A Jamaican Man Arrested by ICE at New York Immigration Court
NEW YORK, USA — A Jamaican man was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at an immigration court in New York this week, sparking concerns about the increasingly aggressive tactics being used to detain migrants across the United States.
The arrest, captured in a now-viral video circulating online, shows the man being approached by ICE agents inside or just outside the courtroom. The man, who speaks with a clear Jamaican accent, is seen visibly distressed, warning a nearby journalist not to ask him any questions and demanding the camera be removed from his face.
“Don’t ask me no question. Move di camera outta mi face,” he said, while ICE agents moved in.
ICE officers can be overheard telling the man that they “do not need a warrant” to take him into custody—an assertion that echoes growing concerns among immigrant rights advocates about the agency’s use of courtrooms as arrest zones.
The man’s identity has not been publicly confirmed, and ICE has yet to issue a formal statement regarding the circumstances of the arrest. However, sources familiar with the case believe he may have been attending a scheduled hearing or check-in when officers moved in.
📈 Rise in Courtroom Arrests Across the U.S.
This incident is not isolated. The man is among thousands of migrants being arrested at or near immigration courts in what immigrant advocacy groups describe as a troubling escalation in ICE enforcement.
According to a 2025 report by the American Immigration Council, arrests at courthouses have surged under recent federal directives, with over 12,000 non-citizens detained in or around court buildings between January and May this year alone. Many were attending routine hearings or complying with immigration proceedings.
⚖️ Legal and Ethical Concerns
Immigrant rights advocates have denounced these tactics as intimidating and disruptive to due process, arguing that courtrooms should remain safe spaces where migrants can seek justice without fear of arrest.
“ICE’s presence at immigration courts undermines the integrity of the legal process,” said Alicia Martinez, a legal coordinator with the New York Immigration Coalition. “When people are afraid to attend their hearings, it destabilizes the entire system.”
Under federal guidelines, ICE agents are allowed to make arrests at immigration courts if they believe an individual is subject to a final order of removal or poses a public safety threat. However, critics argue that the threshold for such actions is being misused or applied too broadly.
Jamaica’s Response?
As of press time, the Jamaican Consulate in New York has not issued a statement on the arrest or confirmed whether the individual is receiving legal or consular assistance.
In recent years, Jamaica has called for fair treatment of its nationals abroad, particularly in matters relating to U.S. immigration enforcement. This latest incident may reignite conversations between the Jamaican government and its diplomatic partners in Washington.
📌 Conclusion
This arrest underscores the growing tension between enforcement agencies and immigrant communities in the U.S., especially as more migrants from the Caribbean and Latin America navigate an increasingly complex legal system.
For many, a courtroom should represent the hope of resolution—not a trapdoor into deportation.