Minnesota

NY Times -   In a remarkable display of frustration, the chief federal judge in Minnesota ordered the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear in court on Friday to explain why he should not be held in contempt for violating court orders arising from the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown in the state. In a brief ruling issued late Monday, the judge, Patrick J. Schiltz, of Federal District Court in Minnesota, said he recognized that ordering ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, to personally defend himself in court was “an extraordinary step.” But Judge Schiltz, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, said it was necessary because “the extent of ICE’s violation of court orders is likewise extraordinary.” Judge Schiltz wrote that he had been “extremely patient” with the agency even though it had sent thousands of agents to the state as part of President Trump’s immigration crackdown, but did so without preparing for the legal challenges and lawsuits that “were sure to result.” He concluded, “The court’s patience is at an end.” Axios - The escalation of ICE activity in Minnesota is disrupting care at hospitals and clinics that already were navigating shifting legal standards on immigration enforcement in their facilities. Health workers say many patients aren't coming in for necessary care out of fear they'll be detained by federal agents."This has become a public health crisis," Janell Johnson Thiele, a nurse and union leader at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, told Axios. ICE agents have been reported at and near hospitals around the Twin Cities as President Trump's immigration crackdown continues.At a news conference last week, Minnesota OB-GYN Erin Stevens said she's seen an increase in requests for home births from patients afraid to enter hospitals. "Many of our patients, undocumented immigrants, naturalized citizens and U.S.-born citizens alike, fear leaving their homes for access to health care," Stevens said at the news conference. "They expressed to us a feeling of being hunted." Family physician Roli Dwivedi described a mother and child being forcibly separated in a clinic parking lot while visiting to fill a prescription. Some patients are even hesitating to make telehealth appointments because they're scared to take phone calls, she said. Keep reading