DOJ Sues Ohio Court for Blocking ICE Courthouse Arrests

The Justice Department filed suit Tuesday against Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, over a local rule that blocks federal immigration arrests at or near the courthouse. The lawsuit accuses court officials of unlawfully interfering with federal enforcement and forcing ICE agents into riskier settings to do their jobs.

At issue is Rule 2.10, which bars civil arrests of people at the courthouse unless officers hold a judicial warrant. The DOJ argues the rule conflicts with federal immigration law, which allows ICE agents to make certain arrests with administrative warrants -- or no warrant at all in specific circumstances.

The lawsuit is the latest step in the Trump administration's pushback against sanctuary-style obstruction, and it could reshape how local courts treat federal immigration enforcement across the country.

What the Lawsuit Alleges

The complaint names Franklin County Municipal Court, Administrative and Presiding Judge Jessica D'Varga, and court security director Enoch White as defendants in their official capacities. The DOJ is asking a federal judge to declare Rule 2.10 unlawful and block the court from enforcing it against federal officers.

According to the complaint, the court began discussing changes in January amid pressure to keep ICE from making civil arrests there. The proposed rule was published for public comment in March and later adopted.

The rule itself says the administration of justice cannot be impeded by other branches of government and claims it should not be read to violate the Constitution's Supremacy Clause or federal immigration law. The DOJ argues the rule does both: it imposes a judicial-warrant requirement where federal law requires none, and it improperly regulates the federal government.

Courthouse Arrests Keep Officers and the Public Safer

Federal officials say courthouses offer a controlled environment that makes arrests safer for everyone involved. People entering are generally screened for weapons and contraband, ICE agents coordinate with courthouse security, and officers typically wait until hearings end before making an arrest.

The stakes of pushing those arrests into the field are real. Two Columbus ICE officers have been hospitalized after encountering violence during at-large arrests in the past three months, according to the DOJ. The complaint does not identify the officers or provide details about the incidents.

The math on resources is stark as well. An arrest at a jail or courthouse may require two officers, while an arrest in the field typically requires four to six. ICE has also had to run longer surveillance and field operations to track people down away from the courthouse.

Before the rule took effect, ICE made at least 12 arrests at Franklin County Municipal Court in recent years, the DOJ says.

Federal Law vs. Local Rules

The legal fight comes down to one question: can a local court impose a judicial-warrant requirement on federal agents when federal law does not require one? The DOJ says no.

Federal immigration law allows ICE to make certain arrests using administrative warrants issued by immigration officials rather than judges. Agents can also make warrantless arrests in some cases, including when they have reason to believe someone is in the country illegally and is likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division said the rule obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates evasion of federal law by dangerous criminal aliens, despite Congress's direction that federal agents detain and remove them.

"Throughout the country, and including in this courthouse specifically, federal agents have routinely and safely conducted arrests," Shumate said. "The Department of Justice is committed to protecting that important federal prerogative."

What Happens Next

A federal judge will now decide whether Franklin County's rule survives constitutional scrutiny. A ruling against the court would clear the way for ICE to resume courthouse arrests in Columbus and would send a message to other jurisdictions considering similar restrictions.

The case is part of a broader administration effort to eliminate obstacles to immigration enforcement at every level of government. The White House has made clear it will not let local courts quietly carve out safe zones for illegal aliens, and this lawsuit puts the full weight of the federal government behind that position.

For Ohio, the practical effect is immediate: if the court's rule falls, ICE agents can again rely on the safety and predictability of courthouse arrests instead of chasing targets into neighborhoods and workplaces. For the rest of the country, it is a signal that sanctuary policies -- even ones dressed up as court procedure -- will face a legal fight.