👮♂️⚖️ Immigrants File Class-Action Lawsuit to Stop ICE Courthouse Arrests in Deportation Crackdown
🪖💔 Trump’s National Guard Deployment in L.A. Faces Growing Soldier Discontent 🚨🪖 Army Veteran, U.S. Citizen Wrongfully Arrested in California Immigration Raid
🪖💔 Trump’s National Guard Deployment in L.A. Faces Growing Soldier Discontent
Shawn Hubler, The New York Times.- California National Guard soldiers stationed in Los Angeles are raising serious concerns over their federally mandated mission of backing immigration raids and guarding federal buildings. Once praised during January’s wildfire response, these troops now face public hostility and question their orders. Interviews with six Guard members reveal plummeting morale, objections to supporting immigration crackdowns, and fears about the mission’s legality and long-term impact on recruitment. Some troops have requested reassignment; 55 soldiers are expected not to renew their enlistments. The deployment, initiated by President Trump in June amid protests over immigration raids, has drawn legal scrutiny under the Posse Comitatus Act. Soldiers report frustration, idleness, and community alienation, especially among Latino members whose families are affected by immigration policies. A federal court will soon determine whether the use of troops in this capacity violates federal law.
📌 Key Facts
Deployment: 4,100 California National Guard troops; 700 additional Marines.
Mission: Guard federal properties, support ICE raids; criticized as law enforcement in disguise.
Morale: Reports of resignations, counseling needs, and disciplinary issues.
Community Ties: 40% of California Guard are Latino; some object to the mission targeting immigrant communities.
🧭 Why It Matters
Military Readiness: Damaged Morale Risks Long-Term Recruitment and Retention for California’s Guard.
Legal Challenge: Deployment may violate Posse Comitatus restrictions on the use of military force in law enforcement.
Public Trust: Alienates communities, deepens tensions between California and the federal government.
👮♂️⚖️ Immigrants File Class-Action Lawsuit to Stop ICE Courthouse Arrests in Deportation Crackdown
Luis Ferré-Sadurní, The New York Times.- A coalition of legal organizations has filed a class-action lawsuit against the Trump administration to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from arresting immigrants at courthouse appearances. The lawsuit, brought by Democracy Forward and three other groups, argues that courthouse arrests violate immigrants’ due process rights and federal law. Plaintiffs include 12 immigrants from Cuba, Ecuador, Guinea, Venezuela, and other nations, many of whom sought asylum and were detained while complying with court-mandated appearances. ICE has ramped up these tactics to expedite deportations, bypassing lengthy court processes. The arrests—seen from New York to California—have drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and immigration advocates who say they deter people from attending legal proceedings. The lawsuit claims the practice undermines the integrity of immigration courts and leads to unjust detentions and swift deportations without hearings.
📌 Key Facts
Lawsuit Filed: Against DOJ, DHS, ICE in D.C. federal court; plaintiffs are detained immigrants from multiple countries.
Core Argument: ICE courthouse arrests violate federal law and due process protections.
Practice Expanded: Arrests used to fast-track deportations under Trump’s expanded expedited removal powers.
Target Locations: Courthouse lobbies, hallways, and exits; heavily used in NYC, Pennsylvania, Texas, and California.
🧭 Why It Matters
Legal Challenge: Could set precedent on limits of ICE authority in civil legal settings.
Human Impact: Deters immigrants from attending legal proceedings, risking due process rights.
Political Flashpoint: Highlights tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local jurisdictions.
🚨🪖 Army Veteran, U.S. Citizen Wrongfully Arrested in California Immigration Raid
Olga R. Rodriguez, Associated Press.- George Retes, a 25-year-old U.S. Army veteran and security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, California, said he was tear-gassed, pepper-sprayed, and violently arrested during a chaotic immigration raid on July 10 — despite repeatedly identifying himself as a U.S. citizen. Retes was held for three days without charges, legal access, or explanation, missing his daughter’s birthday while detained on suicide watch. Federal officials offered no justification beyond saying his case remains under review. Retes, who served in Iraq, vows to sue the federal government, warning: “This could happen to anyone.” His case highlights the sweeping nature and potential overreach of Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement, which led to more than 360 arrests and one death during the same raids.
📌 Key Details
Incident: Retes forcibly removed from car, detained without charges.
Background: U.S. citizen, Iraq war veteran, security guard.
Context: Largest ICE raid in California since January; 360+ arrests, 1 death.
Legal Action: Retes plans to sue for wrongful detention.
🔍 Why It Matters
Due Process: Raises constitutional concerns about civil liberties violations during immigration enforcement.
Military Service: Highlights vulnerability of even U.S. citizens and veterans during these operations.
Policy Impact: Underscores criticism of Trump’s immigration crackdown, fueling legal and political challenges.