CHICAGO — Federal agents are detaining immigrants immediately after court hearings at Chicago’s Immigration Court, alarming attorneys and rights advocates who say the move violates due process and may deter immigrants from attending court at all.
Courtroom Ends, Custody Begins: A 60-Second Window To Freedom
A recent case involved a Mexican woman who had just had her immigration case dismissed by a judge at the 55 E. Monroe courthouse. She exited the courtroom only to be surrounded within seconds by three men in plain clothes — ICE agents — who led her into another room and informed her she would be detained pending deportation.
This scenario, according to on-site witnesses including attorneys and journalists from Borderless Magazine, has played out repeatedly in recent weeks. ICE agents have targeted individuals directly after immigration judges dismiss their cases — even in instances where the individuals were deemed free to go.
Nationwide Trend Now Echoing In Chicago
According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), similar post-hearing arrests have occurred in at least 21 U.S. cities, including Phoenix and Baltimore. In one case, ICE attempted to detain a mother holding a nursing infant.
ICE’s use of expedited removal procedures — which permit deportations without formal court hearings for individuals who cannot prove they’ve been in the U.S. for over two years — is at the core of the controversy. The tactic, first blocked by a federal court in 2019, was revived in January 2025 and is now under legal challenge in Washington, D.C.
Legal Experts Call This A “New Reality” In Immigration Enforcement
“This is not something I have ever seen, nor could I have imagined this being our new reality,” said Kathleen Vannucci, a Chicago immigration attorney practicing since 2007.
Advocates say fear of arrest is pushing immigrants to skip hearings, potentially worsening their legal standing. Vannucci added that while some attorneys have secured 10-day reprieves to file legal challenges, others have had their requests denied by judges.
Sting Operations And Disguised Officers Inside The Court Building
ICE agents reportedly disguise themselves as courtroom observers or use video feeds to identify and target individuals. According to a New York Times investigation, ICE prosecutors have received government memos instructing them to assist in identifying deportation targets.
Agents dressed in civilian clothes can now be found standing among immigrant families and legal observers — effectively turning courthouses into covert enforcement zones.
Transferred Out Of State, Legal Help Cut Off
Chicago attorneys say detained immigrants are frequently transported to facilities in Kentucky, making it difficult for legal representatives to maintain contact or file appeals.
One unnamed attorney said ICE “knows exactly who they’re looking for” and has essentially turned dismissed cases into trapdoors for detention.
ACLU And Experts Slam Practice As ‘Unconstitutional’
“This action often catches people unaware, without appropriate interpretation services and legal assistance,” said Ed Yohnka, spokesperson for the ACLU of Illinois. “This practice should be halted.”
Prof. Jacqueline Stevens, Director of Northwestern University’s Deportation Research Clinic, called it a “sting operation” that will only discourage court attendance.
“ICE claims to be concerned about people missing court dates — their own actions are creating that outcome,” Stevens warned.
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