In brief
In a significant ruling, a federal judge in Los Angeles reaffirmed that the Trump administration is violating the rights of detained immigrants by limiting their access to attorneys. Following a lawsuit filed by immigrant advocacy groups, the court has ordered the government to ensure that detainees can communicate privately with their lawyers and has imposed stricter guidelines regarding facility closures and attorney visitation hours. Advocates argue these measures are necessary to uphold the constitutional rights of vulnerable populations amidst ongoing immigration enforcement.
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, ordering the government to take immediate corrective action.
Immigrant advocacy groups had filed a lawsuit in July alleging the administration systematically targeted individuals based on race during its immigration raids in Southern California. The groups claimed officials arrested individuals without warrants and denied detainees access to legal counsel in a downtown LA facility.
Judge Maame E. Frimpong ruled that prior orders requiring the federal government to facilitate communication between detainees and their lawyers were not being fully adhered to. This ruling builds on a temporary order from July, which mandated the government to provide free, confidential phone calls for detainees to consult with their attorneys.
The judge stipulated that the detention center must be accessible for attorney visits seven days a week: at least eight hours per day on weekdays and a minimum of four hours on weekends and holidays. While the government has somewhat complied, the court required notifications if any facility closures were planned, limiting closures to duration deemed 'reasonably necessary.'
Currently, attorneys continue to experience challenges in meeting clients. Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel, emphasized that adequate notification of facility closures only began around September 10. Rosenbaum noted that many consultations occurred in the presence of guards, inhibiting private conversations. Instances have also been reported where detainees have been moved unpredictably, complicating their access to legal representation.
Rosenbaum stated, “By granting this preliminary injunction, the judge made clear that the government cannot lock people up and cut them off from their lawyers.”
