MINNEAPOLIS (RTW News) — The federal government has until next Thursday to negotiate with human rights lawyers aiming to ensure legal representation for detainees at a local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, according to U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel’s ruling. The judge expressed concerns about the significant gap between the government’s assertions of adequate counsel access and allegations of deprivation made by advocates for detainees.
Attorneys representing the detainees argue that individuals facing potential deportation are inhibited in their ability to consult lawyers, citing inadequate facilities for in-person meetings as a major issue. While detainees can make phone calls, advocacy attorney Jeffrey Dubner pointed out that ICE officials are typically within earshot, raising concerns regarding confiding attorney-client communication.
Judge Brasel indicated that the evidence presented favored the plaintiffs, stating, “The gap here is so enormous I don’t know how you’re going to close it.” Rather than issuing an immediate ruling, she urged both sides to engage in further discussions mediated by a retired judge to address the discrepancies, emphasizing the constitutional necessity for reasonable access to legal counsel.
The deadline for reaching an agreement is set for 5 p.m. on Thursday, with the judge prepared to render her decision if no consensus is achieved. In parallel, Rep. Kelly Morrison highlighted ongoing concerns about the conditions in the facility, questioning the absence of health protocols amid rising measles cases linked to recent ICE operations.
With an increasing number of detainees from Minnesota being sent to Texas facilities and then returning, the situation remains fraught with tension as protests continue around the treatment of immigrants and the operational practices of ICE under the current administration.
