Washington (CNN) A federal judge in Massachusetts on Thursday blocked federal authorities from making civil immigration arrests inside the state's courthouses. US District Judge Indira Talwani issued a preliminary injunction that blocks US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security "from civilly arresting parties, witnesses, and others attending Massachusetts courthouses on official business while they are going to, attending, or leaving the courthouse," according to the court order. It also comes after a Massachusetts judge and a former court officer were accused in April of helping a twice-deported undocumented defendant elude immigration authorities by slipping out a rear courthouse door. Increasing ICE arrests at courthouses during the Trump administration has caused tensions between major cities and federal officials. Local jurisdictions and attorneys have complained arresting undocumented immigrants in courthouses decreases their participation in prosecuting criminals as witnesses and reporting victims.

Source: CNN June 20, 2019 21:11 UTC