Supreme Court Lifts Limits on Los Angeles Immigration Stops

The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision, lifted lower court restrictions that had limited immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, allowing federal authorities to resume aggressive street sweeps and use a "totality of circumstances" standard to establish reasonable suspicion. The ruling supports President Donald Trump's broad immigration crackdown, overturning a temporary restraining order imposed by a California federal judge that had blocked stops based on language spoken or profession. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, concurring, emphasized that the administration is likely to succeed in defeating the lawsuit and acknowledged the complex motivations of undocumented immigrants while affirming their actions remain illegal under current law. In dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, criticized the decision as a grave misuse of emergency powers that threatens constitutional protections and could lead to racial profiling. The ruling has significant implications not only for Los Angeles but nationwide, marking another instance where the Supreme Court has intervened to enable the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts. The decision underscores ongoing tensions between federal immigration policies and challenges raised in lower courts regarding civil liberties and constitutional rights.