DHS unloads on ‘activist’ judges granting illegal immigrants freedom in habeas cases

Published February 7, 2026 6:00am ET



The Department of Homeland Security unloaded on “activist” judges it accused of playing politics with the legal system and said federal authorities will continue to arrest illegal immigrants across Minnesota despite a growing trend across the state of judges releasing those who have filed habeas cases.

“It should come as no surprise that more habeas petitions are being filed by illegal aliens — especially after many activist judges have attempted to thwart President Trump from fulfilling the American people’s mandate for mass deportations,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin wrote in an email Friday.

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