LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Friday found that the Trump administration continues to violate the constitutional rights of immigrants detained in Los Angeles by limiting their access to legal representation. The judge has mandated that the government must make improvements to rectify this situation.
In July, immigrant advocacy groups filed a lawsuit alleging that the administration was systematically targeting individuals based on their race during its immigration crackdown in Southern California. Claims included unlawful arrests, detentions based on race, and denial of access to legal counsel at a downtown LA facility.
Judge Maame E. Frimpong's actionable decision builds upon a temporary order issued in July, which mandated the government provide detainees with access to free confidential phone calls with their attorneys.
According to Frimpong's order, while the detention facility has complied with most visitation hours provisions, the court highlighted that the government failed to inform the plaintiffs in a timely manner when the facility was closed unexpectedly.
The Court has examined all of the new evidence presented by both sides and decides once again that the federal government is partially blocking access to lawyers, stated Frimpong in her ruling.
Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney representing the detainees, confirmed issues remain with lawyers struggling to meet with clients privately, often due to visible guards and open doors during consultations.
The ruling signals the ongoing legal struggles faced by the Trump administration's immigration policies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining legal access for detained individuals.
