Sparkle Leah Sooknanan’s story is one of perseverance, excellence, and cultural pride. Born and raised in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, she has charted a remarkable journey from Naparima Girls’ High School to the halls of the United States District Court in Washington, D.C. In 2024, she was nominated by President Joe Biden and confirmed as a district judge, becoming one of the few Indo-Caribbean women to serve on the U.S. federal bench.
Academic Brilliance Across Borders
Sooknanan’s academic path reflects relentless discipline and brilliance. After excelling at Naparima Girls’ High School, she migrated to the United States, where she earned a Bachelor of Science, summa cum laude, from St. Francis College in 2002. She went on to obtain a Master of Business Administration with distinction from Hofstra University in 2003, before completing a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, at Brooklyn Law School in 2010.
Her achievements were not simply academic milestones—they were stepping stones that propelled her into the upper echelons of U.S. law.
Private Sector Success and Public Service Commitment
After clerking for distinguished judges, Sooknanan spent over a decade at the globally renowned law firm Jones Day, where she developed a reputation for excellence in complex litigation. Though she reached the coveted position of partner, she made the surprising yet principled decision to step away from corporate law and return to public service. Her passion for justice led her to focus on civil rights and immigration issues, areas where her decisions have had immediate and profound impact.
A Judge at the Center of National Debate
Judge Sooknanan’s courage and sense of justice drew national attention when she temporarily blocked the deportation of 600 Guatemalan children from Texas to Central America. The planned flights, scheduled under the cover of night during Labor Day weekend, would have forced unaccompanied minors—many with pending paperwork and U.S. court dates—onto planes without proper due process.
Her ruling, supported by immigration advocacy groups, emphasized the legal and ethical responsibility to protect vulnerable children from exploitation and trafficking. In early 2025, she also halted the unlawful reversal of student visas, underscoring her role as a defender of fairness and due process in immigration matters.
Racism and Backlash
Sooknanan’s rulings have been met with intense criticism, particularly from far-right commentators such as self-proclaimed white nationalist Laura Loomer. Instead of engaging with her legal reasoning, many detractors attacked her heritage and nationality, calling for her removal and even suggesting she should be sent back to Trinidad.
These attacks highlight the deep challenges faced by immigrant voices in leadership positions. Yet, through it all, Sooknanan has remained steadfast in her commitment to upholding the U.S. Constitution and the rights of those most vulnerable.
A Beacon for the Indo-Caribbean Community
Judge Sparkle Leah Sooknanan stands as a symbol of Indo-Caribbean resilience and achievement. Her journey from San Fernando to the federal bench is not just her personal triumph, but a source of pride for Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, and South Asian diasporas worldwide.
In breaking barriers, she has inspired countless women, immigrants, and young people of Caribbean descent to see themselves in the highest arenas of law and justice. Her presence on the federal bench is proof that Caribbean excellence is not confined by geography—it is global.
As the attacks against her show, progress often comes with resistance. But Sparkle Leah Sooknanan’s story reminds us that determination, brilliance, and integrity can transcend prejudice and make history.
