Last week’s ICE arrest of a suspect inside a California courtroom is being condemned by a Superior Court judge who does not want to see it happen again.
Sacramento County Superior Court Presiding Judge David De Alba criticized the arrest of Yovanny Ontiveros-Cebreros inside the courtroom as “disruptive,” the Fresno Bee reported.
Considered a first in California, the arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents occurred as Superior Court Judge Lawrence Brown was concluding the arraignment of Ontiveros-Cebreros, an illegal immigrant who had an outstanding arrest warrant and who pleaded not guilty to two felony charges including possession of a controlled substance for sale.
Charles Pacheco, the man’s lawyer, slammed the move and warned it could have a chilling effect across the state, which last year declared “sanctuary state” status for all of California. But Brown upheld the move and said the concerns “could not impede enforcing a lawfully-issued warrant at the moment.”
Judge De Alba, however, said he did “not like what happened last week and will work with local sheriff and, if necessary, with ICE representatives, to avoid this from happening again,” the Bee reported.
“Arrests that occur inside of a state courthouse and especially inside of a courtroom are disruptive of courtroom proceedings,” De Alba said a statement. “Our Court regrets the decision by ICE agents to execute an arrest warrant inside one of our courtrooms. The fear of immigration arrest deters witnesses and crime victims from coming forward to participate in the prosecution of crimes and the resolution of child custody, landlord-tenant, personal injury, and other claims.”
California’s chief justice, the ACLU and others also condemned the Sacramento arrest.
“Continuing to make immigration arrests at state courts and especially in our courtrooms is disruptive, shortsighted, and counterproductive. It is damaging to community safety and disrespects the state court system,” Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye said. “Last year, I asked federal immigration authorities to treat courthouses as ‘sensitive areas,’ much as schools, churches, and hospitals are treated. My position has not changed.”
“Everyone, regardless of their citizenship status, has the right to enter a courtroom without the threat of deportation,” Vasudha Talla, Northern California ACLU attorney, said in a statement.
“When members of our community are scared to go to the courts, their constitutionally protected right to due process is undermined,” Talla added. “By scaring people away from courthouses, ICE threatens the public health and safety of the entire community. This is exactly the kind of enforcement approach that causes immigrant communities to fear cooperation with law enforcement officials. “
Over in New Mexico, immigrant advocates have asked that state’s Supreme Court to make arrests in courtrooms more difficult for ICE, the Albuquerque Journal reported.
ICE defended its actions in California and doubled down on its intention to continue seeking out illegal immigrants in the state’s courtrooms, noting the actions of other law enforcement agencies around the same courts.
“ICE’s enforcement activities in these same courthouses are wholly consistent with longstanding law enforcement practices nationwide,” a statement read, pointing a finger at the state of California for making it difficult to “streamline apprehending criminal aliens released from local custody.”
“ICE will continue to use all other available methods to apprehend individuals when we know their expected locations – like at courthouses,” the statement said. “Individuals entering courthouses are typically screened by law enforcement personnel to search for weapons and other contraband,” making arrests there safer for all parties.
Many Twitter users condemned the judge and the critics who continue to get in the way of federal agents trying to do their job.
Apparently that judge doesn’t follow the law so screw him.. or in the famous words of liberals.. “Not my judge!” ???
— Bruce (@FiveSeven99) August 29, 2018
What better place than a place of Justice & law to arrest someone breaking the law and justice is served but if the judge is going to let a criminal go than those who respect justice & the law must act
— plumbbob (@plumbbob7) August 29, 2018
screw the state judge, federal law enforcement is required to arrest criminals, not like the state of Commie-Fornia that is required to let illegal aliens roam free and arrest Americans for believing in the constitution
— budrow (@budrow6) August 29, 2018
Headline should read “Judge condemns ICE for doing their jobs, says Judges should be able to break the law and let illegals go free”
— Mitchell (@Mitchell_tweets) August 29, 2018
Doing their job
— James Burce (@JamesBurce2) August 29, 2018
Only in California would someone complain about taking a criminal off the streets! This Judge probably has a back door for criminals to escape!
— SickandTiredofYouPoorLittleCryBabies (@SickandB) August 29, 2018
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘So satisfying!’ Karma comes potty-mouthed ‘Kayak Karen’ after she berates other boaters - March 28, 2024
- RFK Jr talks media bias, addresses possible Libertarian ticket in wide-ranging interview with Chris Cuomo - March 28, 2024
- ‘Why are you doing this?’ Joy Behar panicked that ‘clown’ RFK Jr will hand the election to Trump - March 28, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!