A federal judge in California has issued a temporary restraining order halting what she described as the Trump administration’s “indiscriminate” detention practices targeting individuals suspected of being in the U.S. illegally.
U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong issued the order Friday, barring immigration officials from conducting arrests without reasonable suspicion and from denying detainees access to legal counsel while a broader lawsuit is underway.
The case was filed on behalf of three immigrants who were detained at a Pasadena bus stop while seeking work, along with two U.S. citizens—one of whom had presented valid identification but was detained anyway.
Judge Frimpong cited a “mountain of evidence” indicating that federal agents have been conducting unconstitutional “roving patrols,” detaining people based on appearance, language, or location. “The Constitution does not permit arrests based on race, ethnicity, or mere proximity to certain places,” she wrote.
The ruling comes as immigration enforcement activity has surged in California, triggering protests across the state. One recent operation in Ventura County, which targeted a marijuana farm, resulted in more than 200 arrests—including 10 minors—and prompted violent clashes with demonstrators.
Civil liberties groups welcomed the court’s decision, calling it a critical check on abusive enforcement. “Regardless of someone’s skin color, language, or job, they have a constitutional right to be free from unlawful stops and arrests,” said Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney with the ACLU of Southern California.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling, claiming it hampers their efforts to remove violent offenders and “undermines the will of the American people.” Officials said they remain committed to President Trump’s deportation plan, which includes a goal of 3,000 arrests per day—the largest such campaign in U.S. history.
While the legal case proceeds, Judge Frimpong’s order sends a strong signal that constitutional safeguards apply to everyone, regardless of immigration status.
