The ACLU has filed 54 legal claims against ICE across 17 states, alleging federal agents engaged in wrongful conduct ranging from unlawful arrests and racial profiling to the use of excessive force.
The claims, filed on behalf of dozens of individuals, accuse Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents of negligence and civil rights violations during immigration enforcement actions. The allegations include complaints of racial profiling, unlawful detentions and injuries suffered by protesters during encounters with federal agents.
One of the claims stems from a confrontation outside Delaney Hall in New Jersey. A woman alleges ICE agents threw her into the air and slammed her head onto the ground during the incident. The claim seeks $500,000 in damages.
The filings represent the first step toward potential lawsuits against the federal government and come as immigration enforcement efforts continue to face legal scrutiny.
The Department of Homeland Security criticized the claims, accusing the ACLU of siding with "criminal illegal aliens."
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