Filed Date: June 7, 2025
Case Ongoing
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This case challenges alleged unlawful immigration enforcement practices, specifically the sharp rise in immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California since November 2024. On June 7, 2025, the Director of the California Association of Family Services filed this class action lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against ICE, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, President Trump, and the Governor of California. The proposed class included: "All undocumented persons residing in California who have been or are at risk of being targeted by ICE raids carried out in coordination with local law enforcement since November 2024.”
Plaintiffs alleged that defendants’ actions violated the Fourth Amendment, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the California Values Act, and also brought tort and Bivens claims against defendants. Plaintiffs claimed that beginning in November 2024, ICE conducted coordinated raids with local and state law enforcement, causing unlawful searches, due process violations, and widespread harm to immigrant communities, especially in Latino neighborhoods, resulting in unlawful arrests and family separations. Represented by private counsel, plaintiffs sought declaratory and injunctive relief, including a declaration that the raids were unlawful, an injunction to prohibit their continuation, and monetary damages for the constitutional and statutory violations alleged.
On June 13, 2025, a notice of case termination was issued, stating that the clerk had previously issued a notice to filer of deficiencies in attorney case opening, and counsel failed to correct the discrepancy within two business days. As a result, the case was closed, and no further filings were permitted under that case number, except for a refund of fees. This case has not yet been refiled.
Summary Authors
Victoria Tan (7/21/2025)
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70483089/parties/benjamin-job-castaneda-v-united-states-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/
Castaneda, Bryan Christopher (California)
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70483089/benjamin-job-castaneda-v-united-states-immigration-and-customs-enforcement/
Last updated Aug. 21, 2025, 2:30 p.m.
State / Territory: California
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government (Immigration Enforcement)
Key Dates
Filing Date: June 7, 2025
Closing Date: June 13, 2025
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Benjamin Job Castenada, in his individual capacity and his representative capacity as founder and director of the California Association of Family Services, a nonprofit association headquartered in Los Angeles, that advocates for children, youth, and families in California
Plaintiff Type(s):
Non-profit NON-religious organization
Public Interest Lawyer: No
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: Yes
Class Action Outcome: Mooted before ruling
Defendants
Los Angeles Police Department, City
United States (- United States (national) -), Federal
Los Angeles County Sheriff Department, County
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (- United States (national) -), Federal
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Ex Parte Young (Federal) or Bivens
Constitutional Clause(s):
Due Process: Substantive Due Process
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Nature of Relief:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Discrimination Basis:
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Immigration/Border: