Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a damning report stating that recent immigration raids in Los Angeles by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies have systematically violated the civil rights of Latino residents through racial profiling and harsh enforcement tactics.

According to HRW, since May, ICE, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and other federal law enforcement bodies have orchestrated hundreds of raids targeting Latino communities, particularly in workplaces and public spaces like food vendor locations, car washes, and Home Depot parking lots. The report highlights a disturbing pattern where these raids disproportionately affected Latinos, with arrest data from May through July showing that only five percent of those detained had prior convictions for violent or sexual offences.

The report details various abusive conditions during detentions, such as the use of shackles, denial of food and water, and restricted access to family members and legal representation. It alleges that officials coerced many individuals into accepting "voluntary departures," exacerbating the situation.

Witnesses described aggressive tactics during the raids, including the use of unmarked vehicles, and officers who were sometimes masked and armed with military-style weapons. There were multiple accounts of excessive force, such as smashing car windows and forcibly removing people from their vehicles.

A federal district court had issued a temporary restraining order in July against making investigatory stops based solely on race, ethnicity, or language. However, this was stayed by the US Supreme Court in September, allowing the controversial operations to continue.

The impact of these raids has rippled beyond the immediate families to the broader community and local economy, instilling widespread fear and uncertainty. Reports suggest a downturn in workforce participation in sectors where Latinos are prominently employed, hinting at broader economic repercussions.

HRW has called on the US government to cease what it describes as a "violent campaign" against Latino communities, asserting that these actions constitute "violations of human rights on a vast scale."

The full report and further details can be found on HRW's official website and the documented court rulings are available for public access through linked judicial archives.