The US Justice Department on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Franklin County Municipal Court in Columbus, Ohio, challenging a local rule that prohibits federal authorities from arresting immigrants at or near its courthouse premises. The suit marks a sharp escalation in the Trump administration's ongoing confrontation with local institutions that have moved to limit immigration enforcement on their turf.

What the Lawsuit Targets

The Justice Department is challenging Rule 2.10, which it says bars federal officers from detaining immigrants at or around the Franklin County courthouse. The rule also reportedly imposes criminal and civil penalties on those who violate it, according to the department's statement.

Named as defendants are the court itself, its administrative and presiding judge, and the court's director of security. The department described the measure as an unlawful attempt by a local court to regulate the activities of the federal government.

What the Government Said

Associate Attorney General Stanley E. Woodward Jr said in a statement: 'Today the Department sued yet another local entity that seeks to thwart the will of Congress by regulating when and where Federal law enforcement does its job, all in the name of protecting criminal aliens who violate our Nation's laws.'

'No more. This Department of Justice will not sit idly by while state and local government seek to undermine federal immigration enforcement,' Woodward added.

Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department's Civil Division said the rule 'obstructs federal law enforcement and facilitates evasion of federal law by dangerous criminal aliens, despite Congress's direction that federal agents detain and remove them.' Shumate noted that federal agents had routinely conducted arrests safely at courthouses across the country, including at the Franklin County Municipal Court.

Why Courthouses Matter for Federal Enforcement

Federal authorities argue that courthouse arrests carry distinct operational advantages: visitors typically undergo security screening before entering, reducing risk to officers, the public, and those being detained. Such locations also reduce the likelihood that a person will flee, according to the department's filing.

The Justice Department did not, however, identify specific immigrants whose arrests had allegedly been blocked by Rule 2.10. Its statement also did not include any response from the municipal court or the officials named in the suit.

Part of a Broader Legal Campaign

The Ohio lawsuit is the latest in a widening series of federal legal actions against state and local immigration policies. Attorney General Todd Blanche has directed the Civil Division to identify laws, policies, and practices that the administration believes obstruct lawful federal operations.

Similar suits have already been filed against jurisdictions including New York, Virginia, Connecticut, New Jersey, California, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia, according to the department. This comes amid a broader federal push to dismantle so-called sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with immigration authorities.

What Happens Next

The Franklin County Municipal Court has not yet publicly responded to the suit. Legal observers will be watching whether the court defends Rule 2.10 as a matter of judicial independence or moves to modify it under federal pressure. A ruling in this case could set a precedent affecting courthouse arrest policies in other jurisdictions facing similar federal scrutiny.