FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 8, 2025, LOS ANGELES, CA– The United States Supreme Court’s decision today is a direct assault on civil rights and communities of color across the nation. By reversing the ruling in Perdomo v. Noem, the Court has allowed immigration agents to conduct raids and stops based on nothing more than race, language, perceived occupation, or neighborhood. With this decision, the Court has turned its back on the Constitution and handed the government a blank check to racially profile.
Aileen Louie, Interim CEO, AJSOCAL states,
“Let us be clear: this ruling is dangerous. It strips away fundamental protections and normalizes harassment of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. It tells our communities that the way you look, the language you speak, or the place you work can now make you a target. That is unconstitutional and unacceptable.
This ruling not only endangers immigrants, it endangers all communities of color. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), Latinos, Black Immigrants, and many others already live under the constant suspicion of being perceived as “foreign.” This decision legitimizes that suspicion, giving immigration agents permission to target people who look or sound different. It will tear families apart, intimidate workers, and drive communities deeper into the shadows.
In his concurrence, Justice Kavanaugh wrote that ethnicity cannot alone justify a stop, but may be a ‘relevant factor’ when combined with others under the “totality of the circumstances.” This reasoning opens the door wide to legalized profiling. It directly undermines the Fourth Amendment’s guarantee against unreasonable searches and seizures by allowing agents to act on stereotypes rather than individualized suspicion. It also erodes the Fourteenth Amendment’s promise of equal protection, sanctioning a two-tier system of justice where people of color are policed differently simply because of how they look or speak.
AJSOCAL refuses to stand by while our communities are terrorized. We call on elected officials at every level to denounce this decision, to enact laws that protect against racial profiling, and to ensure that no family lives in fear of being torn apart because of how they look or sound.
AJSOCAL will continue to protect our communities, resist injustice, and advance a future where every person is treated with dignity and respect.”
About AJSOCAL
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is dedicated to promoting equity and justice for Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and other underserved communities. Through direct legal services, advocacy, education, and coalition-building, AJSOCAL aims to create a more just and inclusive society.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Liana Liang, lliang@ajsocal.org, 213.977.7500 x 237
