ICE nabs surge in & near courts

IMMIGRATION agents have made eight arrests in New York City courthouses since January, according to new data.

But that doesn’t account for the immigrants who have been arrested outside the courthouses, activists said Wednesday.

“ICE’s presence in our courts undermines our ability to represent our clients and safeguard their constitutional rights,” Tina Luongo, attorney in charge of the criminal defense practice at the Legal Aid Society, said in a statement. “Immigrants, both people who are accused and witnesses, are terrified to appear in court knowing that ICE is indiscriminately targeting anyone who’s not a U.S. citizen.”

The state Office of Court Administration tallies official data on Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in courthouses. But the agency’s arrest number is much lower than the 35 counted by the Immigrant Defense Project, whose figures include collars of people with court business who were arrested en route to the subway after an appearance.

Court administration data also indicate that ICE agents have made four arrests in courthouses outside New York City from January to Tuesday.

Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order banning ICE agents from state property without warrants. The order, however, does not include the court system.