US Department of Justice sues Ohio court over immigration arrest ban

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, challenging a rule that prevents federal immigration agents from making arrests at or near the courthouse. The lawsuit names Presiding Judge Jessica D’Varga and the court’s head of security, Enoch White, as defendants.

The DOJ contends that Rule 2.10 is an illegal attempt by a local entity to regulate federal law enforcement and obstruct the work of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The department argues that the rule, which also imposes criminal and civil liability for violations, threatens the safety and effectiveness of federal operations. Federal authorities maintain that conducting arrests at courthouses is safer due to existing security screenings and reduces the risk of suspects fleeing.

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. stated that the department will not allow state and local governments to “thwart the will of Congress” by interfering with federal immigration enforcement.