ICE Courthouse Arrests in NYC: Judge Rules in Favor of ICE, Sparking Controversy
A federal judge recently ruled that ICE agents can continue making arrests at courthouses in New York City. This decision comes after a legal challenge from the ACLU and immigrant rights groups. The judge, P. Kevin Castel, found insufficient evidence to deem ICE's policy changes arbitrary. The changes allow arrests near immigration courts due to the unavailability of local correctional facilities for immigration detainers.
<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/07/1200/675/homeland-ero-agent.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="ERO agent holding an illegal immigrant's arm">However, the judge did block a Department of Justice policy encouraging immigration judges to dismiss cases to facilitate immediate ICE arrests. This Trump-era policy from 2025 generated controversy due to concerns that it might discourage migrants from attending hearings.
The ACLU criticizes the arrests, claiming migrants are forced to choose between deportation and risking further legal consequences due to fear of courthouse arrests. Videos of these arrests went viral, with some calling them “kidnappings”. Meanwhile, some judges have faced legal repercussions for allegedly aiding migrants' escape after hearings, as exemplified by the case of Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan.
<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/08/1200/675/ivce-attack.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="Keffiyeh-clad protester in San Francisco street">This ongoing legal battle highlights the tension between immigration enforcement and due process, particularly affecting migrants' access to legal representation and the court system.
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