Supreme Court Backs Trump, Clears Way for ICE Deportation Operations in Los Angeles

The Supreme Court delivered a major win for former President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda on Monday, allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to resume mass deportation operations in Los Angeles. The justices stayed previous lower court rulings that had blocked ICE from using race, language, and location as factors in determining whom to question about immigration status.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, writing for the majority, clarified that while ethnicity alone cannot justify an enforcement stop, it may be used as one of several “relevant factors.” He stated, “Common sense and legal precedent support that such circumstances, taken together, may establish reasonable suspicion of illegal presence in the United States.”

This decision is viewed as a significant boost to Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. Los Angeles, home to the country’s largest undocumented immigrant population, became a central target in early June. ICE’s ramped-up operations sparked protests and riots throughout the city. In response, Trump federalized National Guard troops and deployed U.S. Marines, igniting further legal challenges over the scope of presidential authority.

The case originated with a ruling by U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, a Biden appointee, who found that ICE agents had targeted individuals simply for speaking Spanish or frequenting places like car washes. She ruled these actions unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment’s protections against unreasonable searches and seizures, issuing an injunction to block such arrests.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld her decision, criticizing ICE for a lack of transparency. However, U.S. Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that the lower court rulings created confusion for ICE agents, who were left uncertain about lawful procedures and fearful of penalties—especially in high-risk areas like Los Angeles.