LOS ANGELES — A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to stop indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in seven California counties, including Los Angeles. This ruling comes after immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit accusing the administration of targeting individuals based on their race during its immigration enforcement efforts.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, includes three detained immigrants and two U.S. citizens. One citizen was reportedly held despite showing immigration agents his identification. The plaintiffs argue that the administration's tactics are unconstitutional and violate the Fourth and Fifth Amendments.

Judge Maame E. Frimpong issued the emergency orders on Friday, which serve as a temporary measure while the lawsuit is ongoing. During a recent hearing, advocacy groups presented what Frimpong described as a “mountain of evidence” supporting claims of racial profiling and unlawful detentions.

In addition to halting the arrests, the judge also barred the federal government from restricting attorney access at a Los Angeles immigration detention facility. The White House quickly responded, asserting that immigration policy is the purview of Congress and the President, not the judiciary. Spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, “No federal judge has the authority to dictate immigration policy.”

The ruling comes amid heightened tensions in Southern California, where immigrant and Latino communities have expressed fear following increased arrests at various locations, including car washes and Home Depot parking lots. Tens of thousands have participated in protests against these raids and the deployment of the National Guard and Marines.

The order also extends to Ventura County, where federal agents detained numerous workers at a cannabis farm, leading to clashes with protesters. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has criticized the recent immigration enforcement actions, claiming they are driven by an “arbitrary arrest quota” and based on racial stereotypes.

The lawsuit details incidents where immigration agents detained individuals solely based on their appearance, particularly targeting those who appeared Latino. ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar highlighted the case of Brian Gavidia, a U.S. citizen who was allegedly assaulted simply for being Latino and working in a predominantly Latino area.

In defense of the enforcement actions, Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, dismissed claims of racial targeting as “disgusting and categorically FALSE.” She emphasized that enforcement operations are highly targeted and based on thorough investigations.

The judge's order will prevent immigration officials from using race, ethnicity, or language as the sole basis for reasonable suspicion in stops. It also mandates that the detention facility known as “B-18” be open for attorney visits seven days a week and that detainees have access to confidential phone calls with their lawyers.

Lawyers from various advocacy groups have reported being denied access to the B-18 facility, claiming that detainees are not adequately informed of their rights or provided sufficient access to legal counsel. They also allege that conditions at the facility are poor, with inadequate food and sleeping arrangements.

The ruling has garnered support from attorneys general in 18 Democratic states, who filed briefs backing the orders. This decision follows a previous injunction that barred U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents from making warrantless arrests in parts of eastern California.