Judge Orders ICE Director to Court Over Immigration Bond Hearings

Tue Feb 03 2026 21:01:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a rare move, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of Minnesota has ordered ICE's acting director to explain non-compliance with court orders related to detained immigrants' bond hearings following two recent deaths linked to immigration enforcement.

Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has summoned Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to explain failures in complying with court orders regarding bond hearings for detained immigrants. This order follows complaints about the high number of detained individuals without timely hearings, especially after two deaths involving immigration enforcement. Judge Schiltz notes that previous attempts at resolution have been unsuccessful, necessitating Lyons' personal attendance in court.

In a significant ruling, Minnesota's Chief Federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has directed Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to appear in court to address concerning non-compliance with orders related to bond hearings for detained immigrants.

Judge Schiltz's order, issued on Monday, reflects frustration with the Trump administration's handling of bond hearings, wherein countless detained individuals are reportedly not receiving timely hearings as mandated by federal law.

The judge emphasized the severity of the situation, acknowledging the extraordinary nature of mandating a federal agency head's personal appearance. The extent of ICE's violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed, Schiltz stated.

This judicial action follows a troubling backdrop concerning the deaths of two individuals linked to the enforcement of immigration laws in Minnesota, prompting a broader examination of ICE's operational protocols and adherence to judicial requirements.

Schiltz directed that if the detained individual's bond hearing is resolved prior to Lyons' scheduled court appearance, the latter may be released from this obligation. This case highlights ongoing tensions between judicial oversight and immigration enforcement, with significant implications for thousands caught in the immigration system.