Courthouse Arrests Surge

Before being arrested outside of courtrooms last week, a large number of asylum-seekers faithfully showed up for their scheduled hearings. This practice has shocked immigration courts nationwide as the White House pursues its promise of mass deportations. Asylum-seekers and immigrants used to being free while judges sift through a backlog of 3.6 million files, which often takes years to make a decision, are terrified of the widespread arrests that started in May. They now have to decide whether to go and risk being arrested and deported, or to skip their hearings and lose their chances of staying in the country. The playbook is now well-known. A government attorney’s plea to have the deportation proceedings dismissed will be granted by a judge. Shortly after, the individual is arrested in the corridor by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel, who are frequently wearing masks, and placed on “expedited removal,” a rapid route to deportation. Fast-track authority was significantly increased by President Donald Trump in January, enabling immigration agents to deport someone without first consulting a judge. People who fail an initial screening can be removed quickly, but filing a fresh asylum claim can halt fast-track deportations.

Source: Associated Press News