Updated: Tear Gas, Protests Erupt Over ICE Raids in LA \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Protests escalated in Paramount, Los Angeles, following federal immigration raids that led to over 100 arrests. Demonstrators clashed with Border Patrol agents using tear gas as tensions boiled over. Federal officials warned that interfering with enforcement will lead to prosecution.
Quick Looks
- Tear gas deployed during anti-ICE protests in Paramount, LA.
- 118 immigrants arrested during federal enforcement operations.
- Rioters confronted Border Patrol agents and blocked vehicles.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued warning to protesters.
- Protester David Huerta, SEIU leader, arrested and jailed.
- Mayor Bass condemned ICE actions as attempts to “sow terror.”
- Demonstrations included graffiti, burning shrubbery, anti-ICE chants.
- ICE Director accused city officials of undermining law enforcement.
Deep Look
What began as a targeted federal immigration operation in Los Angeles erupted into one of the most intense public confrontations with immigration authorities in recent memory. On the southern outskirts of LA, the city of Paramount became the epicenter of two days of unrest after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents executed a series of search warrants that resulted in the arrests of 118 immigrants. The enforcement actions, met with immediate resistance from activists and bystanders, quickly turned volatile — marked by tear gas, street fires, and federal warnings of legal consequences for protestors.
By Saturday, clouds of tear gas and smoke billowed across boulevards lined with angry demonstrators. Border Patrol agents clad in riot gear and gas masks formed lines outside an industrial park, standing guard near the sites of the raids. Protesters gathered on sidewalks and medians, chanting slogans, jeering at officers, and capturing the unfolding scene on smartphones. Their message was clear and defiant: federal agents were not welcome in their communities.
One protester, speaking through a megaphone, summed up the sentiment: “ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are. You are not welcome here.” Others held up signs reading “No Human Being is Illegal,” a long-standing slogan of immigrant rights groups.
The environment grew increasingly tense as street fires ignited, with burning brush and refuse creating plumes of smoke that mixed with tear gas. Demonstrators surrounded and kicked at Border Patrol vehicles. One major boulevard was shut down entirely as agents moved to control the area and prevent escalation. Despite their efforts, confrontations persisted through the night.
The protests began Friday after ICE agents carried out multiple raids across the city, including outside a warehouse in LA’s fashion district. According to statements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the operation was based on a judicial finding of probable cause that an employer was using falsified documents for undocumented workers. The crackdown, part of a broader federal effort, also extended to locations such as Home Depot stores and even a doughnut shop, advocates said.
As ICE agents attempted to exit these locations with detainees, crowds quickly formed to block their path, shouting at the agents and forming human barriers. The situation rapidly escalated when news broke that more than 100 people had been taken into custody in a span of just hours.
Saturday saw the federal government respond not with de-escalation, but with defiance. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to send a pointed message to what she referred to as “LA rioters.” Her post warned demonstrators that obstruction would not be tolerated.
“You will not stop us or slow us down,” Noem wrote. “ICE will enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The confrontations intensified outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, where protesters returned Saturday night. Chanting “Set them free, let them stay,” demonstrators waved signs with anti-ICE slogans, while others defaced buildings with graffiti denouncing federal actions. The scene was one of both anger and resolve as the community pushed back against what many saw as a politically motivated campaign of fear.
One of the most high-profile arrests was that of David Huerta, regional president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Huerta was reportedly taken into custody during the protests and held at the Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Monday. A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed the arrest but did not clarify whether Huerta had legal representation. His detention drew immediate backlash.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned Huerta’s arrest in a statement, calling it part of a “disturbing pattern of arresting and detaining American citizens for exercising their right to free speech.” Schumer called for Huerta’s immediate release and urged federal agencies to respect constitutional protections.
The ICE raids and the subsequent public fallout come amid a renewed push from President Donald Trump to deliver on his long-promised mass deportation campaign. The latest federal immigration enforcement effort is seen by critics as part of Trump’s broader political strategy to galvanize his base with aggressive action against undocumented immigrants.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass offered a sharp rebuke of the federal operation, accusing ICE of intentionally sowing panic. “This activity was meant to sow terror,” Bass said. “These are coordinated actions that instill fear and disrupt lives—not public safety.” Her statement underscored the growing tension between local leadership in sanctuary cities and federal immigration authorities.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons responded directly to Bass’s comments, accusing her of “taking the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.” In his statement, Lyons reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing immigration law, regardless of local opposition. “Make no mistake, ICE will continue to arrest criminal illegal aliens,” he added.
The events in Los Angeles reflect the deep and bitter divide that continues to define America’s immigration debate. Cities like LA, which have adopted sanctuary policies aimed at protecting undocumented residents, are increasingly at odds with federal authorities seeking to enforce stricter immigration laws. As protests continue and more arrests are expected, legal experts warn that the coming weeks could see lawsuits and court challenges over the scope and legality of the raids.
The fallout has energized both supporters of immigration enforcement and immigrant rights advocates, setting the stage for further political and social clashes in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. For many Angelenos, the battle is personal — fought not in campaign speeches, but in the streets, neighborhoods, and detention centers of their city.
Updated: Tear Gas Updated: Tear Gas Updated: Tear Gas
You must Register or Login to post a comment.