Federal Court Limits ICE Enforcement Across Southern California

A federal judge in Los Angeles has issued a Temporary Restraining Order limiting ICE's immigration enforcement practices in Southern California, prohibiting stops or detentions without specific suspicion and barring actions based on race, language, or location. The Trump administration has challenged this order, asserting that current ICE tactics are lawful and necessary. Meanwhile, California and 19 other states have sued President Trump’s administration over a new rule barring illegal immigrants from certain federally funded public benefits, including Head Start, arguing it reverses decades of policy and harms vulnerable populations. The administration defends the rule as essential to prioritizing American citizens and reducing incentives for illegal immigration. Additionally, California will restrict eligibility for its Equal Access Fund, which provides legal aid to low-income residents including undocumented immigrants, excluding those with serious or violent felony convictions starting in 2026. This decision has drawn criticism from immigrant advocates who warn it undermines access to due process amid increased federal immigration enforcement, while Republicans support the restrictions as a necessary response to taxpayer concerns.