Masked ICE Agents Detain Cuban Asylum Seeker Outside Texas Courtroom

EL PASO, Texas — A Cuban asylum seeker was detained this week by masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents just minutes after appearing in a scheduled immigration court hearing, prompting renewed scrutiny over the agency’s enforcement tactics and their impact on due process.

The 25-year-old woman, identified by advocates only as Jenny for safety reasons, had just completed a brief procedural hearing at the El Paso immigration court when she was approached outside the courthouse by men in tactical gear. According to legal observers and immigrant rights groups, the agents did not identify themselves verbally or with visible credentials. Jenny was placed in an unmarked vehicle and taken to a nearby detention facility.

“She had no criminal record, no outstanding deportation order, and she had complied with all court requirements,” said Maria Ortega, an immigration attorney with the Border Justice Project, who has followed the case. “She was pursuing asylum through legal channels and then was suddenly detained without explanation.”

 
Legal and Procedural Questions
Jenny’s arrest has raised serious legal questions. Her attorneys assert that ICE enforcement in or near courthouses undermines the right to due process, particularly when it occurs without notice, warrants, or clear identification.

Although ICE guidance in 2021 restricted enforcement actions in “sensitive locations” such as courthouses, churches, and hospitals, the agency has not clarified whether these rules are still being enforced. In this case, no official statement has been released explaining why Jenny was detained, or whether any court orders had been issued.

“We’re seeing a breakdown in the basic expectations of transparency,” Ortega added. “People going through the legal process shouldn’t be punished for doing the right thing.”

 
Masked Agents Draw Broader Scrutiny
The use of face coverings and anonymity among federal immigration agents has been increasingly controversial in 2025. Recent weeks have seen a growing number of reports involving masked ICE officers operating without visible identification. These tactics have been reported in multiple states and are drawing criticism from both civil liberties groups and elected officials.

In Jenny’s case, witnesses described agents wearing black clothing and balaclavas, offering no verbal confirmation of their agency. Her legal team was not informed of the arrest until nearly 24 hours later.

“They simply took her,” said Rosa Benítez, a volunteer court observer present that day. “She walked out of the building, and they intercepted her as if she were a fugitive. But she wasn’t. She was in full compliance with the law.”

 
Asylum Process in Flux
Jenny had been seeking asylum in the United States since arriving from Cuba last year. According to her attorneys, she fled political persecution and had been attending all scheduled court dates while awaiting her next hearing, which had been set for August 2026.

Her case now faces new complications. While technically still in proceedings, her detention could result in expedited removal or the denial of her asylum claim, depending on how ICE processes her case internally.

This legal uncertainty is not uncommon. Immigration law allows for broad discretion by enforcement agencies, especially in cases involving recent border arrivals or those deemed “removable.” But advocates argue that such discretion should not override the fundamental protections afforded by asylum law and due process.

 
Policy Debate Intensifies
Jenny’s arrest comes amid a growing national conversation about enforcement practices. Members of Congress are currently reviewing legislation that would restrict ICE from using masks during public operations and require all agents to display visible credentials. The bill has gained momentum in recent days, following a string of similar detentions in California, New York, and Arizona.

“The optics are concerning,” said Rep. Joaquín Martinez (D-TX). “We cannot allow a situation where someone seeking asylum—someone doing everything by the book—is effectively disappeared by agents acting under a veil of anonymity.”

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Jenny’s case or the broader practice of post-courtroom detentions.

 
The Personal Toll
As of Friday morning, Jenny remains in ICE custody at the El Paso Processing Center. Her attorneys have filed an emergency motion for release and are requesting that her asylum case continue without disruption.

“She is scared, confused, and feels betrayed by a system she hoped would protect her,” Ortega said.

While her case proceeds, it is likely to serve as a focal point in the broader debate over ICE transparency, immigrant due process, and the boundaries of lawful enforcement.