Ruling extends protections for detained immigrants, blocking ICE from restricting access to attorneys in Los Angeles
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LOS ANGELES, November 14, 2025—Today, a federal court in Los Angeles granted a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), finding that the agencies likely violated the Fifth Amendment by denying detained immigrants lawful access to their attorneys.
The decision stems from evidence presented to the court that individuals held at B-18—a holding site in the basement of the federal building in downtown Los Angeles—have been detained for extended periods in conditions that prevent meaningful communication with counsel. Attorneys reported that clients have been denied access to phone lines, turned away from in-person meetings, and pressured to sign legal documents before speaking with a lawyer.
During proceedings last month, plaintiffs asked the court to extend and strengthen an existing temporary restraining order, converting it into a preliminary injunction to ensure continued compliance while litigation proceeds. Attorneys representing the Department of Homeland Security argued in favor of open-door legal proceedings with ICE agents present during legal meetings with detainees, arguing that attorneys can whisper to keep discussions private. The court disagreed with this argument, finding ongoing violations that warrant continued oversight.
Conditions at B-18 have been a central focus of the case. The facility, originally designed as a short-term processing center, has been used to detain people for days at a time, including pregnant women, elderly adults, and minors, often without access to medication, hygiene supplies, or consistent legal communication.
In a separate but related development, the court recently approved expedited discovery on the case’s Fourth Amendment claims, allowing plaintiffs to obtain documents, data, and sworn testimony concerning alleged unlawful stops, detentions, and racial profiling during ICE operations. This marks the first immigration-raid case under Secretary Noem to proceed to discovery.
Today’s ruling represents another step forward in ongoing litigation concerning ICE’s detention practices and compliance with constitutional protections for individuals in federal custody.
In response to today’s ruling the following statements were issued:
“Today, the court affirmed that the Constitution does not stop at the doors of a detention center. By granting this preliminary injunction, the judge made clear that the government cannot lock people up and cut them off from their lawyers,” said Mark Rosenbaum, Senior Special Counsel for Strategic Litigation. “This ruling protects one of the most basic promises of this country — that every person is entitled to due process — no matter the language they speak, the color of their skin, or where they come from. No one in B-18 should be left to face the power of the government alone. This case is not over, and neither is our fight to make sure this country lives up to its Constitution.”
“The denial of access to counsel in places like B-18 are part of the larger pattern of dehumanization and forced exclusion that DHS is perpetuating against people living in Southern California and the entire country,” said Mohammad Tajsar, senior staff attorney at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California. “People have a right to access counsel under the U.S. Constitution. Today’s ruling affirms that reality.”
“We are gratified that the Judge heard our arguments about the absolute importance of ensuring the constitutional right of access to counsel for immigrants facing the monstrosity of this deportation machine. This extended injunction will allow community members to defend their rights in accordance with due process and it will assist us in exposing the unlawfulness of the federal government’s racial profiling across the Los Angeles region,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
“Today’s ruling sends a resounding message that the Fifth Amendment’s due process guarantee of access to counsel is not conditional. It belongs to everyone – no matter the color of your skin, the language you speak, or your legal status,” said Alvaro M. Huerta, Director of Litigation and Advocacy of Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef). “The government cannot steamroll constitutional protections and deny access to legal assistance in order to carry out their cruel mass deportation agenda. We thank the people of Southern California, and beyond, who continue to reject the cruelty, intimidation, and violence that fuel this administration’s anti-immigrant campaign.”
“Today’s ruling marks another important victory for the workers and immigrant communities we represent. The court reaffirmed the fundamental right of every person detained under government authority to access legal counsel without interference. This decision strengthens the constitutional protections that form the foundation of our democracy and validates the courage of those who stepped forward to challenge unlawful government conduct. LAWCN and our partners remain steadfast in defending the right to counsel and the dignity of every worker,” said Armando Gudino, Executive Director, Los Angeles Worker Center Network.
“Today’s court decision is a victory for the people who refuse to be silenced or intimidated by the abuse of power. Access to counsel should not be a privilege – it’s a basic right that protects every worker, every family, and every person from government abuse. Day laborers know that when the system tries to isolate us, our best defense is each other. Today’s decision proves once again that organizing works, that solidarity matters, and that justice is only possible when we defend it together. Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo,” said Pablo Alvarado, Co-Executive Director, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).
“Farm workers, like everyone else in this country, are entitled to due process including access to counsel,” said UFW President Teresa Romero. “This ruling is one small step towards restoring America’s constitutional guarantees to the Latino community — but we still have a fight ahead of us.
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