# Judge blocks warrantless ICE arrests in Southern California

> Federal judge stops ICE from making warrantless arrests in Southern California without escape risk checks
- Title: Judge blocks warrantless ICE arrests in Southern California
- Summary: Federal judge stops ICE from making warrantless arrests in Southern California without escape risk checks ICE agents must now assess escape risk before…
- Keywords: federal judge, ice, southern california, warrantless arrests, escape risk, u.s. district court, central district of california, 8 u.s.c. 1357, 8 c.f.r. 287.8(c)(2), news, politics, Judge
- Source: Fox News — https://foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-ties-ice-agents-hands-ruling-warrantless-southern-california-arrests
- Author: Alex Nitzberg
- Published: 2026-09-17T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: federal judge, ice, southern california, warrantless arrests, escape risk, u.s. district court, central district of california, 8 u.s.c. 1357, 8 c.f.r. 287.8(c)(2), news, politics
## Judge blocks warrantless arrests
A federal judge in California blocked ICE from making warrantless arrests without first checking if the person is likely to escape.

> Mere presence within the United States in violation of United States immigration law is not, by itself, sufficient to conclude that a person is likely to escape before a warrant for arrest can be obtained
## ICE agents must assess escape risk
ICE agents now need to determine if an arrestee is likely to escape before making a warrantless arrest.
## Judge's order requires escape checks
The ruling requires agents to make an individualized escape risk determination before arresting someone without a warrant.
## Judge appointed by Biden
U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong was nominated by President Joe Biden.
## ACLU supports ruling
The ACLU of Southern California called the ruling a major step to end unlawful immigration arrests.

> By requiring immigration agents to follow the law’s requirement to make escape risk determinations before they can arrest someone without a warrant, this court order should put an end to hundreds, if not more, of unlawful arrests that continue throughout Southern California
## Department of Homeland Security response
The Department of Homeland Security stated ICE follows legal procedures for immigration arrests.

> ICE has authority for lawful arrests where authorized under 8 USC 1357. Law enforcement officers use 'reasonable suspicion' to investigate immigration status and probable cause to make arrests consistent with the statute and the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
## Key takeaway

ICE agents must now assess escape risk before arresting someone without a warrant in Southern California