Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz canceled a scheduled contempt hearing that could have compelled Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons to explain alleged violations of court orders. The hearing stemmed from an allegation that ICE failed to provide Juan Hugo Tobay Robles a bond hearing or release him as ordered; Robles has since been released. Schiltz said ICE violated 96 court orders in 74 cases since Jan. 1, 2026, and warned agency officials could still be compelled to appear. The court declined to schedule a separate hearing on Robles’ alleged harm but said he may seek monetary sanctions via a proper motion.
Federal Judge Calls Off Contempt Hearing for Acting ICE Director, Cites Widespread Noncompliance
Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) director Todd Lyons attends a press conference in Gary, Ind., on Oct. 30, 2025.(Reuters)
A federal judge in Minnesota has withdrawn his immediate threat to hold acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons in contempt after previously scheduling a hearing to probe alleged violations of court orders.
Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz canceled a hearing that had been set for Friday afternoon. The session was slated to require Lyons to explain ICE’s actions amid the federal government’s increased immigration enforcement efforts.
The hearing followed an allegation that ICE failed to comply with a Jan. 14 court order concerning Juan Hugo Tobay Robles. The order required ICE to provide Tobay Robles a bond hearing or release him from custody within seven days. Schiltz said ICE had done neither — prompting the threat of contempt — but Tobay Robles’ attorney, Graham Ojala-Barbour, later told Fox News Digital that his client was released from detention in Texas.
A person holds an anti-ICE sign as demonstrators rally during a general strike protesting President Donald Trump’s deployment of immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis, Minn., on Jan. 23, 2026.
Judge Highlights Broader Compliance Concerns
In an order issued after Tobay Robles’ release, Schiltz made clear that canceling the immediate hearing does not remove the court’s broader concerns about ICE compliance. He wrote that ICE had violated 96 court orders in 74 cases since Jan. 1, 2026, and warned that the true extent of noncompliance is likely understated.
"That does not end the Court’s concerns, however... The extent of ICE’s noncompliance is almost certainly substantially understated," Schiltz wrote. "This list should give pause to anyone — no matter his or her political beliefs — who cares about the rule of law. ICE has likely violated more court orders in January 2026 than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence."
Schiltz emphasized that the cancellation of the Friday hearing did not mean ICE was in the clear. He warned that Lyons or other government officials could still be compelled to appear in court to explain the agency’s practices and compliance with court orders.
The judge also declined to schedule a separate evidentiary hearing for Tobay Robles to present claims of harm resulting from ICE’s alleged noncompliance. Schiltz noted that if Tobay Robles wishes to pursue monetary sanctions, he may do so by filing a properly supported motion.
Fox News Digital reached out to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment.
Help us improve.
