This is why I've been suing UMich for 8 years trying to unseal Tanton's papers.

Yes. On his way home.

Just now, the officer called again.
Apologized for his earlier attitude.
Said my client will be released tonight.

And I didn’t even have to file the habeas.

This system is designed to detain — not to do justice.
But we fight anyway.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam’s office stayed on ICE all day. Chief of staff @abbycarter.bsky.social was a force behind the scenes.

Why is this even happening?

Likely because of a Trump-era EOIR memo (PM 25-31) about “administrative transfers” — causing files to get split between locations.

ICE was looking at the wrong file. But I made clear: doesn’t matter.

He said, “OK, he’ll be out tomorrow.”

I texted right back:
“No. Not tomorrow. Tonight.”

When the officer finally called, he told me:
🗣️ “Well, we can’t just drop him off. He doesn’t have an ID. I need to see a bus ticket…”

I cut him off.

“I don’t care what you want to see. A judge dismissed the case. Let him go. Now. Or I’ll file a habeas and drag you into federal court.”

I send the signed judge’s order to ICE.
Their response?
🧊“The deportation officer will reach out.”

I said, “That’s not a legal answer. I emailed OPLA — I’m asking under what authority you’re holding him.”

Silence.

On Monday, ICE (in Virginia) does not oppose my motion.

The judge grants it, terminates the case. This should be over.

But by Wednesday…
🚨My client is STILL detained.🚨

By now my Spidey-sense is blaring.
I’m calling ICE duty attorneys in Pearsall, San Antonio, etc.

Crickets.

So I filed a motion to terminate proceedings — and guess what?

An ICE officer in Virginia called me and said:
🗣️ “Yeah, we looked into it. You’re right. USCIS messed up. We’ll release him tomorrow.”

Friday in South Texas:
ICE officer visits my client and says “We’re considering your release... just wait here.”
Then leaves. Never comes back.

Nope. ICE filed removal charges 3 days later, saying he overstayed — despite USCIS having REOPENED the case.

They didn’t even check before throwing him into detention and then into deportation court.

They sent him from Virginia to SOUTH TEXAS. Away from his wife and family.

Congressman @suhasforvirginia.bsky.social ’s office got involved (yes, the same Suhas I ran against in 2019 👀) — and USCIS admitted error on Sept 8.

They reopened the green card case and resumed processing. Victory?

My client’s green card application was denied by USCIS — wrongly. Prior counsel filed a motion to reconsider showing the error. Just another Tuesday.

Then, for NO REASON, ICE picked him up. No record. No arrest. Not even a parking ticket.

It just says so much, on so many levels. And none of them are good.

Even in virtual hearings, we (my clients and I) are required to have our cameras on and identify ourselves by full name. If we refused, it would be like not showing up. Yet somehow the government lawyers now don't have to identify themselves?

It's bad enough that ICE agents who are abducting people out from courthouses and schools and workplaces are invariably masked. Now the attorneys representing the *government of the United States* are trying to hide themselves?