VALINDA—Los Angeles County will pursue legal action against federal immigration enforcement after a man was left bleeding during a detention in Valinda on June 28.
Witness videos captured the violent arrest in the unincorporated community that borders La Puente, showing the man with visible injuries while being held by law enforcement officers.
The incident will trigger a Board of Supervisors motion on July 1 directing County Counsel to explore lawsuits against what officials call unconstitutional immigration practices, including illegal search and seizure violations of the Fourth Amendment.
“As these immigration raids continue to terrorize our communities, I’m deeply disturbed by the forceful detainment of a man in unincorporated Valinda,” Supervisor Hilda Solis said.
“This incident raises serious concerns about the conduct and legality of these actions, and demonstrates a violation of constitutional rights and due process.”
Solis, who represents the First District and serves as Board Chair Pro Tem, will introduce the motion seeking all available legal remedies to protect residents from federal law enforcement actions that lack reasonable suspicion or probable cause.
The proposed legal action targets immigration enforcement practices including stopping, questioning or detaining individuals without reasonable suspicion and making arrests without probable cause or valid warrants.
County officials indicated they may file new lawsuits or join existing litigation to hold federal agencies accountable for enforcement actions in Los Angeles County.
The motion directs County Counsel to immediately explore protections for community members’ civil rights and constitutional protections during immigration operations.
Valinda, an unincorporated area in the San Gabriel Valley, has a significant Latino population that has been affected by increased federal immigration enforcement activities in recent months.
The county’s legal challenge could establish precedents for constitutional protections during immigration raids across Southern California, as local officials push back against federal enforcement tactics they consider unlawful.
Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting will determine whether the county moves forward with litigation that could reshape how immigration enforcement operates in Los Angeles County communities.
