ICE Arrests at Manhattan Court Despite Court Orders

What happened at Manhattan's immigration court

Two separate federal judges ordered a halt to immigration arrests inside Manhattan's courthouse, with only narrow exceptions — such as national security threats or an imminent risk of violence. Despite those orders, ICE arrested at least five people at the courthouse. The two most recent arrests took place on June 26, 2026, according to court documents. Civil rights groups filed a letter with the court accusing ICE of violating the judges' orders.

The letter was part of an ongoing lawsuit brought last summer by nonprofit immigrant organizations African Communities Together and The Door. The lawsuit challenges what the groups call violent and unlawful arrests at Manhattan courthouses. ICE and the Department of Homeland Security strongly denied any wrongdoing. "ICE did NOT violate any court orders," a DHS spokesperson said. "These were lawful arrests." ICE claims each arrest fell under one of the narrow exceptions allowed by the judges.

Who was arrested — and why it matters

The people arrested came from countries including the Dominican Republic and Ecuador. At least one person still in detention had no criminal history except a trespassing charge connected to his border crossing. Attorneys Katherine Rosenfeld and Sam Shapiro wrote in the court letter that ICE's word alone is "no longer sufficient" to justify these detentions. Two of the detained men are waiting for the outcome of habeas petitions — legal requests (called "habeas corpus") asking a federal court to decide if their detention is lawful. The government was expected to file an official response to the accusations by Monday.

Brad Lander, Democratic nominee for New York's 10th Congressional District and former city comptroller, called the arrests "egregious." Lander, who was himself arrested by ICE last year at 26 Federal Plaza and was later found not guilty, said he has observed more than 300 individual immigration cases over the past year. "In one of those 300 cases, a criminal act was mentioned. It was a misdemeanor," he said. The courthouse at 26 Federal Plaza became a flashpoint for public ICE arrests after President Trump's second inauguration and the launch of his mass deportation campaign.

What to do

• Know your rights before your court date. You have the right to remain silent if approached by ICE. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or where you were born.
• Tell someone your court date. Let a trusted friend, family member, or immigration lawyer know when and where your hearing is. If you are detained, they can act quickly on your behalf.
• Ask about a habeas petition. If you or someone you know is detained and believes the detention is unlawful, lawyers can file a habeas corpus petition — a legal request for a federal court to review the detention. Time matters, so act fast.
• Contact an immigration nonprofit. Organizations like African Communities Together and The Door offer free or low-cost legal help. If you cannot afford a lawyer, these groups may be able to assist you.