MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (AP) — In a decisive ruling, the chief federal judge in Minnesota has expressed dissatisfaction with the Trump administration's failure to conduct mandated hearings for detained immigrants. This week, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz ordered Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to appear in court to explain his agency's lack of compliance, warning that he may be held in contempt if he fails to account for the ongoing issues.
In an order issued on Monday, Judge Schiltz emphasized the court's patience towards ICE's responses, stating that the failure to provide bond hearings is unacceptable given the influx of habeas petitions and related legal challenges arising from thousands of immigrant detentions in Minnesota. This Court has been extremely patient with respondents, Judge Schiltz noted, highlighting that past assurances made by ICE to comply have not materialized.
The judge's order follows a troubling trend in immigration enforcement, notably after President Trump assigned border czar Tom Homan to oversee immigration crackdowns in Minnesota following recent fatalities involving immigration enforcement officers.
Schiltz's order marks a rare instance in which the court has found it necessary to summon the head of a federal agency personally. The judge recognizes the extraordinary nature of this action, but he stresses that ICE's extensive violations of court orders warrant such measures. He argues that previous attempts to rectify the situation have failed.
The court had previously ordered prompt bond hearings for a specific petitioner, Juan T.R., but has since learned that he remains in custody without the required hearings. The judge has stated that Lyons' appearance could be canceled if this individual is released before the scheduled court date.
As federal immigration policies continue to spur public debate and legal challenges, this intervention by the court shines a light on the challenges within the immigration system and the enforcement practices of ICE.
