US Federal Court: Judge Holds Government in Contempt Over ICE Detention Violation

A U.S. District Judge in Minnesota has taken the rare step of holding a government attorney in contempt of court after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) failed to comply with an order to release a detainee. The judge had ordered the immediate release of Rigoberto Soto Jimenez, a man with no criminal record who was arrested during a recent enforcement operation. Despite the order, the government failed to return his identification and personal property, effectively stalling his release.

The judge has threatened the government with daily fines of $500 until the court's orders are fully satisfied. The ruling highlighted a "complete dereliction of duty" by the agency, emphasizing that judicial orders are not optional for federal departments. The case has become a focal point for immigration advocates who argue that current enforcement strategies are increasingly disregarding due process and judicial oversight.

Soto Jimenez, a citizen of Mexico who has lived in the U.S. for seven years, was in the middle of a legal process to obtain lawful status when he was detained. His spouse and children are legal residents, and his case has drawn significant attention to the friction between federal immigration policies and the power of the district courts. The contempt charge serves as a stern warning from the bench regarding the limits of executive agency authority.