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Judge Dismisses Charges After ICE Escape Attempt

3/18/2026

Center

Velandia-Anaya Acquitted

A federal judge in Minnesota dismissed charges against Héctor Velandia-Anaya, 18, for dragging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with his car during an attempted escape.
The incident occurred on November 2, 2025, when Velandia-Anaya tried to flee after a traffic stop.
Prosecutors dropped the case after confirming his deportation to Mexico on December 29, 2025.
Court documents show ICE officers struggled to control the vehicle as Velandia-Anaya accelerated.

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Judge Defends Impartiality

Judge Jeffrey Bryan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota refused to recuse himself from an immigration case after a conflict-of-interest challenge tied to his wife.
The U.S. Department of Justice plans to appeal, arguing that Bryan's impartiality could be questioned because his wife is Minnesota's solicitor general.
The case involves allegations of unconstitutional tactics in Operation Metro Surge, which federal officials defend as lawful.

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Velandia-Anaya Acquitted

A federal judge in Minnesota dismissed charges against Héctor Velandia-Anaya, 18, for dragging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with his car during an attempted escape.
The incident occurred on November 2, 2025, when Velandia-Anaya tried to flee after a traffic stop.
Prosecutors dropped the case after confirming his deportation to Mexico on December 29, 2025.
Court documents show ICE officers struggled to control the vehicle as Velandia-Anaya accelerated.

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