Judge Bars ICE From Making Immigration Arrests at Courts in New York
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge in New York City, P. Kevin Castel, largely barred federal agents from making arrests in immigration courts, effectively halting a Trump-era policy targeting immigrants in Manhattan courts.
- The ruling followed a letter from the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office admitting it had mistakenly relied on a Department of Homeland Security memo to justify detaining noncitizens in court.
- The policy had caused distressing scenes in immigration courts, with immigrants being detained during routine hearings, sparking protests and arrests of demonstrators including political figures like Brad Lander.
- Advocacy groups argued the courthouse arrests were unconstitutional and deterred immigrants from attending hearings, while federal officials defended the arrests as necessary for agent safety.