Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on July 7, 2025, that the city will join a class-action lawsuit aimed at blocking immigration enforcement measures initiated by the Trump administration. Mayor Bass expressed deep concern over the potential impact of these actions on residents, characterizing the raids conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as “unconstitutional reckless raids in the LA region.”
In a press release, Bass stated that Los Angeles is becoming a “test case” for the administration’s political agenda, which she claims undermines the Constitution. “The City of Los Angeles, along with the County, cities, organizations, and Angelenos across L.A., is taking the Administration to court to stop its clear violation of the United States Constitution and federal law,” Bass explained. She emphasized that the city would not be intimidated, positioning Los Angeles as a symbol of resistance against perceived government overreach.
Hydee Feldstein Soto, the City Attorney of Los Angeles, reiterated the lawsuit’s purpose. She highlighted the dangers posed by “thousands of armed immigration agents” operating in communities without visible identification. “Today’s motion to intervene shows we will not stand by and allow these raids to continue or to become the standard operating procedure in our communities,” Feldstein Soto declared, underscoring the city’s commitment to protecting its residents.
The original class-action lawsuit, titled “Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem,” was filed by a coalition of individual immigrants and advocacy organizations. The lead entities include the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California and the non-profit Public Counsel, which are demanding an immediate halt to the alleged unlawful immigration raids targeting individuals based on race. These groups contend that ICE has conducted unconstitutional operations, leaving migrants in inhumane conditions without adequate legal support.
In a recent incident, federal agents were spotted in MacArthur Park, an area bustling with children attending summer camps, further escalating community tensions. Reports indicate that significant unrest has followed these actions, with local buildings vandalized in protest against immigration raids. Bass’s office described the federal operations as being aimed at instilling fear within the community.
The lawsuit also seeks to ensure that individuals currently detained in overcrowded facilities receive access to legal counsel, especially given the deplorable conditions described as “dungeon-like.” The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied the allegations of racial profiling and mistreatment of detainees, labeling such claims as “disgusting and categorically false.”
Mayor Bass and other local officials have expressed their determination to resist the deployment of militarized federal forces and vehicles in their communities. “We will use every resource available to bring an end to what I characterize as reckless raids,” Bass stated, reinforcing her administration’s stance against federal immigration enforcement tactics that she views as harmful to the city’s residents.
As the legal battle unfolds, the implications of this lawsuit could resonate far beyond Los Angeles, potentially shaping how immigration policy is enforced across the country.
