A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order in a lawsuit, requiring federal authorities to find “reasonable suspicion” to make immigration arrests in California’s central district, including Los Angeles. The ruling prevents authorities from detaining individuals based solely on characteristics like race, spoken language, or occupation.
The decision comes after the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made unconstitutional arrests and prevented detainees’ access to attorneys. The ACLU claims that DHS has been arresting people without probable cause, targeting brown-skinned individuals in southern California during immigration raids.
US District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, ordered DHS to develop guidance for officers to determine probable cause for arrests. The judge stated that the administration “failed” to provide information about the basis on which they made the arrests, concluding that the plaintiffs have sufficiently shown a likelihood of success on the merits of their claims.
The ruling is seen as a significant blow to the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement drive. Immigration advocacy groups have praised the decision, arguing that it will help prevent racial profiling and ensure that individuals are not detained without due process.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of five individuals and several advocacy organizations, who alleged that federal agents carried out unconstitutional arrests during recent raids. The plaintiffs claimed that they were targeted based on their race, and some were denied access to legal counsel.
The temporary restraining order is a major victory for immigration advocates in California, who have been pushing back against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The ruling sets a significant precedent for immigration enforcement in the state, emphasizing the need for probable cause and due process in arrests.
