ICE arrests, releases man at NYC court despite judge's order

One day after a judge barred ICE from making arrests in certain courthouses except in extreme circumstances, immigration agents detained a 21-year-old from Honduras only to release him hours later.

The arrest took place at 26 Federal Plaza, an immigration court in New York City, and one of three in Manhattan that was under a judge's order.

ICE arrest at Manhattan courthouse

The man, Vinely Alexander Castillo-Norales, was detained yesterday while outside of his court hearing, according to Congressman Dan Goldman.

On Monday, a federal Manhattan judge, P. Kevin Castel, ruled that ICE agents could no longer make civil arrests at immigration courts at 26 Federal Plaza, 201 Varick Street and 290 Broadway. Limited circumstances allow for arrests, such as a threat to national security, an imminent risk of death or violence, a threat of evidence destruction or if it involves a hot pursuit when public safety is at risk, according to the New York Times.

In response to the decision, the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X that it is "confident we will ultimately be vindicated in this case."

"Nothing prohibits arresting a lawbreaker where you find them."

Castillo-Norales was released hours after his detainment, with Goldman referring to the incident as a "blatant violation of a court order issued yesterday barring courthouse detentions."

ICE defends action

Despite his quick release, officials claimed that “ICE did NOT violate any court orders,” according to a statement given to the New York Times.

“Nothing prohibits arresting a lawbreaker where you find them, especially illegal alien gang members.”

In the response, they claimed that Castillo-Norales was a part of the Bloods street gang.

A spokesperson for the New York Legal Assistance Group, the legal group representing Castillo-Norales, said the man's release supported their contention that his arrest violated the judge's order.

"DHS is obviously grasping since ICE released him after only detaining him for a few hours. Arresting anyone on unfounded claims subverts the rule of law and could have a lasting impact on everyone's civil liberties," said Chloe Chik, spokesperson for the New York Legal Assistance Group.

(This story was updated to include addtional information.)