In an order issued on 26/1, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz demanded that acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons appear in court on 30/1. He is summoned to answer questions regarding Juan Tobay Robles, whom federal immigration agents arrested in Minnesota earlier this month.
Judge Schiltz seeks an explanation from Lyons as to why Tobay Robles was not granted a bond hearing or released within 7 days. This follows a court order mandating the administration of President Donald Trump provide a hearing or release the individual.
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Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons speaks at a press conference in Indiana, U.S., in October 2025. *Photo: Reuters*
According to the judge's order, on 14/1, the court approved Tobay Robles' request for a bond hearing within 7 days. However, by 23/1, his lawyers reported that Tobay Robles remained detained.
"This is one of dozens of court orders that defendants have failed to comply with in recent weeks", Judge Schiltz wrote.
"The court has lost patience. The court acknowledges that ordering the head of a federal agency to appear directly is unusual, but ICE's level of non-compliance with orders is similarly unusual, and less stringent measures have been attempted without success", he noted.
Judge Schiltz emphasized that at the 30/1 hearing in Minneapolis, the acting ICE director "must personally appear to explain why he should not be held in contempt of court for violating the order the court issued on 14/1".
The judge stated that if the parties submit notification confirming Tobay Robles' release before the hearing, the court will cancel the proceeding and not require Mr. Lyons to appear.
This order comes as President Trump previously directed "border czar" Tom Homan to oversee an immigration crackdown in Minnesota. This directive followed the second death this month of a U.S. citizen at the hands of immigration enforcement agents.
The state of Minnesota, along with the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, also requested on 26/1 that the judge issue an order to halt the federal government's heightened immigration enforcement campaign. The judge stated he is prioritizing this ruling but did not specify a deadline.
By Vu Hoang (AP, NBC News, AFP, Reuters)
