Los Angeles County filed court documents seeking to join a federal class-action lawsuit challenging Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics, claiming the agency has conducted warrantless seizures and arrests that violate constitutional rights.
The county joined eight cities — Los Angeles, Culver City, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Santa Monica and West Hollywood — in seeking intervenor status in the lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union, Public Counsel, Immigrant Defenders Law Center and Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights.
The suit targets Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and other Trump administration officials, alleging they exceeded statutory authority and violated the Constitution.
The filing seeks injunctions to end practices violating the Fourth and Tenth amendments and to stop civil arrests of anyone coming to or from state courthouses. The jurisdictions also seek relief from what they describe as tens of millions in overtime and other unanticipated expenses.
County and city officials detail illegal arrests by armed and masked agents who often lack proper credentials, use unwarranted force and sometimes detain U.S. citizens. They claim ICE agents violate the Fourth Amendment by making stops without reasonable suspicion and violate federal law by not seeking arrest warrants.
"For more than seventy years prior to June 6, immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area consisted of lawful arrests pursuant to warrants naming identified individuals for specified reasons," the filing states.
The jurisdictions report losing tax revenue as businesses lose customers, public health threats as residents fear showing up for clinic visits, and strained law enforcement resources. The county estimates $9 million in extra costs to date.
"The Office of County Counsel, with the full support of the Board of Supervisors, is committed to joining the fight to protect the civil rights of all County residents," County Counsel Dawyn Harrison said.
Edited by SMDP Staff