Today's News: Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions on Roving Immigration Stops in Los Angeles

The decision, made on an emergency request from the Trump administration, puts on hold a previous ruling that limited agents from stopping people based on race, ethnicity, language, or location.

Photo: Blake Fagen/AFP

Overview

• Date: September 8, 2025

• Summary: The Supreme Court has lifted a lower court’s restrictions on immigration stops in the Los Angeles area, allowing federal agents to conduct “roving patrols.” The decision, made on an emergency request from the Trump administration, puts on hold a previous ruling that limited agents from stopping people based on race, ethnicity, language, or location. This has sparked both celebration from supporters who say it will enhance safety and condemnation from critics who claim it will lead to racial profiling and violations of constitutional rights. The ruling comes amid ongoing legal challenges and protests related to the administration’s immigration policies.

Sources

• The New York Times - Supreme Court Lifts Restrictions on L.A. Immigration Stops

• CNN - Supreme Court allows Trump to continue ‘roving’ ICE patrols in California

• NBC News - Supreme Court lifts limits on roving immigration patrols in Los Angeles area

• Fox News - Supreme Court allows Trump ICE raids to resume in California

• The Washington Post - Supreme Court lifts limits on immigration raids in the Los Angeles area

• The Washington Post - It’s not just Trump. Red states are cracking down on their own blue cities.

• The Wall Street Journal - Supreme Court Lifts Limits on Immigration Raids in Los Angeles

Key Points

• The Supreme Court lifted restrictions on immigration stops in Los Angeles, which were previously imposed by a lower court judge who believed federal agents were engaging in racial profiling.

• The decision was made without a detailed explanation from the majority of the Supreme Court justices, prompting criticism from the dissenting justices.

• Justice Kavanaugh wrote a concurring opinion, stating that factors like race, location, and type of work could be considered when determining reasonable suspicion.

• Justice Sotomayor wrote a dissenting opinion, arguing that the ruling could lead to the unjust seizure of Latinos who work low-wage jobs.

• Civil rights groups and immigrant advocates have condemned the ruling, saying it could lead to racial profiling and the violation of constitutional rights.

• The Trump administration and its supporters have praised the ruling, claiming it will enhance safety and allow for more effective immigration enforcement.

Unique Highlights

• CNN reported that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem allegedly called the District Judge an “idiot” and vowed that none of the government’s operations are going to change.

• The Washington Post mentioned ICE officials announcing the start of “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois with the goal of detaining and deporting immigrants who commit crimes.

• The Washington Post also mentioned that Angelica Salas, executive director for the Los Angeles-based Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, accused immigration enforcement officers in the Los Angeles area of using racial profiling in their weeks-long operation to justify arrests that had led to the detainment of U.S. citizens, harassment, broken bones, and the death of at least one person.

• The Washington Post provides some context by discussing how other states and the federal government have taken actions targeting cities with democratically elected officials.

• The Wall Street Journal noted that a separate lawsuit filed by California Governor Gavin Newsom challenged President Trump’s federalization of California National Guard units to assist in immigration operations.

Contrasting Details

• While all articles mention the lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups and individuals, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal provide more detailed accounts of the experiences of specific plaintiffs, such as Jason Brian Gavidia, who alleges he was wrongly detained and had his ID taken by ICE agents.

• Fox News frames the Department of Homeland Security’s statement as a direct response to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, accusing her of protecting illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds, which is not explicitly mentioned in other articles.

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