What is the Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem lawsuit about? 

Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem is a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California by five individual plaintiffs and four plaintiff organizations, the Los Angeles Worker Center Network (LAWCN), United Farm Workers (UFW), Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), and Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef).  

The lawsuit challenges the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) and other federal agencies’ policies and practices in connection with immigration raids in Southern California. More specifically, the lawsuit challenges Defendants’ widespread, racially discriminatory, and suspicionless stops of people; their warrantless arrests of people without following requirements under federal law; and their detention of individuals at a holding facility in downtown Los Angeles called B-18 in inhumane conditions and without access to counsel.  

Some of the plaintiffs also seek to represent three classes of individuals, i.e., people who have been or will be: 

  1. stopped by federal agents without the agent(s) having individualized, reasonable suspicion that the person is violating federal law or unlawfully present in the United States; 

  2. subject to warrantless arrest without an individualized assessment of the person’s flight risk;  
  3. arrested without agents identifying themselves and/or stating the reason for arrest, when it is practical and safe to do so. 

The amended complaint was filed on July 2, 2025.  

The City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, as well as Culver City, Montebello, Monterey Park, Pasadena, Pico Rivera, Santa Monica, and West Hollywood, have also moved to intervene in the case.  

Read more about the case on ACLU SoCal’s website here and Public Counsel’s website here. 

What did the court order on July 11, 2025, in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem? 

On July 2 and July 3, 2025, the plaintiffs filed two requests for a temporary restraining order (TRO).

  • The plaintiffs challenging the unlawful stops and arrests (Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs) argued that federal immigration agents are conducting suspicionless stops in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and requested an emergency order to halt these practices and protect affected communities from ongoing irreparable harm. The State of California also filed an amicus brief arguing in favor of the plaintiffs’ motion for TRO concerning suspicionless stops.  
  • The plaintiffs challenging the unlawful detention of people without access to legal counsel and conditions at B-18 (Access/Detention Plaintiffs) argued that the federal government is violating the Fifth Amendment by restricting detained immigrants’ access to legal counsel at B-18, and requested an emergency order requiring the government to restore attorney access and communication rights for those detained at B-18. 

On July 11, 2025, the district court granted the Plaintiffs’ requests for emergency relief.

  • As to the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs, the court’s order (the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO) prohibits immigration agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion and from relying solely on four factors – alone or in combination – as the basis for stopping an individual: (1) apparent race or ethnicity; (2) speaking Spanish or English with an accent; (3) presence in a particular location, like a bus stop, car wash, or agricultural site, etc.; or (4) the work the person does.  
  • As to the Access/Detention Plaintiffs, the court’s order (Access/Detention Plaintiffs’ TRO) also requires federal immigration agencies to allow legal visitation at the B-18 detention facility in Los Angeles seven days a week (minimum of eight hours per day Monday through Friday and minimum of four hours per day on weekends and holidays) and to permit detained individuals to communicate with their attorneys confidentially by phone at no cost. 

How long is the July 11 TRO in effect? 

The TROs will not automatically end after 14 days. The TROs are in effect until the court rules on a future motion for a preliminary injunction, which the plaintiffs plan to file on July 28, and there is now a hearing scheduled for September 24 at 9am. However, the government has appealed the TROs and has requested that the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO be “stayed,” or paused, while the appeal is pending. See below for more information. 

What geographic area does the court’s July 11 order cover? 

The district court’s order covers all seven counties that fall within the Central District of California: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura. 

Which agencies are covered under the court’s July 11 order?  

The order applies to all law enforcement officers who are conducting immigration enforcement in the Central District of California. It prohibits unlawful stops by DHS agents, including ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations), CBP (Customs and Border Protection), and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations), and by other agents participating in immigration enforcement, such as the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).   

Does the court’s July 11 order mean that ICE and other immigration agents can no longer stop or arrest individuals? 

No, not quite. The district court’s July 11 order means that federal immigration agents cannot rely only on four factors as the basis for stopping an individual: (1) their apparent race or ethnicity; (2) the fact that they speak Spanish or English with an accent; (3) their presence in a particular location like a bus stop, car wash, or agricultural site; or (4) the type of work the person does. 

Because the evidence shows federal agents are conducting “roving patrols” and stopping individuals without any specific information other than these impermissible four factors, the order should impact agents’ ability to continue stopping and terrorizing individuals as they have been. But it does not prevent agents from approaching people for questioning with their consent and it does not prevent agents from stopping a person if they have specific information about a person—beyond just these four factors—that indicates the person is violating federal law or is unlawfully present in the United States. For instance, agents may have information about a person who has a final order of removal, in addition to information about what they look like and where they work, which they may use to stop and arrest that person.  

I heard that the federal government is appealing the July 11 court order and asking the court to “stay” the order until a decision can be made on the appeal. What does that mean? 

On July 13, the federal government appealed part of the district court’s July 11 order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The government appealed the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO, which bars agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion and orders that agents cannot rely solely on the four factors described above. The government has NOT appealed the Access/Detention Plaintiffs’ TRO—the portion of the court’s July 11 TRO order requiring legal visitation at B-18 and access to a confidential phoneline to communicate with attorneys. 

The government has also asked the district court and the Court of Appeals to “stay” the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO, which bars the agents from stopping individuals without reasonable suspicion as described above. If granted, a “stay” would pause the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO from being in effect until the Court of Appeals decides if the TRO is appropriate. The Vasquez Perdomo plaintiffs and their lawyers are strongly opposing the government’s requests for a stay. 

On July 14, the government filed two motions requesting that the Court of Appeals “stay” the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO.  The government also filed a motion with the district court requesting the same—that the court stay the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO while their appeal is pending. On July 16, the Court of Appeals denied the government’s request for a stay of the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO, noting that the government failed to file their motion with the district court first and did not explain why doing so would have been impracticable. Also on July 16, the district court denied the government’s motion requesting a stay, finding that the government cannot be harmed by having to comply with the law and that the TRO does not interfere with the government lawfully enforcing immigration law.  

The government has since filed another motion to stay the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO with the Court of Appeals. On July 18, the Court of Appeals denied the government’s request that they immediately stay the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO and has set a hearing for July 28, 2025, at 1pm PDT (via videoconference), where the court will hear arguments about the government’s motion to stay the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO while the appeal is pending.  

As of the date this FAQ is published (July 21), the July 11 order—including the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO—remains in place and the government must comply with it. We will continue to provide updates via ACLU SoCal’s website and social media platforms (Instagram, X, Bluesky). 

What happens next in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem? 

The plaintiffs and their lawyers are fighting to preserve the Stop/Arrest Plaintiffs’ TRO that prevents the federal government from stopping individuals in violation of the Fourth Amendment. There will be hearing at the Court of Appeals on the government’s motion to stay the TRO on July 28 at 1pm PDT via videoconference.   

The Access/Detention Plaintiffs’ TRO requiring that the federal government provide detained individuals with access to counsel will remain in place for the time being.  

The plaintiffs and their lawyers are also preparing to ask the court to enter a preliminary injunction that, if granted, would provide relief from the government’s violations for a longer time period—while the lawsuit is pending and being decided. The plaintiffs will file their motion for a preliminary injunction on July 28, 2025, and a hearing is scheduled to be held on September 24, 2025 at 9am before the district court.  

How can I stay up to date about developments in Vasquez Perdomo v. Noem? 

You can stay up to date by visiting ACLU SoCal’s website here and by following us on social media: 

How else can I get involved or support this effort? 

If you or a loved one were stopped or arrested by immigration agents, please contact the ACLU SoCal at https://socalintake.aclusocal.org/. If you or a loved one are or were held at B-18 and have had issues with accessing counsel or other conditions, please contact Public Counsel at 213-385-2977 or ImmDef at 213-833-8283.  

Please also contact your local rapid response network (find your local RRN here) if you observe immigration activity or if a loved one has been arrested by immigration agents.  

You can also learn more about CHIRLA, the LA Worker Center Network and its member centers, and the UFW. 

What should I do if I or a loved one are stopped and/or arrested by federal agents? 

If you encounter immigration agents in public:

  1. Do not run. Instead, if you prefer not to interact with agents, calmly walk away. This can be hard, especially when masked agents aggressively raid public places with military-style rifles and weapons. But running can become a reason that immigration agents use to justify stopping you. Running has also sometimes resulted in agents responding with more aggression and physically harming individuals. 
  2. If the agents are already in front of you and questioning you, ask if you are free to leave. If they say yes, you may calmly walk away. If you are under arrest, you have a right to know why.  
  3. You have the right to remain silent and should not be punished for refusing to answer questions. You can tell agents that you wish to remain silent. You should not discuss your citizenship or immigration status with anyone, or answer questions about where you were born or how or when you entered the country.  
  4. You have the right to refuse consent to questioning or a physical search of your person and your belongings, including your cell phone. If they search you or your belongings anyway, say clearly that you do not consent.  
  5. If you have valid immigration documents, you should show them if you have them with you; if you are over 18, carry your valid U.S.-issued immigration documents with you at all times. If you do not have valid immigration papers, you can say you wish to remain silent.  
  6. Do not lie about your citizenship status (e.g., claim that you are a U.S. citizen if you are not) or carry or provide fake documents or documents from another country.  
  7. If you are arrested, you can say that you wish to remain silent until you can speak with a lawyer.  
  8. You have the right to record your interaction with agents or the interaction of agents with others, as long as you do not interfere. If you are recording the interaction of an agent with others, make sure to stay a safe distance away. 
  9. Do not argue, resist or obstruct the agents, even if you are innocent or agents are violating your rights.  

If you interact with immigration agents at the workplace (all recommendations above apply):

  1. Remain calm and do not run. 
  2. If you are not being detained, you can walk toward the exit. 
  3. If agents approach you, you can ask if you are being detained or are free to go. If they say you are free to go, calmly walk away. 
  4. If you are questioned by the agents, you can respond that you wish to remain silent and then do not continue to answer their questions. If true, you can also state that you are not authorized by your employer to speak with them.  
  5. Employers (private and public) should not voluntarily consent to immigration enforcement agents entering non-public areas of their workplaces or accessing employee records without a judicial warrant or subpoena.  
  6. The law requires that an employer provide written notices (within 72 hours) to employees regarding an inspection by an immigration agency of I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification forms (“I-9 forms”) or other employment records, including the results of any such inspection.  

If you are arrested and taken to a facility like B-18 -- the federal building in Los Angeles:

  1. You have the right to make a local phone call. 
  2. Do not answer questions or sign anything before talking to a lawyer. 
  3. Do not sign anything, such as a voluntary departure or stipulated removal, without talking to a lawyer. If you sign, you may be giving up your opportunity to try to stay in the United States and to claim certain forms of immigration relief. 
  4. Read all papers fully. If you do not understand or cannot read the papers, tell the immigration agent you need an interpreter. 
  5. You have the right to a lawyer, but the government does not have to provide one for you. If you do not have a lawyer, ask for a list of free or low-cost legal services. 
  6. You have the right to contact your consulate or have an officer inform the consulate of your arrest.  
  7. Tell the immigration agent you wish to remain silent. Do not discuss your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer.  
  8. Ask for and remember  your immigration number, usually referred to as an “A” number that is 8 or 9 digits long, and give it to your family. It will help family members locate you while you are in B-18 and once you are transferred.  
  9.  As part of the court’s July 11 TRO, you have the right to a confidential visit with an attorney (including for a consultation) and to speak with an attorney on a confidential, unmonitored phone line at no cost to you. 
  10. If you have a fear of returning to your home country and have been in the United States less than two years, you should inform the immigration agents that you have a fear of returning to your country so that you are offered a credible fear interview. Immigrants who have been in the United States less than two years without submitting any formal request for a visa may be subject to expedited removal, which means they would not see a judge prior to deportation. 

For rapid responders, your right to record and what details to capture:

Regardless of your immigration status or whether you know the person being arrested, under the First Amendment, you have the right to record law enforcement exercising their official duties—including ICE and other federal immigration authorities:

  • In public spaces and private spaces where you have the legal right to be. 
  • As long as you are not interfering or impeding officers’ law enforcement activities. 
  • Law enforcement cannot order you to move because you are recording, but they may order you to move for public safety reasons even if you are recording. If they order you to move, you should do so and announce that you are taking a step back, but you may continue recording. 
  • If you are a bystander, stand at a safe distance from the scene that you are recording. 

Capture details like: 

  • Any paperwork the agents are holding. 
  • The officer’s clothing—for example uniform, plain clothes, masked, military attire. 
  • Badges (or lack thereof). If they have a visible badge, try to film it. If it’s too difficult to capture badge numbers on camera, you can read them out loud so that it is captured on audio. 
  • Any weapons agents have on them. 
  • Vehicles/license plates—some DHS vehicles have special license plates or even permits in the front. 
  • Communications between officers or among different agencies like police officers and ICE. 
  • Any other law enforcement present, such as local police or National Guard, and what they are doing. 
  • Hateful comments or slurs, and discriminatory symbols or signage. 
  • Torn clothing or property damage caused by agents. 
  • Other cameras in the vicinity including surveillance cameras. 

* The information in this document does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice, and is for general informational purposes only. You should contact an attorney for legal advice. Information in this guide also may not constitute the most up-to-date information and should be verified with current sources. 

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