US appeals court keeps bar on Los Angeles federal immigration arrests

A federal appeals court has upheld a temporary restraining order that blocks U.S. immigration agents from making arrests in Los Angeles without probable cause. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals supported the lower court’s decision, finding that the plaintiffs are likely to prove that federal officers engaged in racial profiling based on individuals’ appearance, language, or where they were seen. 

This includes targeting people at places like bus stops, day labor sites, and car washes. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit led by the ACLU and supported by Los Angeles and nearby cities, which accused federal agents of using unlawful and discriminatory tactics to meet immigration arrest quotas.

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President Trump had previously sent National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests over these raids, which raised serious constitutional concerns. The court’s decision sends a strong message against race-based enforcement actions in immigration policy.

The Ninth Circuit ruling keeps in place a court order that prevents immigration agents from detaining people based solely on race, language, or location. This includes those who speak Spanish or accented English and those in areas commonly associated with immigrant labor. The ACLU argued that the Trump administration’s actions amounted to a paramilitary invasion of Los Angeles and violated constitutional rights, including denying detainees access to legal counsel.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the court’s decision, calling it a victory for community protection and human rights. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE have not commented on the ruling. Civil liberties advocates see this decision as a major step in limiting aggressive and discriminatory immigration enforcement tactics. 

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The ruling emphasizes that immigration policies must still adhere to constitutional protections, especially in diverse and immigrant-heavy cities like Los Angeles. The case remains ongoing as the temporary order holds pending further review.