Federal Court Halts Discriminatory Immigration Arrests in Southern California

In a pivotal civil rights ruling, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from making immigration-related arrests in Southern California based on race, language, occupation, or location. The court found that these enforcement actions lacked probable cause and violated constitutional rights.

As trusted legal professionals in California, and passionate about workers rights, we at Brayton Purcell LLP want to make sure you know the facts about what this ruling means. From recent events to reactions from political leaders, here’s what you need to know:

ACLU Lawsuit Sparks Judicial Review

This ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by the ACLU of Southern California on behalf of five individuals and multiple immigration advocacy groups. The lawsuit alleged that DHS and other federal agencies—including the FBI and Department of Justice—were targeting people using broad, discriminatory criteria and denying them access to legal counsel.

The case covers the seven-county region of the U.S. Central District of California, including Los Angeles, where these enforcement actions were most heavily concentrated.

What the Court Found

After reviewing extensive evidence, Judge Frimpong concluded that the plaintiffs successfully demonstrated that federal agents were engaging in “roving patrols” and making arrests without reasonable suspicion:

“This Court decides—based on all the evidence presented—that they are wrong,” the judge wrote in her opinion.

The government’s defense, claiming that its tactics were based on “trend analysis” rather than bias, did not satisfy the court. Judge Frimpong expressed disbelief at the lack of documentation:

“It’s hard for the court to believe you couldn’t find one case with a report of why someone was targeted,” she stated during a hearing.

Core Elements of the Court Order

The judge’s temporary restraining order mandates the following:

• DHS must stop making arrests based solely on:
  • Race or ethnicity
  • Spoken language or accent
  • Presence in public places like bus stops
  • Type of employment
• Federal enforcement agencies, including the FBI and DOJ, are also prohibited from engaging in similar tactics within the affected region.
• DHS must develop and implement new arrest guidelines that rely on “reasonable suspicion” rooted in documented, legitimate evidence—not racial or occupational profiling.
• Detained individuals must be granted access to legal counsel, including calls and attorney visits.

Conditions at B-18 Holding Facility Exposed

The ruling also addressed the dire conditions at the “B-18” federal holding facility in Los Angeles, where detainees were allegedly kept without access to showers, beds, or medical care. The court ordered that DHS must not deny detainees legal access or basic human needs at this facility.

Political and Public Reactions

The decision has prompted widespread responses from both critics and supporters:

Critics:

Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, condemned the ruling, stating:

“A district judge is undermining the will of the American people”.

Supporters:

Gov. Gavin Newsom voiced support on X (formerly Twitter), saying:

“California stands with the law and the Constitution — and I call on the Trump Administration to do the same”.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass added:

“An important step toward restoring safety, security and defending the rights of all Angelenos”.

Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, stated:

“No matter the color of their skin, what language they speak, or where they work, everyone is guaranteed constitutional rights to protect them from unlawful stops”.

Context: Renewed Immigration Crackdowns Under Trump

The ruling arrives amid renewed immigration enforcement efforts by the Trump administration. In recent weeks, federal authorities expanded deportation actions targeting Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles. National Guard troops were also deployed in response to protests against immigration raids. The administration previously filed legal action against Los Angeles over its sanctuary city status.

What This Means for Californians

This court order reinforces the fundamental principle that constitutional rights apply to all individuals, regardless of immigration status. The court has unequivocally stated that profiling based on appearance, language, or employment sector cannot substitute for legitimate legal grounds in detentions.

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Source
Kaanita Iyer, CNN, “Judge orders Trump administration to stop immigration arrests without probable cause in Southern California,” July 12, 2025.
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