Adams Urges Migrants to Attend Court Despite ICE Roundup Fears

Key Takeaways

• ICE arrested Venezuelan asylum seeker Dylan Lopez Contreras after his May 21, 2025 immigration court hearing in NYC.
• Mayor Eric Adams urges migrants to attend court but consult lawyers due to rising ICE courthouse arrests in 2025.
• In early 2025, ICE arrested 66,463 undocumented immigrants and deported 65,682, focusing on those with criminal records.

On June 3, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams stood before reporters at City Hall with a clear message for the city’s immigrant community: “We encourage people to go through the process legally. I don’t want people to be deterred from going to court.” This statement came at a tense moment, as recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations at New York City courthouses have sparked fear and confusion among migrants, their families, and advocates.

Who is affected? The message is directed at undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers living in New York City, many of whom are required to attend court hearings as part of their immigration process. What’s happening? ICE agents have been making arrests at and around city courthouses, including the high-profile detention of a Venezuelan student, Dylan Lopez Contreras, after his immigration hearing. When and where? These events have unfolded in May and June 2025, mainly at Manhattan’s immigration courts. Why does it matter? The fear of arrest is causing some migrants to consider skipping their court dates, which could lead to automatic deportation orders and other serious legal consequences. How is the city responding? Mayor Adams is urging migrants to keep their court appointments but also to consult with their attorneys about the risks.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for immigrants, their families, and the broader New York City community.

ICE Enforcement Actions at NYC Courthouses

In recent weeks, ICE agents have carried out several enforcement actions at Manhattan immigration courts, including:

• May 21, 2025: ICE arrested 20-year-old Dylan Lopez Contreras, a Venezuelan asylum seeker and public school student, after his immigration hearing. Reports suggest Contreras was in the United States 🇺🇸 legally under a program started by President Biden, but the Department of Homeland Security claims otherwise.
• May 29-30, 2025: At the immigration courts at 26 Federal Plaza and Varick Street, masked ICE agents detained several migrants after judges dismissed their cases and placed them in “expedited removal” proceedings. Expedited removal is a fast-track process that allows ICE to deport certain individuals without a full hearing before an immigration judge.

These courthouse arrests have caused widespread concern. Many immigrants now fear that simply showing up for a required court hearing could lead to detention or deportation.

Mayor Eric Adams’ Changing Position

Mayor Eric Adams’ response to these events has shifted over time. When first asked about Contreras’ arrest, Adams called it a federal matter and said he doubted it would stop people from attending court. But as public pressure grew, Adams’ administration took a stronger stance.

• June 2, 2025: The city’s top lawyer, Muriel Goode-Trufant, filed an amicus brief (a legal document submitted by someone not directly involved in a case) describing Contreras’ arrest as a “trap.” The brief warned that ICE’s tactics could scare people away from the court system, which could hurt not just immigrants but anyone who needs to go to court for other reasons.
• June 3, 2025: Adams publicly encouraged migrants to keep attending court but advised them to talk to their lawyers first: “They should seek their counsel. That’s what lawyers are for. Someone is going to court, they should sit down with their counsel and be guided by their counsel on what actions they should take.”

When asked if he would use his relationship with President Trump to push for an end to courthouse raids, Adams declined to discuss private talks but said his public position matched the city’s legal brief.

The Case of Dylan Lopez Contreras

Dylan Lopez Contreras’ arrest has become a symbol of the current debate over ICE enforcement in New York City. Contreras, a young Venezuelan asylum seeker and student, was detained by ICE after attending his scheduled immigration court hearing. He is now being held in a detention center in Pennsylvania.

Key facts about Contreras’ case:
– Contreras’ arrest happened in front of his mother, after he did everything required by law.
– Hundreds of his fellow high school students protested his detention.
– There is disagreement over his legal status: his lawyers say he was protected under a Biden-era program, while the Department of Homeland Security says he was in the country illegally.
– His attorneys are working to secure his release.

Advocates have strongly criticized the arrest. Power Malu, president of compassion, and Candice Braun, chief empathy officer of Artists Athletes Activists/ROCC NYC, said: “Dylan has done everything legally necessary to satisfy his immigration process, yet was kidnapped by ICE right in front of his mother after attending his scheduled immigration court hearing.”

Broader ICE Enforcement Trends in 2025

The recent courthouse arrests are part of a larger increase in immigration enforcement under President Trump’s second term. According to ICE, in the first 100 days of 2025 (January 20 – April 29):

• 66,463 undocumented immigrants were arrested
• 65,682 people were removed from the United States 🇺🇸
• 75% of those arrested were labeled “criminal illegal aliens”
• 2,288 gang members were detained, including members of Tren de Aragua and MS-13
• 1,329 people accused or convicted of sex offenses were arrested
• 498 people accused or convicted of murder were detained

ICE Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said the agency is putting “the worst first,” focusing on people with serious criminal records. These include convictions or charges for 9,639 assaults, 6,398 DWIs or DUIs, and 1,479 weapon offenses.

Expanded ICE Enforcement Strategies

In 2025, ICE has broadened its approach, targeting more locations and situations:

• Workplaces: ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has increased workplace raids, arresting over 1,000 undocumented workers and proposing more than $1 million in fines for businesses that hire them.
• Residential Areas: Early-morning raids in neighborhoods are targeting people with outstanding deportation orders or criminal records.
• Public Spaces and Transportation: ICE has set up checkpoints, conducted random checks on buses and trains, and used surveillance technology in public areas.
• Sensitive Locations: For years, ICE avoided enforcement in places like schools, churches, and hospitals. In 2025, these restrictions have been lifted, and enforcement actions now happen in these locations.
• Courthouses: As seen in New York City, courthouse arrests are now a regular part of ICE’s strategy.

For more information on ICE enforcement priorities and policies, readers can visit the official ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations page.

Collaboration with Local Law Enforcement

ICE has also increased its cooperation with local police and sheriff’s offices through the 287(g) Program. As of April 29, 2025:

• 579 agreements with local law enforcement agencies are pending or signed
• 444 new agreements have been established since January 20, 2025

This program allows local officers to help enforce federal immigration laws. ICE Deputy Director Madison D. Sheahan called this a “whole-of-government approach to immigration enforcement.”

What Do the Numbers Really Show?

While the administration has emphasized tough enforcement, some independent reports suggest the changes may not be as dramatic as they seem. According to a February 25, 2025 report from TRAC (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse):

• The number of detained immigrants increased from 39,703 on January 12, 2025, to 41,169 on February 9, 2025 (a 3.7% increase in two weeks)
• The average number of daily deportations actually decreased slightly, from 742 per day in fiscal year 2024 to 693 per day in late January and early February 2025

TRAC warned that these early numbers “do not necessarily foretell future patterns” and that “thus far the hype does not in fact reflect what has occurred to date.”

As of early 2025, ICE is funded for 41,500 detention beds—not nearly enough to detain all undocumented immigrants in the United States 🇺🇸. This means most undocumented immigrants are not detained.

New York City’s Sanctuary City Policies

Mayor Eric Adams has continued to support most of New York City’s sanctuary city policies. These rules are meant to make sure all residents, no matter their immigration status, can use city services like police and courts without fear.

However, Adams has shown some willingness to change these policies:

• He is open to reopening a long-closed ICE office on Rikers Island.
• He has suggested allowing city officials to work with federal authorities on civil immigration enforcement.

These possible changes have come as Adams has built a closer relationship with President Trump and other MAGA-aligned leaders. This has created tension between his support for sanctuary protections and his willingness to cooperate with ICE.

The Impact on Immigrant Communities

The recent ICE courthouse arrests have left many immigrants facing a difficult choice:

1. Attend court hearings as required and risk being detained by ICE.
2. Skip court dates to avoid possible arrest, but face automatic deportation orders and other legal penalties.

This situation has led to criticism from advocates, who say the city is sending mixed messages. On one hand, Mayor Adams is telling people to keep using public services. On the other, he is not taking strong action to protect residents from ICE arrests at courthouses.

As advocates for Dylan Lopez Contreras put it: “On the one hand, the mayor of our sanctuary city is encouraging people to continue using public services and on the other hand he is not willing to stand up and protect our residents from wrongful ICE apprehensions.”

What Should Immigrants Do?

Given the current climate, Mayor Adams and many immigration lawyers recommend:

• Do not skip your court hearings. Missing a court date can lead to an automatic order of removal (deportation).
• Talk to your attorney before your court date. Your lawyer can help you understand the risks and your options.
• Know your rights. You have the right to remain silent and to speak with a lawyer if approached by ICE.
• Seek help from trusted organizations. Many community groups and legal aid organizations offer free or low-cost advice.

For those who need to attend immigration court, the official Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) website provides information about court locations, schedules, and procedures.

Looking Ahead: Uncertainty and Fear

The tension between federal immigration enforcement and local sanctuary policies is not new, but the recent courthouse arrests have brought it into sharp focus. Many immigrants in New York City and across the United States 🇺🇸 now face greater uncertainty about their safety and their future.

• For immigrants: The fear of arrest at court may keep some from attending hearings, putting them at greater risk of deportation.
• For families: The risk of sudden detention can disrupt families, especially when children or students like Dylan Lopez Contreras are involved.
• For the city: New York’s reputation as a sanctuary city is being tested, as city leaders try to balance cooperation with federal authorities and protection for immigrant residents.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these developments highlight the ongoing struggle between local efforts to protect immigrants and federal efforts to enforce immigration laws. The outcome will shape the lives of thousands of people in New York City and beyond.

Practical Takeaways

• If you have a court hearing, attend it, but consult your lawyer first.
• Stay informed about your rights and the latest policies.
• Reach out to community organizations for support.
• Watch for updates from city officials and trusted news sources.

The situation remains fluid, and policies may change. For now, the best advice is to stay informed, seek legal guidance, and make decisions based on your specific circumstances.

For more information about your rights and responsibilities in immigration court, visit the official EOIR website. If you need legal help, look for organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration services in your area.

The coming months will be critical for immigrants in New York City and across the United States 🇺🇸 as they weigh the risks and responsibilities of attending court hearings in an era of increased ICE enforcement.

Learn Today

ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining unauthorized immigrants.
Expedited Removal → A fast deportation process without a full immigration judge hearing for certain immigration cases.
Amicus Brief → A legal document filed by a non-involved party to offer information or influence court decisions.
287(g) Program → A federal-local partnership allowing local authorities to help enforce federal immigration laws.
Sanctuary City → A city offering protections to immigrants by limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

This Article in a Nutshell

NYC faces rising ICE arrests at immigration courts, stirring immigrant fears. Mayor Adams urges legal attendance but warns consultation with lawyers is vital for safety amid enforcement intensification.
— By VisaVerge.com