A federal judge in California has ordered the Trump administration to immediately stop immigration raids across Los Angeles and surrounding counties, ruling that agents have been detaining people without reasonable suspicion of immigration violations.
U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued two temporary restraining orders Friday in response to a lawsuit filed last week by several civil rights organizations. The lawsuit challenged the legality of joint immigration operations involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Border Patrol, and other federal agencies. (RELATED: LA Mayor Files Suit Against Trump Administration)
Since June 6, agents have reportedly arrested thousands of people across Southern California. Plaintiffs alleged in court filings that the arrests were based on racial profiling, including targeting individuals because of their appearance, language, or occupation.
“The seizures at issue occurred unlawfully,” Judge Frimpong wrote in her ruling, adding that there was “a mountain of evidence” supporting claims that arrests were being conducted without proper legal justification.
The first order prohibits federal agents from arresting individuals without reasonable suspicion that they are in the country illegally. The second order requires that any person arrested be given immediate access to legal counsel.
Both orders are temporary and will remain in effect while the case proceeds. They apply to Los Angeles County and six neighboring counties.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin criticized the decision. “A district judge is undermining the will of the American people,” she said in a statement, defending the enforcement actions as targeting violent criminals.
The Trump administration has not yet announced whether it will appeal.
