DOJ sues to stop Ohio court blocking courthouse arrests

The Justice Department sued an Ohio court Tuesday over a new rule blocking federal immigration arrests at or near the courthouse, accusing local officials of unlawfully interfering with federal enforcement and forcing ICE agents to make arrests in potentially riskier settings.

At issue is a Franklin County Municipal Court rule, which bars civil arrests at the courthouse unless officers have a judicial warrant. The DOJ argues the rule conflicts with federal immigration law, which allows ICE agents in certain circumstances to make arrests with administrative warrants or no warrant at all.

“This type of rule obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates evasion of federal law by dangerous criminal aliens, despite Congress’s direction that federal agents detain and remove them,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “Throughout the country, and including in this courthouse specifically, federal agents have routinely and safely conducted arrests. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting that important federal prerogative.”

A U.S. Justice Department logo or seal showing Justice Department headquarters, known as “Main Justice,” is seen behind the podium in the Department’s headquarters briefing room before a news conference with the Attorney General in Washington, January 24, 2023.   (REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo)

This is a developing news story; check back for updates.