ACLU Lawsuit Alleges Immigration Agents Used Racial Slurs in Los Angeles Sweeps
Court records in Los Angeles reveal that federal immigration agents allegedly used racial slurs, including "wet" and "tonks," to identify individuals during sweeps. This information emerged from text messages and deposition testimony cited in a new court filing by ACLU,…
Los Angeles, CA, July 28, 2026 —
LOS ANGELES, CA – A lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against federal immigration agents alleges the use of racial slurs during sweeps in Los Angeles. The allegations, detailed in a new court filing, cite text messages and deposition testimony that indicate agents used derogatory terms like “wet” and “tonks” to identify individuals.
The ACLU argues that these alleged actions demonstrate discriminatory practices and racial profiling by immigration agents. The lawsuit, titled Vasquez Perdomo vs. Noem, contends that agents have engaged in a pattern of suspicionless and discriminatory detentions. These detentions have reportedly also impacted U.S. citizens, not solely non-citizens.
The legal challenge seeks to prevent federal immigration agents from using race as a determining factor in their stops and detentions. The court records were unsealed as part of the ongoing legal proceedings, bringing these specific allegations into public view.
The ACLU’s filing includes evidence from text messages exchanged between agents and from testimony provided during depositions. These documents form the basis of the claims of racial bias and discriminatory enforcement.
The lawsuit aims to establish a legal precedent that would prohibit race-based profiling and arbitrary detentions by immigration enforcement officials in their operations. The outcome of the Vasquez Perdomo vs. Noem case could have significant implications for immigration enforcement policies and practices.
Story summarized from the original created by Sergio Olmos and Wendy Fry | CalMatters on laist.com, see more information here.
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