Public Justice Files Motion to Protect Public Access to Information in Lawsuit Stemming from Mass Warrantless Detention in MN
Media Contact: communications@publicjustice.net
Public Justice is representing independent news publication Law Dork to ask the court to lift the access restriction on the electronic docket for U.H.A. v. Bondi, a civil lawsuit stemming from the mass warrantless detention of lawfully admitted refugees in Minnesota. Because the case was filed as an immigration-related habeas action, members of the press and public cannot access any of the parties’ filings unless they physically go to the courthouse. Law Dork’s motion to intervene seeks to lift this restriction. The motion also requests that the court make a public access line available so members of the public can call in to listen to court proceedings. Currently, only credentialed members of the press may request telephonic access to virtual proceedings. Finally, Law Dork is requesting that the judge not permanently seal documents relating to ICE’s policy of detaining refugees, which the government is expected to file by Feb. 12, 2026. The existence of these documents came to light just a few days ago when the court issued an order denying the government’s request to dissolve the temporary restraining order currently in place.
Since early January 2026, lawfully present refugees in Minnesota — including families and children — have been targeted with warrantless arrests, unauthorized detention, and coercive interrogation in harsh conditions. Plaintiffs in this case are seeking to end these unlawful policies, and Mr. Geidner seeks to inform the public about the government’s conduct, including possible noncompliance with court orders.
“Given the government’s unlawful targeting of refugees — as well as the continuing questions of the government’s compliance with court orders, particularly in Minnesota — this case presents issues of profound public interest,” said Charles Moore, senior attorney with Public Justice. “While the privacy of the brave petitioners in this case should remain protected, the public must be given access to what is taking place in the courts. The federal government is trying to get away with trampling on the rights of immigrants in the state of Minnesota. The public is entitled to see what is happening in this case so it can hold the government to account.”
“Throughout my coverage of the Trump administration over the past year, it has regularly been important for the public to be able to see the arguments being made in courthouses across the nation,” Chris Geidner of Law Dork said. “Particularly here, where a federal judge has granted relief to a group of people being targeted by the government and when there are questions raised about whether the government is complying with that court order, public access to filings in the case — no matter where you are located — is essential. This lack of access has real effects. For example, the government’s reliance on a secret ICE memo had escaped the public’s notice until the judge included mention of it in an order on Monday night.”
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