Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents wrongfully detained a 16-year-old high school intern outside a Providence courthouse, sparking outrage among Rhode Island officials and highlighting concerns over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The incident, captured on video, shows federal agents surrounding a judge’s vehicle and restraining the teen before his release after identity verification.
The event began when an ICE agent was observed taking photographs of the intern inside the Superior Court courtroom, violating courthouse rules. When court security confronted the individual, he identified himself as an ICE agent, causing visible distress to the teenager. In response, Superior Court Associate Justice Joseph McBurney offered to drive the intern to his high school to ensure his safety and calm his nerves.
As Judge McBurney attempted to leave the courthouse premises with the intern, his vehicle was surrounded by at least six ICE agents. Video footage shows one agent questioning McBurney about his judicial status while others focused on the teen. Despite McBurney’s repeated explanations that the youth was a court intern and that the agents were mistaken, they proceeded to detain the 16-year-old.
The agents forcibly restrained the intern’s hands behind his back and escorted him across a busy street in front of the courthouse. During this escalation, protesters who had gathered for an anti-ICE rally shouted demands for his release, with cries of “Let him go!” and “He’s a f**king kid!” emphasizing the inappropriate targeting of a minor. The scene underscored the tension between immigration enforcement and community safety.
After verifying the intern’s identity, ICE released him without further incident. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that the agents were searching for a “child predator” and had briefly questioned someone who resembled the target, clarifying that the individual was never arrested or taken into custody. The intern’s name was withheld from public reports to protect his privacy.
Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee condemned the detention as “outrageous and indefensible,” warning that it could have “completely upended a young person’s life.” He attributed the error to “callous and chaotic policies by the Trump Administration” and criticized ICE’s failure to exercise basic due diligence. The governor’s statement reflects broader political frustrations with federal immigration strategies.
Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell responded by emphasizing the judiciary’s need to enhance access to virtual hearings, which could reduce exposure to ICE activity for immigrants and others. This incident has intensified debates over ICE’s presence in courthouses, a practice that expanded after the rescission of guidelines limiting operations in sensitive locations.
The event highlights ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement, with ICE continuing aggressive operations under the current administration. As similar incidents draw public scrutiny, this case amplifies calls for policy reforms to prevent future errors, protect civil liberties, and ensure that enforcement actions do not undermine trust in public institutions.
