Full Breakdown
Rhode Island Judge Seeks Contempt Over Withheld Murder Warrant in ICE Detainee Release
5/6/2026, 5:40:46 AM
Core Event
On May 4, 2026, U.S. District Judge Melissa R. DuBose ordered the Department of Homeland Security to appear for contempt after DHS failed to disclose that ICE detainee Bryan Rafael Gómez was subject to a 2023 homicide warrant from the Dominican Republic. The judge had released Gómez on April 28 without knowledge of the warrant and subsequently re-detained him.
Context & Significance
The dispute occurs amid a surge of habeas petitions by ICE detainees under the Trump administration’s immigration agenda—over 18,000 filings since the president’s return, exceeding prior totals. Federal courts now serve as the main venue for detention challenges, straining DOJ resources and heightening friction with DHS. The case highlights concerns about judicial independence, inter-agency communication, public safety, and politicized rhetoric.
Timeline
April 4: Gómez arrested in Worcester, MA; April 16: DHS mentions Dominican warrant; April 24: ICE tells DOJ to withhold; April 28: Judge releases Gómez; April 30: DHS labels DuBose “activist”; May 4: Contempt hearing, Bolan apologizes; May 5: Judge orders re-detention and a bond hearing within seven days.
Data & Statistics
The Dominican Republic arrest warrant was issued on Jan. 24, 2023. Gómez, 27, entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and is seeking asylum.
Official Statements & Responses
Judge DuBose warned the narrative “puts people at risk” and threatens judicial security; DHS, via Acting Secretary Lauren Bis, called the release “dangerous” and “erroneous.” Attorney Kevin Bolan apologized, calling the release “patently false” and citing ICE’s instruction to keep the warrant confidential.
Criticism & Opposition
Immigration lawyer Melanie Shapiro called the explanation “outrageous” and said the DHS release “poisons” her client’s chance at a fair bond hearing. Legal observers described the episode as a “massive breach of trust” between the court and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Discrepancies & Gaps
Sources disagree on when DHS learned of the warrant: a DHS release on April 16 mentions it, yet Bolan testified he learned of it on April 30. The warrant’s validity is also contested; Shapiro cited a Dominican attorney who could find no record of a conviction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m not trying to make this political,” — Judge Melissa R. DuBose
- “It puts people at risk. It’s a threat to judicial security.” — Judge Melissa R. DuBose
- “I do think that what happened here was egregious enough to warrant a formal referral to our disciplinary committee,” — Judge Melissa R. DuBose
- “I sincerely apologize to Judge DuBose, personally, and to the entire Court for the consequences of this lack of disclosure,” Bolan added.” — Attorney Kevin Bolan
What's Next
The court will issue a contempt ruling on May 5 and may refer Bolan to a disciplinary committee. Gómez will appear before an immigration judge for a bond hearing within seven days of his re-detention, and DHS is expected to remove the contentious press release.
