Federal Court Ruling Protects Immigrants from Arrests in Manhattan Immigration Courts
In a significant ruling on immigrant rights, U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel has prohibited federal immigration agents from conducting arrests in and around three immigration court buildings in Manhattan, except under extraordinary circumstances.
This decision effectively ends a controversial practice introduced during the Trump administration, which allowed federal agents to detain individuals appearing in court for immigration matters, including asylum and deportation proceedings.
The practice has instilled fear and anxiety among many immigrant families, with reports of individuals being apprehended in courthouse hallways immediately following their hearings.
Judge Castel emphasized that while the federal government is entitled to enforce immigration laws, individuals must have the ability to present their cases before an immigration judge “without fear of arrest.” He underscored the importance of access to courts to ensure due process and fair evaluation of asylum and deportation claims.
Importantly, this ruling does not bar immigration authorities from making arrests elsewhere or detaining individuals in court if public safety is seriously threatened. However, it restores the boundaries established under federal policy five years ago.
Judge Castel indicated that his ruling is likely to withstand legal scrutiny, reasoning that the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate these protections seems “arbitrary and capricious.” He also noted a recent admission by government lawyers that a 2025 policy permitting arrests around courthouses does not extend to immigration courts.
Castel remarked on the necessity to “correct clear wrongs and prevent clear fraud,” highlighting the implications of his findings.
The ruling emerged from a lawsuit filed by multiple advocacy organizations, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Make the Road New York. Amy Belsher, the director of immigrant rights litigation at the NYCLU, characterized the decision as “a major victory for noncitizen New Yorkers seeking to safely attend immigration court proceedings.”
Specifically, this ruling impacts the immigration courthouses located at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway. The lawsuit was initially lodged last August on behalf of immigrant advocacy organizations, such as African Communities Together and The Door.
Beth Baltimore, deputy director of The Door’s Legal Services Center, expressed optimism regarding the ruling, stating it offers hope to immigrants who have previously hesitated to attend mandated court hearings. “Our staff continues to work tirelessly to support Door members who are afraid to go to their required court appearances,” Baltimore noted. “We will collaborate with our members to advocate for those affected by court arrests, including those who remain in custody.”
While the ruling specifically addresses three immigration courts in Manhattan, advocates view it as a substantial victory for due process and a vital safeguard for immigrants seeking legal redress.
