Judge blasts ICE for 'false public statement' that put colleague in 'personal danger'

Rhode Island's chief federal judge is publicly rebuking the Trump administration after ICE falsely characterized a colleague's ruling in an immigration case and put his fellow judge in danger.

Chief Judge John McConnell issued a formal letter Tuesday condemning ICE for publishing a press release that described District Judge Melissa DuBose as an "activist Biden judge" who knowingly released "a violent criminal illegal alien who is wanted for murder in the Dominican Republic" – which he said was flatly false, reported The Providence Journal.

The case centered on Bryan Rafael Gomez, a migrant whom DuBose ordered released from ICE custody after a Justice Department attorney, Kevin Bolan, withheld information about a years-old homicide arrest warrant from the Dominican Republic.

A special counsel McConnell appointed to investigate the matter found that Bolan had committed a serious ethical violation by failing to be honest and transparent with the court — though the counsel recommended against formal disciplinary proceedings.

Without knowledge of the warrant, McConnell said, DuBose's decision to release Gomez was entirely appropriate, and the judge said ICE's press release suggested otherwise.

"ICE falsely suggested, contrary to the true record, that when Judge DuBose released the petitioner, she knew he was sought in connection with a homicide," McConnell wrote. "This false public statement by ICE put her in personal danger and undermined public faith in the federal courts."

Bolan, who said he withheld the information based on ICE guidance and was unaware it had already been publicly disclosed, apologized to DuBose and has otherwise handled his cases responsibly, McConnell said. But the chief judge warned him plainly: "Any future finding of misconduct will be severely sanctioned."

Gomez has not yet been located by authorities for re-detention. The ICE press release remains on its website despite DuBose's request that it be taken down.

The episode is one of many involving Justice Department attorney conduct that has drawn judicial scrutiny amid the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement push.