The city of Los Angeles is preparing to join a legal challenge against the Trump administration over its controversial immigration enforcement tactics. City officials are aiming to become part of a lawsuit that opposes recent federal immigration raids, which have drawn sharp criticism from local leaders, immigrant rights advocates, and civil liberties groups.
The move comes in response to a series of coordinated operations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeting undocumented immigrants in cities across the country. These actions are seen by many as part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigration and are believed to disproportionately affect immigrant communities, creating widespread fear and anxiety.
According to city officials, Los Angeles’ decision to join the lawsuit reflects its long-standing commitment to protecting its diverse immigrant population. Mayor Eric Garcetti and other city leaders argue that the federal government’s actions not only threaten the well-being of families but also undermine public trust in law enforcement and local governance.
The lawsuit, originally filed by several advocacy organizations and other jurisdictions, contends that the raids violate constitutional rights and due process protections. It also challenges the federal government’s authority to coerce local police departments into cooperating with immigration enforcement—something Los Angeles has consistently refused to do under its sanctuary city policies.
Los Angeles officials say they intend to support the lawsuit by contributing legal resources and offering detailed evidence of how federal immigration policies have negatively impacted local communities. City Attorney Mike Feuer emphasized that joining the lawsuit is a necessary step to defend the rights of residents and to push back against what he described as “overreach by the federal government.”
Local advocacy groups, including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), praised the city’s move, saying it signals solidarity with vulnerable communities and reinforces the importance of standing up to what they see as unjust policies.
If accepted as a party in the lawsuit, Los Angeles would become one of the largest cities to formally oppose the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures in court. The case could have wide-ranging implications for how federal and local governments interact on immigration issues in the future.
The legal proceedings are still in their early stages, but city leaders expressed confidence that their participation would strengthen the case and help ensure greater accountability for how immigration laws are enforced.
Los Angeles, Surrounding Cities Join Lawsuit Challenging Trump-Era Immigration Raids
The city and county of Los Angeles, along with multiple Southern California municipalities, are moving to join a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration in response to aggressive immigration raids that triggered widespread protests and the controversial deployment of the National Guard.
Originally filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California, the lawsuit represents five individuals and several immigrant rights organizations. It accuses the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its sub-agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), of engaging in unconstitutional practices—including arresting and detaining individuals based on race or ethnicity and to fulfill arbitrary arrest quotas allegedly set by the Trump administration.
Los Angeles and other municipalities plan to join the lawsuit as co-plaintiffs, expressing alarm over what they describe as racially motivated and unconstitutional immigration enforcement in their communities. According to a statement from Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, the federal government’s actions have specifically targeted Angelenos based on race and ethnicity, while also denying individuals their right to due process.
“These actions are not only unjust but unconstitutional,” Feldstein Soto said during a press conference Tuesday. “As local jurisdictions, we are asserting our 10th Amendment rights. We maintain local control over policing powers and will not stand by as federal agents conduct unlawful immigration roundups within our communities.”
The Trump administration’s immigration operations in Los Angeles drew national attention last month when President Trump ordered the deployment of thousands of National Guard troops to the area. He claimed that protests had spiraled out of control and that military intervention was necessary to restore law and order. This decision was strongly condemned by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, who rejected the claim that city officials had lost control.
Despite those denials, many local leaders say the impact of the immigration raids has been severe, with reports of arrests occurring at homes, businesses, and community centers across the Los Angeles region since June 6. Mayor Bass has argued that the raids have not only traumatized immigrant families but also created broader public safety concerns by eroding trust between residents and law enforcement.
The protests that began in Los Angeles quickly spread across the country, with demonstrators rallying under the banner of “No Kings,” rejecting what they view as authoritarian behavior from the federal government. These protests called for an end to mass raids, military deployment in cities, and the use of immigration enforcement as a political tool.
By joining the lawsuit, Los Angeles and its neighboring cities hope to challenge what they view as federal overreach and to reaffirm their commitment to protecting civil rights. City Attorney Feldstein Soto emphasized that the legal challenge is not only about immigrant rights but also about preserving the autonomy of local governments.
“This is about standing up for the rights of our residents, about ensuring that local jurisdictions are not forced into becoming extensions of federal immigration authorities,” she said. “We will continue to fight for due process, dignity, and justice for all members of our communities.”
The case is expected to move forward in federal court, where plaintiffs will seek both injunctive relief to stop ongoing raids and a ruling declaring the administration’s actions unconstitutional. The outcome of the lawsuit could set a precedent for how local governments interact with federal immigration authorities, particularly in sanctuary jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with ICE detainer requests.
As tensions between federal and local officials continue to rise, Los Angeles leaders say their participation in the lawsuit sends a clear message: they will not be complicit in actions they see as discriminatory, unlawful, and harmful to the communities they serve.
Bass’s comments came as the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and several neighboring municipalities announced plans to join a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging what they call unlawful and discriminatory immigration enforcement. Cities seeking to join the legal action include Pasadena, Santa Monica, Culver City, Pico Rivera, Montebello, Monterey Park, and West Hollywood, according to a statement from City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto’s office.
The lawsuit, originally filed by the ACLU of Southern California, targets the Department of Homeland Security and its agency Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for allegedly arresting and detaining individuals without due process in order to meet quotas. The legal complaint claims these actions violate constitutional rights and disproportionately target communities based on race and immigration status.
Tuesday’s announcement came just a day after Mayor Bass confronted heavily armed federal agents and National Guard troops who had been deployed to MacArthur Park, a diverse neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles. The presence of federal forces there has heightened tensions, especially following widespread protests and public outcry over the immigration raids.
The Trump administration’s immigration policies have become increasingly aggressive, particularly in cities governed by Democrats. Last month, the administration ordered ICE to ramp up deportation efforts in these so-called sanctuary jurisdictions, directing agents to “do all in their power” to fulfill the president’s pledge of mass deportations—an effort promoted as a matter of public safety and national security.
Earlier this year, the federal government sued Los Angeles over its sanctuary city policies, claiming local laws were obstructing federal immigration enforcement and unfairly discriminating against federal authorities. Los Angeles officials have consistently denied these claims and argue that their policies are rooted in protecting civil liberties and maintaining community trust.
“The sense of fear is overwhelming,” Rodriguez said. “People are scared to leave their homes, go to work, or even shop. That’s not just a social issue—it’s an economic one too.”
The coalition of cities joining the lawsuit hopes that by taking a stand together, they can not only halt the current enforcement actions but also set a legal precedent that upholds civil rights and limits the federal government’s reach in local matters.
The legal battle is expected to play out in the coming months, drawing national attention to the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration’s immigration agenda and the values and policies of sanctuary jurisdictions like Los Angeles.