EXCLUSIVE: Leaked Emails Reveal Minneapolis Lawyers’ Attempts to Thwart ICE Efforts in Sanctuary City
Emails Show Coordinated Efforts to Protect Illegal Immigrant Defendants from ICE
Leaked emails from a private listserv used by members of the Minnesota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL) reveal a coordinated effort among Minneapolis-area attorneys to actively thwart Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from apprehending illegal immigrant defendants. The emails, sent on February 6, alerted lawyers that plainclothes ICE officers had been spotted at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility (PSF). The correspondences urged attorneys to take steps to protect their clients, such as requesting Zoom hearings to prevent in-person appearances in court, where ICE officers might be present. The emails were shared on a listserv that reaches several hundred MACDL members, according to a source who spoke to Fox News Digital on the condition of anonymity.
Minnesota Attorney General Backs Sanctuary City Policies
On the same day the emails were sent, progressive Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison issued a formal legal opinion reinforcing the state’s sanctuary city policies. Ellison’s opinion stated that Minnesota law prohibits state and local law enforcement agencies from detaining individuals based solely on an ICE immigration detainer, especially if the person would otherwise be released from custody. The AG’s office emphasized that this stance aligns with Minnesota values of "justice, equity, and protecting the rights of all community members." The email chain and Ellison’s opinion appear to reflect a broader pushback against ICE operations in Minneapolis, a city known for its sanctuary policies.
Lawyers Suggest Strategies to Evade ICE in Courthouses
The leaked emails reveal that multiple attorneys suggested strategies to help illegal immigrant defendants avoid ICE. Ronnie Santana of the Tamburino Law Group proposed discussing the idea of pooling resources to convert hearings to Zoom for clients who might be targeted by ICE. Another attorney, JaneAnne Murray of Murray Law LLC, shared her experience of requesting a Zoom appearance for her client by citing "immigration circumstances" and avoiding explicit details in a formal motion that could be reviewed by ICE. Other suggestions included claiming the need for an interpreter as a reason for remote hearings, as interpreters are often more effective in virtual settings.
Trump Administration Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration
The efforts by Minneapolis lawyers and officials to protect illegal immigrants come amid heightened enforcement under the Trump administration. Since taking office, President Trump has signed executive orders aimed at streamlining ICE operations and expanding the agency’s ability to detain and deport illegal immigrants. A recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) directive rescinded Biden-era guidelines that limited ICE enforcement in "sensitive" areas, such as schools and churches. Trump officials argue that these changes empower ICE to enforce immigration laws more effectively and target criminal aliens who pose a threat to public safety.
Civil Rights Groups and Legal Experts Weigh In
The ACLU of Minnesota has been vocal in its opposition to ICE presence in courthouses and jails. Alicia Granse, an ACLU attorney, wrote in the email thread that her organization is committed to protecting individuals from ICE and warned that holding someone based solely on an ICE detainer without a judicial warrant is illegal. Granse encouraged attorneys to report such cases, stating that the ACLU is prepared to take legal action, including filing lawsuits, to challenge these practices. However, legal expert Jonathan Turley, a George Washington University law professor and Fox News contributor, cautions that using virtual hearings to evade ICE enforcement raises ethical and legal questions about the proper use of court resources.
Potential Legal and Political Implications
The leaked emails and the broader sanctuary city policies in Minneapolis have sparked debates over the legality of such actions. Under federal law, it is illegal to knowingly harbor or shield illegal immigrants from detection, and there are also penalties for conspiracy to commit such acts. While no legal action has been taken against the MACDL members involved in the email exchange, the situation draws parallels to past cases, such as that of Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph, who faced charges for aiding an illegal immigrant defendant evade ICE in her courtroom. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies, with the Trump administration vowing to crack down on illegal immigration while cities like Minneapolis continue to resist.
In summary, the leaked emails provide a rare glimpse into the efforts of attorneys and local officials in Minneapolis to protect illegal immigrant defendants from ICE. While these actions are framed as a defense of justice and human rights, they also raise complex legal and ethical questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting vulnerable populations. As the Trump administration intensifies its immigration enforcement efforts, the debate over sanctuary cities and the role of courts in these cases is likely to escalate.
