On Thursday morning, federal Judge Emmet G. Sullivan lashed out at Attorney General Jeff Sessions over the deportation of a woman, known in court documents as “Carmen,” and her son. This deportation occurred while Carmen’s case was under appeal and was done without knowledge of her representative, the American Civil Liberties Union.

“This is pretty outrageous,” Sullivan said. “That someone seeking justice in U.S. court is spirited away while her attorneys are arguing for justice for her? I’m not happy about this at all. This is not acceptable.” He ordered the plane carrying Carmen and her son to be returned to the United States. If the order wasn’t carried out, he threatened to hold Sessions in contempt.

The ACLU’s tweeted a dramatic version of the story:

BREAKING: In challenge to Sessions' policy of denying asylum protection to immigrants fleeing domestic violence and gang brutality, the judge blocked the government from deporting our clients as he considers the case.



However, disturbing news came to light during the hearing. — ACLU (@ACLU) August 9, 2018

While in court, we found out that the government had deported a client and her young child just hours before, putting their lives at risk.



This directly contradicts the government's commitment to the court that NO ONE would be removed until tomorrow at the earliest. — ACLU (@ACLU) August 9, 2018

The judge ordered the government to turn the plane around and bring the asylum-seeking mother and child back to the US.



He said that if the situation wasn't fixed he would consider contempt proceedings — starting with the attorney general. — ACLU (@ACLU) August 9, 2018