Judge Warns DOJ Officials of Contempt in Explosive Minnesota Immigration Hearing
A federal judge in Minnesota is weighing whether to hold the state’s top federal prosecutor in contempt during a rare hearing tied to immigration detention cases.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan ordered U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, a senior DOJ official, and an ICE official to appear in court after repeated failures to follow orders requiring the return of property to immigrants released from federal custody.
The dispute centers on about 28 detainee cases in which immigrants were released but did not receive belongings confiscated during detention, including cash, identification documents, and clothing. According to the Associated Press, Bryan said the court had identified “numerous unlawful violations of court orders.”
The confrontation reflects a broader legal fight tied to Operation Metro Surge, a large federal immigration crackdown that has produced hundreds of detention challenges in Minnesota’s federal courts. Judges say the surge has created mounting compliance issues with release orders and related rulings.
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“The court cannot ignore the respondents’ unlawful conduct,” Bryan said in explaining why the contempt hearing was necessary.
Rosen denied intentional defiance, telling the court the government believes any missing property resulted from logistical errors or administrative mistakes rather than deliberate refusal to follow judicial orders.
The case is unfolding amid increasing tension between federal judges and Justice Department officials across multiple states, where courts have criticized immigration authorities for failing to comply with detention rulings and due-process requirements.
Bryan did not immediately rule on contempt and said a decision will come after reviewing the record from the hearing.
The outcome could determine whether federal prosecutors or immigration officials face penalties for failing to follow court orders.
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