ICE Detains 21-Year-Old Honduran at 26 Federal Plaza Despite Judge's Courthouse Arrest Order
Updated
Updated · THE CITY · May 19
ICE Detains 21-Year-Old Honduran at 26 Federal Plaza Despite Judge's Courthouse Arrest Order
7 articles · Updated · THE CITY · May 19
Masked ICE agents detained 21-year-old Honduran man Alexander on Tuesday after a routine hearing on the 12th Floor immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza.
The arrest came one day after a federal judge barred most immigration-court arrests in New York City, though ICE can still act under narrow exceptions tied to national security or extreme public safety concerns.
Advocates and court observers said they were stunned because they had just told migrants arrests were largely blocked; Rep. Dan Goldman said the detention appeared to defy the court order.
New York Legal Assistance Group and the New York Habeas Project said they would represent Alexander, while the NYCLU said it was reviewing whether the arrest complied with 2021 ICE guidance.
One day after a judge banned courthouse arrests, why was a man detained inside a New York immigration court?
Without a known criminal record, why was this man considered a threat justifying a courthouse arrest by masked agents?
Constitutional Crisis at 26 Federal Plaza: ICE Arrests Immigrant Despite New York Judge’s Ban on Courthouse Detentions
Overview
Just hours after a federal judge banned most ICE arrests in New York City immigration courts, ICE agents detained Alexander, a 21-year-old Honduran man, at 26 Federal Plaza. When questioned about the legality of the arrest, agents reportedly replied, 'We don't care,' highlighting a direct challenge to the court's authority and new protections for immigrants. This incident immediately sparked concern and accusations of defiance against the court order, prompting legal advocacy groups to investigate the arrest and its compliance with the recent judicial mandate.