Judges Criticize ICE's Aggressive Immigration Enforcement

Federal judges, including those appointed by Republicans, have issued scathing rebukes of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Federal judges across the country, including those appointed by Republican presidents, have been issuing strongly worded criticisms of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The judges have accused ICE of knowingly violating court orders and have condemned the tactics used by federal officers during raids. The White House and Department of Homeland Security have pushed back, criticizing the judges as "activists."

Why it matters

The heated language from the district judges is highly unusual and underscores the growing tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch over immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has taken unprecedented steps to ramp up deportations, which has led to clashes with judges who say the government is violating the rights of immigrants.

The details

Judges have accused ICE of violating court orders, traumatizing children, and acting as if they are "above the law." One judge, Jerry Blackwell, threatened to hold ICE lawyers in contempt, saying "the DOJ, the DHS, and ICE are not above the law." Another judge, Patrick Schiltz, said ICE has "likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence." The administration has pushed back, criticizing the judges as "activists" and saying they will appeal the rulings.

  • In January 2026, Minnesota's Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz threatened to hold ICE's Acting Director Todd Lyons in contempt over court order violations.
  • On Feb. 9, Judge Christina A. Snyder in Los Angeles blocked California's law prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks, describing it as unconstitutional.

The players

Jerry Blackwell

A U.S. District Court Judge in Minnesota who was appointed by former President Joe Biden and has voiced frustration over the Trump administration's violation of court orders in immigration cases.

Patrick Schiltz

Minnesota's Chief Judge, who was appointed by President George W. Bush and has threatened to hold ICE's Acting Director Todd Lyons in contempt over court order violations.

Christina A. Snyder

A U.S. District Court Judge in Los Angeles who was appointed by President Bill Clinton and ruled in favor of the Trump administration, blocking California's law prohibiting federal agents from wearing masks.

Tricia McLaughlin

The Homeland Security Assistant Secretary who said detainees receive proper due process and that the Trump administration is "more than prepared to handle the legal caseload" stemming from its immigration enforcement.

Abigail Jackson

A White House spokeswoman who criticized the backlash from judges, saying "Federal judges swear to faithfully and impartially enforce the law, so it is appalling that these clearly biased lower courts continue to attempt to push their unlawful policy agendas from the bench."

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What they’re saying

“A court order is not advisory, and it is not conditional. Detention without lawful authority is not just a technical defect, it is a constitutional injury that unfairly falls on the heads of those who have done nothing wrong to justify it. The individuals affected are people. The overwhelming majority of the hundreds seen by this court have been found to be lawfully present as of now in the country. They live in their communities. Some are separated from their families.”

— Jerry Blackwell, U.S. District Court Judge

“The Court's patience is at an end. Attached to this order is an appendix that identifies 96 court orders that ICE has violated in 74 cases. This list should give pause to anyone—no matter his or her political beliefs—who cares about the rule of law.”

— Patrick Schiltz, Minnesota's Chief Judge

“The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”

— Fred Biery, U.S. District Judge

What’s next

The Trump administration has appealed several of the district court rulings, and two separate appeals courts have so far sided with the federal government, allowing authorities to deny bond hearings to detained immigrants and permitting the administration to move forward with ending deportation protections for thousands of migrants.

The takeaway

The escalating clash between the federal judiciary and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement highlights the deep divisions over the president's hardline policies. While the administration has found some success in appealing district court rulings, the judges' scathing rebukes underscore the growing legal challenges it faces in carrying out its aggressive deportation agenda.