Trump Attorney Held in Contempt Over Immigration Case Violations

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A federal judge in Minnesota has held a Trump administration attorney in civil contempt for repeatedly violating court orders in an immigration case. The judge ordered the attorney to pay $500 per day until identification documents are returned to a noncitizen who was released from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

Why it matters

The contempt finding represents an escalation in the ongoing disputes between the judiciary and the executive branch over immigration policy, as courts seek to enforce their orders even in the face of logistical challenges or perceived administrative difficulties faced by the government.

The details

Judge Laura Provinzino found that attorney Matthew Isihara, a military attorney detailed to the Justice Department, had engaged in 'flagrant disobedience of court orders' by failing to return the identification documents of a noncitizen as she had previously ordered. Isihara argued the violation was unintentional due to the 'enormous volume of cases' stemming from Operation Metro Surge, but the judge dismissed this explanation, stating the government's understaffing and high caseload 'is a problem of its own making and absolutely does not justify flagrant disobedience of court orders'.

• On February 13, the judge mandated the man's release in Minnesota and the return of all his property.
• On February 20, the judge held Isihara in civil contempt and ordered him to pay $500 per day until the identification documents are returned.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The judge mandated that the government must return the noncitizen's identification documents by a specific date, and ordered the attorney to pay $500 per day until they are returned.