ICE agents target Rhode Island high school intern at courthouse, drawing criticism from state officials
Source: CNN US
PUBLISHED Nov 22, 2025, 12:05 AM ET
Aggressive tactics by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents drew the ire of Rhode Islands governor and state Supreme Court chief justice this week when a high school intern was detained and questioned before being released.
The incident, captured on video, showed ICE agents detaining the teen, who is taking part in an internship experience at Rhode Island Superior Court, as he was being driven to school by a judge.
ICE agents wrongfully detained a high school intern outside the Superior Court an outrageous and indefensible act that could have completely upended a young persons life, Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement Thursday.
The Department of Homeland Security has faced criticism for pursuing targets in or near courthouses, after rescinding guidance limiting activity in such locations.
Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/22/us/rhode-island-intern-detained-ice
UpInArms
(53,785 posts)ICE agents later surrounded the judges car as he intended to drive the intern to school, according to the court staffer and a video of the incident.
In a video from the Deportation Defense Network of Rhode Island, at least six federal agents are seen near McBurneys car, asking him and the teen to exit it.
Are you a judge here? one of the ICE agents appears to ask McBurney after he opens his car door.
About 30 seconds later, a federal agent is seen restraining the interns hands behind his back and escorting him away from the vehicle as nearby protesters shout at the agents.
NotHardly
(2,336 posts)The Wizard
(13,501 posts)in the White House is out of office.
sheshe2
(95,024 posts)That alone puts more focus on ICE's actions.
He was 16 and an intern, FFS! This has to stop.
drray23
(8,529 posts)This poor kid would have been thrown in ICE detention without any due process.