Immigrants File Class-Action Lawsuit to Stop ICE Courthouse Arrests
A coalition of legal organizations, including RAICES, has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt the practice of ICE courthouse arrests at immigration courts. The lawsuit, which names the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security as defendants, argues that federal agents are weaponizing immigration courts by detaining individuals who appear for mandated hearings, subsequently placing them in expedited deportation proceedings that bypass due process protections. While the administration defends the tactic as a common sense measure to conserve law enforcement resources, advocates and plaintiffs contend it is a "trap" that violates federal immigration laws and the Constitution. By targeting those following the rules to seek asylum, the suit claims the government is creating a climate of fear that deters migrants from participating in the legal system.
