Protests continued Saturday throughout the Los Angeles area following Friday’s violent demonstrations amid multiple immigration raids.
Protesters and armed federal authorities were in a standoff near a Home Depot in Paramount, as Trump administration officials pledged to prosecute any demonstrators who broke the law and accused local Democratic elected officials of inciting lawlessness.
The immigration enforcement actions throughout downtown LA resulted in nearly 50 arrests following confrontations with federal authorities.
On Saturday morning, another raid took place at the Home Depot at 6400 Alondra Blvd. Crowds turned over shopping carts and other objects left in the street, as federal agents clad in riot gear stood by. Smoke from tear gas canisters filled the street, and at least one protester could be seen on the ground bleeding in news footage from the scene, though the nature of the injury was unclear.
LA County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched at about 11 a.m. Saturday to the Home Depot for traffic control and “general public safety” in response to immigration enforcement activity.
Federal officials denounced the actions of Friday’s demonstrators and the many elected officials who expressed outrage at the raids.
“What took place in Los Angeles yesterday was appalling,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd M. Lyons said in a statement Saturday. “As rioters attacked federal ICE and law enforcement officers on the LA streets, Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement.
“Our brave officers were vastly outnumbered, as over 1,000 rioters surrounded and attacked a federal building,” Lyons said. “It took over two hours for the Los Angeles Police Department to respond, despite being called multiple times. The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling.
“These violent rioters will be held accountable if they harm federal officers, and make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens,” the statement concluded. “Sanctuary politicians would do well to remember that impeding our efforts only endangers their communities, law enforcement officers, and the detainees they claim to support.”
The raids began Friday morning as agents from federal law enforcement agencies were seen escorting men in handcuffs into vehicles outside a Home Depot at 1675 Wilshire Blvd. in the Westlake District of Los Angeles.
Later Friday morning, another raid took place at an Ambiance clothing store on Towne Avenue in the Fashion District near downtown LA. A crowd — some of whom were protesters — gathered outside the store as the raid occurred, most of them taking photos or videos. Several individuals wearing FBI vests were visible outside the store.
In another incident several hours after the raids began, federal agents wearing tactical gear led what appeared to be at least about 25 people out of a Fashion District building in handcuffs, loaded them into vans and drove away. Some spectators threw objects at the vans, and others ran into the street.
More demonstrations were expected to take place throughout the weekend, though specific details were not immediately available.
Early Friday afternoon, federal agents gathered at what appeared to be an Ambiance clothing warehouse or corporate headquarters near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in South LA. One person wearing a Drug Enforcement Administration vest was seen at that location.
Undocumented immigrants often gather at retail businesses such as Home Depot and Ambiance in search of temporary employment.
Reports also surfaced of raids taking place Friday in Pico-Union and Cypress Park.
The raids were part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Since he took office in January, federal agents have conducted many raids across the country, sparking protests from Democrats and lawsuits. Critics accuse the administration of going too far, using militaristic tactics and also targeting some legal immigrants.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement, illegal border crossings have hit historic lows in recent months.
Local Democratic elected officials and immigrant rights groups voiced outrage during and following Friday’s raids.
“As mayor of a proud city of immigrants, I am outraged by what has taken place and I’m appalled at the chaos that has ensued,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. It makes people fearful to attend school, workplaces, houses of worship, community spaces and so much more.”
Bass said she had met with families impacted by the raids and vowed that “LA will always stand with them and stand for what is right.”
The mayor plans to hold a meeting Monday with local immigrant- rights organizations to discuss the raids, she said.
“The violent targeting of law enforcement in Los Angeles by lawless protestors is despicable,” the Department of Homeland Security posted Saturday on X, along with video showing demonstrators damaging buildings and leaving behind graffiti. “These men and women work every day, putting their lives on the line, to protect and defend the lives of American citizens.
“Mayor Bass, ICE is not responsible for ‘sowing a sense of terror’ the protestors YOU enabled are.”
Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Whittier, said some immigrants who were detained were attending routine check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building when they were detained.
“This is yet another cruel and deliberate act by the Trump administration in its ongoing campaign to dehumanize immigrants,” Sanchez said. “Detaining individuals, some U.S. citizens, for appearing at their immigration hearings — doing exactly what the system demands of them — is a betrayal of justice.
“Immigrants are constantly told: ‘Follow the rules, do things the right way and you’ll be given an opportunity.’ But now, families who are following the rules are being ambushed, handcuffed and locked away in the basement of a federal building,” Sanchez continued. “They’re not being punished for breaking the law, but for trusting it. These inhumane actions by ICE upend our centuries-old due process protections and destroy the integrity of our immigration system.”
The Service Employees International Union California issued a statement saying the union’s leader David Huerta was “injured and detained” during the raids.
Huerta later issued a statement while still being treated at a hospital.
“What happened to me is not about me; this is about something much bigger,” he said. “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.”
Rep. Judy Chu, D-Pasadena, said in a statement Saturday, “It is clear that SEIU President David Huerta was exercising his right to observe law enforcement activity and stand with community in peaceful protest to these raids. I stand with David and with immigrant communities across this country, and demand his immediate release along with the release of those detained in the raids.
“I will not allow this administration to tear apart families and terrorize neighborhoods,” Chu said. “Immigrants strengthen our nation and every person in this country has a right to due process. We need answers. We need accountability. And we need to put an end to Donald Trump’s inhumane and disgusting attacks on immigrant communities.”
Bill Essayli, U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, said in a statement, “federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at an LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle. He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday. Let me be clear: I don’t care who you are — if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted. No one has the right to assault, obstruct, or interfere with federal authorities carrying out their duties.”
Also Saturday, a group of local congressional Democrats said they were blocked from entering the Roybal Building to ensure that the detainees were being treated humanely.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said his officers had nothing to do with Friday’s raids:
“The LAPD became aware that ICE was conducting operations in the city of Los Angeles. I’m aware that these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos, so I want to make it clear: The LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement. 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.
“Since 1979, our policy has barred officers from initiating police action solely to determine a person’s immigration status. The department remains focused on critical issues like crime reduction, enhancing public safety, and improving the quality of life for all Angelenos. I want everyone, including our immigrant community, to feel safe calling the police in their time of need and know that the LAPD will be there for you without regard to one’s immigration status.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna also insisted his agency did not take part in any immigration actions.
“The Sheriff’s Department does not enforce civil immigration laws, nor do we ask about an individual’s immigration status when responding to calls for service,” Luna said. “Our focus and priority remain on enforcing state and local laws to ensure safety and well-being of our diverse communities throughout Los Angeles County.”
Angélica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, reported that at least seven raids took place in the LA area Friday and 45 people were detained.
LA County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement, “Today’s immigration sweeps across the First District in downtown Los Angeles, Westlake, and Cypress Park are deeply disturbing. The individuals detained are hardworking Angelenos who contribute to our local economy and labor force every day. It is also horrifying that ICE targeted Skid Row to intimidate some of our most vulnerable residents. Trump said he would go after criminals, not innocent hardworking people contributing to our economy and supporting their families.
“These are difficult times that have our communities fearful and concerned by these federal immigration actions,” Solis said. “As we continue to hear from community organizers exercising their rights to speak out, it is vital we all remain safe and calm in assessing the needs of those impacted. Los Angeles County remains committed to standing with our immigrant communities, providing support through our Office of Immigrant Affairs and our network of nonprofit partners.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the federal building in downtown Los Angeles on Friday evening and began a march through the area to denounce the raids.
A Metropolitan Detention Center was sprayed with graffiti by protesters.
