ICE Raids in Los Angeles Spark Widespread Protests and National Outrage

Immigration raids conducted by federal agents in Los Angeles late last week have triggered large-scale protests, dozens of arrests, and a controversial deployment of National Guard troops under federal authority. The enforcement actions and the government’s response have drawn widespread attention and raised legal and political questions nationwide.

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What Caused the Protests in Los Angeles?

On early Friday, June 6, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), carried out a series of surprise immigration enforcement operations at several locations in the Los Angeles area. These included Ambiance Apparel, a large clothing wholesaler in the Fashion District, two Home Depot stores, and additional locations near the downtown area, including a doughnut shop, day labor centers, and a warehouse in South Los Angeles. 

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass spoke out on June 6, stating: “As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” as reported by the LA Times. California Governor Gavin Newsom also condemned these raids as “chaotic,” taking to social media to state: “The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”

The immigration raids were described as “military-style,” with federal agents in tactical gear, unmarked SUVs, and armored vehicles sealing off streets and using drones for surveillance. Federal authorities stated that the operations were designed to apprehend individuals with outstanding deportation orders or criminal records. 

ICE reported arresting at least 44 people on Friday alone, with the total number of immigrant arrests in the Los Angeles area surpassing 100 over the week. By Sunday, ICE shared on X that it had apprehended 118 immigrants “with criminal histories including: child cruelty, domestic violence, drug trafficking, assault, robbery, and human smuggling.”

However, labor unions and immigrant rights organizations have directly countered the truthfulness of the government’s statements, saying that many of those arrested had no criminal history and that some were targeted in workplace sweeps, sparking fears among immigrant communities and criticism from local officials. Angelica Salas, director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), stated that those detained were “workers, fathers, mothers,” emphasizing that the raids targeted ordinary community members, not just individuals with criminal backgrounds.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) have both publicly reiterated that they will not participate in civil immigration enforcement, per California’s sanctuary policies. However, the LAPD and LASD were active throughout Los Angeles with “crowd control” activities as more and more Angelenos participated in protests, many of which became increasingly hostile against federal agencies as they continued their immigration sweeps. 

Los Angeles Protests Escalate

Following news of the raids, protests broke out across Los Angeles, starting at raid sites like Ambiance Apparel and Home Depot, and expanding to surrounding areas including Compton and Paramount. Protesters marched in the streets, blocked traffic on the 101 Freeway, and attempted to block ICE vehicles and surround agents, leading to clashes. The protests continued throughout the weekend and are ongoing at the time of this reporting.

Video footage and eyewitness accounts show law enforcement officers deploying tear gas and flashbangs to disperse crowds. In one instance, two autonomous Waymo taxis were set on fire near the Metropolitan Detention Center. At least 56 people were reportedly arrested over the weekend for offenses ranging from unlawful assembly to destruction of property.

Controversial National Guard Deployment 

As protests escalated, President-Elect Donald Trump announced the deployment of approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to California, claiming authority under Title 10 federal authority, which allows the president to federalize state National Guard units without the governor’s consent under certain emergency conditions. The troops began arriving in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 8, 2025.

California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass both criticized the move. Bass released a statement saying, “Deploying federalized troops on the heels of these raids is a chaotic escalation. The fear people are feeling in our city right now is very real – it’s felt in our communities and within our families and it puts our neighborhoods at risk.”

Governor Newsom called the deployment “illegal and immoral” and announced plans to challenge it in court on Sunday. This is reportedly the first time in decades that the California National Guard has been federalized and deployed to the state without the governor’s authorization. On social media, Newsom shared he “formally requested the Trump Administration rescind their unlawful deployment of troops in Los Angeles County.” 

The Broader National Context

The Los Angeles raids are part of a broader series of immigration enforcement operations that began earlier this year. Since January 2025, ICE has conducted workplace and community raids in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, and Denver. CBS News reported that ICE arrests topped 100,000 in 2025 alone, with more than 2,000 arrests recorded on two consecutive days, June 3 and June 4, 2025.

In May alone, Massachusetts conducted a month-long enforcement operation called Operation Patriot, which reportedly led to the arrest of more than 1,400 individuals connected to identity fraud and immigration violations at a major food processing facility. Protests and legal challenges have followed these actions in multiple cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and more. 

Federal and Local Responses to the Los Angeles Protests

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE have publicly defended the Los Angeles raids, stating that their focus is on enforcing immigration law and removing individuals with outstanding deportation orders. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Under Secretary Noem, we are fulfilling President Trump’s and the American people’s directive to arrest and deport criminal illegal aliens and enhance safety in America.”

At the local level, Mayor Bass condemned both the ICE raids and the federal deployment of troops, blaming the immigration raids for escalating tensions in the city. In a CNN interview, she stated: “[…] It’s an escalation that didn’t have to happen. Why were there raids? We had been told that he [Trump] was gonna go after violent criminals. It wasn’t a drug den, it was a Home Depot. It was places where people are working. So what was the point of doing this?”

All 15 Los Angeles City Council members released a joint statement condemning the ICE raids and the impact on the community, reaffirming Los Angeles as a city that “values and dignifies every human being, no matter who they are or where they come from.”

On June 6, 2025, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA) attempted to enter the Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles to inspect conditions where asylum-seeking families were reportedly being detained. Gomez and other lawmakers were denied entry by federal authorities, who cited concerns for their safety and ongoing law enforcement operations. 

According to Rep. Gomez, this denial was a violation of congressional oversight rights, as members of Congress are typically entitled to access Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities, including those run by ICE, with at least 24 hours’ notice. He also issued a press release expressing alarm at the conditions reported inside the facility: “Law-abiding asylum seekers — many with kids — are being detained after showing up for routine ICE check-ins. No food. No water. Locked in holding rooms for over 12 to 24 hours.”

Meanwhile, civil liberties groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and the ACLU of Southern California organized rallies and provided legal support. They condemned the raids as “lawless” and criticized city leaders for not doing enough to protect immigrants, calling for an end to what they described as a “paramilitary operation.” Andres Kwon, attorney and senior policy counsel at the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, stated, “Angelenos know that immigrants make up the fabric of this beautiful and diverse city. It is because of their strength and courage that our city leaders recently designated Los Angeles a sanctuary—promising to keep families together and defy the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane actions.”

What’s Next?

The situation in Los Angeles remains tense. Protesters have vowed to continue demonstrating, and legal challenges to the National Guard deployment are expected to proceed in federal court. Additional ICE operations are anticipated in other U.S. cities in the coming weeks, though officials have not released specific details.

As of Monday, June 9th, National Guard troops continue to patrol parts of downtown Los Angeles alongside local and federal law enforcement. Authorities have not said when federal activities will end, but the original deployment order authorized a 60-day operational window.