Supreme Court Backs Trump’s Immigration Raids, California Democrats Cry ‘Racial Terror’

A Supreme Court ruling allowing the Trump administration to continue immigration raids in Los Angeles drew sharp criticism Monday from several of President Donald Trump’s top California political opponents, who called the decision “un-American” and dangerous, as reported by Fox News.

In a 6-3 order, the Court lifted restrictions imposed by a lower court that had blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from conducting raids in Los Angeles County.

The July ruling from a federal judge argued that ICE agents were detaining individuals based on “apparent race or ethnicity,” or for speaking Spanish. That order was upheld by the Ninth Circuit before the case reached the Supreme Court.

The Court’s majority did not release a full explanation of its decision.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh issued a concurring opinion clarifying that ethnicity alone could not provide “reasonable suspicion” for an immigration stop, but he said it could serve as a “relevant factor” when combined with other circumstances.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, warning that the order was “troubling” and cautioned against government actions based on language or appearance.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, and Sen. Adam Schiff each condemned the decision.

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Newsom posted to X, “@realDonaldTrump’s hand-picked SCOTUS majority just became the Grand Marshal for a parade of racial terror in LA. His administration is targeting Latinos — and anyone who doesn’t look or sound like @StephenM’s idea of an American — to deliberately harm our families and economy.”

.@realDonaldTrump‘s hand-picked SCOTUS majority just became the Grand Marshal for a parade of racial terror in LA.

His administration is targeting Latinos — and anyone who doesn’t look or sound like @StephenM‘s idea of an American — to deliberately harm our families and economy. https://t.co/ESdEQF4XLW

— Governor Gavin Newsom (@CAgovernor) September 8, 2025

Schiff also posted his objections, stating:

“This Administration rounded up and arrested California residents, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, based on the color of their skin or the language they speak. This is blatantly illegal, yet the Supreme Court is allowing it to happen while the case proceeds. When the history of this country’s rapid descent into dictatorship is written, Republicans in Congress and the Roberts Court will have been its primary enabler.”

This Administration rounded up and arrested California residents, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, based on the color of their skin or the language they speak.

This is blatantly illegal, yet the Supreme Court is allowing it to happen while the case proceeds.

When… pic.twitter.com/9wm5UXF3ne

— Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) September 8, 2025

Mayor Bass issued a press release calling the ruling an attack on “every person in every city in this country.”

I want the entire nation to hear me when I say this isn’t just an attack on the people of LA, this is an attack on every person in every city in this country.

Today’s ruling is not only dangerous – it’s un-American and threatens the fabric of personal freedom in the U.S. https://t.co/mFU4ZCh93L

— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) September 8, 2025

She added, “Let me be clear: we will not allow the White House, nor the Supreme Court, to divide us. And to all Angelenos, I will never stop fighting for your rights, your dignity, and your safety, despite this administration’s efforts to threaten them.”

The Department of Homeland Security welcomed the ruling. “This is a win for the safety of Californians and the rule of law,” DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement reported by Politico.

“DHS law enforcement will not be slowed down and will continue to arrest and remove the murderers, rapists, gang members, and other criminal illegal aliens…”

The decision comes after the Trump administration directed ICE to launch raids in Los Angeles in June, a move that sparked protests and clashes with local officials.

Los Angeles had declared itself a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants months earlier, intensifying its conflict with federal enforcement policies.

The Justice Department is currently investigating Schiff in an unrelated matter involving alleged mortgage fraud uncovered during the Trump administration.

Both Schiff and Bass have previously clashed with the president on immigration enforcement and other federal actions in California.

The Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that ICE operations in Los Angeles will continue while the underlying case moves forward.

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