Federal Judge Orders Release of Detained Asylum Seeker in Minneapolis

A federal judge has ordered the release of Elvis Joel TE, an asylum seeker who was unlawfully detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for 50 days. His arrest on January 22, 2026, occurred during a period of heightened ICE activity in Minneapolis, where he was apprehended alongside his two-year-old daughter while returning home from a store. The case has drawn significant public outrage due to the circumstances of their detention and the subsequent actions of ICE.

The Guardian

Elvis TE, originally from Ecuador, was arrested without a warrant as he and his daughter were returning home. According to court filings, ICE agents entered the family's property, broke a window of his car while the child was inside, and prevented him from reuniting with his partner, who was calling for him from inside their home. Following his arrest, both were flown to Texas despite a court order prohibiting their transfer. The child was released the next day, but Elvis TE remained in custody, prompting legal action from his attorneys.

The Guardian

U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled that there was no legal basis for Elvis TE's continued detention. She stated that he was “not properly detained” under the laws cited by the government and emphasized that ICE agents did not have a warrant for his arrest. The judge ordered his release by no later than Sunday, highlighting the risk of irreparable harm to the child during the chaotic arrest.

The Guardian

The arrest sparked protests, leading to the deployment of crowd control measures by ICE, including the use of chemical irritants. Chelsea Walcker, one of Elvis TE’s lawyers, criticized the government's actions, stating that the misuse of authority was evident throughout the case. She noted that the traumatic experience would have lasting effects on the young child, who was forcibly separated from her father. Walcker expressed gratitude for the judge's ruling but lamented that many families do not receive similar opportunities for justice.

The Guardian

The case of Elvis TE is not isolated; it reflects a troubling trend of ICE detaining families and transferring them out of state, making it difficult for them to challenge their detentions. Walcker pointed out that many families face similar fates, with lives being disrupted and communities affected. The case has drawn comparisons to other recent incidents, such as the detention of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, which also led to public outcry.

The Guardian

While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeled Elvis TE an “illegal immigrant” and claimed he was driving erratically, these assertions have been met with skepticism by his legal team. They argue that the government's actions were unlawful and that accountability is necessary to prevent further injustices against families.

The Guardian

• “Our client was torn from his family and has been unlawfully detained for 50 days and it has absolutely gutted him,” — Chelsea Walcker, Chief Legal Officer, Groundwork Legal

The Guardian

• “So many other families never get this chance.” — Chelsea Walcker, Chief Legal Officer, Groundwork Legal

The Guardian

• “Families are being taken from the streets and disappeared from their workplaces and communities,” — Chelsea Walcker, Chief Legal Officer, Groundwork Legal

The Guardian

This ruling serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by asylum seekers and the need for systemic reform in immigration enforcement practices.

The Guardian