Protesters clash with police at federal detention centre after LA Ice raids
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Federal agents conduct immigration raids across LA. Protesters and city officials respond
Federal agents conducted a series of immigration sweeps across Los Angeles on Friday. About 44 people were arrested in the raids, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement Friday afternoon condemning the raids. Several immigrant rights leaders and activists, along with some city elected officials, attended a large rally Friday evening to share their reactions to the federal operations. Later, more than 300 people marched a few blocks toward the federal detention center to call for a stop to the raids and mass deportations in the city. The LAPD said his department was not involved in the sweeps and that it will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportation, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual’s immigration status, nor the LAPD will the the deportations, nor do the LAPD assist or assist in any kind of mass deportation, nor does the LAPD know if the LAPD is involved in any type of mass deporting, nor did the LAPD help with the arrests.
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Federal agents conducted a series of immigration sweeps across Los Angeles on Friday, prompting anger and resistance from onlookers and immigrant rights groups that have braced for this type of action for months.
About 44 people were arrested in the raids, according to a statement from a spokesperson for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement obtained by LAist’s media partner KCAL News.
“ICE officers and agents alongside partner law enforcement agencies, executed four federal search warrants at three locations in central Los Angeles,” ICE spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe said in the statement. “Approximately 44 people were administratively arrested and one arrest for obstruction. The investigation remains ongoing, updates will follow as appropriate.”
Confrontations between what appeared to be ICE officers and people in the streets of downtown L.A. could be seen in video aired on local television and shared on social media.
At times, uniformed agents or officers could be seen physically moving people who appeared to be blocking the officers and their vehicles.
Reports shared via the social media platform X said ICE was seen in the Garment District area of L.A. Another video showed federal agents in the parking lot of a Home Depot in Westlake, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Angelica Salas, executive director of The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, known as CHIRLA, said her organization estimated there were at least 45 detentions.
Among them was Service Employees International Union California President David Huerta, according to union authorities. They said Huerta had been injured and was receiving medical attention while in custody.
“What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger,” Huerta said in a statement released by the union. “This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively have to object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.”
Several immigrant rights leaders and activists, along with some city elected officials, attended a large rally Friday evening to share their reactions to the federal operations and call for a stop to them. Later, more than 300 people marched a few blocks toward the federal detention center.
Protesters march after federal immigration authorities conducted an operation on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Los Angeles. Jae C. Hong / AP )
Reaction from city officials
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement Friday afternoon condemning the raids.
“This morning we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles,” the statement read. “As a 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.
“My Office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations,” the mayor continued. “We will not stand for this.”
All 15 members of the City Council released a joint statement that echoed some of the same points the Bass made.
“We condemn this in no uncertain terms: Los Angeles was built by immigrants and it thrives because of immigrants,” the statement read. “We will not abide by fear tactics to support extreme political agendas that aim to stoke fear and spread discord in our city.
“To every immigrant living in our city: we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you,” the statement continued. “Los Angeles will continue to be a place that values and dignifies every human being, no matter who they are or where they come from.”
Listen • 0:46 Listen:: Immigration sweeps in LA Agents were met with anger and resistance from onlookers and immigrant rights groups that have braced for this type of action for months.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said his department was not involved in the raids.
“While the LAPD will continue to have a visible presence in all our communities to ensure public safety, we will not assist or participate in any sort of mass deportations, nor will the LAPD try to determine an individual’s immigration status,” he said.
After the sweeps, photographers captured several protesters being detained by officers. Addressing a crowd at a rally, L.A. Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez pushed back against previous statements by the Trump administration that ICE would focus their efforts on dangerous criminals.
“It’s never, ever, ever been the case,” Hernandez said. “Because when they come for one of us, they come for all of us. And we have to remember that.”
Dozens of immigration activists gathered in downtown Los Angeles to protest a series of federal immigration operations Friday, June 6, that resulted in several detentions. Frank Stoltze / LAist )
Councilmember Isabel Jurado noted the timing of the ICE operations, stressing that they happened at a time when families and students are celebrating graduations and the LGBTQ+ community is celebrating Pride Month.
“What kind of government plans this during our most sacred moments of joy?” Jurado asked. “The footage speaks for itself. This is cruelty disguised as policy.”
Mass deportations
Since President Donald Trump was elected, immigrant rights groups in Southern California have been on edge. Trump has promised “mass deportations” of unauthorized immigrants. There have been protests that have shut down freeways and high school walkouts by students protesting the administration.
“Los Angeles immigrant communities and allies have been preparing,” Andres Kwon of the American Civil Liberties Union told LAist in February.
The ACLU is part of the L.A. Rapid Response Network, a group of immigrant rights, legal, and faith-based groups that has a hotline for people to report ICE activity and to seek help after a raid.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles and other groups have hosted workshops that teach undocumented immigrants how to assert their constitutional rights, as well as how to prepare for worst-case scenarios. They’ve been telling people they don’t have to allow a federal agent into their home without a warrant and don’t have to reveal their immigration status.
The Los Angeles Unified School District began distributing “red cards,” also known as “Know Your Rights” cards, to help people assert their rights and defend themselves if they encounter federal immigration agents.
The effort came as the Trump administration announced it would allow ICE to conduct arrests in sensitive areas such as schools and churches, dismantling policies dating back to 2011 .
Before L.A., ICE conducted high-profile enforcement actions in Chicago and Boston. Last week, an ICE raid on a restaurant in San Diego’s South Park neighborhood resulted in multiple arrests. While the raid was taking place, crowds gathered outside the restaurant where many people protested the action, filming the officers on their cellphones and surrounding their vehicles.
Detentions under Biden
Removals of immigrants by ICE and Customs and Border Patrol in the L.A. area were on the rise before Trump came into office. But the Washington Post reported earlier this year that ICE had struggled to boost arrest numbers despite an infusion of resources.
ICE/CBP removals in the L.A. Area of Operations, which includes much of Southern California, increased by more than 180% between the 2022 and 2024 fiscal years, according to ICE data. More than 3,551 people were removed in fiscal 2024, which ended Sept. 30.
Detentions also rose, according to the data.
While national detentions remained fairly constant over the past four years, L.A. area detentions increased by 155% from 2022 to 2024, when 3,857 people were detained.
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Chris Newman, legal director and general counsel for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, said earlier this year.
While in office, former President Joe Biden was under increasing political pressure to address illegal immigration.
“The Biden administration was focused on recent arrivals and people with criminal history,” Newman said.
From 2023 to 2024, the L.A. area had significant increases in detentions (432% increase from 217 to 1,154) and removals (547% increase from 223 to 1,443) of people who had not been convicted of crimes.
LAist reporter Jordan Rynning contributed to this report.
ICE launches ‘military-style’ raids in Los Angeles: What we know
More than 40 people have been arrested by immigration officials in what has been described as an ‘oppressive and vile paramilitary operation’ Los Angeles witnessed a series of coordinated immigration raids by United States law enforcement officials on Friday, resulting in the arrest of dozens and igniting widespread protests. The raids were part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies. The arrests were carried out without judicial warrants, according to multiple legal observers and confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which did not take part in the raids, was called in to quell ensuing protests. This included two Home Depot stores in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, a doughnut shop and the clothing wholesaler, Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles. These spots are known to have significant migrant populations and labour-intensive industries, leading ICE to arrest and deport some of the most vulnerable people in the city. These arrests can result in detention, deportation, temporary re-entry bans and denial of future immigration requests.
Los Angeles witnessed a series of coordinated immigration raids by United States law enforcement officials on Friday, resulting in the arrest of dozens and igniting widespread protests.
The raids, which were carried out in a military-style operation, have intensified concerns about the force used by federal immigration officials and the rights of undocumented individuals.
Here is what we know about the raids and the latest on the ground.
What happened in LA?
Federal agents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted a series of “immigration enforcement operations” across Los Angeles on Friday morning.
Individuals suspected of “immigration violations and the use of fraudulent documents” were arrested. The arrests were carried out without judicial warrants, according to multiple legal observers and confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
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The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), which did not take part in the raids, was called in to quell ensuing protests.
The raids were part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies.
Which areas were raided?
The raids focused on several locations in downtown LA and its immediate surroundings. These spots are known to have significant migrant populations and labour-intensive industries.
Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), which covers California – home to the US’s largest population of undocumented people – said advocates had recorded enforcement activity at seven sites. This included two Home Depot stores in the Westlake District of Los Angeles, a doughnut shop and the clothing wholesaler, Ambiance Apparel in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles.
Other locations in which raids were carried out included day labour centres and one other Ambiance facility near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in south Los Angeles.
How many people have been arrested?
ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) reported the “administrative arrest” of 44 individuals for immigration-related offences.
An administrative arrest, unlike a criminal arrest, refers to detention for civil immigration violations such as overstaying a visa or lacking legal status, and does not require criminal charges. These arrests can result in detention, deportation, temporary re-entry bans and denial of future immigration requests.
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Advocates believe the number of arrests made was higher, however. Caleb Soto, of the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, told Al Jazeera that between 70 and 80 people had been detained, but only three lawyers have been allowed access to the detention centre where they were being held to provide legal advice.
Soto added that members of the community had effectively been “kidnapped” as officials, wearing masks had not shown warrants or any form of documentation when carrying out arrests.
Additionally, David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California, was arrested for allegedly obstructing federal agents during the raids. Huerta was reportedly injured during the arrest and received medical treatment at Los Angeles General Medical Center before being taken into custody.
What kinds of raids were these?
What sets these raids apart from typical civil enforcement actions was their military-style execution, experts say.
According to witnesses, legal observers and advocacy groups, federal agents involved in the operations were heavily armed and dressed in tactical gear, with some wearing camouflage and carrying rifles.
Agents arrived in unmarked black SUVs and armoured vehicles and, at certain points, sealed off entire streets around targeted buildings. Drones were reportedly used for surveillance in some areas and access to sites was blocked off with yellow tape, similar to measures which would be taken during a high-threat counterterrorism or drug bust operation.
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The ACLU described the show of force as an “oppressive and vile paramilitary operation”. Civil liberties groups said the tactics used had created panic in local communities and may have violated protocols for civil immigration enforcement.
How did protests break out?
As news of the raids spread via social media and through immigrant advocacy networks, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Edward R Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where detainees were being processed.
Demonstrators blocked entrances and exits to the building, chanted slogans and demanded the release of those arrested. Some spray-painted anti-ICE slogans on the building’s exterior walls. Several protesters attempted to physically stop ICE vehicles, leading to confrontations with law enforcement.
LAPD officers issued dispersal orders and warned protesters that they would be subject to arrest if they remained in the area. To enforce the order, officers in riot gear deployed tear gas, pepper spray and “less-lethal munitions”, including firing rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. A citywide tactical alert was also issued, requiring all LAPD officers to remain on duty.
What’s happening now?
Shortly after 7pm on Friday [02:00 GMT Saturday], the LAPD declared the protests to be an “unlawful assembly”, meaning that those who failed to leave the area could be subject to arrest. The declaration appeared to remain in effect until the crowd dispersed later that evening, though no formal end time was publicly announced.
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US media outlets and rights groups reported that hundreds of detainees, including children, were held overnight in the basement of the federal building without access to beds, blankets or adequate food and water.
However, an ICE spokesperson told CBS News that the agency “categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles”, stating that it takes its mandate to care for people in custody “seriously”.
The status of all individuals detained remains unclear. While some have been released, others continue to be held and details about their current locations or conditions have not been fully disclosed.
What are the reactions to the raids?
Local and state officials condemned the raids and the manner in which they were conducted.
In a statement shared on X on Friday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said such operations “sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city”.
We will not stand for this. pic.twitter.com/Ug1CN4JKOz — Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) June 6, 2025
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement describing the operations as “cruel” and “chaotic”, adding that they are an attempt “to meet an arbitrary arrest quota”.
All 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council issued a joint statement denouncing the raids.
Some Trump administration officials, on the other hand, defended the actions and criticised local leaders for pushing back. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, for instance, suggested that Mayor Karen Bass was undermining federal law.
You have no say in this at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced. https://t.co/N53UBl3UM4 — Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 6, 2025
Los Angeles Erupts in Protests After ICE Raids
Los Angeles Erupts in Protests After ICE Raids/ Newslooks/ Federal ICE raids in Los Angeles led to mass detentions and ignited widespread protests. Police, fire departments, hospitals, schools, universities, colleges, universities and private businesses are all involved in the protests. The protests are expected to last for up to three days, depending on the location of the protest and the size of the crowd. The protesters are hoping to create a sense of community among the protesters. They are also hoping to make a statement about the future direction of the country and the future of the U.S. Police and fire departments are hoping that the protests will lead to a more positive image of the United States for the first time in a long time. They hope to create an image of a better nation, a better economy and a better quality of life for all of the people living in the city of Los Angeles. They also hope to inspire a change in the culture of the city, which has been rocked by the riots of recent years.
Los Angeles Erupts in Protests After ICE Raids
ICE Raids Trigger LA Unrest: Quick Looks
ICE raids across Los Angeles detain dozens , including at Home Depot and fashion businesses.
, including at Home Depot and fashion businesses. Protests erupted near federal buildings , with demonstrators hurling concrete at officers.
, with demonstrators hurling concrete at officers. Riot police deployed tear gas, pepper spray, and flash-bangs to disperse crowds.
to disperse crowds. Protesters vandalized federal property with anti-ICE slogans and blocked entrances.
and blocked entrances. SEIU California President David Huerta detained , reportedly injured while observing raids.
, reportedly injured while observing raids. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids for instilling fear and disrupting community safety.
for instilling fear and disrupting community safety. LAPD not involved in ICE operations , only in managing civil unrest.
, only in managing civil unrest. ICE has yet to comment on detentions or enforcement details .
. Unrest marks growing backlash against Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
Los Angeles Erupts in Protests After ICE Raids
Deep Look: ICE Raids Ignite Violent Protests Across Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — Federal immigration raids across Los Angeles on Friday sparked a night of high-tension protests, confrontations with police, and a broader clash over President Donald Trump’s intensifying immigration crackdown.
What began as early morning enforcement operations quickly escalated into chaotic street demonstrations in downtown L.A., culminating in riot police deploying tear gas and pepper spray against crowds of angry protesters.
ICE Operations Trigger Immediate Outrage
According to local media, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents launched a coordinated citywide sweep, targeting various locations — including a Home Depot in the Westlake District, a clothing store in the Fashion District, and a warehouse in South Los Angeles.
Live footage captured military-style vehicles and unmarked vans filled with agents traversing L.A. streets. The raids, reportedly part of a larger, multi-city sweep, led to the detention of dozens of individuals.
“This is part of President Trump’s promise to execute record-breaking deportations,” one DHS official said anonymously, though ICE itself declined to comment on the exact number of arrests or operation details.
Protests Boil Over into Civil Unrest
As word spread of the raids, protesters mobilized quickly. Crowds gathered outside ICE-targeted locations and later converged on the Los Angeles Federal Building, where some of the detainees were believed to be held.
Demonstrators reportedly spray-painted anti-ICE messages, blocked facility entrances, and eventually faced off with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officers in full riot gear.
Chunks of concrete were hurled at police during the standoff. Officers responded with tear gas, pepper spray, and “flash-bang” grenades to disperse the crowd.
An LAPD spokesperson, Drake Madison, said that the department had declared an unlawful assembly, making all remaining protestors subject to arrest.
SEIU Leader Detained During Raid
Among those swept up during the day’s events was David Huerta, president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California. According to a statement from the union, Huerta was injured and detained by ICE while observing enforcement activity.
“David was exercising his First Amendment rights to observe and document what was happening. He was arrested without cause,” the SEIU statement read.
No further details about Huerta’s condition or potential charges were available by press time.
Officials Condemn Federal Action
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a sharply worded statement denouncing the raids. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” she said.
Bass and other local leaders emphasized that LAPD was not involved in the ICE operation, underscoring the growing rift between federal immigration policy and local law enforcement priorities in sanctuary cities.
Tensions Reflect National Divide
The unrest in Los Angeles comes amid a broader national backlash against Trump’s immigration agenda. In recent weeks, Democratic-led states have passed laws shielding immigrants from federal enforcement and reaffirming sanctuary policies.
Trump, meanwhile, has increased pressure on states and cities, ordering legal action against jurisdictions that fail to comply with ICE and DHS directives.
What’s Next?
Friday’s events may mark a turning point in immigration protests, as activists and union leaders vow to continue mobilizing. In the hours following the protests, multiple civil rights groups announced plans to pursue legal action against ICE for alleged unlawful detentions and excessive force.
For residents and business owners in Los Angeles, the day’s chaos was a stark reminder that federal policy changes have real and immediate impacts on city life.
Read more political news
Riot police and protesters clash after LA immigration raids
US riot police and protesters clashed in downtown Los Angeles. Dozens of people were reportedly taken into custody. Authorities ordered crowds to disperse around dusk.
A Homeland Security Investigation Spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times that federal agents were executing search warrants related to the harbouring of people illegally in the country.
Security forces lined up wielding batons and what appeared to be tear gas rifles after authorities ordered crowds to disperse around dusk. On Friday, aerial footage showed armed immigration officers using unmarked vans to detain multiple people as crowds gather.
An LA police spokesperson said police on the scene of the protest had declared an unlawful assembly, meaning that those who failed to leave the area were subject to arrest.
Edited by Zahra Fatima.