Over 100 Arrested in LA ICE Raids, Protests Erupt and Stir National Debate

In early June 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted a series of coordinated raids across Los Angeles, resulting in over 100 arrests and igniting widespread protests throughout the city. The operations targeted locations including the Los Angeles Fashion District, a clothing wholesaler, and a Home Depot in the Westlake area.

The raids commenced on June 6, 2025, at approximately 9:15 a.m. Federal agents from ICE, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) participated in the operations. Among those arrested was David Huerta, the California president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who was detained for allegedly blocking a vehicle during the raids. Huerta sustained injuries during his arrest and was subsequently hospitalized before being transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center.

The enforcement actions prompted immediate and widespread protests throughout Los Angeles. Demonstrators gathered at various locations, including the Metropolitan Detention Center, to express their opposition to the raids and the broader immigration policies of the Trump administration. While many protests remained peaceful, some escalated into confrontations with law enforcement, leading to property damage and injuries. In response to the unrest, Mayor Karen Bass imposed a curfew in parts of downtown Los Angeles to curb vandalism and looting. The curfew, which initially restricted movement from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., was later lifted on June 17, 2025, following a significant decline in incidents.

In response to the escalating protests, President Donald Trump authorized the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard members to assist in controlling the unrest. This decision was met with strong opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who criticized the federalization of the state's National Guard and filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deployment. On June 12, 2025, Judge Charles Breyer of the Federal District Court in San Francisco ruled in favor of the state, returning control of the National Guard to Governor Newsom.

The raids and subsequent protests have had a profound economic impact on local businesses, particularly those reliant on undocumented immigrant labor. Juan Ibarra, owner of a fruit and vegetable outlet at the central market, reported a drastic decline in daily earnings from $2,000 to just $300. Many street vendors and restaurant workers, fearing arrest, have ceased working or picking up supplies, leaving markets nearly deserted. Restaurant owner Pedro Jimenez likened the economic impact to that of the COVID-19 pandemic, noting a dramatic drop in customers.

The events have elicited strong reactions from political leaders and community members. Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo criticized the federal actions, arguing they harm already struggling communities, especially in the wake of recent devastating fires. He emphasized the fear and disruption caused by the deployment of federal troops and the impact on community participation and economic activity.

On the national stage, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered an emotional speech on the Senate floor, denouncing President Trump as a "tyrant" and accusing him of abusing presidential power. Padilla's remarks followed his forcible removal from a Homeland Security press conference, where he sought answers about the military deployment to Los Angeles.

The protests and federal response have garnered international attention. Governments and consulates from countries including China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and the United Kingdom issued advisories to their citizens in Los Angeles, urging caution amid the ongoing unrest. The government of Hong Kong also warned citizens traveling to the United States to practice safety precautions.

The federalization of the California National Guard without the cooperation of the state's governor marks the first such action since the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. This move has reignited debates over the boundaries of presidential power and the use of federal force in domestic affairs. The protests in Los Angeles have become a focal point in the national discourse on immigration, civil liberties, and the role of federal authority in local matters.

As the situation continues to evolve, the events in Los Angeles underscore the complex and contentious nature of immigration enforcement in the United States, highlighting the delicate balance between federal authority and local governance, as well as the profound impact such actions can have on communities and economies.