UPDATE: Statement from the New York Legal Assistance Group about Release of Alexander, 1st Immigrant Detained Post Federal Judge Halting Arrests at 26 Federal Plaza

UPDATE: Statement from the New York Legal Assistance Group about Release of Alexander, 1st Immigrant Detained Post Federal Judge Halting Arrests at 26 Federal Plaza

• May 19, 2026
• 9:15 pm

On Tuesday evening, federal agents released Alexander, a 21-year-old immigrant who ICE detained Tuesday morning in the halls of 26 Federal Plaza. ICE arrested Alexander mere hours after a federal judge barred federal agents from making arrests at New York City immigration courts Monday evening.

The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), with New York University (NYU) as co-counsel, filed a habeas corpus petition on Alexander's behalf Tuesday afternoon. Nearly every day for the past year, NYLAG has had lawyers in the hallways of 26 Federal Plaza and 290 Broadway, assisting immigrants who arrived at their hearings pro se and filing habeas corpus petitions on behalf of dozens of people detained by ICE.

Benjamin Remy, coordinating senior attorney at NYLAG's Immigrant Protection Unit, responds:

"We're thrilled that Alexander is swiftly returning home to his family where he belongs after his egregious and flagrantly illegal arrest.

"While we, as his attorneys, and his family are relieved that Alexander is no longer unlawfully detained as part of Trump's horrific immigration dragnet, his arrest demonstrates ICE's utter contempt for the rule of law- no matter how many court orders they defy in the process. Despite Judge Castel's decision barring immigration detentions in New York City courthouses, ICE resumed arresting people within hours, which proves that the federal government intends to carry out their mass detention agenda, instilling fear into immigrant families.

"Today's galling subversion of explicit judicial orders will only mean that advocates like myself and my fellow NYLAG attorneys will not back down even after giving counsel to hundreds of unlawfully detained people and their loved ones for a year; we will show up to immigration court and stand up for the rights of all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status."

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