The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revoked the previous administration's guidelines that restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting immigration enforcement arrests in courthouses. This change aims to address concerns about criminal illegal aliens, as well as improve safety for law enforcement officers.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained the rationale behind this decision: “The ability of law enforcement to make arrests of criminal illegal aliens in courthouses is common sense. It conserves valuable law enforcement resources because they already know where a target will be. It is also safer for our officers and the community."
The new policy allows ICE to arrest individuals who have been screened and found unarmed during courthouse visits. This approach has reportedly led to several arrests across the country involving individuals with serious charges, including traffic accidents resulting in death, drug trafficking, and firearms offenses.
Notable cases include Fernando Lorenzo-Raymundo from Guatemala, who was charged with failing to report a fatal traffic accident; Juan Carlos Baez, known as "Wilson Martell-Lebron," with prior drug trafficking convictions; Jean Carlos Brito-Munoz facing firearms charges; Teodoro Dominguez-Rodriguez from Honduras with multiple assault charges; Carlos Gomez Viuda from El Salvador arrested for driving under influence; Ronaldo David Camacho Catana also involved in DUI offenses; and Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez from Venezuela charged with driving while intoxicated.
These actions are part of DHS’s broader strategy to enhance public safety by removing criminal illegal aliens from American communities.
