A federal judge in New York has temporarily stopped ICE from carrying out most civil immigration arrests inside and around several Manhattan immigration courts. This is an important development for immigrants, asylum seekers, and families who are afraid to attend required court hearings because of the risk of detention.
At Shepelsky Law Group, our NYC immigration lawyers know how stressful immigration court can already be. No one should have to choose between showing up for court and risking immediate arrest by ICE.
What Happened?
The judge’s order temporarily blocks ICE from making most civil immigration arrests in or near certain Manhattan immigration court locations, including:
- 26 Federal Plaza
- 201 Varick Street
- 290 Broadway
This means that, for now, ICE generally cannot use these courthouse areas as places to detain immigrants who are appearing for scheduled immigration proceedings.
The ruling is temporary while the lawsuit continues, but it is still a major step toward protecting immigrants’ access to court.
Why This Ruling Matters
Many immigrants are legally required to attend immigration court hearings. If they miss court, they may be ordered removed in their absence. But when ICE arrests people at or near courthouses, it creates fear and discourages people from attending hearings.
That puts immigrants in an impossible position.
This ruling recognizes a basic principle: people should be able to go to court, appear before a judge, and defend their immigration case without being afraid that ICE will arrest them simply for showing up.
Does This Mean ICE Cannot Arrest Anyone?
No. This is not a complete ban on ICE enforcement.
The order applies to certain courthouse-related arrests in Manhattan immigration court locations. ICE may still conduct arrests in other situations, and there may be exceptions depending on the facts of a case.
Immigrants with prior removal orders, criminal issues, missed court dates, or complicated immigration histories should still speak with an experienced immigration attorney before going to court.
What Should Immigrants Do If They Have Court?
If you have an upcoming immigration court hearing, do not skip it. Missing court can seriously hurt your case and may lead to a deportation order.
Instead, you should:
- Speak with an immigration lawyer before your hearing
- Confirm your court date, time, and location
- Bring all required documents
- Attend with your attorney if possible
- Know your rights if approached by ICE
Even with this new ruling, every case is different. The safest step is to get legal advice before your hearing.
Shepelsky Law Group Can Help
Our immigration legal team in New York City represent immigrants in deportation defense, asylum cases, ICE detention matters, bond hearings, appeals, and federal court litigation in all the 50 states.
If you or your loved one is afraid to attend immigration court or worried about ICE detention, contact Shepelsky Law Group today by calling (718)769-6352 to set up your time to speak to one of our legal team members. We can review your case, explain your risks, and help you prepare a legal strategy.