Supreme Court ICE Ruling Draws Criticism from Local Advocates

Milwaukee civil rights organizers are preparing for potential increased immigration enforcement activity following a recent Supreme Court decision. The ruling, a victory for the Trump administration, allows Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Los Angeles to stop individuals based on factors including race, language, or occupation.

Supreme Court Ruling

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling this week that permits ICE agents in Los Angeles to detain individuals based on race, language, or occupation. This decision overturns a lower federal court’s temporary halt to these immigration sweeps and allows the practice to resume while a legal case is ongoing. The court majority did not provide detailed reasoning for the decision, but Justice Brett Kavanaugh offered a concurring opinion stating that immigration stops based on reasonable suspicion of illegal presence have been a long-standing practice in U.S. immigration enforcement.

Community Response

Community advocates held a press conference Tuesday morning to respond to the ruling, describing it as “shocking” and “disappointing.” Darryl Morin, national president of Forward Latino, questioned whether the federal government should be allowed to detain individuals solely due to their ethnicity or language. He stated that the court’s decision, according to Justice Kavanaugh, suggests that speaking Spanish, living in a Latino neighborhood, frequenting Latino-owned businesses, or holding certain jobs, when combined with ethnicity, can justify detention.

Previous ICE Raids and Legal Action

In July, masked federal agents conducted raids in Los Angeles neighborhoods, questioning individuals perceived to be Hispanic or Latino. Following these raids, the American Civil Liberties Union and others filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging the practice was unconstitutional. A district court initially issued a preliminary injunction pausing the sweeps, but this was later overturned.

Concerns and Preparedness

Rev. Paul Erickson, a bishop for the Greater Milwaukee Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, expressed concern that the ruling threatens democratic principles and the rights of all U.S. residents. Community organizers are urging Wisconsinites to document any ICE activity through photos and videos, question agents, and distribute “know your rights” cards in English and Spanish to help residents prepare for potential future operations.