Federal Judge Bars ICE Arrests Inside Immigration Courthouses Nationwide
A federal judge ruled ICE cannot make arrests inside immigration courthouses nationwide.
Why it matters: This ruling protects immigrants’ access to courts by eliminating fear of arrest at legal proceedings. It also challenges federal enforcement overreach in judicial settings, reinforcing procedural fairness.
- On June 24, 2026, Judge P. Casey Pitts issued a nationwide injunction barring ICE arrests inside U.S. courthouses.
- The ruling criticized the Trump-era policy that overturned an 80-year practice of avoiding courthouse arrests without adequate legal basis.
- Arrests inside courthouses often led to detentions exceeding the 12-hour legal limit and discouraged noncitizens from attending court.
- This decision follows a May 2026 New York ruling, but Pitts’ order has nationwide effect, expanding court protections.
- DHS General Counsel James Percival condemned the ruling as judicial overreach promoting an open borders agenda.
On June 24, 2026, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts issued a nationwide ruling blocking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from arresting individuals inside immigration courthouses. This decision comes after years of controversy over the Trump administration’s reversal of an 80-year-old policy limiting ICE courthouse arrests without proper procedural safeguards. The order criticized the lack of clear federal decision-making and the failure to properly justify the policy change in line with the Administrative Procedure Act.
Judge Pitts emphasized that courthouse arrests deliberately or inadvertently chilled attendance by noncitizens at court proceedings, undermining due process. The ruling noted that individuals apprehended often faced detention times exceeding the legal limit of 12 hours, raising further legal concerns. It also highlighted poor coordination between ICE and Department of Homeland Security attorneys surrounding these arrests.
This judgment broadens protections for immigrants beyond a similar May 2026 New York district court order that applied only regionally. Pitts’ nationwide injunction ensures uniform safeguards across all jurisdictions.
The decision drew sharp criticism from James Percival, general counsel for DHS, who condemned it as judicial overreach, accusing the court of pushing an open borders agenda. Nevertheless, the ruling marks a significant check on federal enforcement practices inside judicial environments, reinforcing the importance of access to justice for noncitizens.
By the numbers:
- 80 years — length of previous policy limiting courthouse arrests before Trump administration changes
- June 24, 2026 — date of federal judge Pitts’ nationwide ruling
- 12 hours — maximum legal detention time exceeded during courthouse arrests
Yes, but: The Department of Homeland Security views the ruling as judicial overreach, claiming it promotes an open borders agenda, highlighting ongoing policy tensions.
What's next: ICE will need to revise its courthouse arrest policies nationwide following the ruling; further legal challenges or clarifications may emerge.