DOJ Sues Franklin County Municipal Court: Immigration Arrests Rule Challenged

• The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Ohio.
• The lawsuit challenges local Rule 2.10, which requires a judicial warrant for federal immigration arrests on or near courthouse grounds.
• The DOJ argues this rule violates federal authority to enforce immigration laws and the Constitution, asking a federal court to strike it down.
• Federal officials claim courthouse arrests are crucial for safety and that two Columbus ICE officers were recently hospitalized due to violence.
• This case follows a 2025 federal directive targeting local immigration rules and a recent ruling in a similar case blocking ICE arrests at immigration courthouses due to procedural issues.

The federal government contends that arrests made by immigration officials do not inherently necessitate a judicial warrant, further claiming that such a requirement, as stipulated by Rule 2.10, constitutes a violation of the U.S. Constitution.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated legal action against an Ohio municipal court, challenging a local regulation that mandates a judicial warrant for federal immigration officers to conduct arrests within or near courthouse premises. This significant **DOJ lawsuit courthouse immigration arrests** targets the Franklin County Municipal Court, whose jurisdiction encompasses the city of Columbus. The court enacted the contentious measure, known as local "Rule 2.10," last year, requiring a judge's signature on a warrant before any immigration-related apprehension can occur on courthouse grounds.

Filed on a recent Tuesday, the federal complaint asserts that **Franklin County Municipal Court Rule 2.10** unlawfully impedes the federal government's authority to enforce immigration statutes. The DOJ is seeking a federal court order to invalidate the rule, arguing it oversteps local boundaries by attempting to dictate federal immigration enforcement procedures. The lawsuit specifically names the Franklin County Municipal Court, Judge Jessica D’Varga, and the court’s director of security, Enoch White, as defendants in this high-stakes legal battle.

The federal government contends that arrests made by immigration officials do not inherently necessitate a judicial warrant, further claiming that such a requirement, as stipulated by Rule 2.10, constitutes a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The DOJ emphasizes that this local rule obstructs federal law enforcement efforts and inadvertently aids individuals who are subject to federal detention and removal, despite congressional directives for their apprehension. Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division underscored the federal position, stating that federal agents have consistently and safely carried out arrests nationwide, including within the specific courthouse in question. He affirmed the DOJ's commitment to safeguarding this crucial federal prerogative.

Furthermore, the Department of Justice argues that courthouse arrests are vital for maintaining the safety of both officers and the public. This rationale is partly based on the premise that individuals entering courthouses undergo weapon screenings, which helps mitigate flight risks. The DOJ's complaint also cited two instances where Columbus ICE officers were hospitalized due to violence within the last three months, though no further details regarding these incidents were provided in the lawsuit. These claims highlight the federal government's view that the **Ohio immigration arrest warrant requirement** imposed by the local court jeopardizes operational safety and effectiveness.

This legal challenge by the DOJ is not an isolated incident but rather aligns with a broader federal government directive issued in 2025, which aims to address local jurisdictions' rules concerning immigration enforcement. The directive signals a concerted effort to assert **federal preemption immigration enforcement** over local ordinances that may conflict with national immigration policies. The timing of the lawsuit is also notable, coming shortly after a federal judge in a separate, yet similar, case ruled against the ability of ICE to make arrests at immigration courthouses.

In that distinct ruling, U.S. District Judge P. Casey Pitts, an appointee of President Joe Biden, blocked a set of rules previously established by the Trump administration. Judge Pitts' decision was based on the finding that the administration had failed to adhere to proper procedural requirements for implementing those specific rules. While the Franklin County Municipal Court has declined to comment on the pending litigation, citing standard practice, the outcome of this **DOJ sues Franklin County Municipal Court immigration arrests** case could establish significant precedent regarding the boundaries of local authority versus federal immigration powers, particularly concerning **ICE arrests Franklin County Ohio** and other jurisdictions.

Lawyers should monitor this case for precedent on the legality of local rules restricting federal immigration enforcement in courthouses, which could impact client advice regarding immigration arrests and the scope of federal versus local authority.

Source: Original reporting via Courthouse News Service