Vishal Agraharkar
@v-agraharkar.bsky.social
Attorney @ ACLU of Virginia
All views my own
All views my own
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
#BREAKING: A student intern at Rhode Island Superior Court was briefly taken into custody by ICE this afternoon before a judge intervened, 12 News has learned. Story by @jusolyn.bsky.social and @timwhiteri.bsky.social: ⤵️
RI judge intervenes after ICE mistakenly detains Superior Court intern
A teenager was nearly taken into federal immigration custody in Providence Thursday afternoon before a Superior Court judge intervened, according to the Rhode Island Judiciary.
www.wpri.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:51 PM
#BREAKING: A student intern at Rhode Island Superior Court was briefly taken into custody by ICE this afternoon before a judge intervened, 12 News has learned. Story by @jusolyn.bsky.social and @timwhiteri.bsky.social: ⤵️
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Greg Bovino, Kristi Noem, and DHS need to answer for their unchecked attacks on Chicago residents.
ICE is an out-of-control danger to our peaceful communities.
The images from the Sun-Times today speak for themselves.
ICE is an out-of-control danger to our peaceful communities.
The images from the Sun-Times today speak for themselves.
October 15, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Greg Bovino, Kristi Noem, and DHS need to answer for their unchecked attacks on Chicago residents.
ICE is an out-of-control danger to our peaceful communities.
The images from the Sun-Times today speak for themselves.
ICE is an out-of-control danger to our peaceful communities.
The images from the Sun-Times today speak for themselves.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
ICE arrested a 13 year old Mass boy and sent him 500 miles away alone to Virginia.
13 years old.
Trump and his enablers are sadistic monsters.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
13 years old.
Trump and his enablers are sadistic monsters.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
Everett 13-year-old arrested by ICE and sent to Virginia detention facility - The Boston Globe
The boy’s mother, Josiele Berto, was called to pick her son up from the Everett Police Department on Thursday, the day he was arrested.
www.bostonglobe.com
October 14, 2025 at 3:16 AM
ICE arrested a 13 year old Mass boy and sent him 500 miles away alone to Virginia.
13 years old.
Trump and his enablers are sadistic monsters.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
13 years old.
Trump and his enablers are sadistic monsters.
www.bostonglobe.com/2025/10/12/m...
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
The Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision is a travesty unsuited for a constitutional democracy
Exhibit No. <I've lost count> Mr. or Ms. Anonymous's threat to a district court judge
Exhibit No. <I've lost count> Mr. or Ms. Anonymous's threat to a district court judge
OMG this William G. Young opinion that just dropped (12:30pm) in AAUP v. Rubio.
It begins with a postcard sent to Chambers and Young's reply
card: "Trump has pardons and tanks, what do you have?"
WGY: "We the People of the United States — you and me — have our magnificent Constitution"
It begins with a postcard sent to Chambers and Young's reply
card: "Trump has pardons and tanks, what do you have?"
WGY: "We the People of the United States — you and me — have our magnificent Constitution"
September 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The Supreme Court's presidential immunity decision is a travesty unsuited for a constitutional democracy
Exhibit No. <I've lost count> Mr. or Ms. Anonymous's threat to a district court judge
Exhibit No. <I've lost count> Mr. or Ms. Anonymous's threat to a district court judge
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Judge Young describes how DHS pulled people from actual NatSec jobs to look thru all students Canary targeted, just like people have been pulled to arrest grannies & review Epstein files (though notes "The Court takes no position as to the Public Officials’ prioritization of HSI’s resources")
![Due to the workload, the requirement to review all 5,000
individuals on the Canary Mission Website, the assembly of the
Tiger Team required analysts be taken off of the
“Counterintelligence Unit, the Counterterrorism Intelligence
Unit, from the Cyber Intelligence Unit, from the Global Trade
Intelligence Unit, from all different parts of HSI
intelligence.” Trial Tr. vol. II, 106:16-21, Jul. 9, 2025.15
15 According to AD Hatch, the Tiger Team was needed because
“the normal unit or section or group of analysts . . . operating
in [the] normal organizational construct couldn’t handle that
workload.” Id. 111:3-5. When asked about deadlines, AD Hatch
responded, “We are an organization or an agency that, um, in a
world where . . . taking months to do things is not acceptable.
So, yeah, it -- we were not -- I was not going to be allowed to
say we've got 5 -- well you know a small number of analysts on
this, it's going to take them 6 months to get through 5,000
names. I was not given a deadline. But I knew from how we were organized and how we worked that we needed to work through this
expeditiously.” Id. 111:10-18. The Court takes no position as
to the Public Officials’ prioritization of HSI’s resources in
this manner.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bbp2b224lro3bfnzcqwwnkfo/bafkreiflismim6wpkqmcv5dg2xnfvdyfd6pg3w6h3kks4khnbkj4qqqihu@jpeg)
September 30, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Judge Young describes how DHS pulled people from actual NatSec jobs to look thru all students Canary targeted, just like people have been pulled to arrest grannies & review Epstein files (though notes "The Court takes no position as to the Public Officials’ prioritization of HSI’s resources")
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
This is dumb on so many levels. But perhaps the stupidest aspect is the denial of climate change, which actually cripples our military readiness. From where to build bases, to where to expect conflict (esp. re potable water and mass migration), to our military's reliance on oil to function. Moronic.
Hegseth: "No more dudes in dresses. No more climate change worship ... we are done with that shit."
September 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM
This is dumb on so many levels. But perhaps the stupidest aspect is the denial of climate change, which actually cripples our military readiness. From where to build bases, to where to expect conflict (esp. re potable water and mass migration), to our military's reliance on oil to function. Moronic.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Appalling, appalling video. I genuinely think the NYPD should investigate for assault. There was no call at all for level of violence. She perhaps brushed him with her hands but she was not posing a threat at all.
I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)
September 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Appalling, appalling video. I genuinely think the NYPD should investigate for assault. There was no call at all for level of violence. She perhaps brushed him with her hands but she was not posing a threat at all.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
I'm just gonna keep reposting this inane BS from Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence on the roving immigration patrol case from LA.
September 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
I'm just gonna keep reposting this inane BS from Justice Kavanaugh's concurrence on the roving immigration patrol case from LA.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Let’s be clear about what happened to Jimmy Kimmel
Trump’s most brazen attack on free speech yet.
www.yahoo.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM
After years of complaining about cancel culture, the current administration has taken it to a new and dangerous level by routinely threatening regulatory action against media companies unless they muzzle or fire reporters and commentators it doesn’t like.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
When a right-wing man murdered Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, progressives asked MAGA to tone down the rhetoric to prevent more violence. Within hours of Kirk’s murder, motive still unknown, the right is demanding that the government wage a campaign of violence against their enemies.
September 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
When a right-wing man murdered Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, progressives asked MAGA to tone down the rhetoric to prevent more violence. Within hours of Kirk’s murder, motive still unknown, the right is demanding that the government wage a campaign of violence against their enemies.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Justice Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, in dissent: "We should not have to live in a country where the Government
can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
September 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Justice Sotomayor, joined by Kagan and Jackson, in dissent: "We should not have to live in a country where the Government
can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job. Rather than stand idly by while our constitutional freedoms are lost, I dissent."
People being picked up by ICE in DC are reportedly being held in massively overcrowded rooms in an ICE office in Northern Virginia for days on end with little food (one bean burrito a day) and no access to counsel or basic hygiene.
Inside a Virginia ICE office: One meal a day, 40 people in a room and no bathing for days
"The situation is getting worse by the day," warns Amy Fischer, an organizer with Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid. "It is an office; it is not intended to detain people."
www.msnbc.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:36 PM
People being picked up by ICE in DC are reportedly being held in massively overcrowded rooms in an ICE office in Northern Virginia for days on end with little food (one bean burrito a day) and no access to counsel or basic hygiene.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
DC statehood is now an imperative. No more dicking around. Next Dem majority, get it done immediately.
August 11, 2025 at 3:18 PM
DC statehood is now an imperative. No more dicking around. Next Dem majority, get it done immediately.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
fighting gerrymanders can seem hopeless, but there is a solution. big moment right now for people to see districting and the two-party system as inherently linked, and a relic of our archaic electoral rules. congress has the power to ban partisan gerrymandering and establish multi-member districts.
August 5, 2025 at 3:04 PM
fighting gerrymanders can seem hopeless, but there is a solution. big moment right now for people to see districting and the two-party system as inherently linked, and a relic of our archaic electoral rules. congress has the power to ban partisan gerrymandering and establish multi-member districts.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
JUST IN: Abbott says he may treat fleeing lawmakers as having “forfeited” their offices and move to replace them. He also suggests they could be subject to felony charges if they accept payments to cover impending fines gov.texas.gov/uploads/file...
August 4, 2025 at 3:10 AM
JUST IN: Abbott says he may treat fleeing lawmakers as having “forfeited” their offices and move to replace them. He also suggests they could be subject to felony charges if they accept payments to cover impending fines gov.texas.gov/uploads/file...
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
It's easy to lose perspective on how bizarre and dangerous this moment is. But man, "current president posts AI-generated video of himself grinning as he orders his predecessor hauled off to prison" is some fascist, dystopian shit.
Guy who posted this tried to avoid felony charges in four jurisdictions by arguing that presidents are absolutely immune from criminal prosecution
July 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
It's easy to lose perspective on how bizarre and dangerous this moment is. But man, "current president posts AI-generated video of himself grinning as he orders his predecessor hauled off to prison" is some fascist, dystopian shit.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
In Lackey v. Stinnie, #SCOTUS made it harder for civil rights plaintiffs to recover fees as prevailing parties. But Congress can and should change underlying law, argues Cato's Thomas Berry, to designate a party "prevailing" if it wins a preliminary injunction before a case becomes moot.
Congress Should Restore the Proper Incentives for Public-Interest Litigation
The Supreme Court weakened the incentive to bring public-interest litigation, but Congress can easily solve that problem.
www.cato.org
July 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
In Lackey v. Stinnie, #SCOTUS made it harder for civil rights plaintiffs to recover fees as prevailing parties. But Congress can and should change underlying law, argues Cato's Thomas Berry, to designate a party "prevailing" if it wins a preliminary injunction before a case becomes moot.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
If a Democrat wins the presidency in 2028, investigating Bove for criminal obstruction of justice as relates to the court orders in the J.G.G. case should be a priority. Statute of limitations is five years.
Emil Bove is up for a lifetime appointment. This is not a time to rush through the process, violate the rules, and end debate. But that’s what Republicans on the Judiciary Committee just did. I was the next to speak and they barred us from debating. So we walked out.
July 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
If a Democrat wins the presidency in 2028, investigating Bove for criminal obstruction of justice as relates to the court orders in the J.G.G. case should be a priority. Statute of limitations is five years.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
This is unreal: Houston just made it illegal "for any person to sit or lie down on a sidewalk or on a blanket, stool, or any other object placed upon a sidewalk."
Being unhoused in public is now a criminal offense.
Being unhoused in public is now a criminal offense.
NEW: Houston has made it illegal to sit or lie down on a sidewalk at any time. This is a 24/7 ban on trying to survive in public. It's not camping ban; it's a pure homeless ban.
We will never arrest our way out of homelessness. buff.ly/nH2VUqt
We will never arrest our way out of homelessness. buff.ly/nH2VUqt
§ 40-352. Sitting and lying down on sidewalks., Article XVI. SITTING AND LYING UPON PUBLIC SIDEWALKS, Chapter 40. STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, Code of Ordinances, Houston
(a)
houston-tx.elaws.us
July 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This is unreal: Houston just made it illegal "for any person to sit or lie down on a sidewalk or on a blanket, stool, or any other object placed upon a sidewalk."
Being unhoused in public is now a criminal offense.
Being unhoused in public is now a criminal offense.
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Trump loves selling shit to his fans. He should put out an "If I Did It" book about Epstein
July 16, 2025 at 3:35 AM
Trump loves selling shit to his fans. He should put out an "If I Did It" book about Epstein
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
"Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people who need it"
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
The Trump Administration Is About to Incinerate 500 Tons of Emergency Food
Federal workers warned for months that the high-energy biscuits would go to waste.
www.theatlantic.com
July 15, 2025 at 5:31 AM
"Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people who need it"
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
@hana-kiros.bsky.social, on spending $130,000 to burn food worth $800,000
www.theatlantic.com/health/archi...
Great analysis by @shawnweneta.bsky.social showing how AG Miyares is attempting once again to mislead the public about a phenomenally successful policy to expand earned sentence credits in Virginia. open.substack.com/pub/virginia...
Guest Commentary: Virginia’s “Top Cop” is Peddling False Crime Statistics
By Shawn Weneta, the Legislative Liaison to the General Assembly for The Humanization Project
open.substack.com
July 14, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Great analysis by @shawnweneta.bsky.social showing how AG Miyares is attempting once again to mislead the public about a phenomenally successful policy to expand earned sentence credits in Virginia. open.substack.com/pub/virginia...
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
The newspaper that told the truth about Watergate and the Pentagon Papers will now “communicate with optimism about this country” in its time of rising fascism
Here’s the full memo:
July 14, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The newspaper that told the truth about Watergate and the Pentagon Papers will now “communicate with optimism about this country” in its time of rising fascism
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
Extremely bad university governance changes coming in Texas
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
July 14, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Extremely bad university governance changes coming in Texas
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Vishal Agraharkar
At the DeSantis Everglades detention camp, people with green cards are being held in terrible conditions, with maggots in the food, the lights kept on 24 hours a day, and delayed access to medicine.
One guy had his Bible taken and was told "here there is no right to religion."
One guy had his Bible taken and was told "here there is no right to religion."
July 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
At the DeSantis Everglades detention camp, people with green cards are being held in terrible conditions, with maggots in the food, the lights kept on 24 hours a day, and delayed access to medicine.
One guy had his Bible taken and was told "here there is no right to religion."
One guy had his Bible taken and was told "here there is no right to religion."