Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong holds DHS in contempt over LA immigration raids

U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong in the Central District of California found the Department of Homeland Security in civil contempt for failing to obey a court order to forensic‑image the personal and government cell phones of more than 800 immigration agents who participated in the 2025 Los Angeles raids known as Operation At Large. The judge imposed a daily fine of $500 until the agency complies and reimburses plaintiffs’ attorneys for discovery costs. DHS attorneys acknowledged that the agency was processing phones at a rate of three every two weeks, a pace that could take four years to complete. Plaintiffs, including the American Civil Liberties Union, argue the phone records could reveal a pattern of racial profiling, citing text messages and body‑camera footage that used slurs such as “wet” and “tonks.” The judge has also been asked to issue an order prohibiting agents from detaining individuals based on race. The Department of Homeland Security has not responded to comment requests.