The lawsuit filed by ACLU attorneys on behalf of the United Farm Workers and five Kern County residents accuses the U.S. Border Patrol of conducting a fishing expedition during a three-day raid in early January.
The raid targeted people of color, particularly farmworkers and day laborers, alleging indiscriminate arrests and deportations.
The complaint claims that Border Patrol agents violated constitutional protections and federal law, including unlawful searches, coercion, and lack of reasonable suspicion for detaining individuals.
The operation, named Operation Return to Sender, was led by Chief Agent Gregory Bovino of the El Centro sector and resulted in the arrest of 78 individuals, with advocates estimating that close to 200 people were detained.
The operation swept through businesses and neighborhoods in Kern County, primarily affecting Latino communities. The lawsuit contends that many of the detained individuals had pending immigration applications or no criminal history and had established lives in the U.S.
The complaint also accuses agents of coercing detainees into signing voluntary deportation agreements without access to legal counsel or full knowledge of their rights. The plaintiffs argue that the actions of the Border Patrol violated constitutional protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and violated due process.
The lawsuit seeks class-action relief for all individuals affected by the raid, demanding that the Border Patrol and related agencies be compelled to operate in compliance with constitutional and federal law. The complaint also highlights concerns about future similar operations if court intervention does not occur.
The case emphasizes broader concerns about immigration enforcement practices and their impact on immigrant communities, especially those of color, and calls for greater accountability for Border Patrol operations.