This is preposterous.
A federal judge appointed by former President Joe Biden has held a Justice Department attorney in civil contempt, ordering him to pay a $500-per-day fine in a case involving immigration enforcement.
The ruling adds another chapter to the growing tension between Biden-era federal judges and legal officials serving under President Donald Trump’s administration — particularly on issues related to immigration policy and federal authority.
Judge Rules DOJ Failed to Follow Court Order
U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino determined that Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Isihara did not properly comply with her prior order involving Rigoberto Soto Jimenez, a Mexican national detained in Minnesota.
According to reports, Soto Jimenez has lived in the United States since 2018. He reportedly has no criminal record and does not currently face a final order of removal. His attorney has stated that he is in the process of seeking lawful immigration status.
Soto Jimenez was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on January 14.
In a February 9 order, Judge Provinzino stated that the government had not produced a warrant that justified his continued detention. She further ruled that he had not been given a bond hearing and ordered that one be scheduled.
The judge also required that Soto Jimenez be released by 5:00 p.m. on February 13.
Release Followed by Dispute Over Identification Documents
ICE complied with the release deadline. However, the court later found that Soto Jimenez was released without his identification and personal documents.
Judge Provinzino’s initial directive required that he be freed with no restrictions attached and that every item of his personal property be returned to him.
Because the identification documents were not returned, the judge ruled that the government failed to fully comply.
As a result, she imposed a $500-per-day fine on the DOJ attorney until the documents are returned.
DOJ Attorney Cites Overwhelming Caseload
During court proceedings, Isihara reportedly acknowledged the mistake, stating that the matter had “fallen through the cracks.”
He told the court that the volume of work in recent weeks — particularly tied to civil litigation related to Operation Metro Surge — had overwhelmed available staffing.
“I don’t think it is acceptable,” he said, adding that the workload had exceeded what a single Assistant U.S. Attorney could reasonably manage.
Despite the explanation, the judge ruled that accountability was necessary and ordered the daily fine to begin immediately.
Growing Legal Tensions Over Immigration Enforcement
The case reflects broader legal battles over immigration enforcement under President Trump’s renewed focus on border security and federal immigration authority.
Immigration remains one of the most hotly debated issues in America, especially among voters concerned about border control, lawful entry, and due process.
Federal judges appointed under President Biden have, in several cases, scrutinized enforcement actions closely — leading to ongoing legal clashes between the executive branch and the federal bench.
Supporters of stricter immigration enforcement argue that federal agencies must be allowed to carry out the law effectively. Critics argue that procedural protections must be strictly followed in every case.
This latest ruling underscores how even technical compliance issues can result in significant legal consequences.
DHS and DOJ Response
When asked for comment, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security referred inquiries to the Justice Department. As of this writing, the DOJ has not issued a public statement regarding the contempt finding.
The daily fine will continue accumulating until the identification documents are returned.
