Federal Judge Demands ICE Chief Appear in Court Over Due Process Violations
A chief federal judge in Minnesota has issued a stern order demanding the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, appear personally in court. The judge requires Lyons to explain why detainees have been systematically denied due process, citing what he described as extraordinary violations of court orders.
Judge Criticises ICE's Failure to Comply with Bond Hearing Orders
In a sharply worded order, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz highlighted the Trump administration's persistent failure to comply with directives for immigrant bond hearings. The judge wrote, “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.”
Judge Schiltz acknowledged that ordering a high-ranking official like Lyons to appear in court is an unusual and extraordinary demand. However, he justified this step by stating, “But the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed.”
Court Appearance Scheduled Amidst Broader Immigration Crackdown
The judge has ordered Lyons to appear in person this Friday to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court. This legal development comes amidst a heightened immigration enforcement climate in Minnesota.
Notably, the order was issued just one day after President Donald Trump directed border czar Tom Homan to assume control of the administration's immigration crackdown efforts in the state. This move followed the second death this month of an American citizen involving an immigration law enforcement officer, further intensifying scrutiny on ICE's operations.
The situation has also sparked public outcry, with anti-ICE protesters gathering outside a Minnesota hotel following the removal of a local official from their role, underscoring the community tensions surrounding immigration enforcement practices.
