The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a restraining order on Friday night, preventing federal agents from making warrantless arrests in Southern California. The decision, celebrated by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, comes after a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and several California officials against the Department of Homeland Security. The suit alleged that the Trump administration’s immigration practices led to unlawful detentions and disappearances without legal justification.
The court’s ruling supports a previous order by U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong, which barred immigration agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion and from relying solely on race, ethnicity, language, or location as a basis for detaining people. Mayor Bass called the decision “a victory for Los Angeles” and emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional rights. She noted that the ruling has brought peace to the city since the restraining order was put in place.
The Trump administration had argued that the restraining order hindered its enforcement efforts, but the appellate judges found that the administration failed to demonstrate irreparable harm. They also criticized the Department of Justice for mischaracterizing the order. The ruling is expected to face further legal challenges, with the administration likely to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local authorities, particularly in Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles. As the legal battle continues, Mayor Bass has urged residents to stand together against efforts to divide families and communities.
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