ICE in the courthouses

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has issued a policy directive regarding immigration enforcement actions at courthouses. Since courthouses are not considered sensitive locations under the 2011 memorandum, enforcement actions will take place at courthouses. However ICE has set limits to the types and conditions of those enforcement actions.

ICE will make immigration arrests inside the courthouses in the case of specific immigrants who have criminal convictions, are gang members, or pose a threat to national security or public safety. ICE will also target those with final orders of removal, and illegal re-entries. According to its policy, ICE will not arrest other immigrants they encounter at courthouses unless they pose a public safety threat or interfere with enforcement actions. ICE will generally avoid enforcement actions in or outside courthouses devoted to non-criminal proceedings, such as family court and small claims court.