President Donald Trump’s administration on Tuesday denied that U.S. immigration agents arrest people based on their physical appearance and assured that “many factors” are considered when making a detention.
So said White House so-called “border czar” Tom Homan, a day after the Supreme Court stayed a lower court ruling that barred arrests in Los Angeles based on racial bias or without reasonable cause.
White House denies racial profiling in raids
” ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents do not use racial profiling.”
“The law states that to arrest someone you need reasonable suspicion and that’s exactly what the men and women of ICE do,” Homan explained to reporters from the White House.
The official added that immigration agents consider “many factors” before detaining a person.
He assured that they receive training every six months, based on the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits arbitrary detentions.
The immigration raids conducted by the Trump Administration have been criticized by migrant rights organizations.
They denounce that these are based on people’s appearance, skin color, tattoos, the language they speak -such as Spanish- or the type of work they perform.
Supreme Court reverses ruling
In July, a California court barred the government from making arrests based on racial bias or without just cause, but on Monday the Supreme Court stayed that ruling.
The decision represents a major setback for immigrants in Southern California affected by the mass raids.
“When ICE detained me, they never showed a warrant or explained why. Now the Supreme Court says that’s okay? That’s not justice. That’s racism with a badge,” said Pedro Vasquez Perdomo, the immigrant who is leading the lawsuit against the White House, in a statement, according to EFE.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
