Today, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, along with the Administrative and Presiding Judge and Director of Security, challenging a new rule that blocks federal officials from arresting aliens at or near the courthouse. Specifically, the complaint challenges the new Rule 2.10 that purports to shield aliens from being lawfully detained at or around the courthouse and to impose criminal and civil liability for violations.

Not only is the rule an illegal attempt to regulate the federal government, but, as alleged in the complaint, the rule threatens the safety and effectiveness of federal operations. As is true in all types of law enforcement, conducting an arrest at or near a courthouse often reduces the risk of flight and potential safety risks to the public, law enforcement officers, and subjects themselves due to the enhanced security screenings in place at courthouses. Franklin County Municipal Court's rule runs counter to common sense and endangers the broader community by attempting to eliminate safe places for law enforcement officers to act.

"Today the Department sued yet another local entity that seeks to thwart the will of Congress by regulating when and where Federal law enforcement does its job, all in the name of protecting criminal aliens who violate our Nation's laws," said Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward, Jr. "No more. This Department of Justice will not sit idly by while state and local government seek to undermine federal immigration enforcement."

"This type of rule obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates evasion of federal law by dangerous criminal aliens, despite Congress's direction that federal agents detain and remove them," said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division. "Throughout the country, and including in this courthouse specifically, federal agents have routinely and safely conducted arrests. The Department of Justice is committed to protecting that important federal prerogative."

Attorney General Blanche has instructedLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. the Department's Civil Division to identify state and local laws, policies, and practices that facilitate violations of federal laws or impede lawful federal operations. Today's lawsuit is the latest in a series of lawsuits brought by the Civil Division targeting illegal policies designed to thwart federal law enforcement across the country, including in New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia.