Several Southern California cities joined the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in a lawsuit challenging increased immigration enforcement in the Southland, Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto announced on Tuesday.
The complaint questions the tactics used by federal agents in their recent raids across the region. In numerous cases, agents have approached people in plain clothes, failed to provide warrants before detaining individuals and have covered their faces with masks and sunglasses. The ACLU said those practices are unlawful.
The city of Los Angeles, LA County, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Monterey Park, Culver City, Santa Monica and West Hollywood have all joined the lawsuit, Soto said.
“Once upon a time, we had checks and balances,” LA Mayor Karen Bass said. “Critical that we use every single venue and every single possibility of seeking justice and that’s what we are doing today.”
In the complaint, the cities and ACLU are asking the court to prevent the federal government from conducting raids “without reasonable suspicion or probable cause.” The lawsuit accused the agents of targeting a specific ethnicity by going to workspaces where they are commonly employed, mentioning operations at local car washes and outside Home Depot stores.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied the complaint’s accusation that agents are after a particular group. The full statement by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin read:
“Any claims that individuals have been ‘targeted’ by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE. These type of smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement. This kind of garbage has led to a more than 700 percent increase in the assaults on enforcement officers. Politicians, activists, and “journalists” must turn the temperature down and tone down their rhetoric.
“DHS enforcement operations are highly targeted, and officers do their due diligence. Any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false. In fact, ICE has higher detention standards than most US prisons that hold actual US citizens. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members.
“It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes medical, dental, and mental health intake screening within 12 hours of arriving at each detention facility, a full health assessment within 14 days of entering ICE custody or arrival at a facility, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives. Meals are certified by dieticians. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE.”
Source: NBC Los Angeles
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