What to KnowImmigrant advocates filed a request for a temporary restraining order in early July that accuses “unconstitutional” tactics during immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles.The federal court ordered DHS to stop immigration round ups based on race and ethnicicty.The Ninth Circuit Court denied a the defendants emergency motion for a stay pending their appeal from July 17.The ruling applies to the Central District of California, which includes 7 counties: LA, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis ObispoMayor Karen Bass is expected to hold a press conference Friday night regarding to the court’s decision.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on Friday to maintain the temporary restraining order, granted by a federal judge, over how the federal government conducts immigration enforcement operations in Southern California.
A Trump administration attorney presented the government’s case July 17 to a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco for a stay, pending appeal of the temporary restraining order.
The appeals court denied the motion Friday.
The ruling affirms the order issued July 11 that granted the restraining order requested by immigrant advocates to restrict federal immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles and other parts of Southern California.
Judge Maame E. Frimpong’s order barred the detention of people unless the officer or agent “has reasonable suspicion that the person to be stopped is within the United States in violation of U.S. immigration law.”
“Today is a victory for the rule of law and for the City of Los Angeles. The Temporary Restraining Order that has been protecting our communities from immigration agents using racial profiling and other illegal tactics when conducting their cruel and aggressive enforcement raids and sweeps will remain in place for now,” wrote Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. “We must still fight for justice. Los Angeles will stand together against this Administration’s efforts to break up families who contribute every single day to the life, the culture and the economy of our great city.”
The judge also issued a separate order barring the federal government from restricting attorney access at a Los Angeles immigration detention facility. It would also allow confidential phone calls to detainees.
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. A video taken by a friend June 13 shows Los Angeles resident Brian Gavidia being pushed up against a fence by federal agents as he yells, “I was born here in the states, East LA bro!”
“Armed, masked goons in unmarked cars have descended in our community and have stopped and rounded people up from all walks of life, often at gunpoint and without any justification,” said Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.
In addition, the complaint claims that those arrested are held in “dungeon-like” conditions without access to lawyers, pressuring them to sign voluntary departures papers without informing them of their rights.
Families of detainees have relayed reports of horrific conditions inside a detention facility in downtown LA, including inmates who are so thirsty that they have been drinking from the toilets, people sleeping on the ground, and meals consisting of only bags of chips and cookies.
The ruling applies to the Central District of California, which includes 7 counties: LA, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo
“No matter what, I will continue to stand by you and fight for your rights, your dignity and your place in this city we all call home,” wrote Bass.