#USA #Los Angeles #FAIR #LAPD #Anti-ICE Riots

FAIR Takes Legal Action Against LAPD Over Accountability for Anti-ICE Riots

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) has initiated a series of five lawsuits in the Los Angeles County Superior Court aimed at the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LACSD), and California Highway Patrol (CHP). These legal actions follow the violent riots against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that erupted in June 2025. The lawsuits seek to utilize the California Public Records Act (CPRA) to compel these agencies to release essential records concerning their involvement in the riots.

This legal initiative comes after an investigative report titled "Investigative Report on the LA Anti-ICE Riots," published by FAIR on September 5, 2025. The report suggests that the chaos witnessed in Los Angeles was not the result of spontaneous protests, as initially assumed, but rather a carefully orchestrated campaign by anti-border activists and foreign entities. The ramifications of the riots were severe, leading to substantial human and economic costs, including fatalities, injuries, over 100 arrests, and property damages amounting to nearly $20 million.

In the wake of the report's release, FAIR submitted targeted requests under CPRA to several law enforcement agencies in California. These requests aimed to obtain critical communications between law enforcement and external groups, arrest and booking documentation, injury reports, and records of any federal assistance related to the riots. Unfortunately, the responses from these agencies were deemed inadequate, characterized by unlawful delays, unjustified denials, and dubious claims of exemptions from disclosure, prompting FAIR's legal recourse.

"These lawsuits are imperative to shed light on the role local law enforcement played during the LA anti-ICE riots," stated Dale Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of FAIR. He emphasized that California agencies are obstructing transparency, potentially hiding how sanctuary policies might have facilitated violent actions against federal officers. The lawsuits are vital for holding riot organizers accountable and preventing future disruptions to immigration enforcement.

Mateo Forero, FAIR's director of investigations, added that the investigative report already established a link between foreign actors and anti-border organizations that orchestrated the unrest. The records that are currently withheld are expected to further unveil the network of financial backers and instigators, ensuring accountability for those who ignited the riots.

The Legal Cases

The five lawsuits filed include the following cases:

• - FAIR v. LAPD (Case No. 25STCP03945)
• - FAIR v. LAPD (Case No. 25STCP03947)
• - FAIR v. LACSD (Case No. 25STCV29621)
• - FAIR v. LACSD (Case No. 25STCP03944)
• - FAIR v. CHP (Case No. 25STCV29661)

As the situation surrounding these riots continues to unfold, the demand for transparency and accountability from law enforcement agencies has become increasingly critical. FAIR's actions represent a significant step toward understanding the underlying factors that led to the unrest, as well as how local law enforcement agencies managed the situation. The outcomes of these lawsuits could redefine the conversation about law enforcement’s role in civil protests and its interaction with immigration policies within California.

The implications of this case extend beyond just the local area, tapping into broader topics of immigration, civil unrest, and police accountability. As FAIR pushes for answers, the community waits with bated breath to see how these legal battles will unfold and what revelations might come to light regarding the events of June 2025.