In a recent legal action, immigrant advocacy groups in Los Angeles have filed a federal lawsuit accusing the Trump administration of unjustly targeting individuals with brown skin as part of a broader immigration crackdown in Southern California. The lawsuit, submitted to the U.S. District Court, calls for a temporary restraining order against what it describes as “unconstitutional” practices that include detaining individuals based on race, conducting arrests without warrants, and denying detainees access to legal representation.
The legal filing outlines a series of raids where federal agents allegedly arrested individuals arbitrarily and violently in a variety of public spaces such as street corners, bus stops, and other daily gathering points. The lawsuit highlights the cases of three detained migrants, along with several rights organizations and two U.S. citizens. Notably, one citizen was reportedly detained despite showing identification to agents. A video from June 13 shows Los Angeles resident Brian Gavidia being forcibly restrained by federal agents, as he protests by proclaiming, “I was born here in the states, East LA bro!”
Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California, condemned the actions of what he referred to as “armed, masked goons” operating in unmarked vehicles within the community, detaining people without justification. In a troubling revelation, the complaint claims that those arrested are subjected to harsh conditions without legal access and pressured into signing departure documents without understanding their rights.
Families of detainees have reported severe conditions within a downtown Los Angeles detention facility, including extreme thirst causing inmates to drink from toilets, sleeping on the floor, and receiving inadequate food. This legal action follows a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Los Angeles concerning an alleged illegal sanctuary city law.
Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, have strongly denied the claims of racial targeting by law enforcement. She asserted that enforcement operations are specifically targeted, and proper procedure is followed before arrests are made. McLaughlin emphasized that detainees receive appropriate meals, medical care, and opportunities to communicate with lawyers and family members.
Legal representatives for the plaintiffs are pushing to present their case to a judge soon, seeking a restraining order that would extend over seven Southern California counties. Emmanuel Karim, who manages a car wash in southern Los Angeles County, spoke during a news conference, recounting an incident where masked federal agents in unmarked vehicles surrounded his business, leading him to believe a robbery was occurring. His employees, too, were alarmed as agents stormed through restricted areas without identifying themselves or providing explanations when questioned.
The lawsuit emerges amid recent protests over immigration raids and the subsequent involvement of the National Guard and Marines. Los Angeles prosecutors have brought charges against over 40 people for protest-related violence and vandalism. Among those newly charged are individuals accused of assaulting police horses and a teenager facing serious charges, including attempted murder of an officer. Additionally, at least 14 people face federal charges for allegedly attacking police with cinder blocks and Molotov cocktails and conspiring to obstruct arrests.