A federal judge in Manhattan has issued a ruling that significantly blocks U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from carrying out arrests at immigration courthouses in New York City, dealing a notable setback to the Trump administration’s local enforcement efforts.
U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel, in an order released on Monday, May 18th, prohibited ICE agents from conducting civil immigration arrests inside or in the immediate vicinity of three federal courthouses in lower Manhattan, including 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway. The ruling permits arrests only in narrowly defined circumstances, such as situations involving national security risks, imminent threats of violence, or urgent public safety concerns.
The case was filed by the New York Civil Liberties Union, the American Civil Liberties Union, Make the Road NY, African Communities Together, and The Door. The groups argued that courthouse arrests deter immigrants from attending required hearings and weaken due process protections in immigration proceedings.
In his decision, Castel pointed to earlier submissions from government attorneys that relied on incorrect information regarding the scope of a 2025 ICE enforcement memo. Officials later acknowledged that the guidance “does not and has never applied” to immigration courts. He said the clarification warranted reopening prior findings in order “to correct a clear error and prevent a manifest injustice.”
The judge noted that although the government maintains a significant interest in enforcing immigration laws, individuals must be able to attend removal proceedings and pursue asylum claims without the fear of being detained. He also determined that the plaintiffs were likely to prevail on claims that the policy shift was “arbitrary and capricious.”
The Department of Homeland Security defended the policy, with a spokesperson saying the agency remained confident it would ultimately prevail in the case.
Immigrant rights advocates praised the decision. Amy Belsher, director of immigrants’ rights litigation at the NYCLU, described it as “an enormous win for noncitizen New Yorkers seeking to safely attend their immigration court proceedings.” The ruling stays in effect while the case continues to move through the courts.
