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Cook County Chief Judge Bars Civil Immigration Arrests on Courthouse Grounds

The directive invokes a common-law privilege to require a judge’s authorization for any civil detention at court facilities.

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Timothy Evans, chief judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County at WGN studios in Chicago for an interview in 2017. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Overview

  • The administrative order, effective Oct. 15, blocks civil arrests of parties, witnesses, or potential witnesses as they travel to, remain at, or leave proceedings on courthouse property.
  • The covered area includes entryways, sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, and other environs of buildings where the Circuit Court conducts business.
  • Arrests carried out under judicial warrants may still proceed, maintaining a distinction between civil immigration enforcement and criminal cases.
  • The move follows documented ICE detentions near the Rolling Meadows and Domestic Violence courthouses and requests for relief from the public defender and legal-aid groups.
  • County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and legal advocates welcomed the order, which aims to ensure court access without fear of civil immigration custody.