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The Trump administration asked a federal court Monday to suspend a temporary restraining order that restricts immigration enforcement operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Los Angeles area, following a judge’s ruling that the agency likely violated constitutional protections.
Biden-appointed U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued the order Friday, barring ICE from conducting detentions in California’s Central District without “reasonable suspicion” that an individual is in the country unlawfully. The ruling also prohibits agents from using race, ethnicity, language, location or type of employment as sole factors in forming suspicion, citing the Fourth Amendment.
In its filing Monday, the Trump administration argued the injunction undermines federal authority and was rushed through the court system with limited opportunity to respond. Justice Department attorneys claimed the case began as a routine petition from three detained individuals but rapidly expanded into a broader legal challenge.
“But, apparently seeking to manipulate the process of judicial assignment, the original petitioners’ counsel then filed an amended complaint adding a host of new individual and organizational plaintiffs, leveling systemic challenges to federal immigration enforcement in the Los Angeles area,” the administration wrote.
“And a day later, on the eve of the July 4 holiday, they filed an ‘emergency’ ex parte motion asking the court to impose a straight-jacket injunction that would vastly restrict the government’s ability to stop and detain anyone on suspicion of being unlawfully present in the United States,” it added.
The administration stated that the court allowed only two business days to respond to extensive filings, resulting in what it described as an “untenable” order with far-reaching consequences.
“The result is a sweeping, district-wide injunction that threatens to bobble lawful immigration enforcement by hanging a Damocles sword of contempt over every immigration stop,” the filing said. “The government seeks an immediate stay of that untenable order pending appeal, and an administrative stay in the meantime.”
Attorneys for the administration also argued that the court disregarded a recent Supreme Court decision limiting broad judicial orders against executive branch actions. While Frimpong’s order is not nationwide, the government has warned that it could interfere with the constitutional separation of powers.
The case was initially filed in June by three detainees. Plaintiffs claim the Trump administration imposed arrest quotas of 3,000 per day, pressuring agents to cut legal corners.
The Trump administration has denied any wrongdoing. Justice Department attorneys stated that the nearly 3,000 immigration arrests made across California since early June were lawful and properly executed, and they are seeking an immediate stay of the restraining order while pursuing an appeal.