Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by EF

Courthouse News

@courthousenews.bsky.social

Wales moves to outlaw political lies in world-first bill @jamesfrancisw.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/wales-moves-...

Wales moves to outlaw political lies in world-first bill

Welsh lawmakers are advancing legislation that would make it a crime for politicians to make false or misleading statements during election campaigns — but would it restore public trust or corrode fre...

www.courthousenews.com

February 10, 2026 at 5:28 PM

Reposted by EF

Sharon Miracle

@miraculousshazza.bsky.social

And the winner is...!!!
😁

George Conway ⚖️🇺🇸 @gtconway.bsky.social · 5h

🥇🥇🥇

February 10, 2026 at 3:10 PM

Reposted by EF

Democracy Docket

@democracydocket.com

LOSS: A Nebraska judge dismissed a pro-voting lawsuit seeking to block the state from handing over its complete voter data to the DOJ.

The judge ruled that the advocacy group that brought the case lacked standing, but an appeal is expected.

🚨 Common Cause v. Evnen

Learn more.

www.democracydocket.com

February 10, 2026 at 3:22 PM

Reposted by EF

Marc Elias

@marcelias.bsky.social

🚨BREAKING: Federal Court DISMISSES DOJ lawsuit to gain access to Michigan’ unredacted statewide voter registration list. Another BIG victory for our clients and voters. Another stunning defeat for Pam Bondi. www.democracydocket.com/cases/michig...

🚨 United States v. Benson

Learn more here.

www.democracydocket.com

February 10, 2026 at 2:33 PM

Reposted by EF

Josh Gerstein

@joshgerstein.bsky.social

JUST IN: Judge John Tunheim (Clinton) rejects Trump admin bid to lift order blocking mass detention of immigrants in Minnesota admitted to US as refugees. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

UHAvBondiOpn020926.PDF

www.documentcloud.org

February 10, 2026 at 1:26 AM

Reposted by EF

Devin Nunes' Alt-Mom

@nunesalt.bsky.social

In Latin they call this quid pedo quo

Mrs. Betty Bowers @mrsbettybowers.bsky.social · 23h

For an attorney to resort to extortion to clear his client isn't ideal.

For an attorney to undertake that extortion expressly and in a public is incredibly stupid.

February 9, 2026 at 8:17 PM

Reposted by EF

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

NEW: Judge Tunheim rejects a DOJ request to dissolve his TRO in the putative class-action refugee case in Minnesota: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
V.H.A., K.A., M. DOE, H.D., D. DOE, on behalf of themselves and others similarly situated; and
THE ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS,
Petitioner-Plaintiff and Plaintiffs,
Civil No. 26-417 (JRT/DLM)
PAMELA BONDI, Attorney General of the United States;
KRISTI NOEM, Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security;
TODD M. LYONS, Acting Director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
DAVID EASTERWOOD, Acting Director, St.
Paul Field Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement;
JOSEPH B. EDLOW, Director, U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services,
Defendants-Respondents.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER DENYING DEFENDANTS' MOTION TO DISSOLVE THE TEMPORARY
RESTRAINING ORDER

After the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a
new policy that requires arresting and detaining individuals who are lawful refugees in
Minnesota, Plaintiffs initiated this putative class action on behalf of Minnesota residents
who are lawful refugees who have not yet been adjusted to lawful permanent resident
status. On January 24, 2026, Plaintiffs moved for a temporary restraining order (TRO).
(Docket No. 16.) On January 28, 2026, the Court granted Plaintiffs’ motion for a TRO and
(1) enjoined Defendants from arresting or detaining any member of the putative class in
Minnesota on the basis that they are a refugee who has not yet adjusted to lawful
permanent resident status; and (2) ordered the immediate return and release of the
members of a putative subclass consisting of those refugees who are presently detained
under the policy. (Docket No 41.) The next day, the Court found good cause to extend
the effect of the TRO for an additional 14 days—to February 25, 2026—or until the Court
issues an order on the preliminary injunction, whichever is earlier. (Docket No. 49.)
CASE 0:26-cv-00417-JRT-DLM Doc. 91 Filed 02/09/26 Page 2 of 20
3
Defendants now move to dissolve the TRO, or alternatively, stay the TRO pending
appeal. (Docket No. 55.) Because the Dataphase factors continue to weigh in favor of
granting temporary relief, the Court will deny the motion.1

February 10, 2026 at 2:45 AM

Reposted by EF

The Conversation U.S.

@us.theconversation.com

On Feb. 19, 1942, FDR’s Executive Order 9066 led to the incarceration of nearly 127,000 Japanese Americans without charges or evidence of disloyalty.

One of their granddaughters researches this sad history – and writes about the objects they created in camps to help them endure.

Held captive in their own country during World War II, Japanese Americans used nature to cope with their unjustified imprisonment

Incarcerated in rough barracks surrounded by barbed wire and armed soldiers, Japanese Americans made functional and beautiful items to ease their suffering.

buff.ly

February 10, 2026 at 12:47 AM

Reposted by EF

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

This likely happened because a federal judge found that the termination of her student status was illegal and ordered it reinstated.

On December 5, 2025 a federal judge in Massachusetts ruled that Ms. Öztürk’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System record was wrongfully terminated and must be reinstated, allowing her to fully participate in her educational and training program once more. While the government filed a notice of appeal of this decision on February 6, 2026, her SEVIS record remains reinstated. On January 22, 2026, another federal judge in Massachusetts determined in AAUP v. Rubio that the government’s policy of arresting and detaining scholars like Ms. Öztürk violated the First Amendment, and documents released as part of the case confirmed that the government targeted her solely on the basis of the op-ed.

February 10, 2026 at 12:39 AM

Reposted by EF

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

NEW: DOJ filed its notice of appeal in AAUP v. Rubio, the case about the Trump admin's attempt to revoke visas, etc. Judge Young found this was implemented in an unconstitutionally viewpoint-discriminatory manner.

Earlier Law Dork coverage: www.lawdork.com/p/judge-will...

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS
AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS, ET AL.,
Plaintiffs,
V.
No. 1:25-cv-10685-WGY
MARCO RUBIO, in his official capacity as Secretary of State, and the DEPARTMENT OF STATE, ET AL.,
Defendants.
NOTICE OF APPEAL
Notice is hereby given that all Defendants in the above-named matter hereby appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit from the Final Judgment entered in this
action on January 22, 2026. ECF No. 313.

BRETT A. SHUMATE
Assistant Attorney General
DREW C. ENSIGN
Deputy Assistant Attorney General
Dated: February 9, 2026
Respectfully Submitted,
Ethan B. Kanter
ETHAN B. KANTER
Chief, National Security Unit Office of Immigration Litigation
Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice P.O. Box 878, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20001
PAUL F. STONE
Deputy Chief, National Security Unit
Office of Immigration Litigation
LINDSAY M. MURPHY
Deputy Chief, National Security Unit
Office of Immigration Litigation
Counsel for Defendants

February 10, 2026 at 2:24 AM

Reposted by EF

Josh Gerstein

@joshgerstein.bsky.social

JUST IN: Justice Department files brief w/4th Circuit, seeking to revive criminal cases against James Comey and Letitia James, arguing that AG has power to make successive interim US attorney appointments. Doc: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...

ComeyJamesDOJCA4OpeningBrf020926

www.documentcloud.org

February 10, 2026 at 12:38 AM

Reposted by EF

Law Dork

@lawdorknews.bsky.social

BREAKING: The Department of Homeland Security is taking a third crack at restricting congressional oversight visits to immigration facilities — a requirement under federal funding laws that is not new to the Trump administration.

More from @chrisgeidner.bsky.social: substack.com/@chrisgeidne...

Chris Geidner @chrisgeidner.bsky.social · 19h

BREAKING: On February 2, Sec. Noem issued a memo asserting the lapse in appropriations for DHS meant there is no Sec. 527 — the provision protecting congressional oversight visits to immigration detention facilities — and she was issuing a new (third) policy requiring seven-day notice for visits.

Case 1:25-cv-02463-JMC Document 55-1 Filed 02/09/26 Page 2 of 2
Secretary
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528
DEPARTMEN
Homeland Security
MEMORANDUM FOR:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
February 2, 2026
Todd. M. Lyons
Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Rodney Scott
Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
James H. Percival Il
General Counsel
Holly C. Mehringer
Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Chief Financial Officer
Kristi Noon at ar
Secretary of Homelet Security
Congressional Access to Alien Detention Facilities - Ratification of Access Policy and Use of Appropriations for Enforcement
On January 8, 2026, I issued a new policy directing that requests by Members of Congress to visit an ICE facility be submitted at least seven days in advance of the visit.' On February 2, 2026, in Neguse v. ICE, a judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia temporarily enjoined DHS from enforcing that policy or otherwise requiring any plaintiff to provide advance notice before conducting oversight visits for a period of 14 days.?
The court concluded that DHS's policy remains inconsistent with Section 527(b) of the Department's appropriation. It is odd that the court issued this decision given the appropriation containing Section 527(b) lapsed on January 31, 2026. As a result of the lapse, Section 527 is not currently in effect. Therefore, as of this date, I am issuing this new policy that is identical in substance to the January 8 access policy. The General Counsel will provide further guidance regarding the effective date of this policy in light of the court's order.
' This updated policy-issued as a result of the case against ICE-was directed to ICE. Neither CBP nor its policy has been involved in the case to date. In light of today's decision, however, I am also issuing that policy as to CBP.
2 Neguse v. ICE, No. 25-2463, Memorandum Op. at 9 (D.D.C. Feb. 2, 2026).

February 10, 2026 at 12:22 AM

Reposted by EF

Courthouse News

@courthousenews.bsky.social

On Monday, a Ninth Circuit panel paused a lower court order vacating Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s decision to terminate temporary protected status for immigrants from Nicaragua, Honduras and Nepal. @mhattridge.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/ninth-circui...

Ninth Circuit backs Noem's removal of protected status for Nicaragua, Honduras, Nepal

A lower court previously found Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s decision to terminate immigrants’ temporary protected status was “preordained” and “contrary to law.”

www.courthousenews.com

February 9, 2026 at 11:37 PM

Reposted by EF

Kyle Cheney

@kyledcheney.bsky.social

JUST IN: DOJ is trying to help Steve Bannon erase his conviction for defying a subpoena from the Jan. 6 committee. Motion has no career prosecutor on it, just signed by US Attorney Pirro. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

February 9, 2026 at 7:11 PM

Reposted by EF

Molly Jong-Fast

@mollyjongfast.bsky.social

You know what they’re going to store in those warehouses?

People

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social · 1d

In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:

- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown

This is unprecedented.

February 9, 2026 at 6:46 PM

Reposted by EF

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick

@reichlinmelnick.bsky.social

In the last month ICE has bought warehouses in:

- Hagerstown, MD: $102 million
- Surprise, AZ: $70 million
- Hamburg, PA: $87 million
- Tremont, PA: $120 million
- San Antonio, TX: $82 million
- El Paso, TX: $123 million
- Social Circle, GA: price unknown

This is unprecedented.

February 9, 2026 at 6:09 PM

Reposted by EF

Big Cases Bot

@bigcases.bots.law

New filing: "US DOMINION, INC. v. MY PILLOW, INC."
Doc #251-1: Declaration of Timothy Frey

Download PDF | View Full Case

#CL59670901

February 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM

Reposted by EF

Judge Roy Ferguson

@judgefergusontx.bsky.social

Happy #Lawyercat Anniversary for all who celebrate! It's been four years since the kitten appeared in my Zoom courtroom, and I released the 48 second video that made the whole world laugh. Here is the full video showing the big reveal at the end (in two parts because Blue sky). Enjoy!

February 9, 2025 at 3:08 PM

Reposted by EF

Governor Newsom Press Office

@govpressoffice.gov.ca.gov

LOVE TRUMPS HATE!

February 9, 2026 at 1:59 AM

Reposted by EF

NPR

@npr.org

Update: In an explosive crash near the top of the downhill course in Cortina, Vonn landed a jump perpendicular to the slope and tumbled to a stop shortly below.

U.S. ski star Lindsey Vonn is in 'stable condition' after crash in Olympic downhill

In an explosive crash near the top of the downhill course in Cortina, Vonn landed a jump perpendicular to the slope and tumbled to a stop shortly below.

n.pr

February 8, 2026 at 9:02 PM

Reposted by EF

Josh Gerstein

@joshgerstein.bsky.social

JUST IN: Decision on whether FBI must return 2020 election records seized from Fulton County GA is in hands of Judge JP Boulee (Trump). Affidavit justifying search should be public by Tues 5PM. Order: storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us... Motion for return: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...