ICE agents in Oregon cannot arrest people without warrants, judge rules

A federal judge in Oregon issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, preventing ICE agents from arresting individuals without warrants unless there is a risk of escape. The ruling stems from a class-action lawsuit alleging that ICE agents in Oregon have been conducting immigration sweeps and arresting people without proper warrants, a practice criticized as "arrest first, justify later." The judge heard evidence that agents in Oregon have arrested people in immigration sweeps without such warrants or determining escape was likely. The lawsuit included testimony from a plaintiff who was arrested despite having a valid work permit and pending visa application. Similar rulings have been issued in Colorado and Washington DC, though the government has appealed them.

A U.S. District Judge in Oregon issued a preliminary injunction on Wednesday, restricting ICE agents from making warrantless arrests unless there is a risk of the individual's escape. The ruling stems from a proposed class-action lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security's practice of arresting immigrants encountered during enforcement operations. The judge heard evidence that ICE agents in Oregon have been making arrests without warrants or determining the likelihood of escape. The lawsuit included testimony from an individual who was arrested despite having a valid work permit and a pending visa application. Similar rulings have been issued in Colorado and Washington, D.C., and the government has appealed those decisions.