Legal Aid Society sues DHS, ICE for racial profiling and unlawful arrests

The Legal Aid Society, along with civil rights advocates, has filed a class action lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE, and other federal agencies, alleging a pattern of unlawful stops and arrests based on racial profiling. Eight Latino New Yorkers are plaintiffs in the case, claiming they were arrested or detained simply for appearing Latino or speaking Spanish. Attorneys argue this isn’t isolated misconduct but a deliberate policy directed from the highest levels of government, aiming to create a climate of fear and encourage self-deportation, as advocated by Stephen Miller. The lawsuit cites internal communications indicating a directive to arrest unauthorized noncitizens in public spaces like Home Depot and 7-Eleven.

DHS disputes the allegations, asserting that ICE operates within legal boundaries, using “reasonable suspicion” and probable cause for arrests. However, Legal Aid argues that the “reasonable suspicion” used by ICE is based on racial characteristics, such as speaking Spanish in public, which constitutes unlawful profiling. The plaintiffs claim these practices disrupt Black and Brown communities, causing fear and altering daily routines.

In response to ICE’s presence, community organizations and elected officials have been conducting “know your rights” presentations, creating public alert systems for ICE sightings, organizing protests, and providing support to individuals attending immigration court dates.

(Source：AM New York)