LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal judge on Friday said the Trump administration is still violating detained immigrants' constitutional rights by restricting their access to attorneys at a detention facility in Los Angeles and ordered the government to remedy the matter. Immigrant advocacy groups filed the lawsuit in July accusing the administration of systematically targeting brown-skinned people in Southern California during its ongoing immigration crackdown. Immigrant advocates accused immigration officials of detaining someone based on their race, conducting warrantless arrests, and denying detainees access to legal counsel at a holding facility in downtown LA. Judge Maame E. Frimpong in Los Angeles said the ruling builds on a temporary order in July that required the government to provide detainees with access to free confidential phone calls with their lawyers. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The judge stated that the plaintiffs provided evidence that the government did not fully abide by the July order, which required the detention facility to be open for attorney visitation seven days a week, a minimum of eight hours per day on weekdays and a minimum of four hours per day on weekends and holidays. While the government has complied with that, the court also mandated that officials notify the plaintiffs within four hours of any needed facility closure, and that these closures should not extend longer than 'reasonably necessary.' 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, Frimpong wrote in her order. Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel, highlighted that difficulties persist for lawyers trying to meet with their clients. He noted that attorneys only began receiving notification of any facility closures from September 10, and often had to meet clients in open settings with guards present, limiting privacy. Instances were noted where facility closures occurred due to unrelated peaceful protests in distant locations. By granting this preliminary injunction, the judge made clear that the government cannot lock people up and cut them off from their lawyers, stated Rosenbaum after the ruling.
Federal Judge Orders Improved Access for Immigrants to Legal Counsel
A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration is violating the constitutional rights of detained immigrants by limiting their access to legal representation. The judge has mandated necessary changes to ensure compliance with previous orders regarding attorney visits.
A federal judge in Los Angeles has determined that the Trump administration is still obstructing detained immigrants' access to their attorneys at a local detention facility. Following a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups, the judge's ruling requires the government to ensure open access for legal counsel, including notification of facility closures and allowing confidential conversations. The ruling adds pressure on the administration to adhere to constitutional rights amid ongoing criticism of its immigration policies.
