US immigration agents accused of racial profiling in mass raids

Evidence from body camera footage, text messages, and court documents has revealed the use of racial slurs and profiling by federal immigration agents during mass deportation raids in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. Documents show agents using derogatory terms such as “tonks” and “wet” to identify targets based on ethnicity.

In Los Angeles, a federal judge has indicated a leaning toward restricting warrantless arrests. If granted, the order would require agents to evaluate a suspect's flight risk—considering community ties like employment and family—before making an arrest without a warrant. This would represent a significant shift in the execution of the administration's deportation campaign.

While the government maintains its operations are constitutional, recent legal developments have challenged long-standing jurisprudence. The Supreme Court previously provided provisional support for certain types of racial profiling by agents seeking undocumented immigrants, a decision that continues to impact ongoing litigation.