CHICAGO (AP) — In a significant development for detainees caught in the crosshairs of the Trump administration's immigration policies, hundreds who were arrested in the Chicago area could soon be released on bond while they await immigration hearings. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings indicated on Wednesday that he would order the release of 13 individuals as part of a review concerning a 2022 consent decree outlining how U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can carry out warrantless arrests.
During an ongoing hearing, Judge Cummings directed government attorneys to review a list of 615 detained individuals across various facilities to determine who may qualify for alternatives to detention, such as using an ankle monitor, during their immigration proceedings. He proposed a release order to be issued next week and has temporarily paused deportation proceedings to allow for proper evaluations.
Mark Fleming, a lawyer with the National Immigrant Justice Center, touted the judge’s decision as a victory, claiming that most tactics employed by ICE have been unlawful in the majority of their arrests.
Concerns among attorneys remain high, especially as many of the over 3,300 people arrested under “Operation Midway Blitz” since September have already faced deportation or have left voluntarily. Lawyers are rushing against a ticking clock, striving to ensure that detained individuals receive appropriate legal representation and understand their circumstances.
The discussion around the consent decree comes amid criticisms from federal authorities, with some labeling Judge Cummings an 'activist judge' for his decisions affecting immigration enforcement operations.
Advocacy groups continue to emphasize that prior aggressive tactics by ICE have exacerbated tensions and mistrust in immigrant communities. As federal authorities face scrutiny, the conversation surrounding the legality of detention proceedings in light of the ongoing consent decree is expected to keep evolving.
During an ongoing hearing, Judge Cummings directed government attorneys to review a list of 615 detained individuals across various facilities to determine who may qualify for alternatives to detention, such as using an ankle monitor, during their immigration proceedings. He proposed a release order to be issued next week and has temporarily paused deportation proceedings to allow for proper evaluations.
Mark Fleming, a lawyer with the National Immigrant Justice Center, touted the judge’s decision as a victory, claiming that most tactics employed by ICE have been unlawful in the majority of their arrests.
Concerns among attorneys remain high, especially as many of the over 3,300 people arrested under “Operation Midway Blitz” since September have already faced deportation or have left voluntarily. Lawyers are rushing against a ticking clock, striving to ensure that detained individuals receive appropriate legal representation and understand their circumstances.
The discussion around the consent decree comes amid criticisms from federal authorities, with some labeling Judge Cummings an 'activist judge' for his decisions affecting immigration enforcement operations.
Advocacy groups continue to emphasize that prior aggressive tactics by ICE have exacerbated tensions and mistrust in immigrant communities. As federal authorities face scrutiny, the conversation surrounding the legality of detention proceedings in light of the ongoing consent decree is expected to keep evolving.
