California, alongside 17 other states, has thrown its weight behind a lawsuit that challenges the constitutionality of recent federal immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles. The coalition has requested a federal court to issue a temporary restraining order to halt these actions while the legality of the raids is examined in court.
This move adds significant support to a lawsuit initiated by advocacy groups and individuals currently detained, who allege that the federal government has violated the rights of Angelenos. They claim that masked immigration agents are detaining individuals in specific Los Angeles neighborhoods based mainly on racial profiling.
On the same day as the states’ filing, heavily armed agents clad in tactical gear conducted a large-scale operation at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. This overwhelming display of force sent shockwaves through the community and sparked outrage among local officials.
In their amicus brief, the coalition of states expressed their concerns regarding the actions of masked agents from ICE and Customs and Border Protection. They asserted that these agents stop individuals in Los Angeles without any legitimate cause, disrupting daily life and undermining public safety in the affected neighborhoods.
The states noted that such immigration enforcement tactics have devastated the sense of security for local residents, creating an environment where people are afraid to leave their homes.
“Masked immigration agents conducting unannounced enforcement actions through the community and, in all too many instances, stopping residents without so much as a reasonable suspicion of unlawful conduct have left people afraid to leave their homes,” the states claimed.
They further argued that this “chilling effect” extends beyond undocumented individuals, leading to the detention of U.S. citizens and other lawful residents.
The states criticized the covert nature of these raids, pointing out that the masked and plainclothes agents not only foster a climate of fear but also hinder local law enforcement’s ability to operate effectively.
Federal officials have staunchly defended these enforcement actions as integral to President Donald Trump’s initiative to carry out mass deportations. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, described accusations that individuals are being targeted based on their race as “disgusting and categorically FALSE.”
Officials from the Trump administration have also justified the decision for agents to wear masks, citing the need to protect themselves and their families from potential threats. They have refrained from commenting specifically on the operation that took place in MacArthur Park.
The administration has singled out Los Angeles for its “sanctuary” policies, implying that aggressive immigration enforcement will remain prevalent in the city for the foreseeable future.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, in announcing the support of the states for the lawsuit, described the recent actions of ICE and Customs and Border Protection agents as part of a distressing pattern of assaults on immigrant communities fostered by an administration that thrives on division and fear.
He emphasized, “These raids are not about safety or justice. They are about meeting enforcement quotas and striking fear in our communities.” Bonta made it clear that the state will not be silent or back down in holding the federal government accountable for any violations of the Constitution and federal law.
California Governor Gavin Newsom echoed these sentiments in his own statement, asserting that every individual in California is shielded by the Constitution against unreasonable searches and seizures. He condemned the federal agents’ actions in Los Angeles as a threat to the foundational aspects of democracy, society, and the economy.
“All of us are entitled to due process and protection from cruelty and injustice,” Newsom proclaimed, underscoring the urgency of addressing the ramifications of these enforcement tactics.
The coalition that supported the filing includes the attorneys general from Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
image source from：latimes
