ICE Arrests Migrants Outside Phoenix Immigration Court Amidst Concerns Over Due Process

On May 20, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a series of arrests outside the Phoenix Immigration Court. The agents, some in plain clothes, detained numerous individuals who had arrived for scheduled immigration hearings. "Some detainees believed their cases had been dismissed moments before their arrests," according to a video report by NBC South Florida. The arrests sparked immediate controversy among immigration attorneys, who noted a pattern of federal prosecutors dismissing pending cases, thereby removing individuals from court jurisdiction and allowing ICE to detain them without a pending case. The tactic raises concerns about due process and the potential for deterring migrants from attending court hearings. One Telemundo reporter stated he spoke with the family of a detained mother who was told she would face immediate deportation. The Department of Homeland Security has yet to release an official statement regarding the events. This incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement strategies and their impact on due process.