Monica Moreta Galarza found a sliver of relief after her husband’s routine immigration hearing at the federal building in New York City. The judge had scheduled a follow-up in May, giving her hope for a temporary reprieve from his potential deportation to Ecuador.
However, their brief moment of calm shattered as they exited the courtroom with their children. Immigration officers forcefully detained her husband, and in the ensuing struggle, Ms. Moreta Galarza recounted being violently thrown to the ground by an officer. “One of them charged at me so aggressively that I was terrified, and he ended up throwing me to the ground,” she shared. “They treated us like animals.”
This incident, which gained significant public attention, resulted in disciplinary action for the officer involved. However, it is not an isolated event. Reporters and legal professionals have observed a pattern of chaotic and tense encounters within the courthouse, with attorneys describing the environment as “traumatic” for the clients and families they serve.
While many detentions are swift and uneventful, recent weeks have seen a rise in highly charged situations. On a Tuesday in late August, observers witnessed a dozen officers apprehending a man, two women, and a young child outside a courtroom, leading to a struggle as the group attempted to remain together. The mother, visibly distressed, was separated from the detained man by an officer.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE offers parents the choice to be removed with their children or have them placed with a designated individual, emphasizing their responsibility to protect children. Following the incident involving Ms. Moreta Galarza, the DHS confirmed that the officer was disciplined.
In another concerning event, immigration officers were recorded on video pushing journalists to the ground while they were documenting a potential detention. One journalist required hospitalization.
“Nothing like this has happened with journalists before,” said Olga Fedorova, a photojournalist who was also present. She noted that previously, journalists could work alongside federal agents without incident, but this has recently changed.
The DHS attributed these incidents to the press and other individuals obstructing operations by “swarming” the officers during an arrest. They maintained that officers had repeatedly asked the crowd to step back.
These increasingly chaotic encounters have become a recurring theme at the Manhattan courthouse. Immigration courts have emerged as a central hub for the Trump administration’s intensified deportation efforts. Data reveals that a significant portion of immigrants detained in the New York City area between the administration’s inauguration and July were arrested at this very location, highlighting its critical role in deportation proceedings.
Furthermore, statistics suggest that a large majority of individuals arrested at the building lacked prior criminal convictions or pending charges. Lawyers report that officers often detain multiple individuals directly from their hearings, denying them the opportunity to consult with legal counsel.
This situation has led many immigrants to avoid court appearances altogether. In one instance, a man failed to appear for a hearing, resulting in an automatic deportation order and the dismissal of his asylum case, despite immigration enforcement being present outside the courtroom as well.
Experts in immigration law explain that while the government has always had the authority to remove undocumented individuals, the focus has historically been on those with criminal histories. However, the current approach appears to have broadened significantly, ensnaring individuals with pending asylum claims and other relief applications.
The government contends that these measures are necessary for public safety and frequently emphasizes the removal of criminals. However, for many, these actions feel like a return to the injustices they fled in their home countries.