Federal Judge Blocks Warrantless Immigration Arrests in Washington, D.C.
 

Attachment 2599008

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from conducting broad warrantless immigration arrests in the nation’s capital, ruling that federal officers must meet legal standards requiring probable cause and an imminent flight risk before detaining individuals without a warrant. The preliminary injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell, who said plaintiffs had shown substantial evidence of an unlawful policy.

The lawsuit, brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and immigrant rights organizations, argued that Department of Homeland Security officers were patrolling predominantly Latino neighborhoods, setting up checkpoints, and making arrests without warrants or individualized assessments. The plaintiffs presented sworn statements from residents describing encounters with federal agents and cited remarks from administration officials suggesting a departure from statutory requirements.