Concerns Over Legal Access at ICE Detention Facility in Minnesota

Sat Feb 07 2026 07:27:15 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A U.S. District Judge has ordered the federal government to negotiate with human rights lawyers who claim inadequate legal access for detainees in a Minnesota ICE facility, highlighting stark disagreements over access to counsel.

Attorneys for the federal government have until next Thursday to negotiate with human rights lawyers regarding legal access for detainees at an ICE facility in Minnesota. Advocates argue that detainees are denied proper access to counsel, relying primarily on monitored phone calls, while the government claims that unmonitored communication is available. The presiding judge has noted significant discrepancies between both claims, urging both parties to seek a resolution through mediation before her next ruling.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys representing the federal government have been given until next Thursday to negotiate with human rights attorneys aiming to ensure detainees at a Minnesota Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility have sufficient access to legal counsel, according to a decision by U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel.

Advocates have claimed that individuals at the facility, located on the outskirts of Minneapolis and facing potential deportation, are lacking adequate legal support, particularly in terms of in-person consultations. Attorney Jeffrey Dubner noted that while detainees can make phone calls, ICE personnel are typically present, raising concerns over privacy.

Judge Brasel expressed skepticism regarding the government's version of events on legal access, indicating there was a very wide factual disconnect between the claims made by the human rights attorneys and those of the government, which characterized the facility merely as a temporary holding location.

During the hearings, Justice Department attorney Christina Parascandola asserted that detainees can access counsel at any time and have unmonitored calls for as long as required, but she admitted to never visiting the facility herself. The judge remarked that this position was a tough sell considering the evidence presented favored the plaintiffs' concerns.

Brasel has encouraged both sides to continue discussions with a retired judge assisting in mediation, hinting that agreement on even partial terms regarding reasonable access to legal counsel is constitutionally necessary, although details are disputed.

As the deadline approaches, the judge warned that if no agreement is reached by 5 p.m. on Thursday, February 12, she will render her decision, without indicating a predetermined outcome.

A prominent figure expressing concern over the facility's conditions is Democratic U.S. Rep. Kelly Morrison from Minnesota, who described them as inadequate during her recent visit. Morrison reported a lack of measures in place to prevent the spread of diseases such as measles, following reports of outbreaks in other ICE facilities.

It’s abundantly clear that Whipple is not at all equipped to handle what the Trump administration is doing with their cruel and chaotic ‘Operation Metro Surge,’ Morrison stated, reflecting on the difficulties of obtaining information from federal agents during her visit.

Additionally, she noted that many detainees, including families with children, have been transferred to facilities in Texas, with some returning after legal interventions.

Members of Congress, including Morrison, have faced resistance in their attempts to visit the detention center, despite a federal ruling granting them this right.

A supporter of stricter immigration enforcement recently faced legal repercussions for vandalizing an anti-ICE sculpture outside the Minnesota state Capitol, illustrating the contentious atmosphere surrounding immigration policy in the area.