A US federal judge ordered the Donald Trump administration to halt broad immigration stops and arrests across seven California counties, including Los Angeles, following allegations of racial profiling and “unconstitutional tactics” by federal immigration agents.Attorneys general from 18 Democratic-led states supported the court orders, which came after a similar ruling in April that barred warrantless arrests by border agents in parts of eastern California.The ruling, issued Friday by Judge Maame E Frimpong, came after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit accusing US immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) of detaining brown-skinned individuals. The lawsuit names three detained immigrants and two US citizens, one of whom was held despite showing valid identification.Plaintiffs claim agents targeted individuals who “looked Hispanic” or wore construction work clothes. ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar pointed to a car wash raid where all but two white workers were detained.The lawsuit names three detained immigrants and two US citizens, one of whom was held despite showing valid identification.The department of homeland security denied the claims, calling them “categorically FALSE.”Judge Frimpong’s order also requires ICE to grant attorneys access to detainees, addressing concerns over denied legal representation.The decision comes amid growing protests in Southern California, where immigration raids have taken place at car washes, swap meets, and parking lots.Trump says he’s ordered department of homeland security secretary Kristi Noem and White House border czar Tom Homan to direct ICE agents to use “whatever means is necessary” to arrest protesters who assault them in the future.His remarks followed a confrontation during a raid at a Southern California cannabis farm, where four U.S. citizens were arrested for assaulting or resisting agents. Authorities also announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of a suspect who allegedly fired at federal agents during the raid.
