Video: ICE Detains Rhode Island High School Intern Outside Courthouse, Prompting Official Outcry

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents briefly detained and questioned a high school intern outside the Rhode Island Superior Court this week, an encounter captured on video that prompted sharp criticism from state leaders and renewed calls to protect court participants from enforcement operations.

What happened

According to court staff and video footage, the episode began inside a courtroom when the intern noticed someone taking photographs of him. Court security asked the person to stop; the individual identified himself as an ICE agent. The teen appeared shaken, and Superior Court Associate Justice Joseph McBurney offered to drive him to school.

As the judge prepared to drive the intern, multiple federal agents surrounded the vehicle. Video from the scene shows at least six agents asking the judge and the teen to exit the car. Within about 30 seconds an agent is seen restraining the intern’s hands behind his back and escorting him away while nearby protesters shouted for his release.

The unnamed intern was taken across a busy street outside the Providence courthouse and was released after federal agents verified his identity, a spokesperson for the Rhode Island Judiciary said.

Official responses

“ICE agents wrongfully detained a high school intern outside the Superior Court – an outrageous and indefensible act that could have completely upended a young person’s life,” said Gov. Dan McKee.

Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell said the incident underscores the judiciary’s concerns about how ICE conducts operations and reinforces the need to expand access to virtual hearings.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said agents were searching for a suspected "child predator" and briefly questioned someone who resembled the target; the person was not arrested or taken into custody.

Context and reaction

Protesters who had gathered outside the courthouse as part of an anti-ICE demonstration shouted for the teen’s release; some identified him as a 16-year-old. The incident has intensified calls from state officials and advocates for wider use of virtual hearings so individuals do not have to appear in person and risk exposure to enforcement activity.

ICE policy states the agency generally does not detain unaccompanied children except in rare circumstances. Still, critics say recent courthouse encounters illustrate the consequences of aggressive enforcement tactics and inconsistent procedures. The episode follows increased courthouse enforcement activity in other parts of the country, including large arrest operations and planned deployments to additional cities.

Key facts: the intern was detained briefly and released after identity verification; the detention was recorded on video; state leaders condemned the action; federal officials say agents were pursuing a separate target who resembled the intern.