Surprise immigration raids in Los Angeles spark protests, dozens arrested

Los Angeles streets erupt over immigration crackdown

A series of unexpected immigration raids conducted in Los Angeles on Friday led to widespread protests, confrontations with police, and the arrest of dozens of individuals. The raids are part of President Donald Trump’s intensified efforts to remove undocumented immigrants across the United States.

The first raid occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. in the city’s Fashion District, where federal agents targeted a clothing wholesaler and detained several workers. The action drew an immediate response from bystanders, many of whom began shouting at the agents and denouncing the operation.

Witnesses reported that federal agents used flash-bang grenades and pepper spray to disperse the growing crowd and secure their departure with the detained individuals.

Protests intensify across downtown

By late afternoon, hundreds of demonstrators had gathered outside the Los Angeles Federal Building. Many called for an immediate halt to immigration raids and the release of union leader David Huerta, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California. According to the union, Huerta was injured and arrested while filming one of the raids.

As darkness fell, tensions escalated further. LAPD officers in riot gear were deployed to manage the situation, although they were not involved in the immigration enforcement itself. Protesters reportedly hurled debris and spray-painted federal buildings, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly.

In response, police used tear gas, flash-bang rounds, and pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators and restore order.

ICE confirms arrests and ongoing investigation

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe confirmed that agents executed four federal search warrants at three locations in central Los Angeles. She stated that 44 people were arrested on administrative immigration charges, with one individual charged with obstruction.

“The investigation remains ongoing,” she said in a formal statement.

Part of broader nationwide deportation drive

The Los Angeles raids are part of a nationwide enforcement strategy backed by the Trump administration. President Trump has repeatedly pledged to accelerate deportation efforts, with sources indicating that the White House has pushed ICE to carry out as many as 3,000 arrests daily.

The operations have drawn criticism from advocacy groups, labor unions, and political leaders, who argue that the raids contribute to fear, disrupt communities, and often lead to the separation of families.

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