6 days ago
ICE arrests outside El Paso immigration court spark due process concerns
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have reportedly been arresting migrants immediately after their immigration court hearings at the Richard C. White Federal Building in Downtown El Paso, sparking concerns from local advocacy groups.
A recent incident involved the detention of a family shortly after they allegedly appeared in court for an immigration hearing earlier this week.
Video of the incident was captured and provided by advocates. The family was not handcuffed during the arrest, but the incident has been cited as part of a broader pattern of enforcement actions occurring across the country.
Advocates argue that such arrests undermine due process and may discourage people from attending their court hearings.
'People are being arrested and prosecuted without due process. This is a violation of our Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights,' said advocate Briana Delgado.
Local activist groups have begun distributing informational flyers outside the federal courthouse to educate migrants about their rights.
'Not to make any decisions in court without a lawyer present. You know, a lot of these people don't have lawyers because the nonprofit is backed up, so they can't take any more people. On top of that, a lot of people don't have the money to afford a lawyer,' said advocate Juan Flores.
Previously, ICE designated courthouses as 'sensitive locations,' limiting enforcement actions at these sites. However, this guidance has been rescinded under the current administration, leading to increased enforcement activities at court facilities.
Supporters of the enforcement measures argue that they are necessary for upholding immigration laws.
'We've had hundreds of thousands, millions of people who are here after their court date has said they're not allowed to stay here. They never reported. They never self-deported. So now we have a huge problem in this country, and it needs to be straightened out,' said Michael Aboud, Republican Party chairman.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the enforcement actions, a statement to KTSM reads in part:
'Secretary Noem is reversing Biden's catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. This Administration is once again implementing the rule of law. Most aliens who illegally entered the United States within the past two years are subject to expedited removals. Biden ignored this legal fact and chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including violent criminals, into the country with a notice to appear before an immigration judge. ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been. If they have a valid, credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation.'
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