Judge Blasts DOJ's Handling of Immigration Cases

Cites 'real consequences on real human beings' due to staffing shortages and disobedience of court orders

Feb. 21, 2026 at 1:54am

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A federal judge in Minnesota has sharply criticized the Justice Department's handling of immigration cases, accusing the department's Minneapolis office of skirting court orders and blaming staffing shortages "again, and again, and again." The judge held a government lawyer in contempt of court earlier this week for failing to ensure compliance with a release order, though the contempt finding was later lifted.

Why it matters

The order adds to ongoing tensions between federal judges and the Trump administration over Immigration and Customs Enforcement's mass deportation efforts, which have caused an unprecedented flood of legal cases by detainees seeking to be released. Several judges in Minnesota have accused ICE of failing to follow court orders in these cases.

The details

In a hearing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Laura Provinzino held an Army lawyer who was temporarily assigned to the Justice Department in civil contempt for failing to ensure that ICE returned identification documents to an immigrant who was released in Texas without his IDs, despite a court order requiring him to be flown back to Minnesota with his personal property. The judge later lifted the contempt finding after the government quickly returned the man's documents, but issued a scathing nine-page order criticizing the federal government's actions.

  • On February 21, 2026, Judge Provinzino held the government lawyer in contempt of court.
  • On February 21, 2026, Judge Provinzino lifted the contempt finding after the government returned the immigrant's documents.

The players

Judge Laura Provinzino

A U.S. District Judge in Minnesota who has repeatedly criticized the Justice Department's handling of immigration cases.

Matthew Isihara

An Army lawyer who was temporarily assigned to assist the Justice Department and was held in contempt of court for failing to ensure compliance with a court order to return an immigrant's identification documents.

Rigoberto Soto Jimenez

An immigrant who was released by ICE in Texas without his ID, despite a court order requiring him to be flown back to Minnesota with his personal property.

U.S. Attorney's Office in Minneapolis

The office that has faced a surge of ICE arrests and a wave of resignations, leading to being overwhelmed by the number of requests to release detainees.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency whose mass deportation efforts have caused an unprecedented flood of legal cases by detainees seeking to be released.

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What they’re saying

“What the Court will not tolerate is what happened here: disobedience and radio silence from the Government.”

— Judge Laura Provinzino (cbsnews.com)

“administrative burden has never been a reason to sacrifice the constitutional and statutory rights of individuals.”

— Judge Laura Provinzino (cbsnews.com)

“the refrain of 'understaffing' and 'too many cases' has worn out its welcome, particularly when it comes at the expense of individual rights.”

— Judge Laura Provinzino (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Judge Provinzino said she expects government lawyers to promptly inform the court if they become aware that a court order might be violated, and that she would look favorably on such submissions to avoid holding lawyers in contempt.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between federal judges and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement, with judges accusing the government of repeatedly failing to comply with court orders due to staffing shortages and overwhelming caseloads, despite the 'real consequences on real human beings' that result.