Appeals court denies Trump administration's request for stay in LA immigration raids case

On Friday night, a federal appeals court denied the Trump administration’s request for a stay of a temporary restraining order (TRO) halting the federal government unlawful immigration detentions actions in Los Angeles and surrounding counties.  

On July 2, Southern California residents and advocacy groups sued the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for indiscriminate stops and arrests. The TRO indicated federal agents were relying on four factors including race or ethnicity; speaking Spanish or English with an accent; presence in a particular location like a bus stop, car wash or agricultural site; and/or the type of work a person does.

The ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals largely leaves in place the TRO that bars immigration agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion. 

“If, as Defendants suggest, they are not conducting stops that lack reasonable suspicion, they can hardly claim to be irreparably harmed by an injunction aimed at preventing a subset of stops not supported by reasonable suspicion,'' the panel wrote.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the decision a victory for Los Angeles and for the people fighting together. 

“I think the administration might have believed that this was going to divide our city, that our city was going to go at each other in division, but we did not. We stood strong, and I am very happy to say that us, standing strong ... gave the court the resolve to uphold this decision,” said Bass during an impromptu press conference Friday at around 10 p.m.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), one of the plaintiffs, said while justice prevailed with the decision, the real victory will be when all of those who were detained, disappeared and torn away from their loved ones and communities through these illegal actions and tactics are safely home. 

“We do have rights in this country, we belong and we will not rest until they are respected,” said Salas. 

Armando Gudino, executive director of the Los Angeles Worker Center Network (LAWCN), another plaintiff, said the decision is a powerful reminder that people’s rights don’t disappear at the job site or the bus stop. 

“The court has upheld what we’ve always known: That dignity, safety, and justice belong to every worker, regardless of what language we speak, where we stand or the work we do,” he said. “This victory belongs to the people who power this great city of ours, this victory belongs to the city of Los Angeles.”

A 90-minute hearing was held Monday in San Francisco. as the administration sought to overturn U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong's ruling that the roving immigration patrols were illegally conducted without reasonable suspicion.

Bass said she expects the Trump administration to appeal to the Supreme Court. 

“Law and order will prevail”

In response to the court of appeals order, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said unelected judges are undermining the will of the American people.

"What makes someone a target of ICE is if they are illegally in the U.S.—NOT their skin color, race or ethnicity. America’s brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapists—truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities,” she said.

She added that 70% of ICE arrests are of undocumented immigrants convicted or who have pending charges, a number that has been disputed. 

“President Trump and Secretary Noem are putting the American people first by removing illegal aliens who pose a threat to our communities,” said McLaughlin. “Law and order will prevail.”

With information from CNS.