Judge bars Trump administration from 'indiscriminately' detaining immigrants

July 12, 2025

A federal California judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Trump administration from indiscriminately detaining individuals suspected of being in the US illegally and denying them access to lawyers. The case was initiated by three immigrants arrested at a Pasadena bus stop and two US citizens who were detained despite one showing identification. Judge Maame Frimpong cited a "mountain of evidence" that officials were conducting unconstitutional "roving patrols" that cannot be based solely on factors like race, ethnicity, language, or location.

Who is affected

Three immigrants arrested at a Pasadena bus stop while looking for work
Two US citizens who were detained, one who had reportedly shown ID
Farm workers in Ventura County, including some who were critically injured during raids
Individuals in California targeted in immigration enforcement actions
Minors (10 mentioned as arrested in the Ventura County raids)

What action is being taken

A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order against indiscriminate detention
The Trump administration is conducting immigration raids in California
Immigration officials are working to meet a daily quota of 3,000 arrests
Human rights advocates are accusing the government of illegal discrimination
The Department of Homeland Security is publicly challenging the judge's decision on social media

Why it matters

The judge's ruling suggests constitutional violations in current immigration enforcement
The restraining order prevents arrests based solely on race, ethnicity, language, or location
The case highlights tensions between federal immigration enforcement and constitutional rights
It represents a legal challenge to the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown
The ruling specifically impacts enforcement methods in California, a Democratic stronghold that has long faced President Trump's criticism

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article beyond the note that the judge's emergency orders are a temporary measure while the lawsuit continues.

Read full article from source: BBC