California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed the state’s 100th lawsuit against the federal government on Thursday, challenging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations at state courthouses. The milestone was reached in 21 months since President Trump took office for a second term in 2025.
Federal Lawsuits Reach One Hundred Milestone
The latest legal challenge was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. It alleges that ICE overstepped constitutional limits by taking individuals into custody at state courthouses. During Trump’s first administration, California officials sued the federal government 123 times over four years. Bonta described reaching 100 lawsuits in under two years as a sobering milestone, calling it a testament to the unrelenting ferociousness with which the President is willing to steamroll over the law, our Constitution, and the fundamental values of our government.
The White House has consistently dismissed the litigation as baseless. White House spokesperson Lauren Bis stated that Bonta should stop filing frivolous lawsuits and focus on state problems, adding that the administration has secured over 25 Supreme Court victories upholding its policies.
Courthouse Arrests Continue Despite Judicial Orders
In July 2026, the month after a U.S. District Court judge issued an order forbidding courthouse arrests, ICE detained 28 people at courthouses. ICE has defended its actions as a common-sense approach to apprehending offenders where authorities know they will be. A Department of Homeland Security statement noted that Every day, DHS is conducting law enforcement activities across the country to keep Americans safe,
adding that ICE is targeting criminal illegal aliens including murderers, rapists, criminals, gang members and more.
🚨 JUST IN: California sues President Trump to BLOCK ICE and DHS from arresting illegal aliens at California courthousesSCREW OFF!SUPREMACY CLAUSE!AG BONTA: "It's infringing on our state's rights, and it's creating a chilling effect that impedes access to justice and the…”
State officials argue that these enforcement actions disrupt the judicial process. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero stated last year that making courthouses a focus of enforcement deters witnesses, victims, and defendants from participating in the legal system.
State Legislation Restricts Immigration Enforcement Near Legal Facilities
In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a measure requiring federal immigration agents to present a judicial warrant and identify themselves before making arrests within 1,000 feet of a state courthouse. The new lawsuit asserts that ICE’s ongoing directive violates the Immigration and Nationality Act and interferes with California’s 10th Amendment rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Courthouse Lawsuit
What specific legal claims does the 100th lawsuit make against ICE?
The lawsuit filed in federal court asserts that immigration arrests at courthouses are arbitrary and capricious, exceed agency enforcement authority, and violate the U.S. Constitution and the 10th Amendment.
How many total lawsuits did California file during the first Trump administration?
California officials sued the federal government a total of 123 times over four years during Trump’s first term.
How many people did ICE detain at California courthouses after the judicial order?
The California Justice Department documented that ICE detained 28 people at courthouses in July 2026, which was the month following the judicial order to stop making arrests at those locations.