New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed an amicus brief in the case African Communities Together v. Lyons, seeking to halt U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) policy of making arrests at federal immigration courthouses. The brief was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and calls for blocking new federal policies that permit widespread courthouse arrests and allow abrupt dismissals of immigrants’ cases.
James argues that these practices put families at risk, undermine public safety, and threaten the integrity of the justice system. “Courthouses are dedicated to the pursuit of justice, not targeted harassment and arrests,” said Attorney General James. “With these cruel and unlawful courthouse arrests, the federal government is weaponizing fear to push immigrants into the shadows, drive families apart, and risk everyone’s safety. I will not stand by while New Yorkers are stripped of their rights and our courts are used for intimidation.”
The brief contends that arresting individuals as they appear for immigration hearings discourages participation in both immigration court proceedings and broader judicial processes. According to James, this chilling effect can prevent immigrant New Yorkers from testifying in state or local courts or seeking protective orders against abusers, making it more difficult for prosecutors to hold offenders accountable.
James also notes that these policies force immigrants into hiding due to fear of arrest or deportation if they pursue their legal cases. This reluctance can lead people not to report crimes or seek essential services such as health care, increasing vulnerability within communities. She references a case where a child died after parents delayed medical care out of concern that hospital staff would contact immigration authorities.
The Attorney General further highlights that approximately 640,000 undocumented immigrants contribute significantly to New York’s workforce and civic life. She states that courthouse arrests destabilize families before individuals have had a chance to prove their right to remain in the country. Children separated from caregivers may experience financial hardship, housing insecurity, and psychological distress including anxiety or PTSD—effects which can persist into adulthood.
James recalls prior efforts by her office against similar practices: In 2020 she secured a ruling barring civil immigration arrests at state courthouses during the Trump administration; protections were later codified through New York’s Protect Our Courts Act (https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2019/s425). However, she asserts that current federal policies renew many previously addressed harms by targeting immigrants at federal courthouses instead.
She urges the court to suspend enforcement of these policies while litigation continues in order to protect immigrant rights and maintain trust in judicial institutions across New York State.
