MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (RTW News) — In an unprecedented ruling, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has announced that the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, must appear in court to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt for failing to hold required hearings for detained immigrants.
In an order issued Monday, Judge Schiltz criticized the Trump administration’s handling of bond hearings, highlighting ICE's failure to manage the influx of immigration detentions that has resulted in numerous habeas petitions and lawsuits. This Court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota to detain aliens without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result, the judge stated.
This ruling comes concurrent with heightened scrutiny over recent enforcement actions, especially in light of the recent unfortunate deaths linked to immigration officers. President Donald Trump has instructed Tom Homan to intensify immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, a directive that has sparked public outcry and raised legal concerns.
In Schiltz’s court order, he expressed frustration with ICE’s continual assurances to the court regarding their obligation to adhere to court rulings. Unfortunately, though, the violations continue, he noted, emphasizing the extraordinary nature of the ICE's non-compliance. He acknowledged that while summoning the head of a federal agency is significant, the extent of ICE's violations warrants such action as lesser measures have proven ineffective.
The order stipulates that if the petitioner, identified only as Juan T.R., is released from custody before Lyons is scheduled to appear, the court will cancel Lyons’ obligation to attend. This situation reflects bigger issues surrounding immigration enforcement protocols and the legal ramifications of the current administration's policies.
