A Biden-appointed federal judge has found Justice Department attorney Matthew Isihara in civil contempt, ordering him to pay five hundred dollars daily until the government complies with court orders regarding a detained Mexican immigrant's case.
Judge Laura Provinzino ruled on Wednesday, February 18th, that Special Assistant United States Attorney Isihara violated her directives after Immigration and Customs Enforcement released Rigoberto Soto Jimenez from custody in Big Lake, Minnesota without providing his identification documentation as the court had required.
Conservative legal observers note the unusual nature of contempt findings against federal attorneys, particularly in immigration cases where courts typically defer to executive branch enforcement discretion. However, Provinzino apparently determined that ICE's failure to return identification documents constituted deliberate defiance of her specific orders rather than legitimate enforcement decisions.
"Matthew Isihara found in civil contempt after ICE released Rigoberto Soto Jimenez without his identification documentation, prompting the judge to impose daily fines until compliance occurs."
The judge stated her goal involves ensuring government compliance with judicial orders rather than punishing the individual attorney, though Isihara personally bears the financial burden unless the Justice Department reimburses him or ICE produces the required documentation. The daily accumulating fines create mounting pressure for resolution while establishing consequences for ignoring court directives.
Civil contempt findings aim to compel future compliance rather than punish past violations, distinguishing them from criminal contempt charges that carry potential incarceration. The daily fine structure provides ongoing incentive for the government to satisfy the judge's requirements while allowing purging of contempt through belated compliance.
This case highlights tensions between judicial authority and executive enforcement discretion in immigration matters. While courts can order specific actions regarding detained individuals, immigration agencies maintain broad operational control over custody procedures and documentation handling. The contempt finding suggests Provinzino believes ICE deliberately circumvented her authority by releasing Soto Jimenez without proper documentation rather than making good-faith enforcement decisions. Whether the Trump administration Justice Department will comply with a Biden appointee's orders or appeal the contempt finding remains uncertain, potentially escalating this dispute into a broader confrontation over judicial oversight of immigration enforcement operations.