A federal judge in California has blocked Trump administration policies that expanded immigration arrests at courthouses and allowed some detainees to be held longer in short-term facilities.
U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts of the Northern District of California ruled Tuesday that the policies adopted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review were “arbitrary and capricious.” The ruling vacates the policies nationwide and effectively restores earlier limits on arrests at immigration courthouses.
The case was brought by an asylum seeker who was arrested after leaving a routine hearing at a San Francisco immigration court. The challenge argued that the Trump administration failed to adequately explain why it was reversing prior guidance that restricted courthouse arrests to limited circumstances.
Under previous policies, immigration courthouse arrests were generally limited to cases involving national security threats, imminent danger, or “hot pursuit” of someone who posed a public safety risk. The Trump administration rescinded those limits as part of its broader push to increase immigration enforcement and accelerate deportations.
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Judge Pitts found that the administration did not provide a reasoned explanation for changing course, as required under the Administrative Procedure Act. That law requires federal agencies to explain major policy changes and show that they considered relevant facts before acting.
The judge also vacated a policy allowing noncitizens to be held in short-term detention cells for up to 72 hours. The ruling effectively reinstates a prior 12-hour cap on those short-term holds.
The decision marks another legal setback for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, which has included broader arrests, expanded expedited removal and challenges to sanctuary policies. Since returning to office, Trump has made immigration enforcement a central priority, arguing that stronger action is needed to remove people living in the United States unlawfully.
Supporters of the blocked policy argue that immigration officials need flexibility to carry out arrests, including at courthouses where individuals are already appearing before the immigration system. They say limiting enforcement in those locations can make it harder to execute removal orders and uphold immigration law.
Critics counter that courthouse arrests can discourage immigrants from attending hearings, seeking asylum, reporting crimes or participating in legal proceedings. They argue that arresting people at or near court can undermine trust in the justice system and interfere with due process.
The Department of Homeland Security sharply criticized the ruling. DHS general counsel James Percival called it “judicial activism” and accused the court of undermining immigration enforcement.
The ruling does not permanently end the broader fight over courthouse arrests. The administration could appeal, issue revised policies with fuller explanations, or seek emergency relief from a higher court.
For now, however, the decision limits ICE’s ability to use immigration courthouses as arrest locations except in narrower circumstances. It also restricts how long certain detainees can be held in short-term facilities.
Why It Matters
The ruling matters because immigration courts are supposed to be places where people can pursue legal claims, attend hearings and comply with the immigration process. If people fear arrest at court, critics warn they may avoid hearings entirely. The decision also reinforces that federal agencies must explain major policy changes instead of simply reversing prior rules.
What Comes Next
The Trump administration may appeal the ruling or try to rewrite the policies with a more detailed justification. Immigration advocates are likely to monitor whether ICE complies with the restored limits, while DHS may continue seeking other ways to expand enforcement nationwide.
A federal judge blocked Trump administration policies expanding ICE arrests at immigration courthouses, finding the policy change lacked a sufficient legal explanation.
🇺🇸 A Biden-appointed federal judge just blocked ICE agents from arresting illegal immigrants at immigration courthouses.
Even violent criminals with Interpol Red Notices are now off limits inside the building.
This is straight judicial tyranny.
One activist judge deciding…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) June 23, 2026
