Federal immigration raids spark mass protests in Downtown Los Angeles as National Guard deployment intensifies tensions, raising concerns over civil rights and public safety.
Main Points:
- Federal immigration sweeps trigger protests in Downtown Los Angeles.
- Hundreds of demonstrators clash with law enforcement and National Guard.
- California Governor opposes federal intervention, calls it provocative.
- Local officials urge calm, highlight the risks of escalating violence.
- Misinformation fuels unrest in heavily immigrant neighborhoods.
- Arrest numbers climb as protests continue for a third consecutive day.
Background of the Immigration Raids
On Friday, Federal immigration sweeps launched across Los Angeles, prompting immediate outrage and mobilization from immigrant rights groups. These groups, who have been preparing for months, swiftly organized large-scale demonstrations.
Tensions between state and local authorities and the Trump administration escalated rapidly. White House officials claimed violent mobs were attacking ICE agents and federal officers conducting deportation operations in Los Angeles.
Governor Gavin Newsom formally requested President Trump to halt the National Guard deployment ordered on Saturday, calling the action a serious violation of state sovereignty and a needless escalation of tensions.
Local Leaders Oppose Federal Action
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly supported Governor Newsom’s stance, emphasizing that military intervention would only exacerbate civil unrest. Newsom labeled the federal operation as deliberately provocative and counterproductive, urging closer coordination with city and county officials.
In contrast, Trump defended his decision on social media, criticizing California’s leadership and asserting that federal intervention was necessary to restore order.
Protests Turn Violent in Downtown Los Angeles
By Sunday morning, hundreds of National Guard members were stationed throughout Downtown LA. Protests grew more intense near a federal detention center. Authorities declared the assembly illegal, authorized less-lethal weapons, and instructed civilians to avoid the area.
Demonstrators temporarily blocked traffic on the 101 Freeway. Outside City Hall, participants denounced what they called hateful attacks on immigrant communities, vowing solidarity in the face of federal crackdowns.
A large crowd gathered outside the Metropolitan Detention Center. By early afternoon, over 100 federal officers advanced on a crowd of 500, deploying rifles and less-lethal weapons. Multiple confrontations ensued, with reports of bottles and concrete being thrown at officers. Several arrests followed, including individuals forcibly taken to the ground.
Arrests and Federal Enforcement Actions
Initial ICE reports indicated 44 arrests during the raids, though some media outlets reported over 120 by Saturday’s end. ICE spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe confirmed agents executed four federal search warrants across three locations in Central Los Angeles.
Video footage circulated on social media shows confrontations between ICE agents and demonstrators. Protesters attempted to block agents and vehicles in the streets. Some violent incidents included vandalized autonomous vehicles and at least two cars set ablaze near Olvera Street.
Misinformation Amplifies Community Fears
Protests intensified in Paramount, a predominantly Hispanic suburb south of Downtown LA. Rumors of ICE raids at a local Home Depot spread rapidly, sparking fear among undocumented day laborers who often gather there seeking work.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security later clarified that no ICE raid occurred at the Home Depot location. However, federal agents did conduct enforcement operations at various other sites, leading to widespread community alarm.
This misinformation drove hundreds of residents to protest, some of whom engaged in violent acts, including rock-throwing and Molotov cocktails. Authorities responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and arrests to disperse the crowds.
Embed from Getty ImagesLocal and State Officials Urge Calm
Mayor Bass and other officials continue urging protesters to remain peaceful. U.S. Representative Nanette Barragán highlighted the anxiety gripping her constituents, criticizing the decision to deploy National Guard forces, which she argued only intensified tensions.
Local law enforcement agencies stressed that they were not participating in immigration enforcement but aimed to protect public safety and prevent violent attacks on federal agents and local officers.
Outlook as Protests Continue
As protests enter a third consecutive day, National Guard units remain deployed throughout the Los Angeles area. Governor Newsom reiterated that the President’s move to deploy troops without state consent is provocative and likely to inflame unrest.
Los Angeles Police Department reported that Saturday’s daytime protests were largely peaceful, thanking community partners for helping maintain public safety. However, violent clashes persisted into the evening, prompting further street closures and a heavier police presence.
Federal and local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with more protests expected in the coming days.
Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles spark widespread protests, fueled by community fear and misinformation. Tensions rise as National Guard troops deploy, prompting state officials to push back against federal intervention.