ICE formalizes plans for courthouse arrests

Ianus · 02-01-2018, 05:30 PM

http://abcnews.go.com/International/...rests-52751802

Quote:

Federal immigration authorities formalized a policy Wednesday to send deportation agents to federal, state and local courthouses to make arrests, dismissing complaints from judges and advocacy that it instills fear among crime victims, witnesses and family members.

The two-page directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it will enter courthouses only for specific targets, like convicted criminals, gang members, public safety threats and immigrants who have been previously deported or ordered to leave. Family, friends and witnesses won't be picked up for deportation but ICE leaves a caveat for "special circumstances."

The policy, signed by ICE acting director Thomas Homan, says immigration agents should generally avoid arrests in non-criminal areas of the court, like family court and small claims, unless it supervisor approves.

ICE — in a not-so-subtle jab at "sanctuary cities" that limit work with immigration authorities — said "increasing unwillingness of some jurisdictions to cooperate with ICE i n the safe and orderly transfer of targeted aliens inside their prisons and jails has necessitated additional at-large arrests."

Immigration agents made courtroom arrests under the Obama administration but the pace appears to have picked up under President Donald Trump, whose administration has seen a roughly 40 percent surge in arrests overall and has casted a much wider net.

In March, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye asked ICE to stay out of her courts, writing, "Courthouses should not be used as bait in the necessary enforcement of our country's immigration laws."

Washington state Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary E. Fairhurst wrote at the time that ICE's presence was "deeply troubling because they impede the fundamental mission of our courts, which is to ensure due process and access for everyone, regardless of their immigration status."

Sarah Mehta, a human rights research with the American Civil Liberties Union, said the new policy is helpful to understand ICE's self-imposed limitations — despite exceptions allowed — but says may have come too late with fear already spread.

"A lot of the damage has been done over the last year," she said.

ICE reaffirmed its 2014 policy is in place to avoid deportation arrests at "sensitive locations," including schools, daycares, hospitals, places of worship, funerals, weddings rallies and public demonstrations. Courthouses have never been part of that list.

Homan said metal detectors at courthouse entrances provide more safety to officers.

"We're not going to do it in the courtroom but to me it's safer," Homan said in an interview in November. "It makes sense to arrest a criminal in a criminal courthouse."

IamAman · 02-01-2018, 05:40 PM

So ironically, it might be safer in a non-sanctuary city. Tell your parents and non-DACA undocumented friends to not get pulled over for stupid stuff that will require them to go to court. Check your lights, fully stop at stop signs, etc.

Copper · 06:12 PM

Enforcement is coming. With or without a DACA relief bill. So for those who think we’re selling out the rest of the undocumented community in Trump’s recent proposal, well is going to happen either way.

2MoreYears · 02-01-2018, 05:53 PM

Get them out of here!! No break for gang bangers.

Busybee · 02-01-2018, 05:56 PM

The two-page directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it will enter courthouses only for specific targets, like convicted criminals, gang members, public safety threats and immigrants who have been previously deported or ordered to leave. Family, friends and witnesses won't be picked up for deportation but ICE leaves a caveat for "special circumstances."

This is false! we all know this administration is not only targeting the removal of those that have criminal records, but everyone that is undocumented. For example, someone posted in another thread that a guy with expired daca went to court to deal with a traffic ticket, and he was arrested and taken into custody despite not having a criminal record.

I can't believe they are going this far to make our lives impossible..... I'm fed up!

Swim19 · 02-01-2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busybee

The two-page directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it will enter courthouses only for specific targets, like convicted criminals, gang members, public safety threats and immigrants who have been previously deported or ordered to leave. Family, friends and witnesses won't be picked up for deportation but ICE leaves a caveat for "special circumstances."

This is false! we all know this administration is not only targeting the removal of those that have criminal records, but everyone that is undocumented. For example, someone posted in another thread that a guy with expired daca went to court to deal with a traffic ticket, and he was arrested and taken into custody despite not having a criminal record.

I can't believe they are going this far to make our lives impossible..... I'm fed up!

They are doing this on purpose. They know they can't round up everyone, so they make everyone's lives miserable so they self deport.

Busybee · 02-01-2018, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swim19

They are doing this on purpose. They know they can't round up everyone, so they make everyone's lives miserable so they self deport.

Pretty much!

truly sad to be honest. I think it is fair to assume that everyone supports the removal of those with criminal records, but to go after people who have been law abiding individuals whose only fault is to not have US documentation is inhuman and wrong. I wish we could make the "A Day Without Immigrants" movie into reality at least for one day so that the racist folks could realize how important we are to the economy.

fl_dreamer · 02-01-2018, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Copper

Enforcement is coming. With out without a DACA relief bill. So for those who think we’re selling out the rest of the undocumented community in Trump’s recent proposal, well is going to happen either way.

I second this!

buckminsterfullerene · 02-01-2018, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swim19

They are doing this on purpose. They know they can't round up everyone, so they make everyone's lives miserable so they self deport.

And to feed them to the industrial prison complex.

Can't deport them right away so they can fill up space in a privatized prison until they are a priority for deportation or they opt to self-deport making money for the CEOs of the prison and then they give large contributions to the politicians that legitimizes their work.

catportal · 02-01-2018, 07:35 PM

I don't know why people are angry, this is always the risk of living here undocumented. If and when they decide to enforce the current laws, we will feel the heat. The only way out is legislative protection.

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ICE formalizes plans for courthouse arrests