Supreme Court ruling lifts limits on LA immigration raids

The US Supreme Court ruling lifted restrictions on sweeping immigration raids in Los Angeles enabling agents to continue stops without the immediate requirement of “reasonable suspicion.”

In the 6-3 decision, which is divided along ideological lines, the court temporarily prevented a lower court order that had prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from making stops based solely on factors, such as the apparent race, language, or type of work of the person.

The decision does not stop the use of these controversial strategies as a legal dispute that challenges their constitutionality is pending its course through the court.

Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh, restrained the lower court’s restraining order stating “to be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion. However, it can be a relevant factor when considered along with other salient factors.”

A powerful dissent was given by three liberal justices in the court.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor cautioned that the decision was the unnecessary exposure of thousands of additional people to these same indignities with the mention of stories of individuals being seized and handcuffed merely because of their appearance or accents.

The White House rejoiced over the ruling, writing, “continue fulfilling its mandate to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens.”

California Democrats and immigrant advocates condemned the decision the same day.

It was described as “dangerous” and “un-American” by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass while Governor Gavin Newsom warned that “Trump’s private police force now has a green light to come after your family.”

The Supreme Court ruling has put immigrant communities in Southern California on high alert with advocacy groups organising workers to alert them about the situation and document enforcement actions. 

This marks a new era of tension and legal battle concerning the practices of enforcing immigration laws.