Joint Statement on New Guidance to Limit ICE and CBP Civil Enforcement Actions In and Near Courthouses

The Biden Administration’s announcement today regarding immigration courthouse arrests addresses some of the concerns raised in Ryan et al v. ICE, the first lawsuit filed in the country to block this abusive practice. These civil arrests foster fear in immigrant communities, place victims and witnesses at risk, deny criminal defendants the exercise of their constitutional rights, and disrupt the administration of justice in civil and criminal cases.

We are encouraged by today’s interim guidance, which places some limitation on civil immigration enforcement within the criminal justice system.   It is our hope that this change will begin reversing the culture of fear that has pervaded our courthouses in recent years. We will be reviewing the final policies before making any decisions about the future of our lawsuit.

Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan

Suffolk District Attorney Rachael Rollins

Committee for Public Counsel Services

Lawyers for Civil Rights