Legal and immigrant groups protest ICE officers in Brooklyn courts

December 7, 2017 By Mary Frost Brooklyn Daily Eagle

After an illegal immigrant was arrested in court on Tuesday, legal and immigrant rights organizations rallied in Brooklyn on Thursday against the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Brooklyn courts. Eagle photos by Mary Frost

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Representatives of dozens of immigrant rights, legal and religious organizations rallied on the steps of Brooklyn Borough Hall on Thursday to demand that the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency remove its officers from New York State’s courts.

On Tuesday, dozens of public defenders staged a walkout at Brooklyn Criminal Court after a Legal Aid client was arrested by ICE in the hallway. The attorneys marched to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, demanding that the Office of Court Administration and Chief Judge Janet DiFiore implement a policy to prevent court staff from collaborating with ICE officers or entering court property.

ICE agents are allowed into courthouses but are not allowed to make arrests in the courtrooms themselves, and they must notify court officials upon arrival.

The rally was hosted by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys / UAW 2325.