ACLU of Virginia investigating ICE’s detainment of people at courthouses throughout the Commonwealth

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- The ACLU of Virginia has said it is investigating the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) practice of detaining people at courthouses throughout the state, including 15 detainments at the Chesterfield County Courthouse.

In the morning on Thursday, June 25, Mary Bauer, spokesperson for ACLU of Virginia provided a statement to 8News in response to ICE detaining 15 people who were attending court proceedings at the Chesterfield County Courthouse since Friday, June 20.

ICE told 8News that "all were arrested for immigration violations." One person detained was appearing in court for a traffic infraction, according to court records.

Bauer said the organization is investigating "ICE's practice of targeting people at courthouses across the Commonwealth," including the detainments at Chesterfield's courthouse.

ACLU of Virginia further emphasized the right to access the courts, and that ICE's presence at courthouses means they are "no longer safe" for those who rely on the protection of the courts.

"The right to access the courts is a fundamental one, because all other rights depend on it – but Virginians who rely on the protection of the courts will be forced to go without it if ICE's presence means Virginia courthouses are no longer safe," the organization said.

ACLU of Virginia also condemned ICE's recent detainments at the courthouse.

"We won’t let our judicial system be corrupted into a despotic mechanism for masked men to 'disappear' Virginians," Bauer said. "ICE doesn’t keep us safe: we do."

8News continues to investigate information about those detained by ICE at the courthouse.