Fact check: Can ICE arrest US citizens for protesting or interfering with immigration enforcement?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, ICE can and does arrest US citizens for protesting or interfering with immigration enforcement operations. Recent events demonstrate this authority is being actively exercised:

• Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller, was arrested by ICE agents at an immigration court in Manhattan after attempting to link arms with a man who had finished his hearing, with his wife stating he was charged with obstructing the agents ^{[1] [2]}.
• Cary López Alvarado, a pregnant US citizen, was detained by ICE agents for allegedly obstructing the arrest of her undocumented partner ^[3].
• The Attorney General's guidance explicitly states that while bystanders can watch and record ICE arrests at a reasonable distance, they cannot interfere with officers, and that interfering with an officer can lead to criminal charges ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several critical pieces of context that emerge from the analyses:

• Legal authority disputes: There are conflicting viewpoints on ICE's legal authority to arrest US citizens. One source argues that ICE does not have the authority to arrest US citizens, even if they are obstructing arrests, calling it "an assault on democracy and disregard for the law" ^[5].
• Operational errors and pressure: ICE operations have resulted in mistaken arrests, including the detention of a US Marshal by ICE agents, highlighting potential errors in enforcement operations and pressure on agents to meet arrest quotas ^{[6] [7]}.
• Constitutional rights vs. enforcement: Civil rights attorneys note that bystanders have the right to observe, protest, and shout questions, but the line between protected speech and obstruction remains contentious ^[8].
• Political implications: The arrests of elected officials like Brad Lander raise questions about whether immigration enforcement is being used to target political opponents or suppress dissent ^{[1] [5]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual, seeking clarification on ICE's authority. However, the framing could benefit from acknowledging:

• The question doesn't distinguish between peaceful protest (which may be constitutionally protected) and active interference (which can constitute obstruction of justice).
• It doesn't address the recent escalation in such arrests, particularly targeting elected officials and pregnant citizens, which represents a significant development in immigration enforcement tactics ^{[1] [3]}.
• The question lacks context about enforcement quotas and operational pressure that may be driving more aggressive arrest practices, including mistakes like detaining federal law enforcement officers ^{[6] [7]}.

The analyses reveal that while ICE does arrest US citizens for interference, there are legitimate legal and constitutional questions about the scope of this authority and its recent application.