Sam Sacks
@ssacks.bsky.social
Fiction critic at the Wall Street Journal (https://www.wsj.com/news/author/sam-sacks); editor at Open Letters Review, formerly Open Letters Monthly (https://openlettersreview.com/) sam_sacks [at] hotmail
Reposted by Sam Sacks
It lives, and you know who you are x
February 10, 2026 at 3:36 AM
It lives, and you know who you are x
Post a banger that's not in English www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtB...
February 10, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Post a banger that's not in English www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYtB...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
We’ve been following Leqaa Kordia’s case for some time, and the updates has been growing worse. Lawmakers were not allowed to visit her last month.
Now her lawyers cannot find her.
Now her lawyers cannot find her.
When Texas lawmakers tried to visit 33-year-old “political prisoner” Leqaa Kordia at an ICE facility, she’d already lost 50 pounds and was running a high fever.
By Friday, she was hospitalized. But her family still has not been able to locate her.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/09/l...
By Friday, she was hospitalized. But her family still has not been able to locate her.
thebarbedwire.com/2026/02/09/l...
‘Political Prisoner’ Leqaa Kordia Has Been Hospitalized, DHS Says. After Calling 16 Hospitals, Her Lawyers Say They Can't Find Her.
The Columbia University protester had a fever when lawmakers tried to visit her last month — and her health is declining fast.
thebarbedwire.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:08 PM
We’ve been following Leqaa Kordia’s case for some time, and the updates has been growing worse. Lawmakers were not allowed to visit her last month.
Now her lawyers cannot find her.
Now her lawyers cannot find her.
A lot of really good WSJ book reviews recently. Like a piece from the unmissable Wesley Stace, who writes about Robert Polito's "enjoyably imperfect" study of Dylan's late albums. www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
‘After the Flood’ Review: Dylan’s Rebirth
A dive into Bob Dylan’s late career has produced the best book on the musician in ages.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
A lot of really good WSJ book reviews recently. Like a piece from the unmissable Wesley Stace, who writes about Robert Polito's "enjoyably imperfect" study of Dylan's late albums. www.wsj.com/arts-culture...
“They are basically taking everyone in there working, whether they have proper documentation or not,” said Mario Guerrero, chief executive of the South Texas Builders Association. "When you are terrorizing jobsites, people are afraid to go to work.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Immigration Raids in South Texas Are Starting to Hit the Economy
Trade groups are raising alarms about aggressive immigration enforcement hurting businesses in the region.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:55 PM
“They are basically taking everyone in there working, whether they have proper documentation or not,” said Mario Guerrero, chief executive of the South Texas Builders Association. "When you are terrorizing jobsites, people are afraid to go to work.” www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
And here is my story: ‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
Reposted by Sam Sacks
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
February 9, 2026 at 12:25 PM
1/ ProPublica collected handwritten letters in mid-January from children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, the same facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was taken.
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Hundreds of kids are still detained.
We’ll let the children’s words speak for themselves. 🧵
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Metry and her husband of 4 years go to DHS to get their I-130 in motion. "Good news" a DHS employee told them, the form to start her naturalization was approved.
DHS employee asks the husband to follow him through a secure door. When it locks behind him, ICE detains his wife to deport her.
DHS employee asks the husband to follow him through a secure door. When it locks behind him, ICE detains his wife to deport her.
EXCLUSIVE: Terez Metry was 13 when her family fled to Tennessee from Egypt in 2011. Then, they left her behind. She only recently discovered she had an order of removal from 2011. But she was following the legal path to citizenship. On Monday, at a routine DHS meeting, Metry was detained.
Immigration process turns sour for an Antioch woman - Nashville Banner
Terez Metry, a dental assistant in Middle Tennessee with no criminal history, was detained by ICE during an interview as she followed legal steps toward citizenship.
nashvillebanner.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Metry and her husband of 4 years go to DHS to get their I-130 in motion. "Good news" a DHS employee told them, the form to start her naturalization was approved.
DHS employee asks the husband to follow him through a secure door. When it locks behind him, ICE detains his wife to deport her.
DHS employee asks the husband to follow him through a secure door. When it locks behind him, ICE detains his wife to deport her.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
just appalling
HAPPENING NOW: DHS just expedited Liam Conejo Ramos' asylum hearing to this morning, meaning it's possible the five-year-old and his family could be deported as soon as today.
Rep. Joaquin Castro: "The Trump administration is trying to take him away again." www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Rep. Joaquin Castro: "The Trump administration is trying to take him away again." www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-...
Five-Year-Old Liam Ramos Is In His Asylum Hearing Right Now
www.huffpost.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:14 PM
just appalling
Reposted by Sam Sacks
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
DHS has requested expedited deportation proceedings against family of Liam Conejo Ramos
The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
www.mprnews.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 AM
BREAKING: The federal government has filed a motion seeking to end asylum claims for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, according to the lawyer representing the family.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Legally here on a work permit. Arrested when he went to renew it. Not fighting his deportation. Yet he's been in detention 29 days. No access to a lawyer. Has been given no information about his case. Family inquiries also ignored. ICE only responded when local news requested comment.
‘Nobody gives me information’: Jacksonville-area man held in ‘Deportation Depot’ for weeks talks conditions, challenges
Macario Pablo-Reyes, 49, has been held for weeks at the Baker County Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, sometimes referred to as the “Deportation Depot.”
www.news4jax.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Legally here on a work permit. Arrested when he went to renew it. Not fighting his deportation. Yet he's been in detention 29 days. No access to a lawyer. Has been given no information about his case. Family inquiries also ignored. ICE only responded when local news requested comment.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
I spent a couple of hours walking around the Prado with Mathias Énard observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Mathias Énard: ‘I write with a bastard tongue’
The Prix Goncourt-winning novelist on the myths of the Middle East, the horrors and wonders of history, and life at a Madrid museum
observer.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 12:58 PM
I spent a couple of hours walking around the Prado with Mathias Énard observer.co.uk/culture/book...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
I’ve Been Laid Off. I’m Not Done.
After 20 years at The Washington Post, I’m suddenly on my own — and still writing about books.
substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 7:17 PM
After 20 years, I've been laid off at The Washington Post.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Definitely worth noting since it wasn't announced in that way.
It is worth noting the Post slashed the bulk of its arts coverage, including most of the critics, ending a great tradition in journalism.
February 4, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Definitely worth noting since it wasn't announced in that way.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
INBOX: Washington Post Ukraine Correspondent Lizzie Johnson announces that she has been laid off in the middle of a below-freezing war zone without power, heat, or running water.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
I just subscribed.
I’ve Been Laid Off. I’m Not Done.
After 20 years at The Washington Post, I’m suddenly on my own — and still writing about books.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM
I just subscribed.
This is horrible. The WaPo's Books section has a brilliant band of critics and editors and has developed a genuine identity in the book world. I'm heartbroken for a staff that has done such consistently great and dedicated work.
WaPo also closing Books section and downsizing International and Metro sections
February 4, 2026 at 2:20 PM
This is horrible. The WaPo's Books section has a brilliant band of critics and editors and has developed a genuine identity in the book world. I'm heartbroken for a staff that has done such consistently great and dedicated work.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Here's the full post in the Star Tribune liveblog for posterity since it doesn't have a stable URL to link to:
February 3, 2026 at 10:29 PM
Here's the full post in the Star Tribune liveblog for posterity since it doesn't have a stable URL to link to:
Reposted by Sam Sacks
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 3, 2026 at 5:27 PM
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
Reposted by Sam Sacks
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Fucking surreal that people dressed like this and carrying assault rifles are permitted to kidnap people off our streets
February 4, 2026 at 12:53 AM
This cannot be something a civilian law enforcement agent is allowed to wear in the US — and an agency that has a culture that tolerates this cannot be saved.
Reposted by Sam Sacks
We've lost the great Allan Massie. An absolute giant of Scottish literature and journalism, and an inspirational, kind and generous man, too. I think his son @alexmassie.bsky.social is only sporadically on Bluesky, but he has written a beautiful obituary. alexmassie.substack.com/p/allan-mass...
Allan Massie, 1938-2026
Father died this afternoon.
alexmassie.substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:35 PM
We've lost the great Allan Massie. An absolute giant of Scottish literature and journalism, and an inspirational, kind and generous man, too. I think his son @alexmassie.bsky.social is only sporadically on Bluesky, but he has written a beautiful obituary. alexmassie.substack.com/p/allan-mass...
The snow in New York is just amazingly foul at this point. It works like those black lights that reveal that all your surfaces are actually covered in disgusting bodily fluids. Practicing the willful blindness necessary to living here is getting to be impossible...
February 2, 2026 at 10:30 PM
The snow in New York is just amazingly foul at this point. It works like those black lights that reveal that all your surfaces are actually covered in disgusting bodily fluids. Practicing the willful blindness necessary to living here is getting to be impossible...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
“You are good to go.” Good to go?!?!
This is what ICE tells a young woman they tossed out into dangerously freezing temperatures after four agonizing days in detention at Whipple.
Today’s front page Strib report: www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
This is what ICE tells a young woman they tossed out into dangerously freezing temperatures after four agonizing days in detention at Whipple.
Today’s front page Strib report: www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
February 1, 2026 at 4:48 PM
“You are good to go.” Good to go?!?!
This is what ICE tells a young woman they tossed out into dangerously freezing temperatures after four agonizing days in detention at Whipple.
Today’s front page Strib report: www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
This is what ICE tells a young woman they tossed out into dangerously freezing temperatures after four agonizing days in detention at Whipple.
Today’s front page Strib report: www.startribune.com/no-humanity-...
Reposted by Sam Sacks
Alas, he did manage to infiltrate poetry www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
PBS Cuts Ties With Former Harvard Professor Elisa New Following Epstein Email Release | News | The Harvard Crimson
PBS has stopped airing former Harvard English professor Elisa F. New’s show, “Poetry in America,” after emails released by the House Oversight Committee last month revealed close ties between New, her...
www.thecrimson.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Alas, he did manage to infiltrate poetry www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
Trying to remember to be *glad* that literature now has so little stature that Epstein never bothered to contact any novelists or fund a magazine
February 1, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Trying to remember to be *glad* that literature now has so little stature that Epstein never bothered to contact any novelists or fund a magazine