A DHS lawyer expressed frustration with her job and the immigration system, saying, “This job sucks.” She testified about the government’s struggles to follow ICE detention court orders. The hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota, highlighted pressures on federal attorneys and issues in immigration enforcement.
DHS Lawyer Speaks Out About Systemic Problems
Julie Le, a Department of Homeland Security attorney temporarily detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s office, told U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell that she was overwhelmed by her workload and frustrated by the immigration system. According to court transcripts, Le said bluntly that the legal process “sucks” and that she sometimes wishes the judge would hold her in contempt so she “can have a full 24 hours of sleep.”
Le, a DHS lawyer, has been assigned at least 88 immigration cases in the past month, mostly habeas petitions for people in ICE custody. She said she was working around the clock as a “bridge and liaison” because detainees are still being held.
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Judge Blackwell pressed Le, the DHS lawyer, on why the government repeatedly failed to respond to court orders requiring certain detainees to be released. He noted that many individuals ordered freed remained in custody for days or weeks. “The overwhelming majority of the hundreds seen by this court have been found to be lawfully present in the country,” the judge said.
Le acknowledged the heavy caseload, the difficulty in coordinating with ICE, and that she received little training before taking the assignment.
Workload and Lack of Support Cited as Key Issues
Le, the DHS lawyer, told the court that she had previously submitted her resignation from her DHS post, but the agency could not find a replacement. She warned that if her concerns were not addressed, she might walk out, saying, “I gave them a specific time… to get it done. If they don’t, then by all means, I’m going to walk out.”
The court records show that most of Le’s cases were handled in Minnesota, with a few in Texas. Many involved detainees who had been ordered released but were still being held, sometimes transferred across the country. Some individuals were even required to wear ankle monitors unnecessarily, adding to their frustration and confusion.
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Le also explained a personal side to her frustration. She said that, as someone who is not white, her family’s safety is a concern. She noted that this fear is shared by others who might be detained. “I share the same concern with you, Your Honor,” Le said. She added that she took the issue seriously and personally.
Despite the challenges, Le, the DHS lawyer, said she volunteered for the assignment because the department needed help. She said she wanted to contribute. However, she admitted that the lack of guidance and training made it very difficult to manage the large number of cases.
Judge Emphasizes Legal Responsibility and Constitutional Rights
Judge Jerry Blackwell made it clear in court that following judicial orders is not optional. “A court order is not advisory, and it is not conditional,” he said. He added that no agency can decide whether to comply. He stressed that holding people in detention without lawful authority is more than a technical mistake. It is a constitutional violation.
It harms individuals who have done nothing wrong. “These individuals live in their communities,” Blackwell said. “Some are separated from their families. The government’s failure to follow orders affects their lives directly.”
The judge also emphasized that neither the Department of Justice nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is above the law. He noted that while these agencies have great power, that power must operate within constitutional limits. When court orders are ignored, it threatens not only the authority of the court but also the rights of people in custody and the integrity of the legal system.
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After the hearing, DHS confirmed that attorney Julie Le, the DHS lawyer, is no longer detailed to the U.S. Attorney’s office. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized her conduct as “unprofessional and unbecoming of an ICE attorney.”
The St. Paul hearing highlighted the human and legal challenges in immigration enforcement. Judge Blackwell said he would carefully review all testimony before deciding on any next steps.