KIND Letter to DOJ and DHS on ICE Enforcement in Courthouses

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) expresses serious concern about a new trend of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests occurring at immigration courts, which is denying individuals the opportunity for a full court hearing and making people fear showing up at court—especially harmful for unaccompanied children.

KIND warns that this enforcement approach discourages court attendance, increases the risk of trafficking, and fosters fear among children and sponsors. KIND urges the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to:

1. Halt ICE enforcement at courthouses except in limited, urgent cases.
2. End ICE’s practice of terminating court cases to facilitate these arrests and never apply the practice to unaccompanied children.
3. Reinstate prior memoranda restricting enforcement in and near courts.
4. Expand and improve specialized juvenile court dockets with trained judges and coordination with local legal and social services providers.

These are essential to protect unaccompanied children’s rights and safety.

Download Public Letter