Minnesota Judge Threatens Contempt After ICE Fails to Return Detainee Property
A federal judge in Minnesota forced the state’s top federal prosecutor into an extraordinary contempt hearing over immigration cases, escalating a growing clash between federal courts and the Justice Department.
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Bryan summoned U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen and an ICE official to explain why court orders requiring the return of detainees’ belongings were not followed after immigrants were released from custody. According to the Associated Press, some people left detention without property ranging from identification documents to cash and clothing.
Bryan said the court had identified “numerous unlawful violations of court orders,” warning he has not ruled out contempt or other penalties if the government failed to comply. Rosen pushed back during the hearing, arguing the problems stemmed from administrative errors rather than intentional defiance.
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The dispute comes during Operation Metro Surge, a large immigration enforcement push that has flooded Minnesota’s federal courts with detention challenges and habeas petitions.
Several judges have recently issued sharp warnings to ICE and federal prosecutors over compliance with court rulings tied to immigration detention.
Bryan took the matter under advisement and said a ruling on possible contempt will come later.
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