Minnesota Judge Commands ICE Chief to Court Appearance
Minnesota’s Chief Federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has commanded the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, to appear in court. This unprecedented measure is a response to ICE’s handling of bond hearings for detained immigrants.
Details of the Court Order
The order was issued on January 27, 2026, and requires Lyons to appear in court on a Friday later that week. Judge Schiltz emphasized the court’s patience with ICE, highlighting the agency’s deployment of numerous agents to Minnesota without addressing the resulting legal challenges.
Context of the Situation
This court order coincides with ongoing protests against U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Tensions escalated following the recent fatalities involving immigration enforcement officers, including the death of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti and mother of three, Renee Nicole Good. Both victims were U.S. citizens, and videos from bystanders suggest that neither posed an immediate threat during the incidents.
ICE’s Legal Obligations
The court’s action follows multiple federal hearings concerning requests from state officials and local mayors. These officials have sought to halt the aggressive immigration operations occurring in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
- Judge Schiltz highlighted ICE’s violation of court orders.
- The order names a petitioner, Juan TR, who is from Ecuador.
- The court granted Juan’s request for a bond hearing on January 14.
- Juan remains in ICE custody as of January 23, according to his lawyers.
Judge Schiltz indicated that he is willing to cancel Lyons’s court appearance if ICE releases the petitioner from custody. This situation illustrates the increasing scrutiny of ICE’s practices and the federal government’s approach to immigration enforcement in Minnesota.
