on earth without Mahmoud. ICE and the Trump administration have stolen these precious moments from our family in an attempt to silence Mahmoud’s support for Palestinian freedom.” www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/n...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Last week, DHS and Secretary Noem's staff and spokespeople suggested that because Mr. Abrego Garcia had $1,100 in cash on him when arrested outside Home Depot seeking day labor, that was strong evidence that he was a member of MS-13.
I guess that raises a similar question about her $3,000.
I guess that raises a similar question about her $3,000.
Breaking: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bag, including $3,000 in cash, is stolen from DC restaurant
By Josh Campbell and Kit Maher
www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/p...
By Josh Campbell and Kit Maher
www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/p...
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s bag, including $3,000 in cash, is stolen from DC restaurant | CNN Politics
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem fell victim to a thief while eating dinner at a downtown Washington, DC, restaurant Sunday night, two sources familiar with the incident, includin...
www.cnn.com
April 21, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Last week, DHS and Secretary Noem's staff and spokespeople suggested that because Mr. Abrego Garcia had $1,100 in cash on him when arrested outside Home Depot seeking day labor, that was strong evidence that he was a member of MS-13.
I guess that raises a similar question about her $3,000.
I guess that raises a similar question about her $3,000.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
The Bush administration disappeared people too, sent them to a different gulag at Gitmo and other black sites, kidnapped people off the street of Milan, tortured them, in the name of "a different kind of war."
We didn't come close to holding them accountable.
We're seeing the cost of that now.
We didn't come close to holding them accountable.
We're seeing the cost of that now.
April 18, 2025 at 9:51 PM
The Bush administration disappeared people too, sent them to a different gulag at Gitmo and other black sites, kidnapped people off the street of Milan, tortured them, in the name of "a different kind of war."
We didn't come close to holding them accountable.
We're seeing the cost of that now.
We didn't come close to holding them accountable.
We're seeing the cost of that now.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
April 17, 2025 at 7:07 PM
INCREDIBLE opinion by Wilkinson refusing to stay Judge Xinis's orders in the Abrego Garcia case, condemning DOJ's arguments as "shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear."
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Saira Hussain
As the Trump administration doubles down on refusing to return Kilmar Abrego García, flooding the zone with contextless court documents, soundbites, and other demonization, we have yet another reminder of why insisting on innocence is a fools’ errand.
When no one is safe, innocence won’t save you.
When no one is safe, innocence won’t save you.
The fundamental problem with the “alien enemy”-or-innocent binary in this story, as other binaries, is that it’s deeply flawed.
Innocence should be irrelevant. Even Tren de Aragua membership should be irrelevant.
What matters is that this is lawless invocation of a wartime power during peacetime.
Innocence should be irrelevant. Even Tren de Aragua membership should be irrelevant.
What matters is that this is lawless invocation of a wartime power during peacetime.
U.S. officials sent migrants to a prison in El Salvador, calling them gang members. But we found little evidence of criminal backgrounds or links to a Venezuelan gang.
April 17, 2025 at 1:39 PM
As the Trump administration doubles down on refusing to return Kilmar Abrego García, flooding the zone with contextless court documents, soundbites, and other demonization, we have yet another reminder of why insisting on innocence is a fools’ errand.
When no one is safe, innocence won’t save you.
When no one is safe, innocence won’t save you.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
per Van Hollen, El Salvador wouldn't let him into CECOT, which seems notable given that multiple House Republicans have photos of themselves inside grinning and giving a thumbs-up Abu Ghraib-style
Senator Chris Van Hollen is speaking live from El Salvador, where he just met with the Salvadoran VP: www.youtube.com/live/pYZPzHy...
Van Hollen speaks to press after meeting with El Salvador VP about return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
YouTube video by Senator Chris Van Hollen
www.youtube.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:11 PM
per Van Hollen, El Salvador wouldn't let him into CECOT, which seems notable given that multiple House Republicans have photos of themselves inside grinning and giving a thumbs-up Abu Ghraib-style
Boasberg doing the work that Roberts should be doing.
BREAKING: Chief Judge James Boasberg finds that probable cause exists to hold the Trump administration in criminal contempt for willful violation of his March 15 orders regarding Trump's Alien Enemies Act proclamation and sets next steps toward possible prosecution.
More to come: www.lawdork.com
More to come: www.lawdork.com
April 16, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Boasberg doing the work that Roberts should be doing.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Locking down your phone, being mindful of what you're wearing, and coming up with plans to communicate with others are all key steps to take before attending a protest.
Attending a Protest
For quick reference, we've created a handy guide designed to be printed, folded, and carried in your pocket (PDF download).
Now, more than ever, citizens must be able to hold those in power accountab...
ssd.eff.org
April 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Locking down your phone, being mindful of what you're wearing, and coming up with plans to communicate with others are all key steps to take before attending a protest.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
If you pay attention: everything they say they don’t like for Black people: affirmative action, diversity hires, quotas, identity politics, ideological litmus tests, they are trying to mandate and enforce for white people.
April 15, 2025 at 6:41 PM
If you pay attention: everything they say they don’t like for Black people: affirmative action, diversity hires, quotas, identity politics, ideological litmus tests, they are trying to mandate and enforce for white people.
Reposted by Saira Hussain
Now over 1,000 student visa revocations by Rubio. www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...
April 14, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Now over 1,000 student visa revocations by Rubio. www.insidehighered.com/news/global/...