Supreme Court Ruling Allows Race-Based Immigration Stops

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on September 8, 2025, that permits immigration agents to question individuals suspected of being in the country illegally based on factors including perceived race or occupation. The decision resolves a case brought by the ACLU against the Trump administration regarding immigration enforcement practices. California Attorney General Rob Bonta expressed opposition to the ruling during a news conference in Los Angeles.

Bonta characterized the enforcement tactics as potentially violating Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures. He specifically questioned the constitutionality of using race, language ability, location, or perceived occupation as bases for immigration enforcement actions. The California Attorney General's comments directly addressed the legal reasoning behind the Supreme Court's decision on federal immigration enforcement authority.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, appointed during the first Trump administration, wrote in his opinion that certain occupational activities could serve as legitimate indicators for immigration enforcement. The justice specifically mentioned that engagement in day labor fields such as construction or farming could help immigration agents determine whom to question. This reasoning formed part of the Court's justification for allowing the enforcement practices to continue.

The ruling was issued through the Supreme Court's emergency docket, a procedural mechanism that Bonta criticized for its lack of transparency. He noted that decisions made through this process often do not include information about how individual justices voted or provide detailed written opinions explaining the legal reasoning. The case represents a significant federal ruling on immigration enforcement practices and the constitutional boundaries of law enforcement actions.