Los Angeles, July 12 (H.S.):

A federal judge has mandated the Trump administration to cease indiscriminate immigration enforcement in seven California counties, including Los Angeles on Friday. Judge Maame E Frimpong issued this ruling following a lawsuit by immigrant advocacy groups, which accused the administration of employing unconstitutional tactics, particularly targeting individuals based on race in the southern California immigration crackdown. The lawsuit included three detained immigrants and two U.S. citizens, one of whom was mistakenly detained despite presenting identification.

The order also impacts Ventura County, where federal agents detained multiple workers during a cannabis farm raid, causing clashes with protesters and resulting in injuries. Frimpong explained that evidence presented during the hearing suggested systematic violations of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments. Additionally, she ordered the government to ensure attorney access at a Los Angeles immigration detention facility.

While representing the government, attorney Sean Skedzielewski denied that race played a role in these arrests, asserting that decisions were based on observational evidence and prior surveillance. However, the Department of Homeland Security's assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin labeled claims of racial targeting as false, asserting that enforcement operations are strategically planned.

Advocacy groups argue that immigration enforcement has been influenced by arbitrary arrest quotas, leading to arrests based on racial or ethnic stereotypes. According to ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar, one detained U.S. citizen faced physical assault merely for his Latino background and occupation in a predominantly Latin American neighborhood. The court's ruling will hinder the government from using race, ethnicity, language, or occupation as grounds for reasonable suspicion in stops.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar