New York, NY (May 19, 2026)

A federal judge has sharply limited the ability of federal agents to carry out immigration arrests at New York City immigration courts, delivering a major setback to a policy that had become one of the most visible parts of the federal government’s immigration crackdown in Manhattan.

U.S. District Judge P. Kevin Castel issued the order Monday, largely barring arrests in and around several Manhattan immigration court locations except under limited circumstances involving public safety or other exceptional factors. The ruling affects courthouse activity at sites including 26 Federal Plaza, where immigration arrests had become a frequent source of fear, protest, and public outrage.

The decision comes after federal lawyers acknowledged that the government had relied on a Department of Homeland Security memo in a way that was later determined to be incorrect. That admission became central to renewed legal challenges brought by immigrant advocacy groups, who argued that the courthouse arrests discouraged people from attending required hearings and undermined the immigration court process.

For months, immigrants arriving for routine proceedings in Manhattan faced the possibility of being detained before or after their hearings. Families, attorneys, and advocates said the practice created a climate of fear, especially for people pursuing asylum claims or attempting to comply with court requirements. Protesters repeatedly gathered outside the courthouse, and several public officials and advocates were detained during demonstrations connected to the arrests.

Federal officials defended the policy by arguing that courthouses provided a controlled setting for enforcement actions and reduced the risks associated with arrests in neighborhoods or homes. But opponents said the practice punished people for showing up to court and made the legal system harder to access.

The judge’s ruling does not end immigration enforcement in New York City, nor does it prevent arrests in all circumstances. However, it significantly restricts a practice that had transformed routine court appearances into moments of uncertainty for many immigrant families.