U.S. Citizens v U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Citizens Rights Violated in Immigration Raids
A civil rights group filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, claiming that it harassed five U.S. citizens of Mexican descent solely because of their appearance during raids targeting illegal immigrants in southeast Georgia in early September.
The Southern Poverty Law Center alleges that federal agents were engaging in a campaign to drive Latinos out of the area.
The plaintiffs also include a trailer park landlord who claims his property was damaged when federal agents broke into numerous trailers.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for Northern District of Georgia, concerns a sweep in which more than 120 illegal immigrants were rounded up.
The center, based in Montgomery, Ala., is asking the court to certify the lawsuit as a class action.
