ICE Immigration Operations Resume in Los Angeles After Supreme Court Ruling
Federal agents resume aggressive immigration patrols in Los Angeles.
The Supreme Court on Monday lifted restrictions on federal immigration operations in Los Angeles, allowing agents to resume widespread patrols in a 6-3 ruling favoring the Trump administration. The decision overturned a lower court’s order that had blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting stops based solely on factors like race, language, occupation, or location.
The majority, led by conservative justices, offered no detailed explanation, as is common in emergency docket cases. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, argued the lower court’s restrictions overly constrained ICE’s ability to conduct brief questioning stops. He warned that judicial oversight could “chill lawful immigration enforcement efforts” but noted that stops involving excessive force might still face legal scrutiny.
In a sharp dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by the court’s liberal justices, condemned the ruling, stating it undermines constitutional protections. “Countless individuals in Los Angeles are detained, restrained, and humiliated based on their appearance, accents, or manual labor jobs,” she wrote, warning of further violations of personal freedoms.
Also Read: Elderly Sikh Man Attacked in LA Gurdwara Assault
The ruling stems from a lawsuit by immigrant advocacy groups, who alleged the Trump administration’s tactics in Los Angeles unconstitutionally targeted people of color. US District Judge Maame E. Frimpong had previously cited “overwhelming evidence” of constitutional violations, including cases where US citizens were detained during sweeps. The case will proceed with a hearing scheduled for September 24 in California.
Federal authorities reported 5,210 immigration arrests in the Los Angeles area since June 6, with the Department of Homeland Security vowing to “flood the zone” following the court’s decision. The agency highlighted the leadership of ICE commander Gregory Bovino in targeting high-priority individuals. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the ruling as a “massive victory,” emphasizing that ICE can now operate without “judicial micromanagement.”
The decision aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement push, including increased ICE activity in Washington, DC, and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines in Los Angeles. Recent operations have included high-profile raids, such as one at an LA Home Depot where agents emerged from a rented box truck to make arrests, part of a strategy to pursue mass deportations.
Judge Frimpong’s original order, issued in July, had temporarily slowed ICE activity in the region, which covers nearly 20 million people, almost half of whom identify as Hispanic or Latino. The order barred stops based solely on factors like apparent ethnicity, speaking Spanish, or working in specific industries like construction or car washing. With the Supreme Court’s ruling, these restrictions are lifted, allowing ICE to resume its aggressive enforcement tactics as legal challenges continue.
Also Read: Trial Weighs Trump’s Use of Troops in Los Angeles
