Brooklyn DA Outraged After ICE Arrests Four Men Outside Brooklyn Criminal Court
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN – Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, just released a statement on the three Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arresting four men, outside Brooklyn Criminal Court yesterday.
“It is outrageous that ICE is using courts to round up immigrants, a tactic that sends a chilling effect, undermines public safety and subverts due process,” Gonzalez said. “It also impedes on the administration of justice because defendants may be scared to show up for their hearings and victims may be denied their day in court.”
He then said that he will, “continue to call on the federal authorities to stop this practice and to treat courts as sensitive locations, and will work with other officials to strengthen protections of all who visit our courthouses.”
According to Gothamist, the agents were in plain clothes and arrested the men outside of the courthouse. ICE Spokeswoman, Rachael Young Yow, told Gothamist that the four men were scheduled to appear to court for misdemeanor. On July 29th, they allegedly trespassed on a roof in Sunset Park.
Though ICE is allowed to make arrests in court, they have to follow proper protocol such as identifying themselves to a court agent.
