Attorney General Ellis addresses immigrant rights concerns over racial profiling by ICE agents

The U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary held a significant forum on June 24, 2025, focusing on the rights of individuals amid rising concerns over immigration enforcement practices. The meeting highlighted alarming reports from immigrant rights groups regarding aggressive tactics employed by law enforcement, including unverified arrests and detentions without due process.

Key discussions centered on the legal standards for arrests and detentions. Attorney General Ellis confirmed that probable cause is required for arrests, and emphasized that race, skin color, and ethnicity cannot serve as valid grounds for such actions. This point was underscored by referencing the conviction of Sheriff Joe Arpaio for racial profiling in immigration enforcement, illustrating the legal precedent against such practices.

The forum also addressed the troubling trend of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids occurring in public spaces, such as parks and Home Depots, often without judicial warrants. These actions have raised concerns about mass racial profiling and the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens.

Participants urged state officials to take action against these practices and emphasized the rights of bystanders to document ICE activities. The importance of First Amendment rights was reiterated, allowing individuals to film law enforcement actions, as highlighted by a recent incident in Santa Ana where a father was violently detained by masked individuals in border patrol vests.

While acknowledging the need for respect towards law enforcement, the discussions made it clear that federal agents must adhere to legal standards, including the necessity of probable cause for arrests and reasonable suspicion for detentions. The forum concluded with a call for accountability and adherence to the law by all enforcement agencies, stressing that excessive force and vigilante behavior are unacceptable.