No Borders NewsCalifornia Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit challenging Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) practices that allegedly allow civil immigration arrests without a warrant and without probable cause.
In the brief, Bonta argues that these warrantless arrests are part of a broader effort that has fueled fear in immigrant communities. The filing says the harm extends beyond the people who are seized, affecting families, workplaces, schools, and local economies.
The attorney general also points to impacts seen in California from aggressive immigration enforcement. The excerpt describes declines in school attendance, disruptions to farm operations, public health concerns, and reduced trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
The release highlights a specific example: on January 7, 2025, U.S. Border Patrol began a large-scale raid in Kern County called “Operation Return to Sender.” According to the excerpt, the operation led to the arrest of 78 people for allegedly not having lawful immigration status, using roving patrols and warrantless arrests in predominantly Latino areas.
Bonta’s filing emphasizes that these actions can hinder essential state and local services, including healthcare, education, and public safety. The attorney general says California will continue to stand up for immigrant communities and for communities affected by immigration enforcement practices across the country.