Los Angeles and SoCal Cities Join ACLU Lawsuit Challenging Trump‑Era Immigration Raids

Local governments across Southern California are joining a legal battle against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics. The ACLU of Southern California filed a federal lawsuit last week on behalf of five individuals and immigrant advocacy groups, alleging federal agents conducted unconstitutional arrests to meet arbitrary arrest quotas.

This week, the city and county of Los Angeles, along with nearby municipalities including Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Monterey Park, and West Hollywood, filed motions to intervene in the case. Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein‑Soto called the tactics unacceptable, stating, “these unconstitutional roundups and raids cannot be allowed to continue.”

Mayor Karen Bass also spoke out, condemning recent heavily armed federal operations, including activity by National Guard and ICE units in areas such as MacArthur Park. She described the actions as politically motivated efforts to intimidate immigrant communities.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has joined 17 other states in filing a legal brief supporting the lawsuit. The joint statement urges the court to protect individuals’ constitutional rights, particularly in immigrant-heavy regions.

The complaint includes allegations of racial profiling, warrantless detentions, denial of legal counsel, and unsafe detention conditions—claims that the ACLU argues violate the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.