Federal Judge Orders Release of Detained Canadian Dentist

A U.S. District Judge in Minnesota has mandated the immediate release of William Virgil Lizardo, a Canadian dentist and father, who was detained by immigration authorities due to an invalid hearing notification. Judge Michael J. Davis ruled that the actions violated the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, emphasizing the significant risk of Lizardo being unjustly deprived of his liberty.

Judge Davis noted the gravity of the situation, pointing out the mistake made by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in sending the hearing notice to an outdated address. Calling the facts “appalling,” he ordered Lizardo’s release by 6 p.m. on the specified Sunday. The ruling also prevents further detention or removal of Lizardo without court approval.

Conflicts between federal judges and the Trump administration over ICE’s enforcement authority are not new. The administration often criticizes decisions limiting immigration enforcement, accusing judges of exceeding their power.

Lizardo originally entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2019. After graduating, he married a U.S. citizen, and their daughter was born in 2025. Lizardo applied for permanent residency with his wife’s petition for an alien relative approved in early 2025.

Despite practicing dentistry in shortage areas, USCIS denied Lizardo’s residency application in January 2026, citing the absence of a certified court record from Ontario. Lizardo’s application remained pending as DHS issued a Notice to Appear at an incorrect address, leading to his removal order.

Unaware of the hearing and subsequent removal order, Lizardo was apprehended by ICE agents during an immigration interview in October. After appealing, the immigration court rescinded the removal order due to insufficient notice.

Federal officials argued for dismissal of Lizardo’s case, claiming his reopened proceedings changed his detention grounds. Judge Davis dismissed these claims, citing the lack of a new warrant and affirming Lizardo’s ties to the community.

Davis ordered Lizardo’s release on recognizance, returned his belongings, and stipulated future detentions must first obtain court approval. The government must prove any new detentions are justified.

This ruling does not grant Lizardo permanent residency or resolve his immigration case, which remains open after the rescindment of the removal order.