ICE agents take people into custody at downtown Phoenix courthouse
Protesters clash with ICE outside Phoenix courthouse
Protesters were confronting ICE agents and blocking detainee transport vans trying to leave after people were being led to the vehicles in handcuffs outside of a Phoenix courthouse. FOX 10's Kenzie Beach has more.
PHOENIX - Several people were seen being taken into custody by ICE agents at downtown Phoenix's immigration court on the afternoon of May 21.
It's believed to be the second day in a row that people were being detained at the location.
What we know:
Protesters lined the building's entrance along 7th Avenue, rallying against agents taking alleged illegal immigrants into custody.
The agents wore face coverings, protective vests and plain clothing. At one point, a child and a woman were seen being escorted by officers.
As agents walked those in custody to an unmarked white van, an emotional group of protesters followed them.
"Deport fascists, not families," one of the protester's signs read.
When one of the agents was walking back to the courthouse, a protester was seen grabbing his T-shirt. When he turns to her, he pushed her hand off and shared some stern words with her.
Other protesters tried to block an ICE van taking detainees away.
By 3 p.m. on Wednesday, agents left the courthouse.
What they're saying:
An immigration attorney said the feds are dismissing all pending immigration cases, and by doing that, they don't have a case in front of the court.
That's when agents move in and take people into custody.
Some protesters made the point that if these people didn't show up to court, they'd be wanted by the authorities; but if they did show up, they ran the risk of being taken in.
It's a bit of a double-edged sword.
"They were there doing what they were supposed to do at immigration court, and were arrested by ICE," said Sam Cooley of Desert Democracy.
Attorney Isaac Ortega of Ortega Law Group represents a client who is seeking asylum from Venezuela. He told his client to not answer any questions and don't sign anything.
He said his client had an appeal in hand and never had a chance to file it before he was taken away by federal agents.
"Unfortunately, as soon as he stepped out of the waiting room area of the court where the elevators are, there were several federal agents waiting to talk to him, and they detained him right away," Ortega said.
Ortega says his client is fleeing a bad situation in Venezuela and does not have a criminal history. He stresses this also isn't an illegal immigration matter for his client, and that his client came to the border, asked what to do, and went through the CBP mobile app as instructed.
"It feels like it's a little sneaky because when you dismiss it, and now the person doesn't have any kind of case pending and then at that moment, for them to sweep in and say, ‘well, because you don’t have something pending, we're going to detain you and take you away.' So, legally, are they able to do it? Yeah, I think so. But, it doesn't feel right. These individuals, they just want a chance to be able to be heard," Ortega said.
For three decades, Nick Suriel has practiced immigration law in Phoenix, saying this federal shift goes against the book of law.
"This idea that there's a gray area in whether or not this is the law, there is no gray area. This is the law of the land," he said.
The Immigration and Nationality Act has been in place since 1952 in the U.S.
"This is the law. People have to show up to court and present their cases. We should allow them to do so," Suriel said. "These are people complying, showing up for hearings. That's a good thing. Right? And so that's changed now."
Suriel said he's had to have hard conversations with clients telling them they could be picked up by federal agents at their next court date.
He says it's the first time in his legal career he has been unsure of what to tell his clients.
What we don't know:
ICE hasn't responded to FOX 10's request for comment. We also reached out to the Arizona GOP and haven't heard back.
We don't have any information about the people who were seen being taken into custody.
It's unclear where the people are being taken.
Democrats respond to the activity
"Trump’s cruel mass deportation machine is showing up in our community again," said Caucus Whip Quantá Crews. "What is happening outside the Phoenix Immigration Court is horrifying. Agents waited in the shadows. They targeted mothers and fathers who were following the law. People showed up for their hearings in good faith and were taken into custody when they walked out. Some were arrested in front of their children. There was no warning. No legal counsel. Just arrests and a bus waiting to take them away. This is not immigration enforcement. This is government-sponsored trauma. It is fear-based governance that tears families apart and silences entire communities. These actions go against the principles of due process, human dignity, and democracy. To everyone who is navigating the immigration system, please do not go to court alone. Bring an attorney if you can. If not, bring a trusted friend, a faith leader, or a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. We need witnesses. We need documentation. We need each other.Stay safe. Stay connected. Stay prepared. We will not be silent in the face of injustice. We will keep fighting with compassion and the power of community."
Trump's immigration plan
Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term, he's making good on his campaign promise to remove people who are in the country illegally.
"After four years of Biden’s open borders, President Donald J. Trump launched an unprecedented crackdown on the illegal immigrants and deadly drugs allowed to enter our country to remarkable success — and he didn’t need legislation to do it," the White House's website says.