Federal immigration agents reportedly used racial slurs to refer to Latinos during enforcement operations in Los Angeles last summer, according to body camera footage and text messages submitted in court filings. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Southern California included blurred and redacted video evidence, along with forensically recovered text messages, as part of a motion for a preliminary injunction. The ACLU alleges this demonstrates a pattern of race-based profiling by federal agents during the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

One video captured an agent saying, "Yeah, just plug us in wherever you see some tonks and we'll jump out." The term "tonk" is described as a derogatory slur used by agents, potentially referencing the sound of an immigrant's head striking a baton or flashlight. Another video allegedly features an agent referring to a person as "wet," which is described as a shortened slur for Latinos.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not directly address whether the use of such slurs violates policy. A DHS spokesperson stated that agents are focused on protecting the American people and questioned the media's lack of outrage over victims of crime allegedly committed by undocumented immigrants.

The ACLU filed a lawsuit last year on behalf of individuals, including U.S. citizens, who were stopped, questioned, and sometimes detained by immigration agents in California's Central District. While a U.S. District Judge previously issued a temporary restraining order against stops based solely on race, the Supreme Court later lifted these restrictions.

Mayra Joachim, deputy director of immigrants' rights at ACLU SoCal, stated that the new court documents "should shock the conscience." She added that the evidence confirms community knowledge of immigration officers allegedly violating the law by detaining individuals without justification, often due to their race.

In addition to video evidence, ACLU attorneys presented text message exchanges between agents. One message reads, "Some of these people are stupid. Why would you post on social media that you're wet." Another message states, "Btw tonks everywhere selling food for the 4th festivities in long beach right now."

The court filings aim to support the ACLU's argument against what they describe as a pattern of discriminatory practices by immigration enforcement. The evidence suggests a systemic issue within certain enforcement operations, prompting legal challenges and calls for accountability.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement agencies and civil rights organizations, raising critical questions about agent conduct, profiling, and the protection of constitutional rights during immigration stops.