Cynthia Gonzalez Slammed Over ICE, Gang Comments \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Cudahy Vice Mayor Cynthia Gonzalez is facing backlash for a social media video suggesting local gangs should confront federal immigration agents. Her comments, referencing infamous gangs like 18th Street and Florence, have been labeled “despicable” by federal officials. Both the city and her school district employer have distanced themselves from the remarks.
Quick Looks
- Viral video: Gonzalez asked why gangs weren’t confronting ICE agents during raids.
- Federal response: Homeland Security condemned her comments, linking them to potential violence.
- Official fallout: Cudahy and LA Unified School District disavowed her statements.
Deep Look
The political and public fallout continues to grow after Cynthia Gonzalez, vice mayor of the small Southern California city of Cudahy, appeared to call on known street gangs to respond to heightened immigration enforcement by federal agents in the Los Angeles area. The controversial remarks, made in a video she posted on social media and has since deleted, have sparked sharp backlash from federal authorities, local officials, and community leaders.
In the video, Gonzalez directly referenced two of the region’s most infamous gangs—18th Street and Florence—questioning their silence during a wave of immigration raids. “You guys tag everything up, claiming hood, and now that your hood’s being invaded by the biggest gang there is, there ain’t a peep out of you,” she said. The statement appeared to equate federal immigration agents with gangs, and suggest that gang members should respond to what she called an “invasion” of their neighborhoods.
Her comments came amid a sharp increase in immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration. In recent weeks, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with Border Patrol agents, has conducted high-profile operations across Southern California, including workplace raids and targeted arrests. National Guard troops and Marines have also been deployed to support federal officers and protect key infrastructure.
While Gonzalez did not explicitly call for violence, many interpreted her words as a provocative and dangerous invitation for gang members to confront law enforcement. “We’re out there fighting our turf, protecting our turf, protecting our people and, like, where you at?” she said, seemingly urging gang members to take action alongside protesters.
Her remarks sharply diverge from the tone and approach of other local leaders. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and numerous state officials have consistently encouraged residents to express their opposition to federal immigration policies through peaceful protest and political advocacy—not confrontation. The perceived call to arms by an elected official has stunned many in a region that has spent decades working to distance itself from gang violence.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) swiftly condemned the comments. In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), DHS described Gonzalez’s remarks as “despicable,” accusing her of encouraging gang violence against federal agents. “She calls for criminal gangs — including the vicious 18th street gang — to commit violence against our brave U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement law enforcement,” the agency wrote. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, recently appointed under the Trump administration, reiterated that any assaults on federal officers would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California declined to say whether Gonzalez is under criminal investigation, but legal experts note that elected officials’ speech can be scrutinized if it appears to incite violence or obstruct law enforcement.
Gonzalez did not respond to media requests for comment. According to her official biography, she is the daughter of immigrants and a lifelong resident of the area. She holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara, two master’s degrees in education from UCLA, and a doctorate in educational leadership. She has worked extensively with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as a teacher, principal, and currently serves as director of pilot schools and innovation.
In response to the controversy, LAUSD confirmed that Gonzalez has been on leave since June 1, 2025. In a statement, the district said it was “aware of the situation” and reviewing it under district policy, though it declined further comment citing personnel confidentiality.
The City of Cudahy also issued a statement distancing itself from Gonzalez’s remarks. “The comments made by the Vice Mayor reflect her personal views and do not represent the views or official position of the City of Cudahy,” the city wrote. Officials declined further comment on any disciplinary or legal actions the city might consider.
Cudahy, located about 10 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, is a densely populated suburb with a population of roughly 22,000. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 97% of its residents identify as Hispanic, with many families having deep ties to Mexico and Central America. The city has long been a political flashpoint in immigration debates, often balancing community advocacy with pressures from federal enforcement.
Gonzalez’s remarks have sparked concern among advocacy groups, who worry that such rhetoric could escalate tensions between immigrant communities and law enforcement. At the same time, critics on the right have seized on the video as evidence of what they argue is a dangerous fusion of political activism and gang culture among progressive politicians.
As the public and political response continues to unfold, the incident raises broader questions about the role of local officials in shaping discourse around federal immigration policy, and the fine line between activism and incitement. Whether Gonzalez faces formal consequences remains to be seen, but her remarks have already left a lasting impact on an already volatile and deeply polarized conversation around immigration and law enforcement in Southern California.
Cynthia Gonzalez Slammed Cynthia Gonzalez Slammed
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