In July 2025, a federal court issued a major ruling restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Los Angeles and six surrounding counties. The case stems from a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, immigrant advocacy groups, and multiple California cities and counties.
The lawsuit alleged that ICE engaged in “roving patrols” and conducted unlawful stops based solely on race, language, occupation, or location—such as targeting people near Home Depots, car washes, or day-labor sites. Plaintiffs claimed these practices violated constitutional rights under the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.
Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) that prohibits ICE agents from:
- Stopping individuals based on appearance, language, or perceived ethnicity alone.
- Conducting arrests without a warrant or individualized suspicion.
- Denying access to legal counsel for detainees.
The court also ordered ICE to provide access to attorneys seven days a week and ensure confidential communication for individuals in custody. Legal observers have hailed this decision as a strong rebuke of racial profiling and a vital defense of civil liberties in immigration enforcement.
This ruling could have national consequences, as it challenges long-standing ICE practices and establishes new procedural safeguards for detainees in Southern California.
