WASHINGTON — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from making immigration arrests at U.S. courthouses nationwide, issuing a ruling that vacated policies allowing such enforcement actions and limiting short-term detention times.
U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts of the Northern District of California ruled in a 71-page opinion that policies by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Executive Office for Immigration Review were “arbitrary and capricious” and violated the Administrative Procedure Act. The decision reinstates narrower Biden-era limits on courthouse arrests and caps short-term detention at 12 hours instead of 72.
The policies, implemented after President Donald Trump took office, had allowed ICE agents to arrest individuals at or near immigration courthouses following hearings. Critics, including immigrant advocates, argued the practice created a “chilling effect” that discouraged migrants from attending court proceedings.
Judge Pitts, appointed by former President Joe Biden, found that officials failed to provide reasoned explanations for reversing prior guidance and did not adequately address the impact on court attendance. The ruling applies nationwide.
The Trump administration had rescinded long-standing restrictions on courthouse enforcement as part of broader immigration priorities. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the ruling, according to reports.
This marks the second recent court setback for the administration on the issue. In May, a judge imposed restrictions on arrests at specific Manhattan immigration courthouses.
Immigration attorneys and rights groups welcomed the decision. “This policy undermined the integrity of the immigration court system,” one advocate said, according to media accounts. Government officials have previously defended the measures as necessary for enforcement.
The case stemmed from challenges by immigrant rights organizations and affected individuals. Details of potential appeals by the administration remained unclear as of Wednesday.
No immediate changes to ongoing operations were reported, but the order halts the expanded arrest practice pending further developments. The ruling highlights ongoing legal battles over Trump administration immigration enforcement strategies.
