(MINNESOTA) Immigration attorneys across Minnesota say they are overwhelmed as immigration arrests have doubled under President Trump’s latest enforcement push, straining a court system already under stress and speeding removals nationwide. As of October 6, 2025, lawyers describe dockets moving faster, more people going before judges without counsel, and families fearful of sudden operations that lead to same‑day transfers and rapid deportations.
Attorneys in the state report juggling up to 100 cases at once, with long wait lists for even a quick consultation. Community groups confirm that phone lines fill before noon. The pressure is acute because nearly half of those in removal proceedings don’t have a lawyer.
Nationally, about 49% of people facing deportation have no attorney, a lack of representation that sharply reduces their chance to stay in the United States 🇺🇸. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this gap in counsel is growing as enforcement ramps up and court calendars tighten.
The administration has increased immigration enforcement with a stated target of about 3,000 arrests per day, while data shows most detainees have no criminal convictions. That disconnect has widened the pool of people who now face the courts — longtime residents, workers with U.S. citizen children, and students with pending applications.
Lawyers say this broader sweep, paired with speedier case timelines, explains the surge they see from detention facilities and emergency hotlines.
Policy moves reshape the courts
To answer the backlog, the administration has begun assigning Army Reserve and National Guard lawyers as temporary immigration judges. Training for these military attorneys started on October 6, 2025, with plans to involve up to 600 lawyers. Supporters argue this will help reduce delays.
But immigration law is complex, and military lawyers often come from fields far from asylum, removal defense, or due process protections in civil immigration courts. Margaret Stock, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and immigration lawyer, has criticized the plan, saying the work demands deep, specific practice experience that can’t be built in a brief training period.
Immigration courts remain civil, not criminal, meaning there’s no government‑paid counsel. When new judges — especially those rotated in temporarily — move cases forward, people without lawyers can struggle to keep up. That’s especially true for asylum seekers, who must gather evidence quickly, track changing deadlines, and present their claims under strict rules of proof while in detention, where phone and document access can be limited.
In Minnesota, advocates say detained clients are now sent to hearings with little time to find an attorney, and bond requests face tighter scrutiny.
Meanwhile, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expanded operations, including stepped‑up actions in sanctuary jurisdictions. Employers in agriculture, construction, and hospitality report disrupted crews and missed shifts as workers avoid travel or relocate after raids.
By April 2025, the administration said it had deported around 140,000 people, and by August, ICE alone reported nearly 200,000 deportations since the president’s return to office. Those figures align with what lawyers describe locally: a rising number of arrests feeding into quick processing and faster removal orders.
Human impact in Minnesota’s communities
Families in Minnesota report night‑time knocks, sudden workplace arrests, and transfers to out‑of‑state detention centers that make court access harder. Children lose caregivers overnight. Hospitals and schools see gaps in attendance. Pastors and community organizers scramble to arrange childcare and bus fare to far‑off hearings.
The fear is not new, but the tempo is. When proceedings move twice as fast as before, the risk that someone goes before a judge without evidence—or without any counsel—jumps sharply.
The lack of representation is the thread running through every problem attorneys describe. Without a lawyer, it’s easy to:
- Miss a filing date
- Misunderstand a hearing notice
- Fail to present key documents
AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, warns that current enforcement efforts are undermining due process and sweeping in people who are following legal steps, including those with pending cases. When cases push through the pipeline quickly, many people never get a fair chance to present claims, especially those who need interpretation or trauma‑informed interviews to explain past harm.
Local defense teams say their best tool remains early, clear legal advice. A brief screening can reveal relief options that people may not realize they have — such as cancellation of removal for some long‑time residents, or asylum based on persecution in their home country.
But even the strongest case can falter if the person can’t reach a lawyer promptly, or if detention restricts calls and document exchange. That’s why attorneys urge anyone at risk to:
- Build a plan now
- Store key identity papers with a trusted friend
- Know a call list in case of arrest
Community groups are ramping up “know‑your‑rights” sessions focused on what to do during immigration arrests, how to refuse entry without a warrant signed by a judge, and how to ask to speak with an attorney. They also steer people to reliable defense networks and pro bono lists.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) maintains a national directory of free or low‑cost legal providers; Minnesota residents can use the agency’s “Find Legal Representation” page to search for help by location and detention facility. See: EOIR — Find Legal Representation
Practical steps and immediate advice
As court calendars tighten, lawyers recommend three practical steps:
- Keep copies of passports, birth certificates, and prior immigration paperwork in a safe, accessible place.
- Update your address with the court if you move, and save proof of mailing.
- Attend every hearing on time; missing court can trigger an automatic removal order.
Additional guidance from attorneys:
- Do not sign anything you don’t understand during detention processing.
- For mixed‑status families, create a simple plan: who will pick up children, who holds medical consents, and where to meet after release.
- Seek legal counsel early; a prompt consultation can reveal relief options and prevent missed deadlines.
Important: The lack of representation and accelerated timelines increase the likelihood that people will appear before judges without necessary evidence or counsel. Early preparation can make the difference between removal and getting a fair day in court.
The debate and local outlook
The administration says these actions are necessary to restore control at the border and enforce existing laws. Critics counter that the emphasis on arrests and speed ignores due process and public safety by pushing people through without fair hearings.
Both arguments now play out inside Minnesota’s courtrooms, where overworked dockets, rapid deportations, and the lack of representation can decide a family’s future in a matter of minutes.
Lawyers here say their caseloads are the clearest measure of the shift: more calls from detention, shorter timelines to gather evidence, and a stream of clients who thought they were safe because they had no criminal record. Many recent detainees have no convictions, even as overall immigration arrests soar.
For now, Minnesota’s legal community is bracing for a long winter, aiming to train more volunteers and keep families informed while court pressures mount.
For immigrants and families seeking help today, the most urgent advice is simple: seek legal counsel early, keep documents ready, and don’t miss a hearing. Those steps won’t end the enforcement push, but they can make the difference between removal and a fair day in court.
This Article in a Nutshell
Immigration enforcement increases under the current administration have intensified court backlogs and sped up removal processes, especially in Minnesota. As of October 6, 2025, attorneys report heavier dockets—sometimes managing up to 100 cases—and faster calendars that push detained people before judges with little time to secure counsel. Nationally, roughly 49% of those in removal proceedings lack lawyers, a deficit that significantly lowers chances to remain in the U.S. The administration has begun training Army Reserve and National Guard lawyers as temporary immigration judges, planning to involve up to 600, a move critics say risks insufficient expertise in complex immigration matters. Community groups and legal teams stress early legal screenings, document readiness, and attending hearings to reduce chances of rapid deportation. The situation affects families, workplaces, and court access, prompting advocates to expand know‑your‑rights programs and pro bono efforts while warning that accelerated timelines undermine due process.
