By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
Federal immigration enforcement in the United States has taken a dramatic and controversial turn, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents now arresting undocumented immigrants as they leave mandatory court hearings.
The new tactic, authorized by President Donald Trump’s administration, targets individuals who were previously paroled into the country under President Joe Biden’s programs and had complied with court proceedings. Immigrant-rights organizations are denouncing the move as deceptive and damaging to public trust.
According to multiple reports, including one from USA TODAY, ICE agents in cities like Phoenix, Miami, New York, and Seattle have begun detaining migrants after immigration prosecutors drop their cases. The dismissals, which used to mean a hopeful resolution for many, are now being used as a gateway to expedited deportation under a new directive affecting individuals who arrived in the U.S. within the last two years.
Phoenix-based immigration attorney Nera Shefer described the emotional whiplash experienced by her clients: “It used to be that getting your case dismissed was a celebration. Not anymore. Now it means ICE is free to reprocess you for removal.”
Immigration advocates say this tactic not only sows confusion but also potentially violates constitutional rights. “People should be free to attend their important court cases without fear of being arrested, detained and deported outside of the court,” the New York Immigration Coalition said.
Under Biden’s tenure, many undocumented immigrants were allowed to enter the U.S. after turning themselves in at the border and were issued court dates. Some were monitored with GPS devices, but most were instructed to report back for scheduled hearings. Now, even those who’ve followed every instruction find themselves in detention.
The Trump administration defends the move as a necessary measure to fast-track deportations, citing resource constraints. In a social media post, Trump said: “We cannot give everyone a trial… Such a thing is not possible to do. What a ridiculous situation we are in.”
The administration has proposed adding 10,000 ICE agents and doubling detention capacity to support its aggressive removal plans, which aim for 1 million deportations annually—a record-breaking goal.
Critics, however, note that many of the detainees have no criminal records or pending charges. Lawsuits are already underway in some states to challenge what advocates argue is a violation of due process, a right that extends to all individuals on U.S. soil regardless of immigration status.
As legal and human rights groups brace for what may become a protracted legal and political battle, the lives of countless families hang in the balance.
This story was compiled and reviewed by the editorial team at Newspot Nigeria — News as it Breaks.
