Federal Plaza court: Justice game of chance persists as Lander advocates for increased legal resources for ICE
In the heart of Lower Manhattan, at 26 Federal Plaza, the immigration court has become a focal point for controversy, with frequent ICE arrests inside and around the courthouse[1][4]. These arrests, often described as random detentions, have raised concerns about a "justice roulette" system where outcomes are unpredictable and enforcement feels arbitrary[1][4].
The immigration court remains operational on the 12th floor, according to the U.S. Department of Justice's EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review)[2]. However, the courthouse's proximity to an ICE-operated holding area on the 10th floor intertwines judicial proceedings with enforcement operations in ways that impact access to fair legal process and humane treatment[1][4].
The holding area has been criticized for inhumane conditions, including overcrowding, limited food, lack of beds, and no private legal consultations[1][4]. These allegations have resulted in lawsuits from groups like the ACLU, claiming violations of basic rights and oversight failures[1][4]. Despite these accusations, the Department of Homeland Security denies mistreatment and has restricted access to these facilities[1][4][5].
On August 7, the chaotic and emotional situation was compared to a war zone by a passerby. One man was observed being hauled away by ICE agents without being asked for his identity or shown his papers[1]. The man was separated from his lawyer and dragged into a hallway, but was later released downstairs where he reconnected with his lawyer[1].
City Comptroller Brad Lander observed the court proceedings at 26 Federal Plaza on August 7. Lander has appealed to the state legislature and the governor for state funding and to the city for city funding, emphasizing the need for the city and state to provide funding for lawyers to represent immigrants on a pro bono basis to keep them out of ICE custody[6].
Lander describes the situation as a "justice roulette" game, where some people are being "abducted and detained" in the immigration court, and nobody knows who it will be, including the judges[1]. He condemned ICE for grabbing hold of immigrants first, then asking questions later[1].
The increased courthouse arrests have turned routine immigration proceedings into moments of heightened risk for detainees, contributing to the characterization of a "justice roulette" where the presence of ICE agents and the potential for sudden detention create a climate of fear and uncertainty for immigrants attending court[1].
References:
[1] Associated Press. (2025, August 8). Protesters gather at Lower Manhattan courthouse after ICE arrests. ABC News. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/US/protesters-gather-lower-manhattan-courthouse-ice-arrests/story?id=86861359
[2] U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). Executive Office for Immigration Review. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/eoir
[3] The New York Times. (2025, June 15). ICE detention facility at Lower Manhattan courthouse faces criticism. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/15/us/ice-detention-facility-lower-manhattan-courthouse.html
[4] The ACLU. (2025, July 15). Lawsuit filed against ICE over conditions at Lower Manhattan detention facility. Retrieved from https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/lawsuit-filed-against-ice-over-conditions-at-lower-manhattan-detention-facility
[5] CNN. (2025, August 10). ICE denies mistreatment at Lower Manhattan detention facility. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/10/us/ice-denies-mistreatment-at-lower-manhattan-detention-facility/index.html
[6] The New York Post. (2025, August 15). Lander calls for funding to keep immigrants out of ICE custody. Retrieved from https://nypost.com/2025/08/15/lander-calls-for-funding-to-keep-immigrants-out-of-ice-custody/
- The controversial immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza is a nexus for hard-hitting politics and general-news, as evidenced by ongoing debates regarding fair legal process, humane treatment, and allegations of inhumane conditions in the ICE-operated holding area.
- Critics have used terms like "justice roulette" to describe the unpredictable and arbitrary enforcements taking place at the immigration court, leading to lawsuits from groups like the ACLU and appeals from city officials, such as City Comptroller Brad Lander, for increased funding for pro bono legal services.
