Key Takeaways
• Since May 2025, ICE arrests immigrants in NYC immigration courts at or near hearings.
• ICE uses INA §240 motions to dismiss cases and enact expedited removals immediately.
• NYC officials and advocates call for increased legal aid funding amid rising ICE arrests.
As of June 30, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has stepped up its presence and enforcement actions at immigration court locations in New York City. This renewed approach, which includes arresting immigrants at or near courthouses, has sent shockwaves through the city’s immigrant communities, legal circles, and advocacy groups. The change has sparked urgent debate about fairness, due process, and the future of immigration justice in one of the United States 🇺🇸’ busiest immigration court systems.
ICE’s New Tactics at NYC Immigration Courts
Since late May 2025, ICE agents have been carrying out arrests at major New York City immigration court sites, including 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway. These actions often happen in public areas like lobbies, elevators, and even just outside the courthouse doors, sometimes immediately after a person’s hearing ends. The timing and location of these arrests have made many immigrants and their families fearful of simply showing up for their scheduled court dates.
ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) has also started filing motions to dismiss cases under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 240 proceedings. When an immigration judge grants one of these motions, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers are ready to detain the individual on the spot and issue an expedited removal order. This means that, instead of going through the usual steps of an immigration court case, some people are being removed from the United States 🇺🇸 much faster, often without a full hearing.
These practices are not entirely new. They echo the aggressive courthouse arrest strategies seen during the Trump administration, which led to widespread fear and kept many immigrants from attending court or seeking legal help. The return of these tactics in 2025 marks a sharp change from the more cautious approach seen in recent years.
Where and When Are These Arrests Happening?
The surge in ICE courthouse arrests began in late May 2025, with multiple cases quickly reported by community groups and the press. The main locations affected are:
- 26 Federal Plaza (Federal Plaza Immigration Court): Open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with mandatory security screening at the main entrance on Broadway between Duane and Worth Streets.
- 201 Varick Street
- 290 Broadway
These are the primary sites where immigrants must appear for their immigration court hearings in New York City. The presence of ICE agents at these locations has made many people nervous about attending their own hearings, even though showing up is required by law.
How the Legal Process Has Changed
ICE’s legal team, OPLA, is using a new strategy in immigration court. They file motions to dismiss cases under INA § 240, which covers removal proceedings for noncitizens. If the judge agrees and grants the motion, ICE ERO officers are ready to detain the person right away and start expedited removal. This process skips many of the usual steps that would give immigrants a chance to present their case, seek relief, or appeal.
For defense attorneys and advocates, this has created urgent new challenges. They must now prepare for the possibility that their clients could be detained and removed from the country immediately after a hearing, with little warning or time to respond.
Community and Legal Response
Immigrant defense organizations have responded quickly to these changes. They have issued alerts and practice advisories to help attorneys and immigrants understand the new risks and prepare for possible detention. These groups stress the importance of being ready for expedited removal and knowing what steps to take if ICE tries to detain someone at court.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has also spoken out against ICE’s courthouse arrests. In June 2025, he called for the city to increase funding for immigrant legal services, saying that access to a lawyer is critical for protecting immigrants from unfair federal actions. Comptroller Lander’s office is pushing for more support for those facing removal proceedings, recognizing that legal help can make the difference between staying in the United States 🇺🇸 and being sent away.
The Chilling Effect on Access to Justice
One of the most serious impacts of ICE’s actions is the fear it creates among immigrants who need to attend court. Many people are now afraid to show up for their hearings, worried that they could be arrested and removed from the country without a fair chance to make their case. This fear undermines the entire immigration court system, making it harder for people to seek relief, present evidence, or get legal help.
Advocates and legal experts warn that this climate of fear could lead to more people missing their court dates, which can result in automatic removal orders and even harsher consequences. The integrity of the immigration court process in New York City is at risk if people feel they cannot safely participate.
Expert Perspectives on ICE’s Strategy
Immigration law experts see ICE’s renewed courthouse arrests and dismissal motions as a deliberate effort to speed up removals and reduce the backlog in immigration court. However, they caution that this approach comes at a high cost. By bypassing normal court procedures, ICE increases the risk of wrongful deportations and denies many immigrants the chance to fully present their cases.
Advocates emphasize the need for strong legal representation and community support. They urge attorneys to prepare clients for the possibility of expedited removal and to develop quick strategies to challenge dismissals and detentions. Community organizations are also stepping up, offering guidance and support to those at risk.
Historical Background: A Return to Trump-Era Tactics
The current wave of courthouse arrests is not happening in a vacuum. During the Trump administration, ICE often arrested immigrants at courthouses, creating widespread fear and discouraging people from attending court. When President Biden took office, there was a shift toward more restrained enforcement, with fewer courthouse arrests and more focus on due process.
The resurgence of these tactics in 2025 signals a change in federal immigration enforcement priorities. It reflects a decision by ICE to return to more aggressive methods, even as many advocates and city officials call for a more humane approach.
The New York City immigration courts, including the Federal Plaza court, are overseen by the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). These courts have strict security protocols, but the presence of ICE agents has raised new concerns about safety and fairness for all visitors.
What’s Next? Policy, Legal, and City-Level Responses
Given the strong reaction from advocates, legal groups, and city officials, several possible developments could shape the future of immigration court in New York City:
Policy Changes
Public outcry and advocacy may lead to calls for new rules or federal oversight to limit ICE’s ability to arrest immigrants at courthouses. Lawmakers and city leaders could push for policies that protect immigrants’ rights during court proceedings and ensure that everyone gets a fair hearing.
Legal Challenges
Immigration defense groups are likely to file lawsuits challenging ICE’s use of dismissal motions and expedited removal. They may seek court orders to stop these practices or to restore more traditional court procedures that give immigrants a real chance to defend themselves.
City Initiatives
New York City may expand funding for immigrant legal defense, as urged by Comptroller Lander and others. More resources for legal aid could help ensure that immigrants facing removal have the support they need to fight their cases and avoid wrongful deportation.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Attorneys
For immigrants who must attend court hearings in New York City, the risk of arrest by ICE agents at or near courthouses is now much higher. Here are some practical steps to consider:
- Know Your Rights: Immigrants should be aware of their rights when interacting with ICE agents. Legal aid organizations can provide information and training on what to do if approached by ICE.
- Seek Legal Help: Having a lawyer is more important than ever. Attorneys can help prepare for possible expedited removal and advise on how to respond if ICE tries to detain someone at court.
- Stay Informed: Community organizations and legal aid groups are sharing alerts and updates about ICE’s tactics. Staying connected to these resources can help immigrants and their families stay safe.
- Prepare for Court: Attorneys should discuss the risks with their clients before court dates and have a plan in place in case of detention. This might include preparing emergency contact information and knowing how to challenge a dismissal or removal order quickly.
Resources and Official Contacts
For those needing more information or support, several resources are available:
- New York Federal Plaza Immigration Court
- Address: 26 Federal Plaza, 12th Floor, Room 1237, New York, NY 10278
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Security: All visitors must go through screening at the main entrance on Broadway between Duane and Worth Streets.
- For more details about the court and its procedures, visit the EOIR official website.
- Legal and Advocacy Support
- Organizations like the Immigrant Defense Project offer alerts and guidance on ICE courthouse arrests and legal defense strategies.
- New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s office is advocating for more legal services for immigrants facing removal.
- Immigration Forms
- If you need to access official immigration court forms, such as those related to removal proceedings, you can find them on the USCIS Forms page.
The Broader Impact: What’s at Stake?
The changes in ICE’s approach to immigration court in New York City have far-reaching effects. For immigrants, the risk of arrest at court means that even those with strong cases or valid claims for relief may be too afraid to attend their hearings. This can lead to more people being ordered removed in absentia (without being present), which is often impossible to reverse.
For attorneys and legal aid providers, the new tactics mean working under even greater pressure. They must be ready to respond to sudden detentions and removals, often with little time to act. This puts a strain on already limited resources and makes it harder to provide effective representation.
For the city as a whole, the situation raises questions about fairness, justice, and the role of local government in protecting vulnerable residents. New York City has long prided itself on being a welcoming place for immigrants, but the current climate challenges that reputation.
Looking Forward: Hope and Uncertainty
While the current situation is difficult, there are signs of hope. Advocates, attorneys, and city officials are working together to push for change and to support those at risk. Legal challenges and policy reforms may eventually limit ICE’s ability to carry out courthouse arrests and restore more fairness to the immigration court process.
In the meantime, immigrants in New York City must remain vigilant and seek out the support and information they need to protect themselves and their families. Legal aid organizations, community groups, and city officials are all important allies in this fight.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the developments in New York City’s immigration courts reflect a larger national debate about the balance between enforcement and fairness in the United States 🇺🇸 immigration system. The outcome of this debate will shape the lives of thousands of immigrants and the future of immigration justice in the city and beyond.
Key Takeaways for Stakeholders
- Immigrants: Be aware of the increased risk of ICE arrest at or near immigration courts in New York City. Seek legal help and stay informed about your rights.
- Attorneys: Prepare clients for possible expedited removal and have emergency plans in place.
- Community Organizations: Continue to provide alerts, training, and support to those at risk.
- City Officials: Advocate for more funding and resources for immigrant legal defense.
- General Public: Understand that these changes affect not just individuals, but the entire community’s sense of justice and fairness.
By staying informed and working together, New York City can continue to support its immigrant residents, even in the face of new challenges from ICE and changes in immigration court practices.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws and removals.
INA §240 → Section of Immigration and Nationality Act governing removal proceedings in immigration court.
OPLA → ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor, responsible for legal actions in immigration cases.
Expedited Removal → Fast-track deportation process bypassing full court hearings under certain conditions.
ERO → ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations unit that executes arrests and removals.
This Article in a Nutshell
ICE increased arrests at New York City immigration courts starting May 2025, causing fear. Their new legal motions speed removal processes, raising due process concerns. Immigrant advocates and city officials push for more support and legal protections to counteract ICE’s aggressive enforcement tactics near courthouses.
— By VisaVerge.com
