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Judge halts immigration arrests at Massachusetts courts
BOSTON - A judge has barred federal authorities from arresting people at Massachusetts courthouses for civil immigration violations while a lawsuit challenging the practice plays out.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the decision Thursday in the lawsuit brought against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in April by public defenders and two Massachusetts prosecutors.
The lawsuit alleges the practice is scaring victims and defendants away from court and making it harder for prosecutors to hold people accountable.
The judge's ruling blocks ICE from arresting people as they are arriving at, leaving or attending a court hearing.
It doesn't affect the agency's ability to arrest people on civil violations when they're already in custody or detain people on criminal matters.
An ICE spokesman said the agency is reviewing the decision and "respects the ruling of the court."
“While ICE respects that the court has issued its ruling, we are currently reviewing the court’s decision. At this time, we have no direct comment on the matter.”
Boston 25 News reached out to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins for a comment:
"I’m thrilled with today’s ruling. As my staff and I closely review the decision, we look forward to continuing our vital work in courthouses across Suffolk County that will be positively impacted by today’s ruling. I join DA Ryan, CPCS, and the Chelsea Collaborative in celebrating this moment, and look forward to addressing the media in the coming days to discuss what this important ruling means for the communities we serve."
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan told Boston 25 News:
"Today our federal court has recognized the irreparable harm being caused by ICE’s disruptive policy of using our courthouses to conduct civil arrests. I am very pleased by today’s decision and I again want to thank our partners, District Attorney Rollins, CPCS and the Chelsea Collaborative. In Massachusetts, we are today, as we always have been, leaders in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. This decision reaffirms that every person in our Commonwealth should be able to seek justice in our courts without fear or hesitation. The granting of this injunction is a critical step in the right direction for our Commonwealth and it should be a model for our nation."
BOSTON - A judge has barred federal authorities from arresting people at Massachusetts courthouses for civil immigration violations while a lawsuit challenging the practice plays out.
U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani issued the decision Thursday in the lawsuit brought against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in April by public defenders and two Massachusetts prosecutors.
The lawsuit alleges the practice is scaring victims and defendants away from court and making it harder for prosecutors to hold people accountable.
The judge's ruling blocks ICE from arresting people as they are arriving at, leaving or attending a court hearing.
It doesn't affect the agency's ability to arrest people on civil violations when they're already in custody or detain people on criminal matters.
An ICE spokesman said the agency is reviewing the decision and "respects the ruling of the court."
“While ICE respects that the court has issued its ruling, we are currently reviewing the court’s decision. At this time, we have no direct comment on the matter.”
Boston 25 News reached out to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins for a comment:
"I’m thrilled with today’s ruling. As my staff and I closely review the decision, we look forward to continuing our vital work in courthouses across Suffolk County that will be positively impacted by today’s ruling. I join DA Ryan, CPCS, and the Chelsea Collaborative in celebrating this moment, and look forward to addressing the media in the coming days to discuss what this important ruling means for the communities we serve."
Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan told Boston 25 News:
"Today our federal court has recognized the irreparable harm being caused by ICE’s disruptive policy of using our courthouses to conduct civil arrests. I am very pleased by today’s decision and I again want to thank our partners, District Attorney Rollins, CPCS and the Chelsea Collaborative. In Massachusetts, we are today, as we always have been, leaders in protecting the most vulnerable members of our community. This decision reaffirms that every person in our Commonwealth should be able to seek justice in our courts without fear or hesitation. The granting of this injunction is a critical step in the right direction for our Commonwealth and it should be a model for our nation."