Government Lawyer Dismissed After Emotional Outburst in Immigration Court

Thu Feb 05 2026 05:09:00 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Julie Le, a government attorney, is removed from her position at the Justice Department following candid comments about the challenges faced in immigration enforcement during a court hearing.

In a recent court hearing in Minnesota concerning immigration cases, Julie Le voiced her frustrations about the overwhelming nature of her job, stating, \"The system sucks. This job sucks.\" Following this outburst, she has been relieved from her position at the Justice Department. Judge Jerry Blackwell had expressed concern over her inability to comply with court orders due to the high volume of cases, shedding light on the ongoing strain within the federal immigration system. Le, previously assigned to the Department of Homeland Security, remarked on her lack of training and the difficulties encountered during her assignment.

WASHINGTON (RTW) — A government lawyer has been dismissed from her role at the Justice Department following a candid court hearing during which she expressed her frustration with the immigration enforcement system under the Trump administration. Julie Le, who was on a temporary assignment from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), made headlines when she stated in front of U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that her job sucks.

During the hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota, Le requested the judge consider holding her in contempt of court so that she could catch up on sleep, a reflection of the intense pressures on the federal immigration system. Her bold comments come as the state experiences an unprecedented surge in immigration operations, described by ICE as its largest in history.

What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks. I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need, Le told the judge, revealing her struggle with the overwhelming demands of the situation.

Judge Blackwell responded by emphasizing the importance of complying with court orders, regardless of the high volume of cases Le is dealing with. This prompted broader concerns about the operational effectiveness of the immigration judicial system, which has seen many attorneys leaving their roles amid frustrations over the enforcement policy and its implications.

Le, who had previously been a lawyer at the Department of Homeland Security, expressed regret over her decision to volunteer for the position in Minnesota. She admitted to feeling unprepared for the pressures and difficulties that the role entailed.

After her comments stirred controversy, it became clear that significant operational challenges within ICE and the Justice Department contribute to delays and procedural issues being experienced during ongoing immigration cases.