Top ICE Lawyer in Minnesota Retires Amid Surge in Immigration Cases
Saint Paul, Minnesota – – Jim Stolley, the chief counsel for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota, has retired after 31 years of service, a departure coinciding with a dramatic increase in immigration cases and growing strain on the agency’s legal resources.
The retirement of Stolley, described by colleagues as “extremely bright” and diligent, comes as Minnesota courts are inundated with immigration-related litigation. The surge began in December, following the Trump administration’s increased enforcement efforts in the state. According to U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen, over 427 immigration lawsuits were filed in January alone.
The situation has become so challenging that another ICE attorney, Julie Le, was recently removed from her post after expressing frustration with the workload during a court hearing. Le reportedly told a federal judge that “this job sucks” and that the government was struggling to comply with court orders due to a lack of sufficient legal staff. She explained that attempting to correct errors felt like “pulling teeth.”
The candid remarks by Le highlighted the difficulties faced by government lawyers attempting to manage the influx of cases. Minnesota courts are now grappling with a backlog of 3.8 million pending deportation cases, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Federal Judge Patrick J. Schiltz criticized ICE for violating over 100 judicial orders in January, suggesting the agency may have violated more court orders than some federal entities have in their entire history.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated that Stolley’s retirement was scheduled, but did not provide further details. Stolley himself, in an automatic email response, simply confirmed his retirement from public service and directed inquiries to the duty attorney. CNN reported attempts to reach Stolley by phone were unsuccessful.
The timing of Stolley’s departure, coupled with Le’s public expression of frustration, signals turbulence within ICE as it navigates the challenges presented by the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The agency is facing criticism for its enforcement strategies, including a recent public outcry following the use of lethal force against two U.S. Citizens last month, which led to protests and opposition from local officials.
The resignation of Stolley and the removal of Le are indicative of a broader struggle within the agency to manage the increasing demands placed upon it. The situation underscores the strain on legal professionals tasked with processing a growing number of complex immigration cases and raises questions about the sustainability of current enforcement strategies.
Ana Voss, the chief of the civil division in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s office, appeared in court alongside Le to address the court’s concerns regarding the handling of the increased caseload.
