A federal judge in Manhattan has issued a sweeping ruling that bars ICE agents from making immigration arrests inside courthouses across New York City. Judge P. Kevin Castel's decision directly challenges the Trump administration's controversial policy that sparked widespread protests and family separations at 26 Federal Plaza and other downtown locations.

The ruling follows an extraordinary admission by the Manhattan U.S. attorney's office in March, acknowledging they had mistakenly relied on a Department of Homeland Security memo when detaining noncitizens. This reversal came after advocacy groups including the Door and African Communities Together argued the policy violated decades of established practice and deterred immigrants from attending mandatory court proceedings.

Judge Castel's order applies specifically to immigration courts at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street, and 290 Broadway, though it does not extend nationwide. The decision represents a significant victory for immigrant rights attorneys who contended the courthouse arrests created chaos and left families separated for days without communication.

Amy Belsher of the New York Civil Liberties Union called the ruling 'hugely important' for allowing immigrants to attend court without fear of detention. However, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that taking custody of individuals following removal proceedings is standard practice and expects to ultimately prevail on appeal.