ICE Arrests At Prince William County Courthouse Criticized By Advocacy Group

MANASSAS, VA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested two men inside the Prince William County courthouse in Manassas on Tuesday, prompting backlash from an immigrant advocacy group.

Prince William Times reported that two people were arrested, but ICE has not provided more details on the arrests. Officials told the publication an estimated six people have been arrested at the courthouse under President Donald's Trump's second term administration. Prince William County has a significant immigrant population, and 26.3 percent of the population was identified as Hispanic or Latino in a 2024 Census estimate.

Prince William County's Republican Sheriff Glen Hill told the Prince William Times that he prefers ICE making arrests inside the courthouse in the halls rather than outside to be able to identify themselves as ICE officers.

But immigrant advocacy group CASA says the arrests happened at traffic court and may deter people from attending their court hearings.

"Courthouses should be safe places where people can exercise their legal rights without fear," said Christian Martinez, the Virginia research and policy analyst at CASA. "ICE’s actions inside courthouses not only threaten due process but also scare immigrant communities, making them less likely to seek justice."

Virginia's Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin has shared support for ICE arrests at courthouses, saying "the vast majority of the people that have been arrested at courthouses around the country are committing violent crimes," according to the Virginia Mercury. The governor partnered with the federal government to create the Virginia Homeland Security Task Force, which focuses on transnational organized crime, gang violence, and illegal immigration. As of July 1, Youngkin's office reported the task force has made 2,500 arrests since its inception on March 3.

SEE ALSO: ICE Allowed Access To Prince William Co. Training Facility, To Ire Of Immigrant Advocates