LA ICE Raid Sparks Protests and Arrests Amid Immigration Controversy

LOS ANGELES, California — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out widespread operations at various businesses on Friday, leading to protests and clashes outside several locations. The actions resulted in nearly 45 arrests across seven sites, including two Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop.

Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), confirmed the arrests during a news conference, criticizing ICE’s tactics. David Huerta, president of SEIU California, was arrested during the protests for allegedly impeding a federal agent. “ICE injured and detained the president of SEIU California for peacefully observing,” the union stated on X.

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed support for Huerta, calling him a “respected leader” and stating that “no one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action.” Meanwhile, videos captured by bystanders and TV crews showed federal agents escorting individuals from locations and engaging with protesters, prompting significant community backlash.

One detainee has already been returned to Mexico after being apprehended at a Home Depot. Yliana Johansen-Mendez of the Immigrant Defenders Law Center confirmed the incident, saying the man contacted his family after being removed.

Protesters gathered outside a federal detention center on Friday evening, chanting slogans against ICE’s operations. A spokesman for Homeland Security stated that the ICE actions were part of a targeting effort related to the harboring of undocumented individuals.

At the location in the fashion district, agents executed search warrants after a judge deemed there was probable cause of illegal activities involving employees. However, many local leaders criticized the federal operations, asserting that they terrorize communities.

Salas condemned ICE’s actions, saying, “Our community is under attack and is being terrorized. These are workers, these are fathers, these are mothers, and this has to stop.”

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Chief Jim McDonnell clarified that his department was not involved in immigration enforcement, reiterating a long-standing policy against initiating actions solely based on immigration status.

Mayor Karen Bass also spoke out against the federal actions, expressing anger over the disruption they caused. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” she stated.

Senator Alex Padilla called the operations part of a disturbing trend of aggressive immigration enforcement. “These indiscriminate raids prove once again that the Trump administration cares about nothing but instilling harm and fear in our communities,” he asserted.