Federal Attorney Removed Following Outburst Over Immigration Court Challenges

Thu Feb 05 2026 00:46:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Julie Le, a government attorney, is dismissed after expressing frustration with the immigration system during a court hearing, highlighting systemic issues within U.S. immigration enforcement.

Julie Le, a federal attorney, was removed from her position after voicing her frustrations about the immigration system during a court hearing, stating, 'The system sucks. This job sucks.' Her comments reflect the growing strain on the U.S. immigration courts amid a surge in enforcement activities. Judge Jerry Blackwell highlighted the challenging environment faced by legal representatives in the system, while a rising number of cases leads to concerns over compliance with court orders.

In the midst of escalating tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policies, a federal attorney's candid remarks about the struggles of her job have led to her dismissal. Julie Le, who had been tasked with handling immigration cases in Minnesota, was removed from her post after telling U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she wishes to be held in contempt simply for a full night’s sleep.

During a recent court hearing, Le described her role as part of a federal system inundated with challenges, admitting, “The system sucks. This job sucks. And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need.” Her comments are indicative of the mounting pressure faced by federal prosecutors as the Trump administration ramped up immigration enforcement across the country.

Le’s outspoken nature reflects not just personal frustrations but a broader crisis within the immigration courts, which have struggled under an overwhelming number of cases—88 cases assigned to Le in less than a month alone. This surge is reported to be the largest immigration operation in Minnesota's history, prompting heightened scrutiny from both judges and attorneys alike.

Judge Blackwell expressed grave concerns about the failure to adhere to court orders, noting that detainees are often held days longer than necessary, exacerbating tensions in an already strained system. Despite the overwhelming backlog and operational challenges, the court underscored that the volume of cases does not lessen the responsibility to comply with legal directives.

Le, reflecting on her time in the role, indicated that she felt ill-equipped to manage the caseload and expressed a desire to resign. However, with the inability to secure a replacement, her predicament typifies the myriad of issues plaguing immigration enforcement under current policies.

Legal representatives from several parties have highlighted the necessity of reform to address not only the volume of cases but also the fundamental injustices experienced by those caught in the immigration system. As calls for change grow louder, so too does the urgency for an overhaul to restore fairness and efficiency to an increasingly beleaguered system.