New York City, New York — A federal judge on Monday sharply limited arrests by federal immigration agents inside and around several Manhattan immigration courts, ruling that most detentions at the facilities can only occur under exceptional circumstances.
U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel issued the ruling affecting immigration courts located at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway. The decision came after immigrant rights groups challenged Trump administration enforcement practices that critics argued discouraged immigrants and asylum seekers from appearing for court proceedings.
In his ruling, Castel said the government has a legitimate interest in enforcing immigration laws but also recognized a strong public interest in allowing individuals to attend immigration hearings and pursue asylum claims without fear of immediate arrest.
The lawsuit was brought by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Make the Road New York. Advocacy groups called the ruling a major victory for immigrant communities and due process protections.
Federal officials recently acknowledged in court filings that certain 2025 enforcement policies involving courthouse arrests did not formally apply to immigration courts, despite concerns raised by advocates and attorneys representing immigrants.
The ruling does not completely prohibit immigration arrests. Federal agents may still make arrests in exceptional situations involving public safety threats or detain individuals away from courthouse facilities.
The legal fight reflects broader national tensions over the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, particularly efforts to expand detention operations and deportations following Trump’s return to office.
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