P. Kevin Castel

P. Kevin Castel is a U.S. District Judge in New York. He recently issued a significant ruling that prohibits U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making arrests in or around three federal courthouses located in lower Manhattan. This decision, made on a Monday, halts a practice that had been in place since the Trump administration, which allowed agents to conduct arrests at these locations. The ban is in effect unless exceptional circumstances warrant an arrest. Judge Castel's order is noteworthy as it directly impacts immigration enforcement operations within sensitive judicial areas, aiming to prevent confrontations and ensure the functioning of immigration proceedings without the immediate threat of arrest for individuals attending court. The ruling brings an abrupt end to a controversial enforcement strategy in a key urban center.