Trump Administration’s Push for Immigration Enforcement in Los Angeles

On Thursday, the Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to ensure that immigration enforcement in Los Angeles can proceed without interference.

The administration contends that district court judges shouldn’t have the authority to “microcontrol” immigration actions, especially in areas with a significant population of undocumented immigrants. They highlight that the Central District is the most populous in the nation, with roughly 2 million undocumented individuals among a total population of around 20 million. This makes it a prime location for immigration enforcement, as the administration aims to prioritize areas where there are high numbers of undocumented immigrants.

U.S. District Judge Mame Eusi Mensa Frimon, appointed by Biden, had previously issued an order in July that limited the administration’s ability to enforce immigration laws based solely on factors like race, location, occupation, or even language when determining immigration status.

The legal application argues that simply speaking Spanish or working in construction shouldn’t automatically cast doubt on someone’s immigration status. However, it also acknowledges that these factors can, in many cases, raise the probability that someone might be in the U.S. illegally.