Lawsuit says Trump’s immigration crackdown has put LA ‘under siege’ in defiance of federal law
Jul 2, 2025, 11:30 AM
Family members demand the return of immigrant Emma de Paz, who was detained by ICE agents outside a Hollywood Home Depot on June 19, at the "Reclaim Our Street" event to oppose ongoing ICE immigration raids at Mariachi Plaza in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS
(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� A federal lawsuit filed Wednesday accuses President Donald Trump’s administration of systematically targeting brown-skinned people in Southern California during an ongoingimmigration crackdown that has put the region 鈥渦nder siege.鈥�
The court filing in U.S. District Court alleges that federal agents have violently and indiscriminately arrested people without probable cause while carrying out 鈥渋mmigration raids flooding street corners, bus stops, parking lots, agricultural sites, day laborer corners.鈥�
The lawsuit asks the court to block the Trump administration鈥檚 鈥渙ngoing pattern and practice of flouting the Constitution and federal law鈥� during actions in and around Los Angeles.
鈥漈hese guys are popping up, rampant all over the city, just taking people randomly and we want that particular practice to end,鈥� Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, told the .
In addition, the complaint claims that those arrested are held in 鈥渄ungeon-like鈥� conditions without access to lawyers.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in an email that 鈥渁ny claims that individuals have been 鈥榯argeted鈥� by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE.鈥�
McLaughlin said 鈥渆nforcement operations are highly targeted, and officers do their due diligence” before making arrests.
鈥淎ll detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members,鈥� she said.
The complaint centers around three detained immigrants, several immigrant rights groups and two U.S. citizens, one who was held despite showing agents his identification. It comes days after the Trump administration sued Los Angeles to overturn what it called an 鈥渋llegal鈥� sanctuary city law.
Tens of thousands of people participated in recent rallies over immigration raids and the subsequent deployment of the National Guard and Marines. Los Angeles prosecutors have charged more than 40 people in connection with protest-related violence and vandalism. Among the latest people charged were a man and woman accused of assaulting police horses and a 17-year-old boy who faces felony counts, including attempted murder and assault against an officer.
At least 14 people are facing separate federal charges on allegations of assaulting police officers with cinder blocks and Molotov cocktails, and conspiracy to impede arrests.
