ACLU Seeks Court Order to Halt Warrantless ICE Arrests in Southern California

A federal judge on Thursday heard arguments on a request for a preliminary injunction that would block the government from carrying out warrantless immigration arrests in Southern California. The hearing is part of a broader lawsuit filed last year by the ACLU and immigrant advocacy groups.

The groups allege that federal officers have been conducting indiscriminate stops and arrests without warrants or a meaningful assessment of whether individuals posed an escape risk. They argue that enforcement actions have been based on factors such as ethnicity and occupation rather than specific evidence of wrongdoing.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Chandra Bhatnagar, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California, said evidence gathered over the past 14 months contradicts government assurances that all stops were lawful and based on reasonable suspicion. She said the findings show the government had been misleading the public throughout the litigation.

Bhatnagar also addressed concerns raised after the Supreme Court blocked an earlier victory in the case last September. She told immigrant families that the legal fight would continue despite that setback.

Teresa Romero, president of the United Farm Workers, also addressed supporters at the rally. She said ICE is targeting people based on the color of their skin, the language they speak, or the work they do, and argued that such practices violate constitutional protections that apply to everyone.

Supporters gathered outside the courthouse during the proceedings. The judge has not yet issued a ruling on the injunction request.