URGENT UPDATE: A government lawyer has been removed from her position after making shocking remarks during a court hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota. Julie Le, who was working with the U.S. Department of Justice, openly expressed her frustrations about her role, declaring, “this job sucks,” prompting her immediate reassignment.
This incident occurred on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, during a hearing involving immigration cases linked to the Trump administration’s intensified enforcement actions in the state. Le’s candid admission comes as the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) faces unprecedented challenges, handling its largest-ever immigration operation in Minnesota.
During the hearing, Le addressed U.S. District Judge Jerry Blackwell, stating her desire for a contempt ruling just to secure a full night of sleep. “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,” she said, according to court transcripts.
Le had been assigned a staggering 88 cases in less than a month, reflecting the overwhelming workload that has reportedly led to several attorneys leaving the U.S. Attorney’s office amid frustrations with immigration enforcement. Judge Blackwell expressed concerns over the backlog of cases, noting that individuals are often detained for days after judges have ordered their release.
Le, who previously worked for ICE as an attorney, stated her hesitation about the role, admitting she felt “stupid” for volunteering for the detail in Minnesota due to lack of training. She disclosed her desire to resign but mentioned the difficulty in finding a replacement: “Fixing a system, a broken system, I don’t have a magic button to do it. I don’t have the power or the voice to do it.”
The implications of her remarks extend beyond personal frustration; they highlight systemic issues within the immigration enforcement framework. Attorney Kira Kelley, representing two petitioners at the hearing, emphasized the urgent need for reform, stating, “so many people are being detained without any semblance of a lawful basis.” Kelley criticized the lack of action from ICE to address these ongoing issues.
As the situation unfolds, Le’s removal raises questions about the broader effectiveness of the immigration system and the pressure on federal attorneys amid an escalating enforcement climate. Legal experts and advocates are now watching closely to see how the Justice Department responds to the mounting pressure.
With systemic frustrations laid bare, the need for comprehensive reform in immigration policies has never been more urgent. The fallout from this incident will likely resonate throughout the legal community and among advocates for immigrant rights, as calls for accountability and change continue to grow.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
