Public Defender Calls For More Protection After ICE Makes Arrest At Oakland Courthouse

OAKLAND, CA — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents made their first arrest inside an Alameda County Courthouse, according to a public defender who is now calling on officials and authorities to provide greater protection for people attending hearings.

A client appeared with his attorney at the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland on Sept. 15 for what was supposed to be a routine pretrial hearing, according to Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods.

After being granted a new hearing date, the client left the courtroom. That's when two plain-clothed agents claiming to be from ICE "accosted" him in the hallway and then took him outside, Wood said.

He was then placed in an unmarked vehicle and taken to a detention facility, where he remained as of Monday, Woods said.

“ICE raids at our courthouses must stop immediately,” Woods said in a statement Monday. “People who follow a judge’s orders to attend court should not have to fear federal agents kidnapping them and dragging them away to detention centers. Our democracy cannot function if this continues."

Woods says the person who was taken by the ICE agents does not appear to have any criminal convictions, and the detention has nothing to do with his pending case.

Following the incident, Woods called on local stakeholders, prosecutors and law enforcement to work with his office to create better protections for people attending court.

“Everyone—our clients, victims, witnesses, staff, lawyers—deserves to participate without fear," Woods said. "Our justice system loses legitimacy when people do not feel safe entering a courthouse."

Woods suggested the following ideas:

• Require ICE agents and all law enforcement personnel to identify themselves before entering a courthouse, whether in uniform or plainclothes. He suggested that signs also be posted announcing the rule.
• Prevent agencies from cooperating with ICE enforcement actions by prohibiting employees from contacting the federal agency, sharing information about people's court dates, probation appointments, case status or immigration status.
• Agencies agree to notify each other promptly if they learn that any planned enforcement or active enforcement actions are taking place at or near the courthouse or jail.

“We cannot allow a racist, authoritarian regime to interfere with our local courts like this," Woods said. "It’s time to pick a side. Either you allow this to happen to members of our community or you take action to prevent it.”