In criminal courts, ICE's presence reportedly leads to a prolonged journey toward obtaining justice according to certain legal professionals.
Immigration Court Arrests at Criminal Courthouses Surge Across U.S.
A wave of immigration court arrests at courthouses across the United States, particularly in New York City, has surged significantly since May 2025, causing widespread concern among immigrants and community members.
The surge began on May 19, 2025, with a rapid intensification in New York City. Data shows a dramatic increase: 181 immigration-related arrests at courthouses in the city so far this year, compared to only 11 the previous year. This accounts for nearly a quarter of all such arrests nationwide.
ICE agents have reportedly been present without prior notice to court staff, creating an atmosphere of surprise and intimidation. In New York City, about 7% of all ICE arrests occur at immigration courthouses, a figure significantly higher than the nationwide average of 0.5%.
The majority of those arrested are not severe criminals. Only 7% have been convicted of violent crimes, and approximately 65% have no criminal convictions at all. Despite federal characterizations targeting the “worst criminals,” enforcement practices have caught many with no or minor offenses.
This indiscriminate approach undermines public safety by diverting law enforcement from violent crime and suppressing immigrant willingness to engage with the legal system. Immigrants fear detention even when attending court hearings legally, which has resulted in family separations, economic disruption, and a chilling effect on immigrants’ participation in legal processes.
Immigrant advocates and some officials warn that these tactics effectively “weaponize” courthouses, turning places of legal recourse into sites of fear and enforcement. This undercuts trust in the justice system, raising serious concerns about due process and the fairness of the immigration system.
The impact on affected individuals and communities is severe. Long-time residents and workers are detained during routine immigration court appearances, leading to family separations, economic disruption, and a chilling effect on immigrants’ participation in legal processes.
It is important to note that the majority of immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than their U.S.-born counterparts. Detentions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are occurring during immigration court hearings, with the Trump administration increasingly deploying a tactic of arresting people at immigration court as they show up for routine hearings.
The man's lawyer believes the man is currently in Mexico, but the impact of these arrests extends far beyond individual cases. The fear and uncertainty created by these tactics threaten to undermine the very fabric of communities across the United States.
- The surge in immigration court arrests, particularly in New York City, has raised concerns about the politicization of credit ratings, as the unpredictable enforcement tactics could negatively affect the general news narrative and investor perception of communities with high immigrant populations.
- In light of the indiscriminate approach towards ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) issues, credit rating agencies may need to reassess their criteria for assessing the social stability and human rights records of cities and states, considering the impact of these arrests on the long-term sustainability and well-being of communities.
