The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has come under scrutiny following the discovery of a list of immigration attorneys on its website. This list was found by attorney Arlene Amarante, who noted her own name among those cataloged. The list has since been removed, a common action taken by agencies when faced with public scrutiny over sensitive documents.

In response to the incident, Al Otro Lado, an immigration advocacy organization, has filed a Freedom of Information Act request to uncover the origins and intentions behind the list. Amarante expressed concern over the demographic composition of the attorneys listed, highlighting that many are people of color, which raises questions about potential biases in the compilation of the roster.

Amarante stated, "One of the troubling patterns I suppose that I recognized, was that a large number of these practitioners on the list were people of color." This observation shifts the issue from mere bureaucratic irregularity to a more serious concern regarding civil liberties.

The current administration has previously expressed hostility towards immigration lawyers, as evidenced by a memo issued in March 2025 that criticized the legal profession and accused immigration attorneys of unethical practices. This memo directed the Attorney General to take action against lawyers perceived to be acting against the interests of the administration.

Al Otro Lado has characterized the existence of the list as indicative of political targeting and intimidation of legal professionals advocating for immigrants. Staff attorney Andrew Fels remarked, "There is no obvious legitimate reason for ICE to be compiling what appears to be a covert roster of immigration lawyers," and called for transparency regarding the list's creation and criteria.

Cassandra Lopez, the legal director of Al Otro Lado, warned that the situation reflects a troubling trend where legal representatives are monitored for performing their duties, which include defending the right to seek asylum. This development suggests a bureaucratic culture that views immigration lawyers as adversaries rather than as essential components of the legal system.

The implications of such a list extend beyond individual attorneys, raising broader concerns about the rule of law and the ability of legal professionals to operate without undue surveillance or intimidation from government agencies.