MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — In a significant development, Minnesota’s chief federal judge has demanded accountability from the Trump administration over its non-compliance with court orders concerning detained immigrants. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz has summoned Todd Lyons, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to court this Friday. Lyons must provide explanations as to why he shouldn’t face contempt charges for failing to adhere to mandated hearings for detained immigrants.

Judge Schiltz, in his order issued on Monday, criticized the administration’s approach to conducting bond hearings for detained immigrants. He expressed frustration, remarking, “This Court has been extremely patient with respondents, even though respondents decided to send thousands of agents to Minnesota to detain aliens without making any provision for dealing with the hundreds of habeas petitions and other lawsuits that were sure to result.”

This judicial order follows closely on the heels of President Donald Trump’s directive for Tom Homan, his designated border czar, to intensify immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota. This move comes in the wake of a second fatal incident this month involving an immigration officer.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, President Trump recounted “great calls” with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, highlighting similar sentiments he had previously shared. Initially, the White House attempted to attribute the unrest during immigration raids to Democratic leadership. However, following the contentious death of Alex Pretti on Saturday, amplified by video evidence questioning the level of threat he posed, the administration opted for a strategic shift. Tom Homan was appointed to take over the Minnesota operation, previously under the command of Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino.

Trump said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that he had “great calls” with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Monday, mirroring comments he made immediately after the calls. The White House had tried to blame Democratic leaders for protests of federal officers conducting immigration raids, but after the killing of Alex Pretti on Saturday and videos suggesting he wasn’t an active threat, the administration tapped Homan to take charge of the Minnesota operation from Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino.

Schiltz’s order also follows a federal court hearing Monday on a request by the state and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul for a judge to order a halt to the immigration law enforcement surge. The judge said she was prioritizing the ruling but didn’t give a timeline.

Schiltz wrote that he recognizes ordering the head of a federal agency to appear personally is extraordinary. “But the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary, and lesser measures have been tried and failed,” he said.

“Respondents have continually assured the Court that they recognize their obligation to comply with Court orders, and that they have taken steps to ensure that those orders will be honored going forward,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, though, the violations continue.”

Messages were sent Tuesday to ICE and a DHS spokesperson seeking a response.

The order lists the petitioner by first name and last initials: Juan T.R. It says the court granted a petition on Jan. 14 from the person to provide him with a bond hearing within seven days. On Jan. 23, the person’s lawyers told the court the petitioner remained detained.

The order says Schiltz will cancel Lyons’ appearance if the petitioner is released from custody.

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Catalini reported from Trenton, New Jersey.

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This story has been corrected to show the judge is called Patrick J. Schiltz not Schlitz.