Justice Department Sues Ohio Court Over Immigration Arrest Rule

The United States Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, challenging Rule 2.10. This local regulation prohibits federal authorities from arresting immigrants at or near the courthouse and establishes criminal and civil penalties for those who violate the rule.

Federal officials argue that the rule is an unlawful attempt to regulate federal activities and obstructs the removal of dangerous criminal aliens. The Justice Department contends that courthouse arrests are safer for law enforcement due to existing security screenings and effectively reduce the risk of flight.

This legal action follows a directive from Attorney General Todd Blanche to target state and local policies that obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The department has already filed similar lawsuits in several cities and states, including Philadelphia, California, and New York.