Feds Release Detainee After Judge Threatens Contempt Action Against Trump Administration Official
A federal court's patience has worn thin, and a judge has released an undocumented immigrant from detention after threatening contempt action against the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Juan Tobay Robles, who entered the US as a child without inspection in 1999, had been held at Fort Snelling in Minnesota since his arrest in early January.
Tobay's attorney confirmed to NBC News on Tuesday that he has been released from custody and is now in Texas. The development comes after Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ordered the acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court on Friday to answer for violating court orders related to Robles' case.
Schiltz had given the Trump administration seven days to provide Tobay with a bond hearing or release him from detention, but it was unclear if that deadline would be met. The judge had grown frustrated with the administration's repeated failures to comply with court orders and ordered Lyons to appear in person to explain why Robles wasn't released as required.
The court's frustration is evident: "This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz wrote. The judge acknowledged that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear was an extraordinary step, but he deemed the extent of ICE's noncompliance to be equally exceptional.
By canceling the hearing and releasing Tobay from custody, the court effectively sidestepped Lyons' need to testify. His release marks another victory for undocumented immigrants who have been challenging their detention through lawsuits and petitions.
The developments come as President Donald Trump has pledged to continue enforcing immigration laws in Minnesota, with White House border czar Tom Homan set to lead ICE operations on the ground. The administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement has drawn widespread criticism and protests from advocates and community groups.
A federal court's patience has worn thin, and a judge has released an undocumented immigrant from detention after threatening contempt action against the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Juan Tobay Robles, who entered the US as a child without inspection in 1999, had been held at Fort Snelling in Minnesota since his arrest in early January.
Tobay's attorney confirmed to NBC News on Tuesday that he has been released from custody and is now in Texas. The development comes after Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ordered the acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to appear in court on Friday to answer for violating court orders related to Robles' case.
Schiltz had given the Trump administration seven days to provide Tobay with a bond hearing or release him from detention, but it was unclear if that deadline would be met. The judge had grown frustrated with the administration's repeated failures to comply with court orders and ordered Lyons to appear in person to explain why Robles wasn't released as required.
The court's frustration is evident: "This is one of dozens of court orders with which respondents have failed to comply in recent weeks," Schiltz wrote. The judge acknowledged that ordering the head of a federal agency to personally appear was an extraordinary step, but he deemed the extent of ICE's noncompliance to be equally exceptional.
By canceling the hearing and releasing Tobay from custody, the court effectively sidestepped Lyons' need to testify. His release marks another victory for undocumented immigrants who have been challenging their detention through lawsuits and petitions.
The developments come as President Donald Trump has pledged to continue enforcing immigration laws in Minnesota, with White House border czar Tom Homan set to lead ICE operations on the ground. The administration's aggressive approach to immigration enforcement has drawn widespread criticism and protests from advocates and community groups.
I think this is a classic case of the federal court trying to hold someone accountable when the Trump admin is just not listening 
. Seven days for them to comply with a court order or release the guy? That's pretty chill considering how slow they usually are 
. And now Lyons has to show up in person, which is basically an admission that they messed up. 
The fact that the judge was so frustrated and wrote about it in the court doc is like, yeah, we get it, guys, you're not following orders 
. It's all pretty standard stuff for immigration cases, but I guess the timing just made it more newsworthy 
.
and the judge is all frustrated because the Trump admin hasn't been following court orders and stuff... 
and then they release him! 
it's like a win for undocumented immigrants who are trying to fight back against these detention centers. 
like, I know there are laws and all that, but can't we find a way to help people instead of locking them up? 
it's like, what's the point of having a court if they're not gonna follow the rules? 
. The judge is all like "listen up, ICE, you need to follow the rules" but they keep messing up 
.
. It shows that even when the system gets frustrating, something can be done about it. And yeah, this is a big win for all the other people who are fighting to stay in the country without going through some super long, hard process 
.
. So, a dude gets released from detention because the feds are being super slow to follow orders... I mean, I get it, they're trying to enforce immigration laws and all that, but come on! The guy's been in here since 1999, he was just a kid! It's like, can't we just give him a break? 
It's like, okay, Judge Schiltz, you win. We get it.
it's refreshing to see some progress. Let's just hope it sticks this time. 
I'm so done with these politicians and their games! Like, what even is going on here? 
. It's basic human rights stuff! 
. We're human beings! 
. I can understand why the judge got frustrated with the admin's repeated failures to comply with court orders 
. The fact that they made the acting ICE Dir have to show up in person is pretty extreme, but it just goes to show how serious the courts are taking these matters 
. I hope this release sparks some real change in how we handle immigration cases in the US 
. And to President Trump, I'd say: let's focus on finding a solution that works for everyone, not just enforcing laws that divide us 
It's like they think they're above the law or something. Newsflash: you're not special, guys! 
i mean, the system should be more humane, you know? the fact that the administration didn't follow court orders and had to be called out on it is kinda embarrassing for them 
but hey at least it's a win for Juan Tobay Robles and all the other ppl who are fighting back against this stuff. school would be so much better if we could just focus on learning instead of worrying about who's gonna get deported next