(The Center Square) — The city of Los Angeles and nearby cities filed a request to intervene in a class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security that claims detained individuals are targeted based on race and denied due process.
If granted, the request would allow Los Angeles and its partners to become direct participants in the lawsuit, which would allow the city to use its resources to present arguments, provide evidence and advocate for a temporary restraining order.
The petitioners in the case in question, Perdomo v. Noem, claim federal agents are making “suspicionless stops based on racial profiling” and “warrantless arrests without an individualized determination of flight risk.” They also claim detainees are subject to poor conditions, and that the right to counsel was denied by not allowing the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles access to detainees.
CHRLA is a pro-immigration advocacy group that received $35 million in taxpayer funding. CHRLA helped organize events surrounding the recent and ongoing immigration-related Los Angeles protests.
“The City of Los Angeles, along with the County, cities, organizations and Angelenos across L.A., is taking the Administration to court to stop its clear violation of the United States Constitution and federal law, “ said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in a statement. “We will not be intimidated – we are making Los Angeles the example of how people who believe in American values will stand together and stand united.”
Just over a week ago, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Los Angeles’ sanctuary city policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
