ICE no longer has unfettered access to New York courthouses. But they can still arrest immigrants right outside.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers will no longer be allowed to make arrests inside New York courthouses without a judicial warrant, New York State’s Office of Court Administration announced in a directive Wednesday night.
Though advocates have celebrated the new rule as a win for New York immigrants and families, the measure does not stop ICE from arresting immigrants on their way to and from court.
“Our clients are still at risk of warrantless ICE arrests immediately before and after appearing in court,” said Richard Bailey, supervising attorney for Brooklyn Defender Services’ Immigration Practice.