In a sharply divided ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court has allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to resume aggressive immigration raids across Southern California, overturning previous restrictions that had barred federal agents from targeting individuals based on race, language, or location.

The court’s 6–3 decision, issued without a detailed explanation, lifts a July order by U.S. District Judge Maame Frimpong, who had ruled that the raids likely violated the Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Critics say the raids conducted by masked and armed federal agents have disproportionately targeted Latino communities, including U.S. citizens, based on factors such as speaking Spanish, working manual labor jobs, or gathering at day labor sites.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing in dissent, warned that the ruling effectively makes “all Latinos, U.S. citizens or not… fair game to be seized at any time”. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the decision, calling it a “parade of racial terror” and accusing the Court of enabling discriminatory enforcement.

The Trump administration, which returned to office in January, has vowed to escalate deportations nationwide. Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the ruling as a “massive victory,” saying it removes “judicial micromanagement” from immigration enforcement.

Civil rights groups have pledged to continue legal challenges, arguing that the raids violate constitutional rights and sow fear among immigrant families and low income workers.