Lawyers for ICE gave false information to justify detaining thousands, filings reveal
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Newly filed court documents reveal that ICE lawyers provided false information to justify the arrest and detention of thousands of individuals attending immigration courts.
- Federal prosecutors acknowledged that a May 2023 ICE memo previously cited to justify arrests did not authorize such actions, contradicting earlier claims.
- The lawsuit, filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union and other groups, challenges ICE’s practice of arresting people as they leave immigration hearings, which prevents them from continuing their legal cases.
- ICE admitted the memo did not authorize arrests near immigration courts and expressed regret over the misinformation, though officials stated the error was not due to a lack of diligence.
- The NYCLU highlighted the serious implications of the revelation, noting that arrests have continued despite the court’s prior reliance on incorrect government representations.
