ICE falsely accuses attorney of aiding client's escape

Quick Read

Federal public defender Matthew Deates says ICE falsely accused him of helping a client evade arrest and is asking the government to retract the allegation.

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent has falsely accused a Twin Cities attorney of aiding and abetting the escape of a client who’s charged with reentering the United States illegally.

Matthew Deates, a federal public defender, is demanding that ICE retract a memorandum that names him and correct the record. Federal prosecutors included the document in a tranche of evidence they sent in August to defense attorneys who represent 15 anti-ICE activists charged with conspiracy.

Deates does not represent any of the Minnesota 15 defendants and has no connection to the case. It’s unclear why the Minnesota U.S....