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DOJ admits ICE misled judge over immigration‑court arrests

politicsMar 25, 2026

The Department of Justice admitted that a 2025 ICE memo cited to justify arrests at immigration courts never authorized those arrests. Prosecutors apologized profusely to the federal judge after discovering the error. ICE had relied on that memo when carrying out hundreds of courthouse arrests and when opposing injunctions. The admission threatens convictions and pending cases, and prompts immediate review of hundreds of courthouse arrests and ICE practices.

Key Highlights

DOJ admitted the 2025 ICE memo never authorized arrests at immigration courts
Prosecutors apologized to the federal judge for misleading the court
Hundreds of courthouse arrests are now subject to review or potential dismissal