Los Angeles, ICE Arrests at Immigration Courts Spark Outcry After Dismissed Cases

ICE Arrests at Immigration Courts Spark Outcry After Dismissed Cases

A wave of controversial arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents is drawing national attention after multiple individuals were detained outside immigration courts—immediately following the dismissal of their cases.

The Los Angeles Times reports that these operations, which have unfolded at courthouses such as the North Los Angeles Street Immigration Court, are triggering widespread concern over due process, immigrant rights, and the safety of families.

One emotional case involves the De La Riva family, who emigrated from Zacatecas, Mexico. After the family’s court hearing concluded with a dismissal, ICE agents waited outside the courthouse to arrest a family member.

The suddenness of the action left the family shocked and devastated. "We thought this was over. We didn’t know they could do this," a family member reportedly told the Times.

These tactics, while legal under current federal policy, are being called “intimidating” and “unethical” by immigration advocates. Critics argue that the move undermines the authority of immigration judges and discourages people from engaging with the legal system out of fear.

Supporters of the ICE operations claim the agency is enforcing the law as written and ensuring that no undocumented individual escapes scrutiny—even if their court cases do not result in deportation orders. However, the contrast between a case dismissal and an immediate arrest raises questions about the consistency and intent of immigration enforcement.

Legal experts warn this practice may deter immigrants from attending future hearings, which could backfire by increasing the number of unresolved or absentia cases. Additionally, the family-first image that many immigrant rights groups emphasize appears deeply at odds with the images emerging from these courthouse arrests.

The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not publicly commented in detail on this latest wave of arrests, but sources confirm this is part of a larger internal directive to target individuals whose cases have been dismissed without prejudice—leaving them without legal standing, but not under active removal orders.

As this story develops, it’s becoming clear that the intersection of court outcomes and immigration enforcement is more contentious than ever. Families like the De La Rivas are left in limbo, caught between the promise of legal relief and the harsh reality of aggressive enforcement.