Federal judge bans ICE from arresting people in immigration courts
Key takeaways
- When the Trump administration began its crackdown on illegal immigration last year, ICE reversed its previous policy against making arrests in or near immigration courthouses.
- As a result, many people accused of being in the country illegally have been detained and separated from their families when they show up for routine hearings and check-ins at courthouses.
- Immigration attorneys have spoken out against the practice, saying it punishes people who are trying to comply with the rules and turns the justice system into a place of fear.
A man from Colombia seeking asylum is detained by federal agents as he attends a hearing in immigration court in New York City on Oct. 27, 2025. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images) By Clara Harter Staff Writer Follow June 23, 2026 6:51 PM PT 1 2 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X Linked In Threads Reddit Whats App Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A federal judge in California has issued a ruling banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents from making arrests inside immigration courts nationwide, blocking one of the Trump administration’s strategies for carrying out mass deportations.
When the Trump administration began its crackdown on illegal immigration last year, ICE reversed its previous policy against making arrests in or near immigration courthouses.