Government Lawyer Removed After Urgent Court Remarks on Job

UPDATE: A government attorney, Julie Le, has been abruptly removed from her position at the U.S. Department of Justice following shocking comments made during a court hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota. The incident occurred on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, amid the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.

During a hearing that addressed multiple immigration cases, Le candidly told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell, “This job sucks,” expressing deep frustration over her overwhelming workload and the systemic issues within the current immigration framework. She elaborated, stating, “What do you want me to do? The system sucks. This job sucks. And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need,” according to a transcript of the proceedings.

Le’s comments highlight a growing crisis within the immigration enforcement system, as she was assigned an astonishing 88 cases within just a month. Following her remarks, the U.S. attorney in Minnesota swiftly ended her temporary assignment, which was part of a larger push by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the state.

Judge Blackwell responded to Le’s remarks with concern, indicating that the increasing number of cases should not excuse non-compliance with court orders. He noted, “Some of it is of your own making by not complying with orders,” emphasizing the distress experienced by individuals detained without lawful basis.

Le, who had previously served as a lawyer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), expressed regret over her decision to take on the detail in Minnesota, stating she felt “stupid” for volunteering for the position. She claimed she was inadequately trained for the role and voiced her desire to resign but was unable to find a replacement.

This situation underscores a critical moment as multiple attorneys have left the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota, citing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the immigration surge. The impact of this operation has been significant, leading to widespread detentions and raising serious concerns about the treatment of individuals in custody.

Kira Kelley, an attorney representing petitioners in the hearing, remarked on the necessity of immigration petitions, stating, “So many people are being detained without any semblance of a lawful basis.” She criticized the lack of effective measures to improve the situation, suggesting that simply issuing new instructions may not suffice.

As the immigration crisis continues to unfold, the repercussions of this incident could resonate throughout the Justice Department and beyond. Observers will be watching closely for potential changes in policy or personnel that may arise in the wake of Le’s removal.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more information becomes available.