The Supreme Court decision lifted restrictions on ICE to target individuals based on their apparent race and ethnicity. Photo by Ian Hutchinson via Unsplash.
On Sep. 8, the Supreme Court lifted a previous restriction given to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that limited them from stopping individuals in Los Angeles based on race, language, job type, or location. The case, Noem v. Perdomo, specifically discusses whether or not an individual can be stopped due to suspicion that they may be an illegal immigrant.
Although the order is temporary until the Court reviews the full record, it will most likely favor the change due to the vote predictably being 6-3, following party lines. Civil rights organizations and immigrant support groups are concerned with the lift on restrictions, ICE agents in Los Angeles will start to use these categories to stop people at random.
In filings, the government admitted that agents were stopping people for things such as whether they spoke Spanish or English with an accent, looked Latino, or were found in areas associated with day laborers, such as outside Home Depots and other stores.
The ruling has sparked national debate. Critics warn that it could legitimize or increase racial profiling, especially in diverse cities. This can in turn impact places beyond Los Angeles, like New York City.For example in Queens, where diversity is celebrated, individuals are now extremely concerned.
Assistant Principal of ENL, Health/Phys. Ed, and World Language Mrs. Jaramillo said there are many ways that students and their families can help ease their worries. “There are community resources available,” she said. “Parents should inform themselves as immigrants about their rights.”
However, there are many individuals who work with immigrant students and families who find the current climate surrounding ICE as wrong and inhumane.
“One of the reasons is children get separated from their parents, when the parents get deported,” said one ENL teacher. “Another reason, there are people who have visas and get detained and arrested and do not have due process.”
“The big problem is ICE covers their face and uses non-government-issued cars,” they added.
Immigrant communities around the country have reacted to the ruling by organizing protests and rallies. Many expressed concerns that in communities with diversity and immigrant families, it will only make things dangerous and unsafe. Some raised the question of deportation and legal implications.
Many critics also warn that this decision could lead to widespread discrimination and family separations, while legal experts and community leaders remain divided on its implications for immigration enforcement and civil liberties.
The use of racial profiling will likely pave the way for the detainment of U.S. citizens and those with lawful status.