New York Attorney General Letitia James is taking a firm stand against the current immigration enforcement tactics in Los Angeles. In an amicus brief filed in support of the American Civil Liberties Union’s lawsuit, James, along with a group of other attorneys general, is calling for a temporary restraining order to halt what they deem as unconstitutional ICE raids. According to the Attorney General’s Office, these raids have not only disrupted community life but have also instigated fear and distrust towards law enforcement.
“In Los Angeles and nationwide, we are seeing immigration enforcement officers deploy dystopian tactics that are deeply harmful,” said Attorney General James. This sentiment echoes through the coalition of 18 attorneys general, who argue that the raids resemble dark chapters from the American history such as “Operation Wetback” and the Great Depression’s La Placita raids. These historical events were marked by indiscriminate deportation and separation of families, often targeting U.S. citizens without due process. As James and fellow attorneys general draw these parallels, their brief conveys an importance of learning from the past to prevent repeating it, as noted by the Attorney General’s Office.
The attorneys highlight how current federal enforcement efforts have caused significant disturbance to the daily life in Los Angeles. Masked agents have been conducting unannounced operations, leading to U.S. citizens being unlawfully detained and harassed. Local businesses and markets are closing down, attendance rates in schools and places of worship have plummeted, and there is a rise in healthcare appointment cancellations, all due to the prevailing fear of immigration enforcement. Moreover, the increased presence of ICE agents in unmarked vehicles has led to cases of mistaken identity, with false reports of kidnapping and assaults on the rise…