A Minnesota federal judge has escalated tensions with the Justice Department over immigration enforcement, holding a government attorney in contempt of court. U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino ordered Matthew Isihara, an attorney detailed to the Justice Department, to pay $500 daily until identification documents are returned to Rigoberto Soto Jimenez, a man recently ordered released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
The case highlights a growing friction between the judiciary and the federal government regarding immigration detention practices. Judge Provinzino found that Soto Jimenez was unlawfully detained because immigration officials lacked an administrative warrant. On February 9th, she ordered his release “without imposing any conditions of release” and mandated the return of all his property, specifying his release should occur in Minnesota, where he has resided with his lawful permanent resident spouse since 2018. The ongoing dispute centers on the Justice Department’s compliance with that order.
Judge Accuses DOJ of Non-Compliance
The situation came to a head after Judge Provinzino scheduled a hearing on Tuesday to address the Justice Department’s failure to fully comply with her February 9th order. According to court filings, the government had not released Soto Jimenez in Minnesota, nor had it returned his personal belongings. The Justice Department also reportedly failed to provide the judge with a status update on the case. Judge Provinzino’s order to hold Isihara in contempt is a direct response to these perceived violations.
Isihara, a military attorney currently assisting the Justice Department as a special U.S. Attorney, has been assigned to over 100 cases involving the government since last month, according to federal court records. This assignment reflects a broader effort by the Justice Department to address a surge in immigration-related legal challenges.
A “Tsunami” of Immigration Cases
The Justice Department is currently grappling with a significant increase in “habeas corpus” petitions – requests for individuals to be released from immigration detention. This surge is linked to increased immigration arrests and the Trump administration’s policy of seeking to detain migrants indefinitely while their deportation cases are processed. One U.S. Official described the influx as a “tsunami” of cases, straining the department’s resources, according to CBS News.
The strain is particularly acute in Minnesota, where the U.S. Attorney’s Office has experienced a wave of resignations among experienced prosecutors. The Justice Department has attempted to address the staffing shortage by bringing in prosecutors from neighboring states and, as in Isihara’s case, detailing military attorneys.
Broader Concerns Over Court Order Violations
This isn’t an isolated incident. Judge Provinzino is not the first federal judge in Minnesota to accuse the government of violating court orders in immigration cases. Other judges have reported instances of federal agencies delaying the release of migrants, releasing individuals in locations other than those ordered, or imposing conditions of release despite court orders to the contrary. Chief Judge Patrick Schiltz of the U.S. District Court in Minnesota accused ICE of violating court orders nearly 100 times in January alone.
The pressure on federal resources recently boiled over publicly in a separate case involving ICE lawyer Julie Le. During a hearing earlier this month, Le expressed frustration with the system, stating, “The system sucks. This job sucks. And I am trying every breath that I have so that I can get you what you need.” She even invited the judge to hold her in contempt, hoping for a full 24 hours of sleep, before being removed from her Justice Department detail.
Looking Ahead
As of Wednesday, February 19, 2026, the Justice Department, Isihara, and an attorney for Soto Jimenez had not responded to requests for comment. The situation remains fluid, with Judge Provinzino’s contempt order taking effect immediately. Isihara will be required to pay $500 each day until Soto Jimenez’s identification documents are returned. The next step in the case will likely involve a hearing to determine whether the Justice Department will comply with the judge’s order and return the documents, or whether further legal action will be taken.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges and tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding individual rights. Readers interested in following this case can monitor court filings through the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.
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