A federal judge in California has ruled that the Trump administration must cease the "indiscriminate" detention of individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally. The temporary restraining order was issued on Friday by U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, who also mandated that immigration officials cannot deny detainees access to legal representation.
This landmark ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by three immigrants apprehended at a Pasadena bus stop while searching for employment, alongside two U.S. citizens who were also detained, one of whom had shown identification. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the order, claiming the judge was undermining public sentiment.
In her ruling, Judge Frimpong cited a wealth of evidence suggesting that immigration authorities engaged in "roving patrols," which pertain to the arbitrary rounding up of individuals without reasonable suspicion—an act deemed unconstitutional. She emphasized that immigration enforcement cannot be based solely on characteristics like race, language proficiency, or location, such as bus stops or carwashes.
This ruling coincides with the Trump administration's intensified efforts to combat illegal immigration in California, a state frequently at odds with Trump’s policies. Recent immigration raids, particularly in Los Angeles, sparked significant protests, including violent demonstrations following an enforcement operation on a marijuana farm, where over 200 arrests occurred.
Human rights activists assert that these practices infringe upon people's constitutional rights. ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar pointed out that every individual is entitled to legal protections against unlawful seizures, regardless of their ethnic background or the language they speak. Meanwhile, the government insists on focusing on violent offenders, adhering to a daily arrest quota as part of its large-scale deportation initiative.
Homeland Security responded to the ruling, highlighting its commitment to removing dangerous criminals, asserting that its operations in California aim to protect communities from violent offenders.
