The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a lower-court order that had limited federal immigration enforcement in Los Angeles. The decision allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to resume broader stops for now, marking a legal win for the Trump administration.
The restraining order, issued by U.S. District Judge Maame E. Frimpong, had barred ICE agents from stopping people solely based on race, language, job, or location. The judge cited evidence that some stops had swept up U.S. citizens and violated constitutional rights.
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court’s conservative majority removed the restrictions, though it did not provide a detailed explanation, as is typical for emergency decisions. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in a concurrence that the lower court’s restrictions could “chill lawful immigration enforcement efforts.”
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by two liberal colleagues, strongly dissented. She said the decision undermines constitutional freedoms and exposes people to stops based on appearance, accent, or occupation.
The Supreme Court ruling comes as ICE continues increased enforcement in Los Angeles and other cities. Department of Homeland Security officials reported more than 5,200 arrests in the Los Angeles area since June, including high-profile operations at workplaces and retail locations.
Plaintiffs in the lawsuit included detained immigrants and U.S. citizens, such as Brian Gavidia, who was briefly detained at a Los Angeles intersection in June. Advocacy groups argue the court’s decision enables aggressive enforcement that disproportionately affects non-white workers.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta criticized the ruling, noting its potential to allow racial profiling in stops. Plaintiff Pedro Vasquez Perdomo said the decision allows law enforcement to act without explanation or warrants, describing his experience as “racism with a badge.”
The legal case will continue in California courts, with potential further challenges to the scope of ICE enforcement.
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