Acting ICE director ordered to court by Minnesota federal judge

By Elyse Apel
The Center Square

A Minnesota federal judge has ordered the acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday.

Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said in an order that Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, must appear in-person to explain why he should not be held in contempt.

Schiltz acknowledged it was an “extraordinary step.”

“The Court’s patience is at an end,” the court order said. “The Court acknowledges that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear is an extraordinary step, but the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed.”

Schiltz is the chief United States district judge for the District of Minnesota. He was appointed in 2006 by President George W. Bush.

Schiltz expressed frustration with the Trump administration and its lack of cooperation on ensuring illegal immigrants are receiving bond hearings.

“This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks,” the court order said. “This Court has been extremely patient with respondents . . . Respondents have continually assured the Court that they recognize their obligation to comply with Court orders, and that they have taken steps to ensure that those orders will be honored going forward. Unfortunately, though, the violations continue.”

This is not the only court case dealing with federal illegal immigration enforcement in Minnesota.

On Monday, a federal court also held a hearing on a lawsuit Minnesota filed against the Trump administration to stop the surge of federal agents to the Twin Cities. Minneapolis and St. Paul both joined the lawsuit.

“I’m in federal court fighting for Minnesota and seeking a restraining order to stop ICE’s unlawful and unconstitutional occupation of our state,” said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. “No one is above the law. No Minnesotan is beneath it.”

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez for the District of Minnesota is hearing the case. She was appointed in 2021 by President Joe Biden.

Menendez has given the federal government a deadline of Wednesday at 6 p.m. to file an additional brief addressing some questions she has regarding the case.