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Judge Presses Government on ICE Detainee Legal Representation
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(Minneapolis, February 9, 2026) – A federal judge has given lawyers for the U.S. government until Thursday to reach an agreement guaranteeing legal representation for detainees at an immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE) facility in Minnesota, after hearing arguments that access to counsel is severely limited.
A judge is pressing the government to address concerns about detainees’ access to legal representation at a Minnesota ICE facility.
- Federal lawyers have until Thursday, February 12, to reach an agreement with human rights lawyers regarding access to legal representation for detainees.
- U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel expressed skepticism about the government’s claims that detainees have adequate access to counsel.
- Concerns over conditions at the detention center have also been raised by a Minnesota congresswoman, who reported a lack of measles prevention protocols.
- An activist was released after being charged with felony property damage for destroying an anti-ICE sculpture.
Judge Cites ‘Major Factual Disconnect’
During a hearing Friday, U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel told Justice Department attorney Christina Parascandola that there appeared to be a “major factual disconnect” between the allegations made by human rights lawyers and the government’s assertions about access to legal representation at the facility, which ICE describes as temporary, according to the Associated Press.
human rights lawyers argue that people held at the center outside Minneapolis and facing possible deportation are denied adequate access to lawyers, including in-person meetings. Attorney Jeffrey Dubner indicated that while detainees have access to phones,they are frequently enough unable to connect with attorneys due to limited time and logistical challenges.
Concerns Over Conditions and Access
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., visited the facility last week and reported that detainees had been transferred to facilities in Texas and some have since returned, including five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father.
“It is absolutely clear that Whipple is entirely unequipped to handle what the Trump management is doing with its cruel and chaotic ‘operation Metro Surge,'” Morrison saeid in her statement. “I am astounded by the inability or unwillingness of federal agents to answer some of the most basic questions about their operations and protocols.”
Morrison also stated that despite a recent court ruling affirming the right of members of Congress to make unannounced visits to ICE facilities, agents initially attempted to deny her entry for nearly half an hour. Representatives Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig where previously denied access last month. Democratic Reps. Craig and Betty McCollum were also blocked from visiting the facility overnight.
“We have heard countless reports that detainees are being held in unsanitary conditions at Whipple,” McCollum and Craig said in a joint statement. “We have every reason to believe that this administration is lying through its teeth once again and trying to hide what we all know to be true: that they are ignoring due process and treating migrants as political pawns, not as people.”
Activist Charged in Sculpture vandalism
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