WASHINGTON, DC – A federal court will hear arguments in Escobar Molina et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security et al., a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s policy of arresting people without a warrant and without probable cause of both unlawful immigration status and flight risk, as required by immigration law.
Immigration agents can arrest someone without a warrant only when they’ve made an individualized determination of probable cause that the person is both (1) in the United States unlawfully and (2) that they are likely to escape before a warrant can be obtained. The filing alleges that federal agents are systematically arresting people in Washington, D.C., without a warrant and without probable cause.
Attorneys representing four D.C. community members and the immigration organization CASA will argue for their Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, which asks the court to order an immediate stop to these practices while the case proceeds.
- WHO: The plaintiffs are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of the District of Columbia, American Civil Liberties Union, Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, CASA, National Immigration Project, the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP. Senior Judge Beryl A. Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., will preside.
- WHEN: Hearing on Wednesday, November 19, 10:00 a.m. ET
- WHERE: US District Court/Courtroom 26A, 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC
- HOW TO LISTEN: Members of the public or media who wish to listen to live audio of the hearing scheduled for November 19, 2025, at 10 AM ET, without physically attending the proceeding, may do so by dialing the toll-free number: 833-990-9400, meeting ID: 491822013
Press Conference Following Hearing
WHAT: Virtual press conference following the federal court hearing on unlawful immigration arrests in Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. ET
WHERE: Virtual via Zoom | Reporters can register here
WHO: Affected family members whose loved ones are impacted by arrests and who are members of CASA, attorneys from the American Civil Liberties Union ( ACLU) , Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, CASA, National Immigration Project, and Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs.
WHY IT MATTERS:
Federal law allows immigration agents to arrest someone without a warrant only when there is individualized probable cause that the person is unlawfully present and likely to flee before a warrant can be obtained. In Washington, D.C., federal agents are systematically arresting people without warrants or individualized probable cause, violating federal law. These practices undermine the rule of law and harm immigrant communities, causing fear, disruption, and wrongful detention. Advocates and impacted residents are urging the court to issue an injunction to immediately halt these unlawful arrests while the case proceeds.