WASHINGTON – A federal judge pressed the government on Wednesday about whether immigration officials are obeying her order blocking them from making civil immigration arrests without a warrant.

Warrantless immigration arrests in DC

The backstory:

In December, Judge Beryl Howell ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers could not arrest undocumented immigrants in D.C. without a warrant, unless they can demonstrate probable cause that a crime was committed and show the person poses a flight risk.

PREVIOUS: Federal judge limits ICE’s warrantless arrests in DC

The lawsuit was brought forward by a group of immigrants who were arrested in D.C. without warrants. One of the plaintiffs was arrested after someone purporting to be with the Metropolitan Police Department told him that they had found the car he reported stolen, only to arrest him when he came to pick it up.

The government has since appealed that decision.

What we know:

At Wednesday’s hearing, there was a debate about what that exception means in real-world cases.

In a memo to all ICE agents, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security says someone can be considered likely to escape if they are “unlikely to be located at the scene of the encounter.”

Howell pressed on that specific language and what it meant, asking whether someone waiting at a bus stop or going to work could be considered “unlikely to be located at the scene of the encounter.”

The government pushed back, arguing that under many circumstances, that could be enough to arrest someone without a warrant.

Immigration rally

What they’re saying:

Dozens of residents rallied outside the federal courthouse ahead of the hearing on Wednesday, criticizing D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, for “siding” with President Donald Trump’s administration. 

“Families in Washington, D.C., have seen immigration agents stop people in the streets outside of workplaces, churches. We’ve heard it. Our loved ones are dying because of ICE.” said Isaias Guerrero with the Center for Popular Democracy. 

Guerrero said Bowser’s administration “is actively making it easier for D.C. residents to be deported, and that ain’t right.”

What’s next:

The government has appealed Howell’s decision. On Wednesday, Howell called for more briefing on whether she has the power to weigh in on the case right now, given the active appeal.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A Secret Service investigation is underway near the White House after officials say a van drove through a barricade early Wednesday morning.

What we know:

The Metropolitan police and Secret Service responded to the vicinity of the White House around 6:30 a.m. after a van drove through a barricade at Connecticut Avenue and H Street.

The driver of the van was apprehended and is being questioned, according to police. No injuries have been reported.

As a result of the investigation, multiple streets in the immediate area have been closed to traffic, including 15th Street and E Street Northwest and H Street Northwest between 15th and 17th Streets.

What you can do:

Drivers are advised to avoid the area and seek alternate routes. Commuters traveling through downtown Washington should expect delays. 

What we don’t know:

Officials have yet to release further details. This is a developing story. Check back for updates,

Lime, the company behind those bright green scooters and bikes you may often see zooming around D.C. or lying on the sidewalk, is updating its monthly subscription service, aimed at making rides more affordable for its frequent users.

In a news release Tuesday, Lime said its monthly subscription that starts at $5.99/month for D.C. riders will also introduce flat-rate pricing of $2.50 for rides up to 20 minutes and $1.25 for rides under five minutes.

Every ride will be subject to a flat rate, instead of a per-minute cost. Subscribed members also get unlimited free unlocking and discounted flat-rate pricing for trips under five minutes.

Devin Rote, the global integrated marketing lead at Lime, told WTOP the goal with the update is “to make the choice to utilize micro-mobility and more sustainable travel options easier for users across the D.C. region.”

Rote said as we enter the spring season, Lime sees an increase in trips as the city also sees a rise in tourism.

“Especially through cherry blossom season, Nationals baseball season, and everything that a great, warm weather season brings here in the D.C. region. For us, really, this is the start of busy season,” he said.

There are over 7,000 of the dockless e-bikes and scooters around D.C. They go up to 18 mph — down from 20 mph in November — and users must be at least 18 to ride.

WTOP’s John Wordock contributed to this report.

Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.

© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.