MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Attorneys for the federal government have until next Thursday to reach an agreement with human rights lawyers who are seeking to ensure the right to counsel for people detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Minnesota, a judge said Friday.
Advocates claimed that individuals facing deportation at the facility lack sufficient access to legal counsel, with significant obstacles to in-person meetings. attorney Jeffrey Dubner noted that while detainees can make phone calls, the presence of ICE personnel limits their privacy and independence in speaking with lawyers.
U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel highlighted the stark differences between the assertions of human rights advocates and the government’s claims regarding detainee access to legal representation, stating there appeared to be a very wide factual disconnect in the information presented.
During the proceedings, Justice Department attorney Christina Parascandola contended that detainees enjoy unhindered access to counsel and can make unmonitored phone calls at their convenience, although she admitted to never having visited the facility herself.
In response, Judge Brasel described her arguments as a tough sell, remarking that the evidentiary support from the plaintiffs overwhelmingly outweighed the government's assurances.
“The gap here is so enormous I don’t know how you’re going to close it,” the judge pointedly remarked.
Instead of issuing an immediate ruling, Judge Brasel mandated that both sides engage in further discussions with a retired judge, appointed to help mediate the negotiations. Both parties acknowledge that while some level of reasonable access to legal counsel is constitutionally required, they disagree on how to implement such access.
Should the parties fail to reach at least a partial consensus by 5 p.m. next Thursday, Judge Brasel indicated she would deliver her ruling.
A Congressman’s Observations on Facility Conditions
The ICE detention center in question, part of the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, has drawn substantial scrutiny and has become a frequent focal point for protests.
Democratic U.S. Representative Kelly Morrison of Minnesota described the facility conditions as inadequate during a recent statement. She reported a lack of measures to prevent possible transmission of measles from an ICE center in Texas, which recently recorded two cases.
Some detainees in Minnesota, including families, were transferred to the Texas facility. Notably, individuals such as five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father returned to Minnesota after legal intervention delivered them from detention.
Morrison’s statement condemned the Whipple facility for failing to provide essential care to detainees and expressed astonishment at the lack of transparency from ICE officials regarding operational protocols.
Efforts by Congress members to inspect the facility were met with resistance, as officials initially denied their entry despite a federal court ruling that granted them the right to conduct unannounced visits.
