LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge ruled on Friday that the Trump administration is infringing on the constitutional rights of detained immigrants by limiting their access to attorneys at a detention facility in Los Angeles. As a remedy, the court ordered the government to take corrective measures.
Immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit in July, accusing the administration of unfairly targeting people of color in Southern California amidst an ongoing immigration crackdown. Allegations against immigration officials included racial bias in detainments, warrantless arrests, and limiting access to legal counsel at a downtown LA holding facility.
Judge Maame E. Frimpong noted that her ruling builds upon a temporary order made in July, which mandated free confidential phone calls to attorneys. It also specified that the detention facility must allow attorney visits seven days a week, with a minimum of eight hours on weekdays and four hours on weekends.
The order requires that officials notify plaintiffs of any facility closures within four hours and ensures that any closure is only for a duration that is “reasonably necessary.”
Despite the government's partial compliance, evidence presented by plaintiffs indicated ongoing restrictions. Attorneys reported struggling to meet clients privately, often conducting meetings under surveillance without confidentiality, which hinders effective legal representation. Legal representatives have also encountered circumstances where detainees were moved unexpectedly to locations without legal visitation rights.
Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel, stated, “By granting this preliminary injunction, the judge made clear that the government cannot lock people up and cut them off from their lawyers.” Rosenbaum's comments stress the importance of accessible legal support for detainees, emphasizing the court’s commitment to uphold immigrants’ rights.
