Judge Appointed by Trump Unveils Illegal Effort to Block Legal Counsel for ICE Detainees in Minnesota
President Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security faced a setback when a judge he appointed uncovered an illegal effort to prevent Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees in Minnesota from accessing legal counsel. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel detailed the situation in a 41-page ruling, highlighting how attorneys were denied entry to the Whipple Building to meet with detainees. Despite the administration's argument that the facility's limited space made in-person visits impractical, Brasel disagreed, emphasizing that due process rights are not contingent on the facility's designation. The judge referenced a previous case that affirmed an ICE detainee's right to legal counsel in a holding facility, dismissing the argument that phone calls suffice for access to counsel.
Brasel also addressed the claim that the facility lacked space for attorney meetings, citing a court ruling from the previous year that criticized the selection of an unfit facility as a justification for denying detainees meaningful access to legal counsel. This ruling coincides with the announcement that Tom Homan, the White House border adviser overseeing operations in Minneapolis, will withdraw the surge of federal agents from the city following a period of heightened enforcement, protests, and controversy.