ICE violates California state law by arresting two undocumented people at a courthouse
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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two people at a California courthouse Tuesday, violating a state law that prevents arrests at a courthouse while a person has a hearing pending or other legal business in court. According to the 2ICE violates California state law by arresting two undocumented people at a courthouse
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested two people at a California courthouse Tuesday, violating a state law that prevents arrests at a courthouse while a person has a hearing pending or other legal business in court. According to the 2019 state legislation, known as AB-668, immigration arrests made in judicial facilities require a warrant. Officials at the Sonoma County Superior Court said ICE’s action not only undermines local authority but furthers undocumented immigrants’ reluctance to participate in the justice system, the Associated Press reported. “It’s now going to put total fear in the community,” Sonoma County Public Defender Kathleen Pozzi told The Press Democrat. “People aren’t going to come to court. Victims will refuse to show up. Witnesses will refuse to show up … cases will have to get dismissed.” Despite violating state law by making the arrests without a warrant, ICE claimed federal law permits the agency “to make administrative arrests of removable aliens inside the United States.” “Our officers will not have their hands tied by sanctuary rules when enforcing immigration laws to remove criminal aliens from our communities,” David Jennings, ICE’s field office director in San Francisco, said in a statement to the AP. Read more