CPCS Atty. Wendy Wayne and Other Advocates File Writ of Protection Asking SJC to Block Immigration Arrests at Massachusetts Courthouses

On March 15, 2018, the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) Immigration Impact Unit, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Economic Justice (LCCR) and Greater Boston Legal Services filed a petition in the Commonwealth’s highest court, seeking a “writ of protection” to prevent federal immigration officials (ICE) from arresting individuals on civil immigration matters while they attend to court business. 

CPCS Atty. Wendy Wayne, Director of the CPCS Immigration Impact Unit, said, “The ‘writ of protection’ that we seek today has deep roots in our legal system.  It is based on a simple longstanding principle: if people fear arrest on unrelated civil matters, they will be hesitant to go to court, and that will severely undermine the functioning of our judicial system.”  Attorney Wayne also noted that the petitioners plan to ask the full Supreme Judicial Court to consider the matter and to issue an order protecting anyone having business with the courts from civil arrest, including ICE arrest.

Below is a press release issued by CPCS, LCCR and GBLS, as well as press coverage of the filing:

• Writ of Protection Press Release
• http://www.wbur.org/news/2018/03/15/blocking-arrests-at-courthouses
• https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2018/03/15/us/ap-us-immigration-courthouse-arrests-.html
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/groups-want-judges-to-stop-courthouse-immigration-arrests/2018/03/15/3a0d633a-2863-11e8-a227-fd2b009466bc_story.html?utm_term=.6467fbe8d57f
• https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/Civil-Rights-Groups-Push-for-End-to-Deportations-Outside-Courthouses-476969703.html
• http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2018/03/advocates_ask_court_to_bar_fed.html
• https://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Groups-want-judges-to-stop-courthouse-immigration-12755660.php
• https://www.necn.com/news/new-england/Civil-Rights-Groups-Push-for-End-to-Deportations-Outside-Courthouses-476969703.html
• https://www.boston.com/news/local-news/2018/03/15/advocates-petition-massachusetts-supreme-judicial-court-to-stop-courthouse-immigration-arrests
• http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2018/mar/15/groups-want-judges-stop-courthouse-immigration-arr/