Judge Threatens Contempt for ICE Director Over Ignored Court Orders
A federal judge in Minnesota has issued a stern warning to the acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director, highlighting serious concerns over ignored court orders relating to immigration cases. Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ordered Todd Lyons to appear in court this Friday regarding the case of Juan Tobay Robles, who was detained by ICE agents earlier this month.
Contempt Threat for ICE Director
Judge Schiltz expressed dissatisfaction with ICE’s repeated failure to comply with court directives. Specifically, he wants Lyons to explain why Robles was not granted a bond hearing or released within seven days, a requirement set by the court.
- Judge: Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz
- ICE Director: Acting Director Todd Lyons
- Case Involved: Juan Tobay Robles
- Hearing Date: Friday at 1:00 p.m.
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Background on Juan Tobay Robles
Robles is an Ecuadorian citizen who entered the U.S. illegally as a child around 1999. His legal representation, Graham Blair Ojala-Barbour, filed a petition on January 8, contesting his ongoing detention. The petition prompted Judge Schiltz to order the Trump administration to respond by January 12 with details regarding the reason and duration of Robles’s confinement.
On January 14, the judge declared that Robles was not subject to mandatory detention under U.S. law. He subsequently ordered a bond hearing within a week and mandated Robles’s immediate release from detention.
ICE’s Compliance Issues
Ojala-Barbour informed the court on January 23 that Robles remained detained and had not received the bond hearing stipulated by the judge. In his latest order, Schiltz criticized the administration’s failure to adhere to court rulings, stating the situation often results in considerable hardship for individuals who have lived and worked in the U.S. without any wrongdoing.
The judge emphasized his “extreme patience” with the administration while underscoring the lack of planning for managing cases challenging detentions. This criticism comes as President Trump and his officials face mounting backlash regarding immigration enforcement practices in Minnesota.
Increased Federal Presence in Minnesota
The Trump administration has ramped up the deployment of federal agents to Minnesota since December, coinciding with renewed allegations of fraud involving Somali immigrants. Recently, President Trump announced that border czar Tom Homan will oversee ICE operations in Minnesota, aiming to apprehend what he referred to as “the worst of the worst” criminal illegal aliens.
This development reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and the judicial system’s role in safeguarding individual rights against administrative actions.
