Oregon's chief justice bars ICE from courthouse arrests
SALEM — Seeking to halt federal agents from arresting people in courthouses for immigration violations, Oregon’s Supreme Court chief justice Thursday prohibited civil arrests in state courthouses unless the arresting agency has a judicial arrest warrant.
This sets up a potential conflict with federal agents. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement will continue its mission and anyone who obstructs it could be charged with crimes, ICE spokeswoman Tanya Roman said from Seattle.
Activists for immigrants have complained about increased enforcement activity around courthouses and other places under the Trump administration. ICE agents have been detaining people who appear for court proceedings and are suspected of being in the United States illegally. In one incident, agents pepper-sprayed family members of a person they were trying to arrest in a courthouse in Astoria, Oregon.
“The courthouse rule stops these frightening practices and ensures that everyone can seek justice in our courts,” said Katherine McDowell, attorney and board member of the ACLU of Oregon.
Read more: https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/7573787-151/oregons-chief-justice-bars-ice-from-courthouse-arrests
