Immigrant Arrests Persist at Denver’s Federal Immigration Courthouse

Key Takeaways

• At least eight immigrants, including two children, arrested at Denver courthouse before June 12, 2025.
• ICE allowed to conduct arrests at courthouses nationwide under a January 2025 policy change.
• White House aims for daily ICE detention target of 3,000 people, increasing courthouse enforcement.

Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have sharply increased immigrant arrests at Denver’s federal immigration courthouse, marking a major shift in enforcement practices that is sending shockwaves through Colorado’s immigrant communities. In the two weeks leading up to mid-June 2025, at least eight immigrants—including two young children—were detained by ICE agents at or near the courthouse, often immediately after their immigration hearings ended. This surge in enforcement follows a January 2025 policy change that reversed previous restrictions and now allows ICE to conduct arrests at courthouses nationwide.

The new policy, which builds on strategies first introduced during the Trump administration, is designed to speed up removals and increase deportations. As a result, Denver has become a focal point for these intensified enforcement actions, with immigrant advocates, attorneys, and local officials expressing deep concern about the impact on due process rights and community trust.

What’s Happening at Denver’s Immigration Court?

Immigrant arrests at Denver’s federal courthouse have become more frequent and visible since the start of 2025. According to local attorneys and advocacy groups, ICE agents—sometimes in plainclothes—are now a regular presence at the courthouse. They often wait until an immigrant’s hearing concludes, then detain individuals on the spot, sometimes without providing clear explanations or legal justification.

Key facts:
– At least eight immigrants, including two children, were arrested at Denver’s immigration court in the two weeks before June 12, 2025.
– ICE agents are authorized to conduct enforcement operations at courthouses under a new policy that took effect in January 2025.
– The White House has set a daily detention target of 3,000 people nationwide, fueling increased ICE activity at courthouses like Denver’s.

This policy shift has created a climate of fear among immigrants in Denver, with many now afraid to attend their own court hearings or seek legal help. As Denver immigration attorney Hans Meyer put it, ICE is “terrorizing immigrant communities” who are simply trying to access legal protections.

How the Courthouse Arrests Happen: A Step-by-Step Look

The process of immigrant arrests at Denver’s courthouse typically follows a clear pattern:

1. An immigrant attends a scheduled hearing at Denver’s federal immigration court, often to resolve their immigration status or pursue asylum.
2. If the court dismisses the case—either because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraws charges or the immigrant has no legal relief options—the individual’s protections related to that case end.
3. ICE agents, sometimes in plainclothes, wait near or inside the courthouse.
4. Immediately after the hearing, ICE arrests the immigrant on-site.
5. If the immigrant has been in the United States 🇺🇸 for less than two years, they are placed into expedited removal proceedings. This means they can be deported quickly, often with little chance to challenge the decision in court.
   6. The immigrant is detained and processed for deportation, usually with limited opportunity for further legal review or appeal.

This approach is part of a broader effort to reduce immigration court backlogs and remove people from the United States 🇺🇸 as quickly as possible. However, it has also raised serious questions about fairness, transparency, and the protection of basic legal rights.

Why Did This Policy Change Happen?

The January 2025 policy reversal marks a return to Trump-era enforcement strategies. Under President Biden, ICE was restricted from making arrests at or near courthouses to protect due process rights and encourage immigrants to participate in legal proceedings without fear. The new policy, however, allows ICE to target immigrants at courthouses again, with the stated goal of speeding up deportations and reducing the number of pending cases.

A senior Homeland Security spokesperson defended the change, saying ICE is “now following the law” by placing immigrants in expedited removal processes as they “always should have been.” According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this policy is intended to make the immigration system more efficient, but it also means that many immigrants—especially those with less than two years in the country—face immediate arrest and removal without further judicial review.

Who Is Being Targeted?

The majority of those arrested at Denver’s courthouse do not have criminal records. According to TRAC Immigration data, only about 28% of immigrants detained by ICE had prior criminal convictions. This means that most people being arrested are not accused of any crime other than being in the country without legal status.

Some of those detained are asylum seekers with pending cases. In several recent instances, these individuals were arrested without explanation and later released, raising concerns about the erosion of legal protections and the unpredictability of the process.

Key Stakeholders and Their Positions

The current wave of immigrant arrests in Denver involves several key groups, each with their own perspective:

• ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Support the new policy, arguing that it is necessary to enforce immigration laws and manage the large number of pending cases.
• Denver Immigration Attorneys and Activists: Strongly oppose courthouse arrests, saying they undermine due process and create fear in immigrant communities. Hans Meyer and Jennifer Piper of the American Friends Service Committee have both described the tactics as “terrorizing” and likely to deter immigrants from seeking legal help.
• Governor Jared Polis: Faces legal and political challenges over his handling of immigration enforcement. Despite previously supporting immigrant protections, Polis was sued by a senior state official for allegedly ordering state employees to comply with a DHS subpoena for personal data on sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children. This action may have violated a 2025 state law that prohibits such cooperation without a court order.
• Immigrant Communities and Asylum Seekers: Report increased fear and reluctance to attend court hearings, which could put their legal cases—and their futures in the United States 🇺🇸—at risk.

The Impact on Immigrant Communities

The effect of these courthouse arrests on Denver’s immigrant communities has been profound. Many people now fear that attending a court hearing could lead to immediate detention and deportation. This fear can discourage immigrants from showing up to court, even when they have valid claims for asylum or other relief.

Practical consequences include:
– Reduced trust in the legal system: Immigrants may avoid court hearings, making it harder for them to defend their rights or seek protection.
– Increased risk of unjust deportations: People who miss court dates can be ordered removed in absentia, even if they have strong legal cases.
– Community fear and anxiety: Families are afraid to accompany loved ones to court, and some immigrants are afraid to leave their homes at all.

Jennifer Piper, an advocate with the American Friends Service Committee, warns that these tactics “undermine the very foundation of our legal system” by making people afraid to participate in it.

Legal and Political Tensions in Colorado

Colorado has long been a battleground for immigration policy. The state has passed laws designed to protect immigrants, such as limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities and safeguarding personal data. However, these protections have come under pressure as federal enforcement ramps up.

Governor Jared Polis’s decision to comply with a DHS subpoena for information on sponsors of unaccompanied migrant children has sparked a whistleblower lawsuit and criticism from immigrant advocates. The lawsuit claims that Polis’s actions violated state law and put immigrant sponsors at risk by sharing their personal data with federal authorities.

This conflict highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal governments over immigration enforcement. While Colorado has tried to shield immigrants from aggressive federal actions, the new courthouse arrest policy and federal demands for data have made it harder to maintain those protections.

Background: How Did We Get Here?

To understand the current situation, it’s important to look at how immigration enforcement policies have changed over time:

• Trump Administration: Introduced aggressive enforcement tactics, including expanded courthouse arrests and expedited removals.
• Biden Administration: Restricted ICE from making arrests at courthouses to protect due process and encourage participation in legal proceedings.
• January 2025 Policy Shift: Reinstated Trump-era policies, allowing ICE to arrest immigrants at courthouses nationwide to speed up removals and reduce backlogs.

Denver has become a key location for these enforcement actions, partly because of its large immigrant population and the state’s history of legal protections for immigrants.

What Does This Mean for Immigrants and Their Families?

For immigrants in Denver and across the United States 🇺🇸, the new enforcement policy means that attending a court hearing can carry significant risks. Those who have been in the country for less than two years and have their cases dismissed are especially vulnerable to immediate arrest and fast-tracked deportation.

Families are often caught off guard, with children and other relatives witnessing arrests at the courthouse. Some immigrants are detained without explanation and later released, creating confusion and uncertainty about their legal status.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants Facing Court Hearings

If you or someone you know has an upcoming hearing at Denver’s immigration court, consider the following steps:

• Consult with a qualified immigration attorney before your hearing to understand your rights and risks.
• Be aware that ICE agents may be present at the courthouse, sometimes in plainclothes.
• If you are detained, ask for legal representation and do not sign any documents you do not understand.
• Know your rights: You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer.
• Stay informed about policy changes by checking official sources like the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Denver and Beyond?

The policy of courthouse arrests is expected to continue as ICE seeks to meet its daily detention target of 3,000 people nationwide. Ongoing legal challenges—including lawsuits against state officials and possible federal court cases—may influence how the policy is enforced in the future.

Immigrant advocacy groups are likely to step up their efforts to provide legal support and raise public awareness about the risks of courthouse arrests. At the same time, the conflict between state and federal authorities over data sharing and enforcement cooperation may lead to new laws or executive actions in Colorado and other states.

Resources for Immigrants and Their Families

If you need help or more information about immigrant arrests, legal rights, or upcoming hearings, the following resources can provide support:

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Official information on enforcement policies and detainee locator services is available on the ICE website.
• Denver Immigration Court: Contact details and information about court procedures can be found through the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
• Colorado Governor’s Office: For questions about state immigration policies and recent legal developments.
• Local Immigrant Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the American Friends Service Committee (Denver program), local legal aid groups, and immigrant rights coalitions offer legal support and community resources.

Conclusion: The Human Cost of Policy Shifts

The recent increase in immigrant arrests at Denver’s federal courthouse is more than just a change in enforcement tactics—it’s a development with real consequences for families, communities, and the legal system as a whole. While federal officials argue that the new policy is necessary to enforce immigration laws and manage court backlogs, critics warn that it undermines due process and creates a climate of fear that harms everyone involved.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation in Denver reflects a broader national trend toward more aggressive immigration enforcement, with significant implications for immigrants, attorneys, and policymakers alike. The coming months will likely see continued debate, legal challenges, and efforts by advocates to protect the rights and dignity of those caught up in the system.

For now, immigrants in Denver and across the United States 🇺🇸 face difficult choices and uncertain futures as they try to navigate a rapidly changing legal landscape. Staying informed, seeking legal help, and knowing your rights are more important than ever in this challenging environment.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining immigrants.
Expedited removal → A fast deportation process for immigrants with less than two years in the U.S.
Due process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system.
DHS → Department of Homeland Security, overseeing immigration enforcement agencies like ICE.
Plainclothes agents → ICE officers not wearing uniforms, often blending in for surveillance or arrests.

This Article in a Nutshell

Denver’s federal courthouse saw a sharp rise in immigrant arrests following a 2025 ICE policy allowing arrests immediately after hearings, spreading fear and risking due process rights.
— By VisaVerge.com