Judge Orders Release of Minnesota Man Detained by ICE in Texas

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A federal judge in Minnesota has ordered the release of a Venezuelan man, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas. The judge found that ICE's arrest and transfer of Hernandez Ledezma, who had Temporary Protected Status, was unlawful and not authorized under immigration law.

Why it matters

This ruling is the latest in a series of court decisions that have pushed back against the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics, including the practice of quickly transferring detainees to different facilities across the country. The judge's opinion highlights concerns about due process and the government's treatment of immigrants already present in the U.S.

The details

Hernandez Ledezma was arrested by ICE agents in Minneapolis following an incident where an ICE agent shot a man. He was then transferred to detention facilities in Texas, including the controversial T. Don Hutto Detention Center. The judge found that ICE's actions were not authorized under the relevant immigration statute, Section 1225(b), which applies to "aliens seeking entry into the United States." Instead, the judge said the proper statute is Section 1226(a), which applies to "aliens already present in the United States." The judge ordered Hernandez Ledezma's release, rejecting the government's argument that the court lacked jurisdiction since he was being held in Texas.

• On January 14, 2026, Gabriel Alejandro Hernandez Ledezma was arrested by ICE agents in Minneapolis.
• In February 2025, Hernandez Ledezma's Temporary Protected Status was terminated, though his status remains "in limbo" as a related case proceeds in federal court.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge's ruling orders the immediate release of Hernandez Ledezma from ICE custody. It remains to be seen if the Trump administration will appeal the decision.