ACLU Sues DHS Over Immigration Raids in Los Angeles
The ACLU of California has filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging an immediate stop to what it calls an unlawful immigration enforcement campaign targeting immigrants identified as having “brown skin” in the Los Angeles area.
Nonprofit organizations have accused immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) of subjecting immigrants to inhumane conditions, lacking basic necessities like beds and food, while legal representation is often unavailable. In response, Homeland Security has dismissed these allegations as “disgusting and decisively false.”
Since June 6, ICE has carried out extensive raids, resulting in around 1,500 arrests, including Latino day laborers, car wash employees, farm workers, and vendors.
The lawsuit describes a systematic pattern of behavior where individuals with brown skin are approached by unidentified federal agents who interrogate them about their identity and origins. If a person appears hesitant, attempts to leave, or does not answer satisfactorily, they face detention, sometimes being tackled and handcuffed. Allegedly, these agents often come equipped with prior knowledge about the individuals they confront.
Moreover, the lawsuit claims that detainees are held in overcrowded facilities, referred to as “B-18s,” which lack windows and create a deeply distressing environment. The conditions in these “dungeons” are described as appalling and unconstitutional.
Alongside stopping these raids, the lawsuit also demands an end to using the B-18 centers for processing, asserting that the federal government is liable for racial profiling and violations of due process. Key defendants named include Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem, ICE Director Todd Lyons, Attorney General Pam Bondy, and various local ICE, CBP, and FBI officials.
This legal action was spearheaded by a coalition of immigration advocacy groups, led by the ACLU, along with other nonprofit partners. Los Angeles has become a focal point of resistance against what critics view as President Trump’s promise to launch a significant deportation effort. Last month, protests erupted in the city, leading to clashes where property was damaged and masked individuals engaged in aggressive acts against law enforcement.
The lawsuit coincides with a recent protest, where about 150 to 200 demonstrators gathered on the Sixth Avenue bridge, linking downtown Los Angeles to Boyle Heights. Signs expressing frustration with ICE’s actions could be seen along with chants against the agency.
The rally was part of coordinated efforts across the county against the ongoing immigration enforcement operations. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Advisor Tricia McLaughlin denied the claims made in the lawsuit, arguing that there is nothing inherently wrong with the actions taken by law enforcement. She described the allegations of targeting individuals based on skin color as incorrect and the claims of inadequate conditions in detention facilities as untrue, asserting that ICE facilities maintain higher standards than many US prisons.
