Anaheim wants to join a federal lawsuit challenging alleged unconstitutional immigration stops and raids after widespread immigration enforcement that began in June saw many detained throughout the city.
The City Council, in closed session on Tuesday night, July 22, approved seeking to join the lawsuit. Anaheim would be the second city in Orange County to take part after Santa Ana’s leaders last week approved joining the class action lawsuit.
“We are standing with our community with this action,” said Mayor Ashleigh Aitken in a statement. “Indiscriminate and inhumane immigration enforcement has left residents in fear, businesses without customers and our community and economy shaken. Anaheim has met this moment with aid for families, access to legal resources and critical information for our community.”
“This is our next step — we are asking the courts to weigh in and address the hurtful impacts we have seen and the damage brought to real people across Anaheim.”
A judge would need to approve Anaheim’s request to join the lawsuit.
Anaheim has not seen major enforcement action since July 9, according to a news release from the city.
Five workers in Los Angeles County, along with four organizations, filed the lawsuit in early July. It challenges the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies’ “policies and practices” when conducting immigration raids, according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, one of the plaintiffs.
The judge overseeing the case on July 11 issued a temporary restraining order that prohibits immigration agents from stopping people without reasonable suspicion or a warrant.
Federal agents, according to the ACLU, have been conducting “roving patrols” and stopping people without any specific information. The temporary restraining order does not prevent agents from approaching people with their consent or when they have specific information indicating that the person is violating federal law.
Gov. Gavin Newsom then said the order would put a temporary stop to immigration officials “violating people’s rights and racial profiling.”
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Pasadena, Culver City, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pico Rivera, Santa Monica and West Hollywood are already a part of the lawsuit.
Last week, the City Council approved directing $250,000 to an assistance fund called Anaheim Contigo, created to help families affected by heightened federal immigration enforcement. The fund would give grants to low-income residents who can demonstrate an immediate need for help.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.