Federal judges order release of multiple ICE detainees in West Virginia as unconstitutional
Feb 5, 2026·Location: WV

Four unnamed immigrants detained by ICE in West Virginia during a January 2026 operation were ordered released by federal judges who ruled their detentions unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston, Judge Robert C. Chambers, and Judge Joseph R. Goodwin each issued orders for release, finding that the government violated due process rights by detaining the immigrants without explanation, hearing, or notice. The releases were part of a broader challenge to a two-week ICE operation in January that resulted in 650 arrests; fifteen detainees have filed petitions for release arguing unconstitutional detention, with more expected.
Sources
- More ICE detainees released in West Virginia by federal judges
mountainstatespotlight.org·Feb 5, 2026·archived copy
- Federal judge orders release of two immigrants detained in West Virginia
mybuckhannon.com·Feb 2, 2026·archived copy
- More ICE Detainees Ordered Released by West Virginia Judges: ‘A Threat to Anyone’s Constitutional Rights is a Threat to Us All’
100daysinappalachia.com·Feb 12, 2026·archived copy
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