Federal Judge Critiques ICE's Disregard for Court Orders in Minnesota

Tue Feb 03 2026 17:30:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A federal judge in Minnesota sharply criticizes ICE for failing to comply with numerous court orders, highlighting significant issues in immigration enforcement practices.

U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz has expressed severe concerns regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) repeated failures to comply with court orders. In a notable declaration, Schiltz, a conservative judge, emphasized that this behavior contradicts the rule of law. The judge's remarks come in light of nearly 100 violations since January related to the agency's actions during Operation Metro Surge. As tensions escalate in immigration policy enforcement, Schiltz's efforts add a layer of accountability to government actions, sparking discussions on civil rights and government authority.

A law enforcement agency executing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has been described as a serial violator of court orders in Minnesota.

The assertion came not from the state’s Democratic leadership but from Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz, who criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for its contempt of judicial authority amid recent immigration enforcement actions.

ICE is not a law unto itself, Schiltz stated, as he addressed a troubling pattern of noncompliance with nearly 100 court orders since January. These orders originate from lawsuits filed by individuals arrested during Operation Metro Surge seeking release or other judicial relief.

In recent months, reports have surfaced regarding ICE's aggressive enforcement tactics, which included violent confrontations, prompting legal challenges that revealed persistent disregard for court directives.

Judge Schiltz highlighted that these violations undermine the accountability essential for a functioning legal system, stating, This list should give pause to anyone — no matter his or her political beliefs — who cares about the rule of law.

Further drawing attention to government accountability, Schiltz has taken the unprecedented step of summoning ICE's acting director to answer for the agency’s failures, an act met with a pejorative response from the Department of Homeland Security.

The challenge presented by Schiltz’s stance illustrates a growing scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices and the larger implications for civil rights in the U.S., paralleling ongoing national discussions about human rights and government authority.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how federal courts will navigate the balance between immigration policy and the rule of law under escalating scrutiny from judicial authorities.