3 days ago
Immigrant detained by ICE after hearing in federal courthouse in Denver
DENVER (KDVR) — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained an immigrant who showed up for a hearing at the Federal Immigration Courthouse Friday morning after leaving the courtroom.
Immigrant rights groups told FOX31 this is the second day in a row that this has happened.
Immigration advocates were outside the courthouse on Friday.
'I am witnessing and trying to let people know their rights as they go into the courtroom because there is a good chance of people getting detained here,' said Arnie Carter.
One immigrant was detained in a hallway as he left his first hearing this morning. Immigration attorney Christina Brown was there.
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'He was not expecting this to happen, this is very irregular in the normal course of events until very recently,' Colorado Asylum Center executive director Christina Brown said.
A mother, father and daughter were also reportedly taken by ICE agents on Thursday.
'And we are seeing the scale of this operation increase, and we are seeing the fear of people who need to come to court not wanting to come to court increase as well,' Brown said.
ICE Denver would not comment on the man who was detained.
'U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is executing its mission of identifying and removing criminal aliens and others who have violated our nation's immigration laws,' ICE told FOX31 in a statement.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said, 'Most aliens who illegally entered the United States within the past two years are subject to expedited removals.'
A court worker said the courts do not work with ICE and that judges are solely responsible for what happens inside courtrooms, not hallways.
There were many other hearings, where immigrants appeared for their hearings and left without being detained.
Immigration advocates said they plan to continue trying to help immigrants as they continue, as they need help navigating the immigration court system.
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