Judge Blackwell Criticizes Federal Immigration Enforcement

On Feb. 5, 2026, a federal court hearing in Minneapolis revealed repeated failures by federal agencies to comply with judges' release orders in immigration detentions, U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell said. Prosecutor Julie Le, who volunteered from ICE to assist with Operation Metro Surge, asked to be held in contempt after describing overwhelmed staff; she was removed from her detail. Minnesota has seen more than 427 habeas filings.