Immigration Raids at 3 Los Angeles Locations Prompt Backlash from Local Leaders and Communities
LOS ANGELES — Federal immigration agents carried out a series of raids in the city on Friday, drawing swift condemnation from local lawmakers and a cautious response from law enforcement. Homeland Security Investigations announced that ICE officers, along with partner agencies, executed four search warrants at three sites in central Los Angeles.
As federal agents, often donned in camouflage and bulletproof vests, stormed the buildings, tensions escalated with the arrival of both supporters and protesters. Witnesses reported the use of tear gas at at least one location to clear a path for the agents, resulting in approximately 44 administrative arrests and one detainment for obstruction.
California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized the operations, labeling them as reckless and a product of arbitrary arrest quotas set by the Trump administration. He highlighted the emotional toll such raids take on families and communities, asserting they undermine trust and cohesion.
Among those arrested was David Huerta, president of SEIU California, who faced charges for obstructing federal officers. He was reportedly taken into custody while attempting to document the officers’ actions.
Following his release from the hospital, the labor union emphasized that he was exercising his First Amendment rights when detained. Mayor Karen Bass visited Huerta and noted the emotional impact of witnessing families being torn apart during the raids.
Targeted locations included Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District, where agents searched for fictitious employee documents. U.S.
Senator Alex Padilla also condemned the raids, characterizing them as part of a disturbingly cruel approach to immigration enforcement. Local law enforcement quickly distanced themselves from the federal actions, emphasizing their lack of involvement in immigration enforcement.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell and Sheriff Robert Luna acknowledged the fear the raids instilled within the community and urged calm amidst the tension. Various immigrant rights groups held demonstrations in downtown Los Angeles in response to the raids, expressing anger over the federal actions and Huerta’s arrest.
Protesters rallied, chanting slogans against deportation and urging for Huerta’s release. City council members, a majority of whom condemned the raids, described them as a destructive act against families and a threat to community safety.