New York, NY, Tuesday, November 25, 2025 – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”), commends the recent decision from the Northern District of New York upholding New York’s Protect Our Courts Act (POCA). Enacted in 2020, POCA bars most immigration enforcement activities in or near courthouses. Ultimately, POCA codified New York’s long-standing protection of parties and their witnesses from civil arrest without judicial warrant or judicial order – both within courthouses and while traveling to and from court proceedings. 

The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Mae D’Agostino, rejected the Federal Government’s claim that the law unconstitutionally restricts federal immigration enforcement and is preempted by Federal law. In her decision, Judge D’Agostino determined that the 10th Amendment and settled principles of federalism permit States to control use of their own facilities and direct control of their officials without federal interference. 

WBASNY has strongly supported POCA. This law was enacted to protect judicial operations in the State and promote public safety. No one should fear civil arrest when required to appear in court.

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,100 attorneys throughout New York State and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country.  For 45 years, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, providing professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families.  Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 50 committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.