Judge Bars Most ICE Arrests At Manhattan Immigration Courts
U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel barred most ICE arrests at three Manhattan immigration court sites, citing government concessions about 2025 policies and aiming to let noncitizens attend hearings without fear.
Daily KosYet another judge is rightfully furious with ICE
Daily CallerREPORT: Judge Bars Most ICE Arrests At Immigration Courts In Major City
TownhallFederal Judge Bars ICE From Making Arrests in Immigration Courts
The GuardianNew York federal judge bans ICE arrests at Manhattan immigration courts
ABC NewsFederal judge bans most arrests by federal agents in immigration courts in New York
Overview
U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel barred federal agents from making most arrests in and around immigration courts at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street and 290 Broadway.
Castel said the decision corrects a prior ruling after government lawyers acknowledged that 2025 ICE policies did not apply to immigration courts, prompting reexamination of his earlier order.
The New York Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU and Make the Road NY brought the lawsuit and praised the ruling, while the Department of Homeland Security said it is confident it will ultimately be vindicated.
The ruling applies only to the three Manhattan sites and allows arrests at courthouses only in exceptional circumstances or for serious public safety threats, the judge said.
The lawsuit was first brought last August on behalf of African Communities Together and The Door, and advocates said the decision will help noncitizen New Yorkers attend court without fear of arrest.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the ruling as a victory for access to justice and civil liberties, emphasizing human impact and legal correction. They use evocative phrases ('dramatic scenes,' 'pulled away from emotional family members'), foreground quotes from NYCLU and advocates, and note the government's reversal while offering limited enforcement rationale or government quotes.