Judge issues final ruling against ICE immigration court arrest policy in Manhattan
The ruling says ICE lacked a reasoned policy for courthouse arrests and found the practice arbitrary and capricious under federal law.
- On Thursday, U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel blocked ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses nationwide, declaring the Trump administration's policy "arbitrary and capricious" under the Administrative Procedure Act.
- The ruling follows revelations that ICE misled the court, admitting a 2025 memo used to justify arrests never applied to immigration courthouses, leaving the agency with "no policy whatsoever" for these detentions.
- Advocates including the New York Civil Liberties Union called the decision a victory, arguing past courthouse arrests were "terrifying immigrant communities" and deterred people from attending mandatory hearings, impeding justice.
- The ruling restores a 2021 policy limiting ICE arrests at or near immigration courts to specific circumstances, replacing the broad discretion agents previously exercised under the Trump administration's 2025 directive.
- While legal experts suggest the ruling could eventually reach the Supreme Court, it currently applies nationwide, impacting the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement agenda.
11 Articles
11 Articles
ICE forced to abandon NYC courthouse arrests, judge rules
A federal judge has indefinitely blocked ICE officers from arresting illegal immigrants at immigration courthouses in New York City on the basis that the Trump administration’s policy for it was invalid. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel for the Southern District of New York, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled Thursday that federal law enforcement […]
Bush-appointed judge shuts ICE out of New York immigration courthouses - The Daily Bo Snerdley
BS BULLETIN: A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s 2025 policy allowing broader ICE arrests in and around immigration courthouses. U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel, a George W. Bush appointee, ruled that ICE failed to adequately explain why it abandoned earlier restrictions. The ruling restores tighter 2021-era limits on civil immigration arrests at courthouses, except in limited circumstances. A George W. Bush-appointed …
Immigration News Today: Judge Strikes Down ICE’s Immigration Court Arrest Policy
Just have a minute? Here are the top stories you need to know about immigration. This summary was featured in Documented’s Early Arrival newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox three times per week here. LOCAL ACROSS THE U.S. IN COURT FROM THE FEDS
US judge in NY indefinitely blocks ICE from making arrests at immigration courthouses
Masked ICE agents stand stand watch on the 12th floor of Lower Manhattan's immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. The judge said a Trump rule change lifting restrictions on such arrests violated administrative procedure law. [ more › ]
Federal judge strikes down ICE immigration courthouse arrest policy across the country
A federal judge on Wednesday struck down an ICE policy that saw the agency making mass detentions inside immigration courthouses, including hundreds at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. The decision comes after more than a year of aggressive ICE enforcement at the facility and nearby 290 Broadway, during which masked agents dragged men, women,...
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
