Judges Warn ICE is Turning Courts into Deportation Traps

Jeffrey S. Chase, a former immigration judge who presided in New York City, told Law360 in an email that the current practices have "weaponized" immigration proceedings — which are civil rather than criminal — and opened the door for government overreach.

"I would think anyone finding themself entangled in a legal dispute would look forward to having their day in court before a fair and independent judge," he said. "How would American citizens feel if after waiting for years for the chance to have their day in court, they were instead swept away by masked federal agents, detained, and denied a court hearing?"