Federal Judge Blocks Immigration Court Arrest Policies Nationwide

The ruling came in a 71-page order issued Tuesday. It found that the policies were adopted without adequate explanation or consideration of their impact, violating federal administrative law. They increased arrests at Department of Justice immigration courts and allowed longer detention periods.

The judge wrote that agencies must provide reasoned explanations when changing policies. The order stated that the record showed no such explanations were given for the courthouse-arrest changes. The court concluded that the policies were arbitrary and capricious under federal administrative law.

It blocked the policies from taking effect across the country. The ruling delivers a setback to efforts to increase immigration enforcement through courthouse arrests.