Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota has faced criticism for his involvement in immigration-related cases, particularly following mass protests and a controversial shooting in Minneapolis. Schiltz delayed a key ruling on the arrest of Don Lemon, who was accused of storming a church with anti-immigration activists, complicating legal proceedings despite an indictment being secured by the attorney general.

Schiltz's impartiality has come under scrutiny due to his longstanding donations and volunteer work for the Minnesota Immigrant Legal Center, an organization that not only represents immigrants but also advocates for specific immigration policies. Critics argue that this affiliation creates an appearance of impropriety, especially when Schiltz presides over cases involving policies the organization has publicly opposed.

Legal experts highlight that district courts are generally barred from handling certain immigration detention and removal cases, which should be heard in immigration courts. The article calls for Schiltz and other district judges to recuse themselves from such cases to preserve judicial integrity, warning that failure to do so may prompt intervention from higher courts.