Chicago – February 14, 2026
Hundreds of federal judges across the U.S. have issued more than 4,400 rulings since October declaring that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is unlawfully detaining immigrants amid President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. A Reuters review of court records pinpointed at least 4,421 cases where over 400 judges found ICE holding people illegally, representing a major judicial pushback against the administration’s policies.
Despite these decisions, the government has continued indefinite detentions, even after court orders for release. ICE detention numbers have surged to about 68,000 this February, up 75% since Trump took office, fueled by expanded funding for enforcement. Over 20,200 habeas corpus petitions have been filed by detainees challenging their holds.
Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin attributed the lawsuit surge to “activist judges” obstructing Trump’s mandate. Cases strain Justice Department resources, with some attorneys handling over 1,000 matters, leading to violations of release orders in at least 76 instances. Appeals courts are now weighing similar challenges.
