Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz Draws Attention for Criticism of ICE
In a 2022 interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Patrick Schiltz, the chief judge of the federal district court in Minnesota, expressed a desire to be the kind of chief judge that people forget—like Benjamin Harrison. However, his stance on current immigration policies has made him a prominent figure instead.
Schiltz has been vocally critical of the Trump administration, particularly regarding its actions during Operation Metro Surge, which focused on mass deportations in Minneapolis. He condemned the Department of Justice for attacking his colleagues and dismissed an attempt to arrest CNN’s Don Lemon as “frivolous.”
Recently, he ordered ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court, threatening contempt charges if he fails to comply. Schiltz highlighted ongoing noncompliance with numerous court orders, noting its detrimental effects on immigrants who have lived in the U.S. legally for years. He described how these failures lead to unjust delays in detention or wrongful relocations, with some individuals being sent to Texas without a way back home.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded by labeling Schiltz as a political activist rather than a judge concerned with public safety.
Interestingly, Schiltz’s career has roots in conservative legal circles. A Harvard Law School graduate, he was appointed by President George W. Bush and worked for various conservative figures, including Justice Antonin Scalia. Yet, recent reports reveal he has also supported left-leaning organizations that assist undocumented immigrants with legal issues.
Schiltz spent time as a legislative aide for former Republican Sen. David Durenberger before clerking for the Supreme Court and later moving into corporate law. He has worked with high-profile clients such as the NFL and several Minnesota sports teams. After stepping away from corporate law, he returned to education, helping to restart the University of St. Thomas law school.
Despite his background, it’s noteworthy that Schiltz participated in Democratic Farmer-Labor Party conventions and has made donations to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. This organization celebrated the enactment of a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses, which Schiltz viewed as a significant win for all Minnesotans, especially those directly affected by immigration issues.
When addressing his contributions, Schiltz stated he believes in providing legal representation for the less fortunate and has supported both the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid for years.
