The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that immigration raids in Los Angeles may continue, lifting a federal judge’s injunction that prevented agents from stopping individuals without “reasonable suspicion.” This 6-3 decision permits Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to conduct stops based on characteristics such as race, language, or occupation while a legal challenge regarding the immigration sweeps is ongoing.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in his opinion, stated that while ethnicity alone cannot provide reasonable suspicion, it may be considered along with other relevant factors. Conversely, the three liberal justices dissented, with Justice Sonia Sotomayor expressing concerns about the potential for constitutional rights infringements based on appearance or work.
The ruling reverses a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Maame E. Frimpong, who highlighted evidence suggesting the raids could violate the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Judge Frimpong had previously ordered that factors like apparent race, ethnicity, or location should not be the sole basis for stops.
The Department of Homeland Security has contended that ICE targets individuals based on their immigration status rather than physical characteristics. The ruling comes amidst ongoing immigration enforcement efforts that began in June, which included stopping and detaining individuals at various workplaces. These actions sparked protests, leading to heightened tensions and the deployment of National Guard troops by the Trump administration.
The Supreme Court’s decision may influence how the ongoing legal challenges are resolved and allows the administration to proceed with its immigration enforcement strategies in multiple cities, including discussions about potential actions in Chicago.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c784697j2v8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss