A federal judge has issued an order to the Trump administration to cease random immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, including Los Angeles. The order, issued by Judge Maame E Frimpong, bars the use of unconstitutional methods in immigration raids following a lawsuit filed by immigration advocacy groups. The lawsuit accused the administration of targeting brown-skinned individuals in southern California during its immigration crackdown. The order also applies to Ventura County, where busloads of workers were detained on a cannabis farm, leading to clashes with protesters and injuries.
Skedzielewski, representing the government, claimed that federal immigration agents do not consider race in their arrests but consider appearance as part of the overall circumstances. In an email, the Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, denied claims of targeting individuals based on their skin color. However, immigration advocates accuse officials of detaining individuals based on race, carrying out warrantless arrests, and denying access to legal counsel. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated that the recent wave of immigration enforcement is driven by “arbitrary arrest quotas” and “broad stereotypes based on race or ethnicity”. ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar alleged that Brian Gavidia, a U.S. citizen, was physically assaulted for being Latino and working at a tow yard in a predominantly Latin American neighborhood. The judge’s order will prevent the government from using apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or English with an accent, presence at certain locations, or occupation as the basis for suspicion.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jul/12/trump-administration-ordered-to-halt-indiscriminate-immigration-stops-in-california-over-racial-profiling-concerns
