The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has acknowledged that federal authorities in New Jersey have violated over 50 court orders in immigration cases since early December 2025. These violations include unauthorized deportations, missed deadlines, and improper transfers of detainees, highlighting significant challenges in the enforcement of immigration laws.
In a recent court filing, Associate Deputy Attorney General Jordan Fox detailed that these infractions occurred across more than 547 immigration cases. Notably, there were instances where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) transferred detainees out of New Jersey despite judicial orders prohibiting such actions. In one case, an individual was deported to Peru in direct violation of a court injunction. Fox attributed these violations to administrative oversights and communication delays, emphasizing that they were unintentional and rectified upon discovery. She stated, “We regret deeply all violations for which our Office is responsible.” ([inquirer.com](https://www.inquirer.com/politics/doj-ice-violate-judicial-orders-immigration-new-jersey-20260218.html?utm_source=openai))
U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz expressed concern over the frequency of these violations, noting that judicial orders “should never be violated.” He has mandated that the DOJ provide a detailed plan by February 25 to ensure full compliance with court directives moving forward. ([inquirer.com](https://www.inquirer.com/politics/doj-ice-violate-judicial-orders-immigration-new-jersey-20260218.html?utm_source=openai))
This situation in New Jersey is part of a broader pattern of federal authorities disregarding judicial orders in immigration matters. In Minnesota, U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz criticized ICE for violating at least 96 court orders during operations in Minneapolis. He remarked, “ICE is not a law unto itself,” underscoring the agency’s obligation to adhere to legal standards. ([theweek.com](https://theweek.com/politics/ice-violations-federal-judge-backlash?utm_source=openai))
The DOJ’s admission of these violations has intensified scrutiny of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategies. Legal experts and advocates are calling for systemic reforms to prevent future infractions and to uphold the integrity of the judicial process. The forthcoming DOJ plan is anticipated to address these concerns and outline measures to ensure strict adherence to court orders in all immigration proceedings.