NEWS ALERT! ICE Courthouse Arrests: What This Means for Your Immigration Case

Shan Potts
Jun 12
3 min read

In a troubling escalation of immigration enforcement, ICE has expanded courthouse arrests across multiple states, targeting immigrants who appear at state and local courts for unrelated matters — including traffic hearings, family court, and even as witnesses or victims. This shift in policy marks a return to pre-2020 tactics and has serious implications for immigrants with pending cases, removal orders, or even legal status.

What’s Happening?

Since April 2025, ICE has confirmed that its agents have started “targeted enforcement actions” inside and just outside courthouses. The agency claims it is focusing on individuals with “significant criminal records or removal orders,” but legal observers report that many arrests have involved:

Asylum seekers with pending hearings
Green card holders attending unrelated legal matters
Victims of domestic violence seeking restraining orders
Parents attending family court or custody hearings

ICE has also begun coordinating with local sheriffs and courthouse security under expanded 287(g) agreements in several states, increasing the risk of detention for anyone with prior immigration history.

What This Means for You: How ICE Courthouse Arrests Put Immigrants at Risk

If you are non-citizen — even with legal status — and have an open or historical immigration case, this policy puts you at new risk. Specifically:

Attending court may now trigger detention
If you’ve missed a prior hearing or have a removal order, you could be picked up on site.
ICE may use old or pending alien registration data to justify the arrest — regardless of current conduct.

This chilling effect means that many immigrants may now avoid court altogether, which could worsen unrelated legal situations like family law, housing disputes, or even protection orders.

SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY NOW!

How Our Firm Views This Expansion

At Shan Potts Law Offices, we’ve seen how courthouse arrests destabilize families, intimidate victims, and derail legitimate immigration cases.

We believe this expanded ICE presence:

Undermines due process by deterring immigrants from participating in the legal system
Creates backdoor deportations through civil court attendance
Violates constitutional protections for immigrants with valid legal proceedings

We are currently defending clients who were detained while attending civil court hearings and have filed motions to challenge the legality of their arrest.

Your Next Steps if You’re at Risk

If you have any pending legal matter in a courthouse, or a prior immigration issue, take these precautions:

Speak to an immigration attorney before going to court. We can advise on your risk and rights.
Do not attend court alone. If possible, be accompanied by a lawyer or legal advocate.
Carry an emergency legal plan: Include your attorney’s contact, A#, and a family contact.
Do not sign anything if detained at court. Call us before giving ICE any information.

We Can Help You Fight Back

If you or a loved one has been detained at a courthouse, or if you’ve received a court summons and fear detention, contact our team immediately. We can: