ACLU files lawsuit in attempt to stop planned ICE raids this weekend

The ACLU announced a coalition of groups has filed a preemptive lawsuit against the Trump administration to try to stop planned Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids this weekend.

Five immigration legal services organizations filed the lawsuit late Thursday to try and protect the refugees being targeted by the raids. The groups — represented by the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation of Southern California, New York Civil Liberties Union, and the law firm Munger, Tolles, & Olson LLP — argue that constitutional due process requires the government to bring these families and children before an immigration judge, so they can have a fair day in court before facing deportation.

According to the ACLU, the suit aims to protect refugee families and children, many of whom the ACLU says have fled widespread violence in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and other counties at the hands of their governments and dangerous gangs.

“The Trump Administration’s plan to arrest and deport thousands of Central American families and children without giving them a fair day in court is both illegal and immoral,” said Ahilan Arulanantham, senior counsel at the ACLU Southern California. “More than one hundred years ago, the Supreme Court decided that immigrants could not be deported without due process. These vulnerable refugees deserve that basic protection.”

According to published accounts, Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids targeting thousands of undocumented immigrants in major U.S. cities could reportedly begin as soon as this Sunday.

The New York Times reported that 2,000 immigrants would be targeted. ICE would not confirm the exact dates or locations of the raids.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who supports the lawsuit, said that regardless of immigration status — residents should be prepared for the raids and be aware of their rights.

“I just want to stay to folks that are anxious about a knock on the door, when we talk about knowing your rights, no abras la puerta,” Newsom said. “Without a warrant, you don’t have to open the door. Without a warrant, you do not have to open the door.”

U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-California) also tweeted about the raids, saying “these reports of mass ICE raids are extremely disturbing. Targeting families does not make us safer.”

Immigrant families who are here illegally are the ones who need to be concerned.

“There’s approximately a million people in this country with removal orders,” Ken Cuccinelli, acting Director of the Citizenship and Immigration Service Office said.

Last month, the Washington Post reported the raids would target major cities with large immigrant populations.

The operation was postponed last month after President Donald Trump tweeted about it, in part because of resistance by immigration officials who were worried about separating parents from any children who may be U.S. citizens.

The Times’ sources said family members arrested together will be held in family detention centers in Texas and Pennsylvania. But due to space limitations, some might end up in hotel rooms until their travel documents are ready.

ICE issued a statement Friday saying in part, “ICE prioritizes the arrest and removal of unlawfully present aliens who pose a threat to national security, public safety and border security.”

“However, all of those in violation of the immigration laws may be subject to immigration arrest, detention and – if found removable by final order – removal from the United States,” the statement went on to say.