A Biden-appointed federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), barring agents from stopping individuals based on race, ethnicity, spoken language, work type, or location. U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong cited the Fourth Amendment, ruling that such stops violate constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.
The case stems from a June 6 incident and was filed by plaintiffs Pedro Vasquez Perdomo and others against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The lawsuit alleges ICE agents used “roving patrols” to round up individuals without reasonable suspicion and denied them access to legal representation. The court agreed that the plaintiffs are likely to prove ICE violated both Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights.
Judge Frimpong’s order requires ICE to maintain detailed records of stops, document the justification for each, and develop clear guidelines for what constitutes “reasonable suspicion.” The court found substantial evidence suggesting ICE agents have conducted unconstitutional patrols and unlawfully denied access to attorneys.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass praised the ruling, stating it protects residents from what she called aggressive enforcement tactics, including incidents of masked individuals detaining people in public areas. Bass declared the decision a constitutional victory for Los Angeles and cities nationwide.
In contrast, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli defended ICE, rejecting the lawsuit’s claims and affirming that agents follow the law and respect constitutional limits.
The ruling arrives amid growing tension over immigration enforcement. ICE reports a 700 percent spike in assaults on agents during operations. In response, President Donald Trump on Friday authorized agents to fully defend themselves and make arrests of those who obstruct enforcement actions.
