ICE Detention Policies and Legal Challenges
A narrative arc detailing the expansion of ICE detention practices, legal battles over child custody, and judicial responses to immigration enforcement policies.
July 2026
DOJ Data Reveals 57% of Children in Immigration Court Lack Lawyers
The Vera Institute of Justice analyzed data from the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. The analysis found that 57 percent, or 425,093, of 751,861 children with pending removal cases do not have legal representation.
Source ↗ICE holds over 61,000 immigrants following bond hearing cessation
More than 61,000 immigrants across the U.S. are currently being held. This detention follows the cessation of bond hearings by ICE, a practice that had been a precedent for decades.
Source ↗ICE Arresting Relatives Claiming Custody of Migrant Children
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly arresting relatives who come forward to take custody of migrant children housed in federal shelters.
Source ↗ICE Arrest Relatives Attempting Custody of Migrant Children
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is reportedly arresting relatives. These relatives are attempting to take custody of migrant children currently held in federal shelters.
Source ↗DOJ Data Shows Over Half of Children Self-Representing in ICE Courts
Data from the Department of Justice indicates that more than half of children appearing in ICE immigration courts are representing themselves. This finding was presented in a post on 2026-07-23.
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