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ICE Attorney Julie Le Dismissed After “System Sucks” Outburst, Judges Intensify Compliance Pressure

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Julie Le’s courtroom tirade leads to immediate reassignment Julie Le, a probationary ICE attorney detailed to Minnesota, told Judge Jerry Blackwell the system “sucks” and asked to be held in contempt for lack of sleep, prompting the U.S. attorney’s office to end her detail and return her to ICE duties [1][2]. She had been handling at least 88 immigration cases in under a month without adequate training, and her remarks highlighted the agency’s staffing shortfall for Operation Metro Surge [2]. Le’s candid comments also drew criticism from DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who labeled her conduct unprofessional [2].

Federal judges warn ICE of contempt and enforce court orders Judge Blackwell warned Le and DOJ attorney Ana Voss that court orders are not advisory and non‑compliance could result in contempt sanctions [1][2]. Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz later condemned ICE for ignoring nearly 100 court orders since Jan. 1, summoning acting ICE director Todd Lyons to explain potential contempt, though the hearing was later cancelled [3]. Judge Kate Menendez and a Chicago judge have similarly limited ICE’s use of force, reflecting a broader judicial pushback against the agency’s tactics [3].

Operation Metro Surge strains ICE resources and compliance The Minnesota surge, launched in early January, has generated the largest ICE enforcement effort in the state, with judges noting detainees kept after release orders and agencies lacking sufficient lawyers on the ground [1][2]. Chief federal judge in Minnesota reported roughly 100 ICE court‑order violations in January alone, a rate unprecedented for the agency [1]. The “Oscar” case—detained on Jan. 10, ordered released five days later, but held nearly two weeks—exemplifies the “detain first, find authority later” approach criticized by immigrant advocates [1].

Political leaders frame judicial criticism as partisan attacks DHS spokesperson McLaughlin called Judge Schiltz’s statements a “diatribe from this activist judge,” while Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labeled the remarks “judicial sabotage of democracy” on social media [3]. Both officials portrayed the judges’ enforcement actions as politically motivated, contrasting with immigrant‑rights groups that praise the scrutiny of ICE’s compliance [3].

Sources

Timeline

July 2025 – Twelve Democratic lawmakers file a lawsuit in Washington, D.C., alleging that ICE’s visitor restrictions obstruct congressional oversight of detention‑center conditions and exceed DHS authority [9].

Dec 17, 2025 – U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb temporarily halts enforcement of a Trump‑era ICE rule that forces members of Congress to give a week’s notice before visiting detention facilities, finding the requirement likely exceeds statutory limits [9].

Dec 18, 2025 – Judge Cobb issues a preliminary injunction blocking ICE’s seven‑day advance‑notice policy for congressional visits, citing conflict with the Section 527 appropriations rider and “informational injury” to oversight [4].

Early Jan 2026 – ICE launches Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, the largest‑ever enforcement push in the state, overwhelming attorneys with at least 88 cases per lawyer and generating more than 2,000 alleged unlawful detentions [2][6].

Early Jan 2026 – Two U.S. citizens are killed by federal agents during ICE operations in Minneapolis, sparking statewide protests and prompting the White House to replace field leader Greg Bovino with “border czar” Tom Homan [2][3].

Jan 8, 2026 – DHS Secretary Kristi Noem signs a secret memorandum reinstating a seven‑day notice requirement for congressional visits to ICE facilities, creating a new agency action not covered by the earlier injunction [7].

Jan 12, 2026 – Plaintiffs file an emergency‑hearing request with Judge Jia Cobb, arguing that the seven‑day notice rule blocks urgent oversight after the Minneapolis shooting and that funding negotiations heighten the need for access [8].

Jan 14, 2026 – Judge Cobb schedules an emergency hearing for Wednesday to consider the lawmakers’ request for immediate access to ICE detention sites [8].

Jan 19, 2026 – Judge Cobb declines to block the seven‑day notice policy, ruling the plaintiffs used the wrong procedural vehicle and that the Jan 8 memorandum constitutes a new agency action, leaving the rule in place while the broader case proceeds [7].

Jan 21‑23, 2026 – Court records show an immigrant ordered a bond hearing by Jan 21 remains detained on Jan 23, highlighting ICE’s failure to meet a court‑mandated deadline [2][3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz summons Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear Friday, warning of contempt sanctions for ICE’s non‑compliance with over 2,000 unlawful detentions and dozens of ignored court orders [2][3].

Jan 27, 2026 – Schiltz warns that if the petitioner in the bond‑hearing case is released, Lyons’s scheduled appearance will be cancelled on Jan 30, signaling possible escalation of judicial enforcement [3].

Jan 30, 2026 – Judge Schiltz writes that ICE has ignored nearly 100 court orders since Jan 1, calling the agency’s non‑compliance “almost certainly understated” and again orders Lyons to appear; the hearing later cancels after the immigrant’s release [6].

Feb 4, 2026 – ICE attorney Julie Le tells Judge Jerry Blackwell that “the system sucks” and wishes to be held in contempt for a full night’s sleep; Blackwell warns that case volume does not excuse ignoring court orders [1][5].

Feb 4, 2026 – Following Le’s courtroom outburst, ICE removes her from the Minnesota detail and returns her to regular duties, while DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin calls her conduct unprofessional and reaffirms the agency’s enforcement priorities [1][5].

Feb 4, 2026 – Chief federal judge notes ICE likely violated roughly 100 court orders in January 2026, underscoring a pattern of breaches that may affect future compliance monitoring [1].

Future (2026) – The Department of Homeland Security announces it will appeal Judge Cobb’s December 2025 injunction on the congressional‑visit notice rule, indicating continued legal battles over oversight access [4].

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