Federal judge bans most arrests by federal agents in immigration courts in New York
Source: Associated Press
Federal judge bans most arrests by federal agents in immigration courts in New York
By LARRY NEUMEISTER
Updated 12:25 AM EDT, May 19, 2026
NEW YORK (AP) — Federal agents can no longer make arrests without exceptional circumstances in and around three Manhattan buildings where immigration proceedings occur, a judge ruled Monday.
The decision by U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel brings an abrupt halt to a practice begun under the Trump administration that enabled agents to take into custody individuals who follow requirements to appear before immigration judges.
The arrests have resulted in dramatic scenes in courthouse hallways as those being detained were sometimes pulled away from emotional family members.
Castel said in a written decision that while there was “a strong governmental interest in enforcing immigration laws,” there also was a serious interest in letting individuals attend removal proceedings and pursue asylum claims before a judge “without fear of arrest.”
-snip-
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/ice-immigration-courts-arrests-ruling-0d8fa782a85853f0092201069f4e21a8