some judges, lawyers and immigration ad slow candidates. dan -- advocates. dan springer explains. >> reporter: immigrations and customs enforcement agents arrest an illegal immigrant in el paso, texas. it's part of a growing battle between the department of homeland security and local court officers. >> immigrants are throughout all of our communities, and they're terrified right now. >> reporter: lawyers and judges say they're seeing more i.c.e. arrests at court buildings since president trump took office, and they, they contend, is leading to fewer undocumented immigrants showing up for court dates. it's prompted two state supreme court chief justices to write letters to homeland security asking i.c.e. to stay away from courthouses. california's top judging accused i.c.e. of stalk people. washington state's chief justice wants courts to be located as sensitive locations just like schools, churches and hospitals. >> i have a duty and a responsibility to speak up when the administration of justice in washington state is impacted by policies and activities. >> reporter: but that's exactly what a retired state