June 12, 2025
The following is a statement from the Immigrant Defense Project:
“We condemn today’s announcement by the Department of Justice seeking to interfere in the rights of New Yorkers to access the state courts.
“New York must protect the rights of all our community members to due process. In our state courts, the stakes are high– judges are determining whether to deprive community members of their liberty, separate them from their families, or strip them of their livelihoods.
“During the first Trump administration, there was a dramatic escalation of ICE snatching people in and around state courts for arrest, detention, and deportation. This tactic was unjust, undermined due process, and instilled fear in so many people who needed access to the courts. For this reason, the Immigrant Defense Project led a diverse coalition to pass the Protect Our Courts Act (“POCA”), sponsored by Senator Holyman-Sigal and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages. POCA has changed the landscape, ensuring that all New Yorkers can access courts in our state without fear.
“The Trump administration has not hesitated to use the courthouse trap. Recently, people who appear at mandatory immigration court hearings and check-ins have been ripped from their loved ones and detained. As a result, the hallways of federal buildings are lined with families crying, scared, and confused. And in Minnesota and Wisconsin, ICE agents have been disrupting local state court proceedings by arresting immigrants for at least the last three months. The administration now seeks to mimic this chaos and harm in our state courts and public institutions.
“We implore our New York state leaders to take all necessary action to stand up against this attack.”
###