Courthouse Arrests Escalate: Immigrant Advocacy Groups Allege Unfair Tactics by ICE Officers, Seek Judicial Intervention
Migrant groups plead for mercy as courthouse arrests surge
The immigration scene in the United States is buzzing, with a fresh wave of lawsuits challenging the DHS and their enforcement strategies – specifically the ongoing courthouse arrests and the expansion of expedited removal.
Groups like the ACLU, CHIRLA, UBN, and CASA have stepped up, filing numerous federal lawsuits, primarily in Washington, D.C. Their focus is on curbing the Trump administration’s widening use of expedited removal[1][4][5]. The accusations against the DHS and ICE are severe: they claim that these agencies use expedited removal to expel individuals without due process, often skipping hearings and legal counsel, and are alarmingly present at courthouse appointments[1][3][4].
The groups argue that such practices not only deny individuals their constitutional right to due process but also sow fear in immigrant communities and punish those adhering to legal obligations[1][3][5].
Fast forward to June 2025, and immigrant rights groups raised the stakes, filing motions for emergency relief in a bid to halt DHS’s aggressive tactics[3]. The situation is painted as an upswing in courthouse arrests post DHS’s decision to dismiss cases against migrants in removal proceedings[3].
Early glimpses into court documents indicate that at least one motion for a preliminary injunction was denied by a federal judge in D.C., hinting at ongoing battles and setbacks for the plaintiffs[2].
Advocates have been vocal in their criticism of the administration, branding these actions as "unprecedented and lawless," creating an environment of fear for immigrants adhering to legal procedures but being subjected to ICE ambushes at court appointments[1][3][4].
The DHS has defended its stance, stating in a public response to media that "Biden ignored the legal fact" and released millions of "illegal aliens," including violent criminals, into the country. ICE is now "following the law," placing these individuals in expedited removal, as they always should have been[6].
| Issue | Allegations/Concerns | Recent Actions/Developments ||------------------------------|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|| Courthouse Arrests | Ambush tactics, fear in communities | Emergency motions filed || Expedited Removal | Denial of due process, lack of judge | Lawsuits in federal court || DHS/ICE Enforcement Actions | Coordinated arrests at courts | At least one motion denied by court |
The legal battles underscore grave worries about the erosion of due process protections for immigrants and the unpredictability and strictness of the current enforcement system. While federal judges have yet to grant widespread emergency relief, the cases remain active and quest for judicial intervention to curtail these practices[2][3][4].
- The ongoing courthouse arrests and the expansion of expedited removal are becoming a hot topic in the world of politics and policy-and-legislation, sparking numerous lawsuits from immigration rights groups like the ACLU, CHIRLA, UBN, and CASA.
- The recent increase in courthouse arrests, a result of DHS's decision to dismiss cases against migrants in removal proceedings, has escalated fears and criticism in the general news, with immigrant rights groups filing motions for emergency relief to halt DHS's aggressive tactics.
