A federal judge in Los Angeles has determined that the U.S. government continues to restrict detained immigrants’ access to legal counsel at a downtown Los Angeles detention facility, despite previous court orders.
The ruling by Judge Maame E. Frimpong follows a lawsuit filed in July by immigrant advocacy groups. The groups allege that immigration officials have targeted people based on race, conducted warrantless arrests, and denied detainees access to attorneys during the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts in Southern California.
In July, Judge Frimpong issued a temporary order requiring the government to allow detainees free confidential phone calls with their lawyers and mandated that attorney visitation be available seven days per week—at least eight hours per day on weekdays and four hours per day on weekends and holidays. The order also required officials to notify plaintiffs within four hours if the facility needed to close for any reason, with closures not lasting longer than “reasonably necessary.”
While the government has complied with some aspects of this order, Judge Frimpong noted evidence showing incomplete adherence. “The Court has examined all of the new evidence presented by both sides and decides once again that the federal government is partially blocking access to lawyers,” she wrote in her order.
Mark Rosenbaum, an attorney with Public Counsel representing plaintiffs, stated during an October 23 hearing that attorneys still face difficulties meeting privately with clients. According to Rosenbaum, attorneys did not begin receiving notice of facility closures until September 10. He added that meetings often occurred with doors open and guards present, limiting privacy for attorney-client conversations. In some cases, facility closures were triggered by events such as peaceful protests occurring miles away from the site.
Additionally, detainees have reportedly been transferred without warning from downtown Los Angeles to other locations where lawyer visits are not permitted.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the court’s findings.
