Supreme Court Permits ICE to Target L.A. Residents for Arrest Based on Ethnicity and Language

ICE officers detain a Mexican national on January 25, 2025, at the intersection of 111th Street and Park Avenue in New York City. (Photo courtesy of ICE)

Los Angeles, CA – September 10, 2025 - The U.S. Supreme Court issued a controversial 6-3 ruling on Tuesday, granting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) broader authority to target Los Angeles residents for immigration-related arrests based on ethnicity and language. The decision, which has ignited fierce debate, could reshape immigration enforcement in one of America’s most diverse cities.

The case, Hernandez v. Department of Homeland Security, centered on ICE’s use of profiling practices in Los Angeles, a sanctuary city with a large immigrant population. The majority opinion, held that ethnicity and language could be considered alongside other factors, such as behavior or documentation, when determining reasonable suspicion for immigration violations. The Court emphasized that the ruling does not permit arrests based solely on these characteristics but allows them as part of a broader enforcement framework.

"This decision reflects the practical challenges of immigration enforcement in diverse urban areas,” said Mark Thompson, a legal scholar at UCLA. “However, it risks amplifying distrust in communities already wary of federal overreach.”

Civil rights groups decried the ruling as a license for racial profiling. “Allowing ICE to factor in ethnicity or language invites discrimination and erodes constitutional protections,” said Elena Martinez, director of the Southern California Immigrant Justice Network. Advocates fear the ruling could lead to increased detentions in Latino, Asian, and other minority communities.

Supporters of the decision argue it strengthens border security. “ICE needs tools to enforce the law effectively,” said Sarah Reynolds, a spokesperson for the National Immigration Enforcement Alliance. “This ruling ensures agents can act on clear indicators of potential violations.”

Los Angeles officials vowed to resist the ruling’s impact. Mayor Karen Bass reaffirmed the city’s sanctuary policies, stating, “Los Angeles will not waver in protecting our residents, regardless of this decision.” The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed it will not assist ICE in non-criminal immigration matters.

The ruling comes amid heightened tensions over immigration policy, with Los Angeles home to an estimated 1.1 million undocumented immigrants. Legal challenges are expected as advocates seek to limit the decision’s scope. Community organizations are preparing workshops to inform residents of their rights during ICE encounters.