The Supreme Court has lifted restrictions on immigration stops in Los Angeles, granting the Trump administration wider authority to conduct sweeping operations. The 6-3 ruling marks another major victory for federal enforcement, sparking sharp dissent from liberal justices and intensifying concerns that residents—including U.S. citizens—may face racial profiling and arbitrary detentions.
High Court Sides with Trump Administration
The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for federal agents to resume sweeping immigration operations in Los Angeles. The decision lifted a restraining order issued by a lower court judge, who had ruled that indiscriminate stops were violating constitutional protections.
The 6-3 conservative majority allowed the Trump administration’s policy to move forward, continuing a pattern of permitting aggressive enforcement measures to proceed while legal challenges unfold. Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote separately, warning that restricting agents too tightly could discourage lawful enforcement efforts.
Strong Dissent from Liberal Justices
Justice Sonia Sotomayor issued a sharp dissent, joined by two liberal colleagues. She warned that the ruling would erode fundamental freedoms. She cited evidence of people being handcuffed, thrown to the ground, and detained solely because of their appearance or language.
Sotomayor argued that the Court’s decision exposes thousands of residents in Los Angeles to indignities and abuses. This is especially true for those who rely on manual labor. Her dissent highlighted concerns that non-white workers will be disproportionately affected by the expanded enforcement authority.
Ongoing Legal Challenge in California
The case comes from a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups. They accused federal authorities of targeting brown-skinned individuals during immigration sweeps. U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong previously found “a mountain of evidence” that the enforcement tactics were unconstitutional.
Frimpong’s order had prevented immigration agents from using factors such as race, language, occupation, or location as the sole basis for suspicion. The Supreme Court’s decision overrides that order for now, but a full hearing in the case is set for September 24 in California.
More Than 5,000 Arrests Reported
The Department of Homeland Security announced that agents have made 5,210 immigration arrests in Los Angeles since June 6. Officials praised the success of their commander on the ground. They vowed to “continue to flood the zone” following the High Court’s ruling.
The administration’s aggressive strategy has already sparked protests and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines in the city. Raids slowed briefly after Judge Frimpong’s order. However, operations have since resumed at full force, including surprise arrests at public locations such as a Home Depot store.
Civil Rights Concerns Intensify
Advocates argue that the ruling effectively allows racial profiling in the name of immigration enforcement. Video evidence has shown U.S. citizens, including Los Angeles resident Brian Gavidia, being detained and pressed against fences before they could prove their citizenship.
California leaders condemned the ruling. Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta warned it would harm families, small businesses, and constitutional protections. Critics say the decision creates a dangerous precedent by allowing race and ethnicity to affect federal enforcement.
Looking Ahead
The lawsuit will continue in California, where advocates are preparing to argue that the federal government’s tactics undermine constitutional safeguards. With a hearing set for late September, the outcome could reshape how immigration enforcement is carried out in major U.S. cities.
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