ICE's May 2025 memo cites safety for courthouse arrests
U.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementAgency issuing Policy 11072.4
ICE's May 2025 memo says courthouse arrests can reduce safety risks. It also says such enforcement is often required when jurisdictions refuse to cooperate.
“it can reduce safety risks to the public, targeted alien(s), and ICE officers and agents.”
Original text
Where this statement fits
California challenges ICE arrests at state courthouses
California sued over civil immigration arrests at state courthouses, alleging harm to testimony and prosecutions. A federal court vacated ICE's 2025 courthouse directive in June 2026. Federal defendants challenged that ruling on appeal; California alleges similar practices continued.
Source and context
Original text
About this source
ICE's May 27, 2025 directive cites safety and enforcement needs. Judge Pitts vacated it on June 23, 2026 in Pablo Sequen. Federal defendants appealed. This document records the historical policy, rather than establishing current instructions.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The policy superseded January 2025 guidance and addressed civil immigration enforcement in or near courthouses.
After the quotation
The memo says officers should generally avoid courthouses dedicated to non-criminal proceedings, with approval required for operationally necessary exceptions.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The issue is civil immigration enforcement in and around California state courthouses. The directive expressly justifies courthouse enforcement. This is the older policy rationale, not a response to the October 2026 lawsuit.
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More from this case
Read the full caseBonta says courthouse arrests jeopardize prosecutions
“We’ve seen serious criminal charges dropped and entire cases jeopardized because victims and witnesses are too scared to come to the courthouse to testify.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "ICE's May 2025 memo cites safety for courthouse arrests". First published: 2026-10-16. Last updated: 2026-10-16. https://disputeindex.com/events/5823-ice-s-may-2025-memo-says-courthouse-arrests