California sues Trump administration over ICE arrests at courthouses, marking 100th lawsuit
California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the state's 100th lawsuit against the federal government since Trump's second term began. The suit alleges ICE violated constitutional limits by arresting people at state courthouses, despite a court order prohibiting the practice. State officials say the arrests deter witnesses and victims from participating in the justice system.
California's attorney general reached this milestone 21 months into Trump's second term. During Trump's first term, the state filed 123 federal suits across four years. The new complaint was lodged Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
State investigators counted 34 ICE courthouse detentions in June 2026 and 28 the following month, after a federal judge barred the practice. California's chief justice has warned such arrests discourage witnesses, victims, and even suspects from appearing. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure requiring federal immigration agents to show a warrant and identify themselves within 1,000 feet of a state courthouse.
The lawsuit could intensify the legal conflict between California and federal immigration authorities. If courthouse arrests continue, immigrants—including witnesses and victims—may avoid court, potentially complicating prosecutions and reducing access to justice. The new state law could also shape how federal agents operate near courthouses, though its practical effect may depend on court rulings and enforcement. Residents in communities with immigration concerns could feel broader effects on trust in public institutions.