The right of access to the courts is a fundamental right under both the Michigan and United States Constitutions. Everyone, regardless of immigration status, must have meaningful access to courthouses to file civil suits, defend against criminal charges, and testify as witnesses in order to protect the integrity of Michigan’s judicial system. Reflecting the importance of access to the courts, Michigan has a law prohibiting civil arrests on or near courthouse property. And under prior Department of Homeland Security policy, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was prohibited from conducting immigration arrests near courthouses except under extraordinary circumstances. Unfortunately, under the second Trump administration, this policy has been rescinded, causing disruption almost immediately as ICE began conducting activity around courthouses nationwide. At Plymouth’s 35th District Court, a US citizen was aggressively accosted by immigration agents in what appeared to have been a case of racial profiling. In response, in April 2025, the ACLU of Michigan, in partnership with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, drafted a proposed court rule reflecting Michigan’s statute prohibiting civil arrest and submitted it to the Michigan Supreme Court with a detailed letter requesting expedited implementation. After receiving no response, the ACLU drafted a second letter and invited coalition partners to sign on. The letter was submitted with 27 signatories supporting the request in September 2025. (ACLU Attorneys Syeda Davidson, Nara Gonczigsuren Orantes, Miriam Aukerman, and Executive Director Loren Khogali; Susan Reed, Executive Director of MIRC.)
BREAKING NEWS
Juan is free!
