Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Kavanaugh Ruling Opens Door to Racial Profiling in Immigration Stops
The Supreme Court said it's okay for immigration agents to consider race when stopping people.
This has led to more stops of Latinos, even U.S. citizens, causing fear in communities.
No one knows exactly how many citizens have been detained.
A case is being fought in court to see if this is legal.
Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to allow immigration agents to consider race among factors for stops
Justice Kavanaugh concurred, saying it's 'common sense' to consider 'apparent ethnicity'
Immigration lawyers and rights groups warn of increased racial profiling
Residents report increased stops targeting Latinos, even U.S. citizens
No official data on detained citizens, but over 170 cases documented by ProPublica
- Who
- Immigration agents, U.S. citizens and legal residents
- What
- Increased stops based on race and other factors
- When
- Since the Supreme Court ruling in September 2021
- Where
- Los Angeles, Chicago, and other areas with immigration crackdowns
- Why
- To target undocumented immigrants, but also affecting U.S. citizens
Immigration Rights Advocates
Homeland Security
Racial Profiling
Immigration Rights Advocates
Greenlit by the Supreme Court, causing fear among Latinos
Homeland Security
Operations are 'highly targeted' and not based on race
- Ruling Date
- September 2021
- Votes
- 6-3
- Plaintiffs' Argument
- Agents targeted working-class Latinos
- Kavanaugh's Stance
- Consider 'apparent ethnicity'
- Documented Cases of Detained Citizens
- Over 170 in 2021