A federal judge issues a 52-page ruling protecting constitutional rights and stopping illegal detention practices.
In a significant victory for civil rights, a federal court in downtown Los Angeles has issued a comprehensive temporary restraining order against the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement tactics, ruling that widespread ICE raids in Southern California violate fundamental constitutional protections.
The Ruling
Judge Frimpong of the Central District of California delivered a 52-page decision in Perdomo v. Noem, granting relief to plaintiffs who challenged high-ranking Trump administration officials over their unconstitutional enforcement practices. The ruling represents a major legal victory against systematic violations of Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.
What the Court Found Unconstitutional
The judge identified four specific factors that ICE agents were improperly using to justify stops and detentions: apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or English with an accent, presence at particular locations such as bus stops or car washes, and the type of work performed. The court ruled that these factors do not constitute the “reasonable suspicion” required under the Constitution.
This amounts to racial profiling on a massive scale, affecting nearly half of Los Angeles County’s population that identifies as Latino. The constitutional principle is clear: law enforcement cannot stop someone simply because of the color of their skin, their accent, or where they work.
Real-World Impact
The lawsuit documented disturbing incidents across the region. In Pasadena, four men waiting at a bus stop were surrounded by armed agents in unmarked vehicles. U.S. citizens were detained and aggressively questioned about their birthplace. Workers were dragged from businesses throughout the area, creating a climate of fear that has paralyzed entire communities.
Perhaps most shocking was the revelation of conditions at Room B-18, a basement facility in the federal building downtown. Detainees were systematically denied access to lawyers, with handwritten “no visitors, no lawyers today” signs posted on windows. They were deprived of adequate food, water, and sanitary facilities, with one cancer patient denied access to chemotherapy.
The Court’s Requirements
The restraining order requires the Trump administration to stop using racial profiling, provide detainees access to legal counsel, maintain proper records, and follow constitutional requirements for reasonable suspicion. Importantly, the decision notes that immigration authorities can continue their lawful duties—they simply cannot violate constitutional protections in the process.
Looking Forward
This ruling provides a roadmap for challenging unconstitutional enforcement practices while acknowledging legitimate immigration enforcement authority. The carefully crafted 52-page decision offers detailed legal analysis designed to withstand appeal.
The ruling sends multiple important messages: to vulnerable communities that they are protected by the Constitution, to the broader public that there are consequences for breaking the law, and to the Trump administration that America will not tolerate the suspension of constitutional rights in pursuit of any policy goal.
This is a developing story. The Trump administration is expected to appeal the ruling.