Columbus, Ohio — A federal lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Ohio alleges that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents carried out warrantless arrests and detained individuals without proper legal justification, raising concerns about civil rights violations during recent immigration enforcement operations.
The lawsuit claims ICE agents arrested people without determining whether they posed a flight risk, a requirement under federal law. Plaintiffs also allege detainees were held for weeks or months and, in some cases, mocked or mistreated by agents. The filing includes claims that some individuals detained had legal status, including work permits and pending asylum cases.
In at least one instance, U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico were reportedly detained for several days before being released, raising concerns about possible racial profiling. The lawsuit further alleges agents targeted individuals based on appearance or language rather than verified immigration status.
The complaint seeks class-action status, citing what it describes as widespread and repeated violations. It also asks the court to prohibit warrantless arrests and require ICE to make individualized probable-cause determinations before detaining individuals.
ICE has not publicly responded to the allegations. The lawsuit comes as federal immigration enforcement has expanded, with critics arguing the pace of arrests may be leading to procedural shortcuts.
Sources:
Discover more from News Facts Network
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
