A coalition of California and 17 other states threw support Monday in the wake of a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the recent federal immigration enforcement raid in Los Angeles, asking federal courts to issue temporary restraining orders for such operations while legality is being challenged.
The state lawsuit adds substantial weight to the lawsuit filed last week by advocacy groups and individuals detained. Individuals accused the federal government of violating the rights of Los Angeles residents by sending masked immigration agents to detain certain LA neighborhoods based on their color or more.
The same day came when tactical equipment agents were cleaned up with a show of stunning power that rattled locals even more, sparking anger from local officials as they ran through MacArthur Park in Los Angeles.
In their Amicus submission, the state wrote that unmasked, unidentified ice and CBP agents had stopped people in the LA community without a good reason, and such halts were “smashed.” [the] The rhythm of everyday life” and the public safety of those neighbours.
“Masked immigration agents implementing enforcement actions not announced through the community can stop residents as often as reasonable suspicion of illegal activities fear people will leave their homes…” the state argued. “The cumulative impact of the defendant’s illegal activities (including the suspension of unconstitutionality) had a devastating impact on California’s peace and prosperity, turning a bustling neighborhood into a ghost town at once.”
The state said immigration enforcement tactics have a “cool effect” that reaches far beyond undocumented people and is being detained in the US citizens and legally domestically.
The state writes that the “secret approach” to such attacks has been heavily veiled by agents, “not only created a culture of terror, but also unnecessarily obstructed local law enforcement.”
Federal authorities have vehemently defended their actions as part of President Trump’s promised agenda to carry out massive deportations. Homeland Security spokesman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement last week that “the claim that individuals are “targeted” by law enforcement is disgusting and decisively wrong.”
Trump administration officials also defended federal agents wearing masks, saying it was to protect themselves and their families from threats to their safety. They declined to comment on the operation at MacArthur Park.
The Trump administration has specifically targeted LA for its “sanctuary” policy, with administration officials suggesting that heavy immigration enforcement activities within the city will continue in the near future.
When announcing the state submissions in Atty, California on Monday. General Rob Bonta said the recent actions of ICE and CBP agents in Los Angeles were part of a cruel and familiar attack on immigrant communities by a administration that thrives in fear and division, and that his office would fight back.
“Let me be clear. These attacks are not about safety or justice. They are to astonish the assignments and fears of enforcement in our community,” he said. “We will not be silent. We will not retreat. If we violate the constitution and federal law, we will continue to be accountable to the federal government.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement that all California people are protected by the Constitution against “irrational searches and seizures,” and that recent actions by LA federal agents have threatened “our democracy, society and economic structure.”
“Instead of targeting dangerous criminals, federal agents are destroying people to meet indiscriminate arrest assignments, regardless of the legitimate process and constitutional rights of protecting us all from cruelty and injustice,” Newsmom said.
Bonta joined the state submission as the Attorney General of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Mainland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New York, Oregon and Washington.
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