A federal judge in Minnesota isn’t mincing words with the Trump administration over its immigration crackdown. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has ordered the acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, to appear in court. Why? For repeatedly failing to hold required bond hearings for detained immigrants. Schiltz called ICE’s disregard for court orders “extraordinary” and warned that previous promises to comply have been broken.
This strong judicial stance comes amidst a significant shift in the administration’s approach. Following a second fatal shooting this month involving an immigration enforcement officer, President Trump has ordered “border czar” Tom Homan to take over the Minnesota operations. The latest incident, the killing of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol officer, sparked outrage, especially after videos emerged suggesting he wasn’t an active threat.
President Trump had “great calls” with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Both Walz and Frey later met with Homan, urging impartial investigations into the fatal shootings and agreeing to continue discussions. While the White House initially blamed local Democratic leaders for protests, the change in command suggests a pivot after the tragic events. Despite this shift in tone, immigration agents were still seen active across the Twin Cities, raising questions about immediate tactical changes.
Judge Schiltz’s unusual order to have a federal agency head appear personally underscores the gravity of the situation. He stated he would cancel Lyons’ appearance only if a specific detained petitioner, Juan T.R., is released. Meanwhile, a separate request by the state and city mayors to halt the immigration enforcement surge is still awaiting a ruling. This unfolding situation highlights intense tensions between federal immigration enforcement, local leadership, and the judiciary.
Source: https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/bovino-ice-minneapolis-removed-trump-9.7062365?cmp=rss
