Carlos Javier Lopez Benitez did what every immigrant is told to do: follow the rules, attend your hearings, and comply with the legal process. Still, he was arrested.
In a courtroom in New York City, Carlos, a Paraguayan immigrant, appeared for what should have been a routine immigration proceeding. Instead, it became the moment his freedom was stolen.
As soon as the hearing ended, officers, some masked and already positioned near the courthouse, moved in. His case was dismissed. Carlos was taken into custody and pushed into expedited removal proceedings, stripping him of the opportunity to defend himself.
Sadly, Carlos’ story isn’t an anomaly. It’s the reality of many immigrants today.
Courthouses Are No Longer Safe
Until recently, the Department of Homeland Security maintained clear guidelines limiting enforcement actions at sensitive locations like churches, hospitals, and courthouses. These spaces were understood to be where due process, faith, and dignity were respected.
But under the Trump-Vance administration, those guidelines have been discarded. Civil courtrooms, once thought of as neutral ground, are becoming baited traps for immigrants like Carlos. The new tactic? ICE agents show up to courtrooms, sometimes already inside or waiting just outside, ready to arrest immigrants once a judge closes the case.
Often, the legal proceedings are dismissed intentionally, allowing agents to swoop in and initiate rapid deportation without giving individuals the time or legal options they would otherwise have. It’s a strategic ambush.
A System Built on Fear, Not Justice
People like Carlos aren’t hiding from the law. They are showing up when asked. They are complying with the rules of a system that’s supposed to offer them a fair chance.
This enforcement strategy sends a chilling message to immigrant communities: even if you do everything right, it might still end with you in handcuffs.
How do you expect people to trust the system when participating in it feels like a trap?
Immigrant rights groups have sounded the alarm. Civil rights organizations have sued. Legal aid centers are overwhelmed. But the administration continues to disregard immigrants’ rights.
The Human Toll of ICE’s Tactics
These arrests mean sudden disappearances. One moment, your loved one is heading to court. The next minute, they’re detained, possibly in a different state, with limited access to legal counsel. When ICE agents seized Carlos, his sister Lilian Lopez clung to his arms, wailing, as ICE officers tore them apart. Carlos was then taken to a detention facility all the way in Houston.
Many immigrants are now skipping hearings altogether, risking in absentia deportation simply because they’re terrified of being detained if they appear.
People who want to do the right thing, who are seeking legal pathways, who are not threats to public safety, are being treated as criminals. Their crime is trusting the system.
Twisting the Rules to Trap Immigrants
Government attorneys asking immigration judges to dismiss civil proceedings based on “changed circumstances” sidesteps the legal protections that should be given during active proceedings. Upon dismissal, ICE agents turn the courtroom into a hunting ground.
And because these arrests are often tied to expedited removal, immigrants are detained swiftly, usually without access to attorneys.
What Kind of Justice System Are We Building?
This trend should concern everyone, not just immigrants or their advocates. We must ask ourselves: What does justice look like in a democracy if simply appearing in court can lead to your detention?
Due process is a cornerstone of American values. But when that principle is compromised, it weakens the foundation.
Carlos Javier Lopez Benitez did what he was supposed to do. He showed up. He complied. Following the law should have worked in his favor.
Instead, he was punished for it.
If we allow this to continue, if we normalize courtrooms as places of entrapment, we are not only failing immigrants; we are failing the ideals we claim to uphold.
Where Immigrants Can Turn for Help
In these times of fear and legal uncertainty, access to reliable legal support is more important than ever. Having a licensed immigration attorney by your side can allay your concerns and give you a fighting chance.
At Immigration Question, help is just a click away.
Immigration Question connects immigrants with vetted, licensed immigration attorneys who will stand up for your rights.
If you or someone you know is facing immigration challenges, do not face them alone. Visit ImmigrationQuestion.com to find legal help you can trust.
