Migrants Face Arrest Outside Arizona Court Amid Tensions

On a recent Wednesday, tense scenes unfolded near an immigration court in Phoenix, Arizona, as an unspecified number of migrants were apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The arrests occurred as the migrants exited the court, sparking confrontations between their family members and authorities, who were also met by activists holding signs.

According to ABC 15 Arizona, the individuals were in court for asylum cases, which were ultimately dismissed. When questioned by Newsweek, an unidentified ICE spokesperson stated that the agency refrains from commenting on ongoing or future operations to ensure the safety of its personnel. ICE is dedicated to identifying and removing criminal aliens and others who have breached U.S. immigration laws. The spokesperson emphasized that any foreign national violating U.S. immigration laws could face arrest, detention, and potential deportation, regardless of nationality.

Meanwhile, an attorney told the Tucson Sentinel that several individuals were detained on Tuesday, believing their cases had been dismissed. Newsweek also quoted immigration lawyer Isaac Ortega, who confirmed that one of those detained was his client. Ortega noted that the agents who made the arrest identified themselves only as federal agents, declining to specify their agency, and wore masks to avoid being identified. His client was taken to a processing center in Phoenix, and as of Tuesday night, it was unclear if he would be moved to a detention center.

"My client has no criminal record; he entered the United States through the CBP program," Ortega stated, adding that his client was preparing for a credible fear interview when detained.

Furthermore, attorney Eugene Delgado, cited by AZ Central, explained that his client was arrested in the parking lot after a court hearing by several agents dressed in black, one of whom carried a long rifle. Delgado expressed concerns that ICE may not be considering the criminal history of migrants before detaining them.

Faced with uncertainty, lawyers and activists advise attending court dates with a legal representative and having an emergency plan in place. This includes keeping documents and copies secure and having contact information for family, schools, and any necessary medications readily available in case of detention.

ICE Expands Arrests Nationwide

Similar arrests by ICE were reported on May 20 in various locations across the country. In Los Angeles, for instance, agents waited in courtrooms to notify colleagues in the hallways when cases were dismissed. Lindsay Toczylowski, President and co-founder of Immigration Defenders, noted that migrants arrested after case dismissals could face expedited deportation proceedings.

Reports of similar activities also emerged from San Francisco, Las Vegas, Seattle, and Miami.

Trump Administration's Immigration Policies

It's important to recall that in January, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reversed an Obama-era policy that limited ICE enforcement in sensitive locations like courthouses. This change aimed to allow individuals access to essential services without fear of arrest.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration recruited additional personnel from the U.S. Marshals, DEA, ATF, and even the FBI, alongside Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, to expedite immigration arrests.

Mo Goldman, an immigration attorney in Tucson and Democratic congressional candidate, advises migrants attending court to be accompanied by a lawyer and a trusted friend or family member with legal status to document events.