US Judge Threatens Contempt, Orders ICE Chief to Court
On January 27, 2026, the acting chief of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, has been ordered to appear in court. This directive comes from Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of Minnesota’s federal court. The judge has expressed concerns over ICE’s failure to comply with multiple court orders related to detainee rights.
Contempt of Court Hearing Ordered
Judge Schiltz stated that Lyons must explain why he should not face contempt charges. This follows the agency’s missed deadline for providing a bond hearing for a detainee. The court had previously warned ICE about its responsibilities regarding habeas petitions and related lawsuits.
Background and Context
The situation escalated as ICE deployed numerous agents in Minnesota for enforcement actions. This led to a series of protests from community members opposing the agency’s tactics. Recently, ICE agents were involved in the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, during enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
ICE’s Compliance and Community Response
- Chief Judge: Patrick Schiltz
- Acting ICE Director: Todd Lyons
- Incident Date: January 24, 2026
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Fatalities: Two U.S. citizens
Judge Schiltz highlighted that the court’s patience has worn thin. He indicated that if the detainee is released before the hearing, he would cancel Lyons’ required appearance. This move is amid increasing scrutiny of ICE’s methods under the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security has not provided any comments regarding the court’s order. As tensions rise, community advocates continue to voice their concerns about ICE’s enforcement strategies.
