Legal News

Judge tosses lawsuit on LAPD asking immigration status

By Jason Siegel

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu tossed a lawsuit filed by a Los Angeles resident against a three-decade old order that prohibits police from asking arrestees their immigration status, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Yesterday, Treu ruled in favor of the city and the ACLU, who defended Special Order 40, that no conflict with federal and state law had been shown. Supporters say undocumented immigrants are more likely to assist police because of the order, in their roles as suspects, witnesses, inmates and victims.

Attorneys for L.A. resident Harold Sturgeon claimed that the order was a 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy for legally foreign Californians. They say they are considering an appeal.

The ruling had the potential to effect policies outside of Los Angeles, as police departments across the country instituted similar policies following the 1979 LAPD order, the Times reported.

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on June 26, 2008 (boomark / email).