Since October, over 400 federal judges have ruled more than 4,400 times that the Trump administration is illegally detaining immigrants. Detention numbers under Trump jumped 75% to 68,000. This surge has sparked over 20,200 federal lawsuits by detainees seeking release, Reuters reports. The rulings challenge Trump's break from a decades-old policy that let immigrants stay free on bond while their cases proceed. Still, the administration keeps jailing people indefinitely. US District Judge Thomas Johnston, appointed by George W. Bush, criticized the government, writing, "It is appalling that the Government insists that this Court should redefine or completely disregard the current law as it is clearly written." The Justice Department is overwhelmed. Over 700 lawyers now handle immigration cases, with some managing more than 1,000 habeas filings each. The crackdown hits many immigrants without criminal records. Cases include a five-year-old boy detained at home in Minnesota, a Ukrainian man with valid humanitarian status, and a Salvadoran father caring for a US citizen child with autism. Many detainees face big challenges finding lawyers, who can charge up to $5,000 for habeas petitions. Others don’t know they can file or cannot find legal help. The administration defends its approach. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said they are "working to lawfully deliver on President Trump's mandate to enforce federal immigration law." DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin blamed "activist judges" trying to block deportations. The standoff causes court order violations. In Minnesota alone, judges found 96 violations in 76 cases. Similar problems appeared in New York, where emergency orders stop detainees from being moved out of state.