WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to lift a court order restricting immigration stops that swept up at least two U.S. citizens in Southern California.
The emergency petition comes after an appeals court refused to lift the temporary restraining order restricting what factors authorities can use to make stops and arrests in the Los Angeles area.
Judge Maame E. Frimpong found there was a “mountain of evidence” that federal immigration enforcement tactics were violating the Constitution. Her ruling came in a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups who accused President Donald Trump’s administration of systematically targeting brown-skinned people in Southern California during the administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
The Justice Department asked the justices to immediately halt Frimpong’s order, arguing it hinders their enforcement of immigration law. Department of Homeland Security attorneys say immigration officers target people based on illegal presence in the U.S., not skin color, race or ethnicity.
Frimpong barred authorities from using factors like apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish or English with an accent, presence at a location such as a tow yard or car wash, or someone’s occupation as the only basis for reasonable suspicion to detain someone.
