A troubling event in Rhode Island has alarmed state leaders after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents briefly detained a high school intern outside the Rhode Island Superior Court. The teen, who was participating in an official internship program, was stopped, questioned, and restrained before being released. The incident has triggered public anger and official criticism across Rhode Island, with many expressing concern about how such actions could impact interns working in court programs.
A Shocking Rhode Island Incident Involving a High School Intern
Everything started inside the courtroom when the teen noticed a man taking photos of him. Security reminded the man that photography was not allowed inside the Rhode Island courthouse, and he then revealed he was an ICE agent. The intern became visibly upset, and Judge Joseph McBurney offered to drive him to school.
As the judge tried to leave, several ICE agents surrounded his car. Video from the Deportation Defense Network of Rhode Island shows at least six agents ordering the judge and the teen out of the vehicle. One agent asked, “Are you a judge here?” Moments later, another agent restrained the teen and led him away as bystanders shouted, “Let him go!” and “He’s a kid!”
Agents took the teen across a busy street and then confirmed his identity. The Rhode Island Judiciary said the agents released him shortly afterward. ICE said they were searching for a “child predator” and that the teen simply resembled their target.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee blasted the incident as “outrageous and indefensible,” saying careless federal actions could have severely disrupted the teen’s life.
How the Courthouse Confrontation Involving the Intern Unfolded
This dramatic encounter did not happen in isolation. A planned protest was already taking place outside the Rhode Island courthouse. Demonstrators rallied against aggressive ICE actions near judicial buildings and demanded more virtual court hearings to reduce the risk of federal agents approaching immigrants.
The ongoing protest meant that several witnesses captured video from different angles. The footage clearly shows ICE agents surrounding Judge McBurney’s car and removing the teen, despite the judge repeatedly explaining that the student was a court intern.
A staff member familiar with the situation said Judge McBurney tried calmly to inform the agents that they were making a mistake. Even so, ICE officers continued restraining and questioning the teen until they completed their identity check.
Supreme Court lifts limits on Trump’s immigration raids, sparking outrage in California
Rhode Island Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul A. Suttell publicly criticized the federal agents’ actions. He said the event highlighted “egregious” behavior and reinforced concerns about how ICE is conducting operations in Rhode Island. He added that the situation strengthens the argument for expanding virtual hearings, allowing people to participate in court without risking unexpected confrontations.
ICE has faced backlash for courthouse operations before. For years, federal policies discouraged agents from detaining people in or near courts, but officials later lifted those limits, which increased similar incidents nationwide.
During the confrontation, protesters shouted in disbelief. One yelled, “He’s a kid!” and another added, “That’s a 16-year-old!” The crowd finally sighed in relief when agents released the teen.
ICE Tactics Under Growing Scrutiny Nationwide
The incident in Rhode Island comes at a time when ICE continues to conduct arrests at courthouses across the country. Critics argue that aggressive actions inside or near judicial buildings scare people away from seeking legal help. This includes victims, witnesses, and even individuals attending routine hearings.
Gov. McKee strongly blamed federal policy, saying the incident was a direct result of “callous and chaotic policies by the Trump Administration.” He added that ICE failed to use even “a shred of due diligence,” calling the situation dangerous and avoidable.
According to ICE’s own website, the agency typically does not detain unaccompanied children except in rare cases. But similar incidents have been reported before, prompting questions about how strictly these guidelines are followed.
Meanwhile, ICE continues broader enforcement operations across the country. Recently, the agency carried out hundreds of arrests in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is preparing for additional actions in New Orleans later in December.
Across Rhode Island, community groups, court officials, and state leaders have expressed deep concern that the teen’s experience may discourage others from participating in educational programs, internships, or court-related activities. Many people worry that these incidents could make young people feel unsafe in places meant to support civic learning and public trust.
Officials have not released the teen’s name, and reporters have asked both ICE and Judge McBurney for more information. Videos, statements, and witness accounts continue to circulate widely, fueling public debate over courthouse safety and the impact of federal immigration practices on everyday life in Rhode Island.