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Federal Judge Bars ICE From Making Arrests in Immigration Courts
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- A federal judge in California blocked immigration agents nationwide from making arrests inside immigration courts, halting a key part of President Trump's mass deportation efforts.
- Judge P. Casey Pitts ruled that federal officials violated administrative procedure laws by changing guidelines that previously restricted civil arrests in immigration courthouses without proper consideration.
- The judge criticized the decision-making process as "arbitrary and capricious," noting officials ignored concerns that courthouse arrests would discourage immigrants from attending hearings.
- The ruling also invalidated an ICE waiver allowing detainees to be held in short-term holding rooms for up to 72 hours, overturning the agency’s prior 12-hour limit.
- The decision arose from a class-action lawsuit challenging ICE and the Executive Office for Immigration Review over increased courthouse arrests and extended detention times in ICE facilities.
