In a decisive rebuke to the Trump administration’s immigration tactics, a federal judge on Friday ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately halt immigration arrests without probable cause in Southern California, ruling that race, language, or occupation cannot be used to justify detentions.

The ruling, issued by U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong—an appointee of former President Joe Biden—follows a lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Southern California on behalf of five individuals and several advocacy organizations.

This Court decides—based on all the evidence presented—that they are,” Judge Frimpong wrote, concluding that the administration was conducting roving patrols without legal justification and denying detainees access to legal counsel.

ICE Raids Without Reason: No Bed, No Shower No Lawyer

The court order bars DHS and its affiliated agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Justice Department, and the FBI, from arresting individuals in the Central District of California based solely on:

• Race or ethnicity
• Spoken language or accent
• Presence in public spaces like bus stops
• Type of employment

Judge Frimpong criticized the government’s arguments, noting that DHS had failed to produce even a single documented case showing reasonable suspicion in its raids.

It’s hard for the court to believe you couldn’t find one case with a report of why someone was targeted,” she said during Thursday’s hearing.

The lawsuit also revealed troubling conditions in a facility known only as “B-18”, where detainees were allegedly denied basic human necessities like beds, showers, and medical care, and were prevented from contacting attorneys.

In response, the judge issued a separate temporary restraining order blocking DHS from denying access to legal counsel at that facility.

“Unconstitutional and Inhumane,” Says ACLU

Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California, celebrated the ruling as a win for civil rights:

No matter the color of their skin, what language they speak, or where they work, everyone is guaranteed constitutional rights to protect them from unlawful stops.

The judge’s ruling requires DHS to create written guidance for its officers on what constitutes “reasonable suspicion” and to maintain arrest documentation that will be reviewed by plaintiffs’ counsel.

Political Fallout: Trump vs. California Heats Up

Since returning to the White House, President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign to crack down on immigration, directing ICE to expand deportation operations in Democratic-led cities and deploying thousands of National Guard troops to Los Angeles last month during protests against immigration raids.

In response to the ruling, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin issued a scathing statement:

A district judge is undermining the will of the American people.

But California Governor Gavin Newsom posted defiantly on.

California stands with the law and the Constitution — and I call on the Trump Administration to do the same.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass echoed the sentiment, calling the court’s action:

An important step toward restoring safety, security, and defending the rights of all Angelenos.

Broader Implications Ahead

Though the ruling is limited to the seven counties within the U.S. Central District of California, it may influence future lawsuits and embolden similar legal challenges nationwide.

This case is a reminder that no administration, regardless of politics, can bypass constitutional protections,” said one immigration law expert.

With tensions rising between federal enforcement and local jurisdictions, this decision adds to the ongoing debate over “sanctuary cities”, civil liberties, and the limits of executive power on immigration.