DOJ Lawyers Admit Ignoring Court Orders in New Jersey Immigration Cases
Justice Department attorneys have acknowledged violating roughly 50 court orders over a 10-week period in immigration cases in New Jersey, according to a recent court filing. The admissions highlight systemic issues within the federal legal system amid a surge in deportation efforts.
Overwhelmed by Case Loads
Associate Deputy Attorney General Jordan Fox informed New Jersey District Court Judge Michael Farbiarz that the violations included missed hearing deadlines, late releases from custody, and even an accidental removal to Peru. These incidents occurred across 547 habeas corpus petitions, where individuals challenged their detention.
In at least 17 instances, Immigration and Customs Enforcement transferred detainees out of New Jersey despite judges issuing no-transfer orders, which require detainees to remain in the state. Fox attributed these errors to "logistical delays in communicating" and described the office's commitment to improving compliance under new leadership.
Chaotic Picture of Legal Proceedings
The violations paint a chaotic picture of attorneys and court staff struggling to manage filing deadlines and communications. Common issues included:
- Missing deadlines by hours
- Scheduling bond hearings days late
- Transferring detainees before court orders were issued
- Forgetting to release detainees on time
Fox emphasized in a letter to the judge that the office aims to "act with the utmost vigilance to prevent, self-report, and ensure compliance with court orders" during this unprecedented period of immigration filings.
National Pattern of Exhaustion
These acknowledgments echo similar remarks from judges and Justice Department lawyers nationwide, who have described difficulty managing overwhelming habeas cases. Earlier this month, former federal prosecutor Julie Le in Minnesota expressed being on the brink of exhaustion, stating, "I work days and night just because people are still in there. The system sucks. This job sucks." The administration later removed Le from her post.
Last month, a Minnesota federal judge found 96 violations of court orders across 74 cases in the first 28 days of the year, underscoring the widespread nature of these challenges. Federal judges and prosecutors have attributed the strain to the Trump administration's mass deportation push, which has led to a significant increase in immigration-related legal proceedings.
The Independent has reached out to the Department of Justice for comment on these developments, but no response has been provided at this time.
