Activists Demand Policy Changes at Santa Ana Immigration Court
SANTA ANA, CA – On Friday, July 17, members of the Community Service Organization of Orange County (CSO OC) delivered a petition to the Santa Ana Immigration Court, advocating for significant changes in how court hearings are conducted. Following a troubling trend that began in May 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have been known to arrest individuals within courthouses. In response, CSO OC has launched a campaign aimed at prompting immigration judges to transition all hearings to a virtual format, thereby mitigating the risk of ICE confrontations. The organization successfully gathered over 1,000 signatures in support of this initiative.
In June 2026, a California judge ruled that arrests could not occur either inside or outside immigration courthouses. This decision, championed by CSO OC members, is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and rights of those attending hearings.
Diana Terreros emphasized the implications of the court’s choice to forgo universal remote hearings. “CSO OC has identified an existing policy, PM21-03, which permits judges to conduct remote hearings at their discretion. By failing to adopt this policy universally, the immigration court has effectively allowed ICE to carry out unlawful arrests, creating significant harm to families. Despite the recent ruling, there remains a palpable risk that ICE may continue its operations unabated,” she said, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
As they approached the Immigration Courthouse, CSO OC members displayed large banners conveying their message. One placard read “Detention = Death,” accompanied by images of individuals who lost their lives while in ICE custody. The protesters chanted slogans such as “ICE out of our neighborhoods!” and “No justice, no peace. No ICE in our cities!”—underscoring their demand for immediate action against ICE arrests in court.
“Consider the psychological toll on individuals,” Steven Ayoub remarked. “Attending court now presents an impossible dilemma: face the risk of arrest or forgo the hearing and face automatic deportation. The stakes have escalated beyond simple detention. Just last month, ICE agents shot and killed Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a 52-year-old father who had resided in the U.S. for decades.” Ayoub’s comments brought attention to the potentially lethal consequences of the current enforcement tactics.
He further elaborated on the dire ramifications of aggressive enforcement: “With such draconian measures in place, ordinary people engaged in daily activities—like commuting to work or attending court—face the very real threat of ending up in jail or worse.”
Luis Morales Pedraza Babylon also shared his personal struggles with the immigration system. “I’m in the process of applying for a spousal green card, but ever since the rise in ICE actions, fear consumes my thoughts before sleep. What if I am arrested and deported to a country I barely know? I was brought here at age four, and I can’t even imagine what life would be like for me in Mexico,” he said, illustrating the anxiety felt by many immigrants.
Upon reaching the courthouse, CSO OC members encountered security measures that included metal detectors. They proceeded to submit their petitions to the front desk, which were addressed to each of the 22 judges. Although the clerks initially hesitated to accept the documents, citing procedural concerns, the petitions were ultimately accepted after consultations with superiors. This was indicative of the challenges many activists face when advocating for policy changes.
The CSO OC remains committed to fighting for immigrant rights and accountability within law enforcement. For those interested in supporting their mission, CSO OC can be connected through their Instagram account (@CSO.OC) or via email.
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