Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents continue arresting immigrants at New York courthouses despite a federal judge's order prohibiting such arrests, according to Rep. Dan Goldman.
Goldman, a New York Democrat, accused ICE of "flagrantly violating the law" by detaining immigrants who appear for mandatory court hearings. The arrests directly contravene a judicial directive designed to protect court access and ensure immigrants can participate in their legal proceedings without fear of detention.
The practice undermines the functioning of the judicial system. When immigrants face arrest risk at courthouses, they avoid attending required hearings, which disrupts case management and creates administrative chaos for judges and court personnel. Federal judges have long recognized this problem, issuing orders to protect courthouse access as a matter of judicial integrity.
ICE's continued enforcement actions at courthouses, if confirmed, represent open defiance of federal court authority. This raises questions about the agency's compliance with judicial orders and its deference to the rule of law. Goldman's statement indicates the problem is ongoing rather than an isolated incident.
The dispute reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement priorities. The Biden administration has emphasized enforcement against immigrants with criminal records, yet field officers conduct arrests at courthouses that contravene court orders. This gap between stated policy and on-the-ground enforcement suggests either inadequate internal controls or deliberate defiance of judicial authority.
New York courts have become a flashpoint for these conflicts. The state's sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, frequently clash with ICE operations. Court officials have repeatedly raised concerns about courthouse arrests disrupting legal proceedings and deterring witnesses and defendants from appearing.
The judicial order reflects a principle established across federal and state courts: courthouses function as spaces where people must feel safe to participate in legal proceedings. ICE arrests at courthouses have drawn opposition from judges, court administrators, and immigrant advocacy groups nationwide.
Goldman's public statement suggests legislative attention to the