The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Trump administration may temporarily resume mass immigration sweeps in and around Los Angeles. In a 6–3 decision, the Court lifted a lower court’s restraining order that had barred Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from making stops based solely on race, language, occupation, or location.
Justice Brett Kavanaugh, concurring with the majority, stated that while ethnicity alone does not amount to reasonable suspicion, it may be considered a “relevant factor.”
In a forceful dissent joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote:
"Countless people in the Los Angeles area have been grabbed, thrown to the ground, and handcuffed simply because of their looks, their accents, and the fact they make a living by doing manual labor. Today, the Court needlessly subjects countless more to these exact same indignities.”
This ruling marks a major victory for the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, though legal challenges are expected to continue.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued the following statement on Monday:
“I want the entire nation to hear me when I say this isn’t just an attack on the people of Los Angeles, this is an attack on every person in every city in this country. Today’s ruling is not only dangerous – it’s un-American and threatens the fabric of personal freedom in the United States of America.
“Today, the highest court in the country ruled that the White House and masked federal agents can racially profile Angelenos with no due process, snatch them off the street with no evidence or warrant, and take them away with no explanation. This decision will lead to more working families being torn apart and fear of the very institutions meant to protect – not persecute – our people.
“Let me be clear: we will not allow the White House, nor the Supreme Court, to divide us. And to all Angelenos, I will never stop fighting for your rights, your dignity, and your safety, despite this administration’s efforts to threaten them. We will stand united.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis characterized the decision as an “unacceptable attack” on the rights of Angelenos.
Read more at the Los Angeles Times.