In a pivotal decision affecting immigration procedures in New York City, a federal judge has prohibited the arrest of individuals attending immigration hearings at select Manhattan locations, except under extraordinary circumstances. This ruling significantly alters a policy initiated during the Trump administration, which allowed for such detentions.
U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel’s decision halts the controversial practice, which had led to emotionally charged scenes as people were detained in courthouse corridors, often in front of distraught family members. Castel emphasized the balance between enforcing immigration laws and ensuring individuals can participate in removal proceedings and seek asylum claims without the looming fear of arrest.
Although the ruling restricts arrests at the specified courthouse locations, it does not entirely eliminate the ability of federal agents to detain individuals elsewhere or in situations where public safety is at risk. The judge pointed out that a legal case before him is likely to conclude that the rollback of the Obama-era policy after Trump’s inauguration was “arbitrary and capricious.”
Government lawyers recently acknowledged that the 2025 policies devised during the Trump administration did not pertain to immigration courts, prompting the judge to correct what he deemed a “clear error” and avert “manifest injustice.”
The lawsuit was initiated by advocacy groups including the New York Civil Liberties Union and the American Civil Liberties Union, among others. Amy Belsher, director of the NYCLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Litigation, hailed the ruling as “an enormous win for noncitizen New Yorkers seeking to safely attend their immigration court proceedings.”
While the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately comment, the Justice Department also refrained from making any statements. The ruling affects immigration courts located at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway. Notably, 26 Federal Plaza also houses New York’s FBI headquarters.
The lawsuit was filed in August by immigrant advocacy groups including African Communities Together and The Door. Beth Baltimore, deputy director of The Door’s Legal Services Center, expressed optimism, stating, “In the face of this administration’s ongoing targeting of our young members, this decision brings us hope.”
Baltimore added that their staff remains committed to assisting members who were previously fearful of attending mandatory court appearances. “We stand with our members to fight for those impacted by courthouse arrests, including those who remain detained, and other cruel policies,” she said in a statement.
