‘A Trap’ — Asylum Seekers Arrested After NYC Court Hearings
NEW YORK — In a controversial escalation of immigration enforcement, federal agents are detaining migrants outside U.S. immigration courts — often immediately after mandatory asylum hearings.
The tactic, seen firsthand by reporters this week, involves masked agents from multiple federal agencies stationed in the halls of the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building in Manhattan. There, agents armed with paperwork and photos of targeted individuals detained nearly a dozen asylum seekers within hours.
President Donald Trump’s renewed push to meet his goal of one million annual deportations has included aggressive new strategies — including arrests at court appearances. Immigrant advocates say the tactic effectively turns mandatory legal proceedings into ambushes.
Missing an immigration hearing can itself trigger deportation, leaving many migrants no choice but to show up — only to be arrested as they leave.
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat, condemned the tactic after witnessing one such arrest last month. He described it as “a trap disguised as due process.”
Lander recounted the case of Carlos, a Paraguayan asylum seeker with an active application under the Convention Against Torture. After his court hearing — where a judge reportedly offered detailed instructions on how to support his case — Carlos was suddenly detained by plainclothes agents without showing badges or a warrant. His sister, who accompanied him, was allegedly pushed to the ground.
“This isn’t law enforcement — it’s intimidation,” said Lander outside the court building. “Anyone observing this process can see the erosion of the rule of law.”
The White House has defended the actions, stating, “The brave men and women of ICE are under siege by deranged Democrats — but undeterred in their mission.”
Immigrant rights organizations have condemned the tactic as targeting vulnerable people seeking legal relief and as creating fear in communities already under pressure.
