A ruling handed down by federal Judge Jed S. Rakoff on June 10, 2020, found that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) exceeded their authority by making arrests at courthouses throughout the state of New York. The ruling will provide added protections for immigrants who might otherwise be the subject of a New York courthouse arrest by ICE or other federal immigration authorities.
Details of the Ruling
The ruling, which was issued by Rakoff in his capacity as the Senior U.S. District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, was issued in response to a case filed by the New York Attorney General and the Brooklyn District Attorney that was intended to stop ICE from using courthouses as venues for their arrests and detentions of immigrants. By removing the threat of a New York courthouse arrest, these plaintiffs sought to protect public safety and to allow immigrants to report crimes and to testify against those who may have harmed or threatened them.
A Solid Step Forward for New York State
The use of courthouses as sites for ICE enforcement activities has had a chilling effect on the ability of immigrants to pursue legal actions against those who would exploit them or prey upon them. It also puts immigrants at risk of being apprehended and deported when they are scheduled to appear in court for any reason. In many cases, working with a New York immigration attorney can take some of the risk out of the process by acting as an intermediary in all your legal affairs.
The Importance of Good Legal Counsel
Your New York immigration attorney can work with you to determine the best and most effective strategy for resolving your immigration status and ensuring that you can remain in the United States legally. By working with professional legal counsel, you can obtain the necessary documentation to live, work and study in the United States and to pursue your goals without worries about detention and deportation.
If you need the assistance of an experienced New York immigration attorney, Oltarsh & Associates, P.C. can provide you with the representation and the support necessary to resolve issues and to protect your rights in immigration court. We work with families throughout the state of New York to provide assertive and practical solutions for our clients. To learn more or to schedule a free case evaluation, give us a call today at 212-944-9420. Our team is here to serve you.
