Judge blocks widespread immigration arrests in DC made without warrants or probable cause

"A federal judge late on Tuesday blocked the Trump administration from making widespread immigration arrests in the nation's capital without warrants or probable cause that the person would be an imminent flight risk. The US district judge Beryl Howell in Washington granted a preliminary injunction sought by civil liberties and immigrant rights groups in a lawsuit against the US Department of Homeland Security. Officers making civil immigration arrests generally have to have an administrative warrant."

"The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other plaintiffs' attorneys argued that federal officers were frequently patrolling and setting up checkpoints in Washington DC neighborhoods with large numbers of Latino immigrants and then stopping and arresting people indiscriminately. They provided sworn declarations from people they say were arrested without warrants or a required assessment of flight risk and cited public statements by administration officials that they said showed the administration was not using the probable cause standard."

A federal judge enjoined the Trump administration from making widespread immigration arrests in Washington, D.C., unless officers have warrants or probable cause that the person poses an imminent flight risk. The injunction was granted after civil liberties and immigrant rights groups sued the Department of Homeland Security. The groups presented sworn declarations alleging warrantless patrols and checkpoints targeting Latino neighborhoods and arrests without required flight-risk assessments. Plaintiffs also cited public statements suggesting the probable cause standard was being ignored. Administration lawyers denied a policy allowing such arrests. The judge found a substantial likelihood of unlawful practice and violations of immigration law and DHS regulations.

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