Introduction to the Issue
Nearly 2,800 people have been detained in the Los Angeles area since immigration raids intensified in early June, federal officials said.
Federal immigration officers have detained 2,792 undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area since June, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Officials didn’t specify in which counties or cities the arrests occurred.
Background on the Detentions
As of June 26, more than 70% of those who have been detained in recent months across the country have never been convicted of a crime, despite President Trump’s claims that immigration raids would target “the worst of the worst,” according to the Deportation Data Project. From Inauguration Day until June 26, more than 111,000 people have been arrested across the country, the group said.
Response from DHS
DHS did not immediately respond to questions about the Deportation Data Project’s findings.
Nature of Crimes Committed by Detainees
Of the detainees convicted of crimes, most committed minor infractions like traffic violations, said Graeme Blair, deputy director of the Deportation Data Project and a UCLA professor.
The Deportation Data Project
The project began in the fall, when Blair and other academics made a series of Freedom of Information Act requests to various federal immigration enforcement agencies, so they could gather data on each arrest and track detainee transfers. When federal agencies haven’t responded to the FOIA requests, the Deportation Data Project has sued and received the data following court proceedings, Blair said. The data is then published on the project’s website for anyone to access.
Importance of the Data
This information, Blair said, can help people track who is being targeted in immigration raids, the conditions in which they’re being held and how many people are being removed from the country, among other information. He believes it’s important for every voter, regardless of their views on Trump’s immigration policy, to know how federal authorities are administering these polices and how their tax dollars are being spent.
Targeting Based on Race
Going through the data, Blair said it appears that Trump officials have targeted and arrested people based on their race. Detention transfers, he said, often move detainees far from their families and lawyers, making it difficult to seek support and fight their case.
Lawsuit Against Federal Immigration Authorities
Cities across the area, including Los Angeles, Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera and West Hollywood joined a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union in Southern California and other civil rights groups, accusing federal immigration authorities of making unlawful stops and targeting people based on their race. The lawsuit also claims that detainees have been denied their right to see counsel.
Court Ruling
After the lawsuit was filed, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits federal immigration officers from stopping people without reasonable suspicion and requires detainees have access to their attorneys every day of the week.
Response from DHS to Accusations
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs with DHS, denied the accusations and said detainees receive dietician-approved meals, medical treatment and opportunities to communicate with their family and attorneys.
Denial of Racial Targeting
“Any claims that individuals have been ‘targeted’ by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE,” McLaughlin previously said in a statement. “These type of smears are designed to demonize and villainize our brave ICE law enforcement.”
Related Articles
Related Articles
-
Attorneys sue to restore deportation protections for abused and neglected migrant children
-
Tears and frustration at Santa Ana immigration court, where a lawyer fears for his clients’ safety
-
Emails show DeSantis administration blindsided county officials with plans for ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
-
In American life, a growing and forbidding visual rises: the law-enforcement officer in a mask
-
Trump administration hands over Medicaid recipients’ personal data, including addresses, to ICE
Conclusion
The detention of nearly 2,800 undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area since early June has raised significant concerns about the targeting of individuals based on their race and the conditions under which they are being held. The Deportation Data Project has played a crucial role in shedding light on these issues, and the lawsuit against federal immigration authorities has led to a temporary restraining order that prohibits unlawful stops and requires detainees to have access to their attorneys. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential to consider the implications of these policies and the impact they have on individuals and communities.
FAQs
Q: How many undocumented immigrants have been detained in the Los Angeles area since early June?
A: According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2,792 undocumented immigrants have been detained in the Los Angeles area since June.
Q: What percentage of detainees have never been convicted of a crime?
A: As of June 26, more than 70% of those who have been detained in recent months across the country have never been convicted of a crime.
Q: What is the Deportation Data Project?
A: The Deportation Data Project is an initiative that gathers data on each arrest and track detainee transfers to help people understand who is being targeted in immigration raids, the conditions in which they’re being held, and how many people are being removed from the country.
Q: Have there been any lawsuits filed against federal immigration authorities?
A: Yes, cities across the area, including Los Angeles, have joined a lawsuit accusing federal immigration authorities of making unlawful stops and targeting people based on their race.
Q: What was the outcome of the lawsuit?
A: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits federal immigration officers from stopping people without reasonable suspicion and requires detainees have access to their attorneys every day of the week.
