Arrests of undocumented immigrants outside immigration courts have increased.
May 29, 2025
As part of the Trump administration's strategy to deport as many undocumented immigrants as possible, arrests outside immigration courts have become increasingly common.
According to sources such as Newbreak, several specific cases have emerged where a judge dismisses the case during the hearing, but ICE officers are waiting outside the courthouse to detain the individual as they leave.
Newbreak.com recently reported that at least eight arrests of this kind have taken place in Memphis, with similar cases occurring in other parts of the country as well.
One of the most recent known cases involved a 20-year-old Venezuelan student who was arrested by ICE officers after leaving a courtroom in New York. The young man, named Dylan, was in the process of applying for asylum. He attended the hearing with his mother, without a lawyer, believing it was a routine appearance that would have no consequences.
In another instance, four asylum seekers were arrested by ICE on May 27, 2025, at the San Francisco Immigration Court while attending hearings to present their asylum applications.
According to an article published by La Nación, a New York judge reported that ICE agents have been arresting undocumented immigrants inside state courthouses, despite existing laws that prohibit such practices.
These arrests have raised serious concerns among civil rights advocates and immigrant communities, particularly in light of the stricter immigration policies implemented since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025.
Importantly, in most of these cases, the individuals arrested attended their hearings without legal representation. This likely contributes to the effectiveness of these arrests, as ICE may be taking advantage of the detainees’ lack of legal knowledge.
While having an attorney present does not guarantee protection from arrest, it is considered a significant advantage. Legal representation can help build a stronger case and present more compelling legal arguments to prevent arbitrary detention.
At Pikes Peak Immigration, we continue to fight for the rights of our immigrant communities. If you need legal guidance, don’t hesitate to contact us at 719-602-4477.
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New federal rule leaves thousands of work-authorized immigrants without commercial driver’s licenses
Various recent media outlets confirm that a new rule by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, prevents immigrants with work authorization—including asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—from obtaining or maintaining commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), affecting hundreds of thousands of drivers. Reports from outlets such as The Washington Post, The Guardian, and CalMatters indicate that the measure is already causing the loss of licenses and jobs, as well as potential impacts on the supply chain. Meanwhile, labor and legal organizations have filed lawsuits, such as Rivera Lujan v. FMCSA , arguing that the rule is illegal, discriminatory, and severely harms the livelihoods of thousands of families. The administration implemented a rule that prevents asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients from obtaining or renewing CDLs. Lawsuits say it will “destroy livelihoods” A transportation-focused publication confirms the language used by plaintiffs: Attorneys stated that the rule “threatens to destroy the livelihoods” of thousands of drivers. It explains that asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients are excluded. Real impact: loss of licenses and jobs A recent CalMatters report shows that this is already happening: Thousands of immigrant truck drivers have already lost their licenses in California. Many have been left unemployed and in legal uncertainty. It is estimated that up to 61,000 could lose their licenses in that state alone. Economic and industry effects Driving schools report a sharp decline in student enrollment due to the new rules. Companies and analysts warn that the measure reduces the workforce and may increase costs. Implementation of the rule (key detail) Legal and regulatory sources confirm: The rule went into effect on March 16, 2026. It only allows CDLs for certain visa types (H-2A, H-2B, E-2). Other work-authorized statuses no longer qualify. Recently, The Guardian published an article analyzing the impact of this measure on driving schools. Start CDL, a driving school founded by immigrants Asyl Kushnir and Gene Moik, is facing possible closure due to a sharp decline in student enrollment following new restrictions implemented during the administration of Donald Trump. Enrollment dropped from nearly 100 students per month to just 25–30, seriously affecting revenue despite high demand for drivers. According to its owners, the changes have created confusion and reduced access for immigrants with work permits—such as asylum seekers, refugees, and DACA recipients—who previously saw trucking as a stable job opportunity. This serves as a small example of the different angles from which this new policy must be analyzed. In summary ✔️ The rule exists and is already in effect ✔️ It directly affects immigrants with work authorization ✔️ There are active lawsuits (such as the one you mentioned) ✔️ Media reports confirm real losses of jobs and licenses
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