District judge’s block overturned
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, permitting immigration agents to resume raids in Southern California. The order suspends a July 11 decision by U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, who had barred the practice on grounds that it likely violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Lawsuit highlights aggressive patrols
The suit alleged that federal teams, often masked and heavily armed, conducted sweeping operations where people were stopped based on race, ethnicity, or how they spoke. Witnesses described the encounters as resembling kidnappings. One plaintiff, Jason Gavidia, reported being assaulted after agents doubted his citizenship and demanded details about his birthplace. Frimpong’s order prohibited immigration officers from using traits such as language, skin color, occupation, or presence at businesses like car washes to justify arrests or questioning, noting these factors do not establish “reasonable suspicion.”
Supreme Court divides along ideological lines
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals had rejected the administration’s request to lift Frimpong’s restrictions on August 1, pushing the Justice Department to seek relief from the Supreme Court. Federal lawyers argued agents required wide discretion in regions where roughly 10 percent of the population is estimated to be undocumented. The court’s conservative majority agreed, while the three liberal justices dissented. The decision adds to a series of Supreme Court rulings that have allowed Trump’s immigration policies to proceed.
