BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — It’s the latest development in the ongoing battle that pits Massachusetts prosecutors and judges against the federal government.
Two Massachusetts District Attorneys are suing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE).
The District Attorneys want to block federal agents from coming into county courthouses to arrest defendants who are in the country illegally.
Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins and Middlesex DA Marian Ryan are among those suing ICE to end the policy and practice of courthouse arrests.
The group includes public defenders and community groups who say the policy is undermining the entire justice system.
The announcement comes just days after a newton judge was charged in federal court with obstruction of justice, accused of allowing an undocumented immigrant appearing in her courtroom to escape from ice with assistance from a court officer.
US Attorney: Mass. Judge, Court Officer Helped Defendant Evade ICE
Since taking office in January, Rollins has declined to prosecute some misdemeanors and low-level felonies and factor in potential immigration consequences in sentencing recommendations.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Mike Macklin (@MikeMacklinWBZ) reports.