A federal judge in New York has restricted ICE arrests at Manhattan immigration courts, raising major due process and asylum access concerns. Learn what immigrants and families should know and how experienced immigration attorneys can help protect legal rights.
The ongoing legal battle surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement enforcement actions inside New York immigration courts has entered a significant new phase after a federal judge temporarily restricted most ICE arrests at several Manhattan immigration court facilities. The decision comes amid escalating national scrutiny over immigration enforcement tactics, courthouse arrests, and due process protections for immigrants pursuing legal relief in the United States.
According to recent reporting, U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel issued an order limiting federal immigration arrests at major immigration court locations including 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway in Manhattan. The ruling generally prohibits ICE officers from making arrests at or near those court facilities absent exceptional public safety circumstances.
The decision represents one of the most consequential judicial responses yet to aggressive courthouse enforcement actions that immigrant advocacy organizations say have created fear among asylum seekers, green card applicants, and immigrants attending mandatory hearings.
The lawsuit was brought by several immigrant advocacy groups and civil liberties organizations who argued that courthouse arrests undermine the integrity of the immigration system itself. Judge Castel acknowledged the government’s authority to enforce immigration laws but emphasized that immigrants must also be able to attend court proceedings without fear of immediate detention.
The ruling follows earlier disclosures by the U.S. Department of Justice acknowledging that federal attorneys had incorrectly relied on an ICE policy memorandum to justify courthouse arrests. Government lawyers later admitted the memo cited in court did not actually apply to immigration courts.
This admission intensified criticism from immigration advocates and legal observers who argue that aggressive enforcement practices have discouraged immigrants from appearing at hearings and pursuing lawful immigration relief.
Data analyzed by immigration researchers and local media demonstrates a substantial increase in immigration arrests throughout New York during 2026. Federal immigration agents reportedly arrested more than 1,200 individuals in the New York City region during the first weeks of 2026 compared to fewer than 500 during the same period in 2025.
At the same time, advocates have reported increased enforcement activity at immigration check ins, court appearances, and public locations across the city. Multiple lawsuits now allege racial profiling and warrantless detention practices affecting immigrant communities throughout New York State.
These developments have contributed to mounting anxiety among immigrant families who fear attending scheduled hearings or appointments with immigration authorities.
For immigrants currently involved in removal proceedings, the Manhattan federal court ruling may provide temporary reassurance, but it does not eliminate the risk of detention entirely. ICE still maintains broad authority to conduct enforcement operations away from the courthouse and may continue certain enforcement actions under limited circumstances.
Importantly, immigrants should never skip immigration court hearings due to fear of arrest. Failure to appear can result in an automatic removal order issued in absentia, significantly complicating future immigration options.
Instead, individuals facing immigration court proceedings should immediately consult with experienced immigration counsel to evaluate possible legal protections including:
Individuals fleeing persecution may qualify for asylum or related humanitarian protections.
Certain long term residents may qualify to remain in the United States despite removal proceedings.
Eligible immigrants may pursue green cards through qualifying family relationships.
Attorneys can seek release from detention and challenge unlawful enforcement actions.
The rapidly evolving immigration enforcement environment in New York demonstrates why experienced legal representation has become essential. Immigration laws and federal enforcement policies continue to shift quickly, particularly during ongoing litigation surrounding ICE courthouse practices.
An experienced immigration attorney can help immigrants understand their rights before appearing in court, prepare legal defenses, seek available relief, and respond immediately if detention occurs.
At Spar and Bernstein, attorneys continue helping immigrants and families navigate complex removal proceedings, asylum applications, family petitions, and deportation defense strategies with compassion and aggressive advocacy. As federal policies evolve, proactive legal guidance remains one of the strongest protections available for immigrants facing uncertainty.
