Alameda County Public Defender Condemns First ICE Courthouse Arrest, Calls For Safeguard Measures

On September 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a man inside the Wiley Manuel Courthouse in Oakland, sparking strong condemnation from Alameda County Public Defender Brendon Woods. The man, who has no criminal convictions and whose ICE detention appears unrelated to his criminal case, was taken from a courthouse hallway by plainclothes ICE agents and transported to a detention facility. Woods and other public defenders argue that such arrests violate California law, which prohibits civil arrests at courthouses, and undermine public trust in the justice system by creating fear among those attending court hearings. They call for immediate action to stop ICE raids in courthouses, including better communication between courts and law enforcement, signage requiring ICE agents to identify themselves, and broader protections for court attendees. ICE has not provided detailed responses to the incident, citing operational constraints. The incident has intensified ongoing tensions over federal immigration enforcement practices, with advocates denouncing them as racially motivated and detrimental to democracy.