The Trump DOJ needs to investigate this thoroughly!
Recently uncovered emails have exposed coordinated attempts by Minneapolis-area attorneys to hinder Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts to apprehend illegal immigrants within the city, raising concerns among conservatives focused on national security and immigration enforcement.
Emails Expose Effort to Avoid ICE Detection
The emails, sent February 6 through a private email network maintained by the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL), were revealed by a confidential source to Fox News Digital. Attorneys actively discussed strategies to protect illegal immigrant clients from ICE apprehension.
Minnesota’s Attorney General Aligns with Sanctuary Policies
On the same day, Minnesota’s progressive Attorney General Keith Ellison issued an opinion declaring that local and state law enforcement agencies cannot legally detain individuals solely on ICE immigration detainers.
Attorneys Recommend Remote Court Appearances to Avoid ICE
An email explicitly warned attorneys about undercover ICE agents spotted at Hennepin County’s Public Safety Facility, urging attorneys to proactively protect their clients. Several responses advised requesting Zoom hearings for illegal immigrant defendants specifically to avoid physical court appearances that could expose them to ICE agents.
Ronnie Santana from Tamburino Law Group openly discussed the need for collective action to secure remote hearings. JaneAnne Murray of Murray Law LLC shared her success in quietly arranging Zoom hearings to prevent attracting ICE attention.
Barry Cattadoris, from the Third Judicial District Public Defender’s Office, stated some local judges encouraged remote appearances to avoid ICE interactions. Others recommended more subtle approaches, such as requesting virtual hearings without directly mentioning immigration concerns.
Trump Administration Strengthens ICE Authority at Courthouses
The exposure of these emails coincides with renewed immigration enforcement directives under President Donald Trump. The Trump administration recently reversed Biden-era guidelines that limited ICE operations at sensitive locations, including courthouses, schools, and churches.
A DHS spokesperson emphasized these actions empower ICE agents to enforce immigration laws effectively, targeting dangerous criminal aliens and enhancing public safety. “Our law enforcement professionals will no longer have their hands tied,” the spokesperson stated.
ACLU Attorney Suggests Legal Action Against ICE Cooperation
ACLU attorney Alicia Granse publicly proposed litigation against officials who comply with ICE detainers without a judicial warrant, indicating previous legal victories against local law enforcement agencies.
Federal Law Clearly Prohibits Harboring Illegal Immigrants
Under federal law (Title 8, U.S.C. § 1324), it is unlawful to conceal or protect illegal immigrants from detection. The emails raise serious questions about potential violations of federal immigration laws.
Increasing ICE Enforcement Signals Return to Trump-era Immigration Policies
ICE’s intensified actions align with broader Trump administration policies, including declaring a national emergency at the border, deploying military forces, and resuming border wall construction. Since implementing these measures, ICE reports arresting over 7,400 individuals and placing nearly 6,000 immigration detainers.
Public Safety vs. Sanctuary Policies: The Growing Debate
This situation highlights the growing tension between sanctuary city policies favored by progressive jurisdictions like Minneapolis and federal immigration enforcement focused on national security and public safety. Conservatives remain concerned about the potential implications of actively obstructing immigration enforcement, viewing it as detrimental to the rule of law and public security.
