Immigrants held at two Southern California detention facilities that are closing have sued to try to block U.S. authorities from moving them far away.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California filed a federal lawsuit Thursday asking that several hundred immigrants who have lawyers or immediate relatives in the greater Los Angeles area be released or sent to a nearby facility.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined to comment on pending litigation.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department in March said it was ending its contract to hold detainees at the facilities. ICE said the detainees would be transferred to centers that are farther away.
The plaintiffs include immigrants who have lived years in Southern California and have American relatives and asylum seekers fleeing alleged persecution in Cameroon who have attorneys.