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ICE must allow detainees in downtown LA detention center to access attorneys, federal court rules
Federal agents guard outside of a federal building and ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles during a demonstration in June.
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Spencer Platt
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Getty Images North America
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Topline:
A federal judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow detainees at the basement of the detention center in downtown L.A. to access attorneys.
What does this mean? The court order issued Friday requires ICE officials to allow lawyers to visit the facility for at least eight hours a day and four hours a day on weekends and holidays. Federal law enforcement officials must also provide rooms where lawyers can meet with their clients in private, as well as allow confidential phone calls with attorneys that are not screened or recorded. The full ruling is here .
Why it matters: The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and Immigrant Defenders Law Center accused federal law enforcement of keeping people in the basement of the federal building and not allowing them to see or speak with legal counsel, as required by the Fifth Amendment.
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Background: Since June, federal immigration agents have conducted sweeps all across Southern California, including L.A. County. County officials and advocates have said those actions have created a climate of fear and disrupted daily life. Last month, the city of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency in response to the federal immigration enforcement.
Officials say: The Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not immediately respond to LAist's request for comment.
Go deeper… on immigration enforcement and protests in Los Angeles.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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