The new policy was in response to concerns about immigration agents picking up people targeted for deportation after their court appearances on other matters. Immigrant advocates and local officials have become increasingly alarmed about the courthouse arrests in the year since President Donald Trump took office. They say the arrests have the effect of deterring attendance at hearings and discouraging witnesses from testifying about crimes. In New York, the number of ICE arrests in courthouses jumped to 139 in 2017 from 11 in 2016, according to the Immigrant Defense Project advocacy group. The agency said it developed the guidelines in consultation with groups involved in the criminal justice system including the Conference of Chief Justices.

Source: Standard Digital February 01, 2018 07:30 UTC