ICE re-arrests immigrants after court wins
The gist
Immigrant Milton Saltos Velasquez was re-arrested by ICE before leaving the building after a judge ordered his release.
Federal judges are threatening contempt as the tactic narrows the value of court wins.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2025ICE Director Todd Lyons issued a new legal interpretation requiring detention without bond regardless of where immigrants are arrested; the Board of Immigration Appeals later signed off.
- Mar 2026An appeals court sided with the Trump administration's policy of holding immigrants in detention instead of giving them bond hearings.
- Sep 9, 2026After a man was instantly re-arrested, Judge Bryan ordered his release a second time, writing that if such a re-arrest legally constitutes release, that "would render habeas relief meaningless."