ICE/IMMIGRATION/NEW YORK/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT: “In the middle of a national immigration firestorm over the Trump administration’s policy of separating children and parents at the southern border, and with the president tweeting that detained immigrants should be denied due process in the courts, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency on Tuesday [6-26-18] made an abrupt, unprecedented decision at its Lower Manhattan court: Detained immigrants in area jails would no longer be brought to court for hearings, but would have their cases heard via a video conference. Because many detainees meet their lawyers for the first time shortly before their hearings, immigration lawyers said the new policy would significantly affect their ability to represent their clients. The decision came in the wake of protests against the agency, known as ICE, orchestrated around the country last week by a group called Occupy ICE. Since Thursday [6-21-18], protesters have been outside the garage at 201 Varick Street in Manhattan where detainees generally enter the building. On Monday [6-25-18], when ICE canceled all hearings, protesters agreed to move across the street. By Wednesday morning [6-27-18], the group said it was ending the protests at Varick Street.”
-Liz Robbins, “New York Immigrants Facing Deportation Will Get Video Hearings, Lawyers Say,” The New York Times online, June 27, 2018