ICE Blasted by Minneapolis Judge for Violating Scores of Orders

A federal judge in Minnesota sharply criticized US Immigration and Customs Enforcement for violating court orders almost 100 times in 74 cases brought by immigrants so far this year, while saying the actual number is “almost certainly” far higher.

“ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence,” Chief US District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, an appointee of former President George W. Bush, said in a court order Wednesday in Minneapolis.

The judge issued the finding in one of dozens of lawsuits filed by individuals seeking to be released from detention amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants in Minnesota. Operation Metro Surge, as its known, has led to thousands of arrests and protests across the nation following the shooting deaths of two US citizens by federal agents.

ICE agents leave a residence in Minneapolis on Jan. 28.

Photographer: Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The criticism also comes just as the Trump administration faces a separate challenge by Minnesota’s attorney general, who seeks to bring Operation Metro Surge to an end, as well as a separate suit by protesters seeking to restrict ICE’s crowd-control tactics. In both cases, federal immigration officials have been accused of widespread violations of Constitutional protections.

The judge said ICE failed to meet a court-ordered deadline earlier this month in a case brought by an immigrant identified only as Juan T.R. The judge had ordered ICE to either hold a bond hearing for the man or release him.

When ICE missed the deadline, Schiltz set a hearing and ordered ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons to testify about the situation. Only then did ICE release Juan T.R., the judge said, resulting in the hearing being called off.

The Department of Homeland Security didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Schiltz blasted ICE’s overall conduct in the case and many other lawsuits, saying its failure to meet court orders “should give pause to anyone — no matter his or her political beliefs — who cares about the rule of law.”

“ICE has every right to challenge the orders of this court, but, like any litigant, ICE must follow those orders unless and until they are overturned or vacated,” the judge said.

To contact the reporter on this story:
Erik Larson in New York at elarson4@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story:
Misyrlena Egkolfopoulou at megkolfopoul@bloomberg.net

Peter Blumberg, Steve Stroth

© 2026 Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved. Used with permission.