Hundreds in LA Protest ICE Raids as Mayor Says ‘We Will Not Stand for This’

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Friday after reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids swept through the city earlier in the day.

Newsweek reached out to ICE via email Friday night for comment.

Why It Matters

Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar within the administration.

Trump last month utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was originally blocked in federal court and sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth.

The president also campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Tom Homan as his administration’s border czar to execute his agenda.

What To Know

According to ABC 7 News Los Angeles, hundreds of protesters have gathered on downtown streets in resistance to the reported raids. The network added that the raids struck three separate sites on Friday.

The protest began outside the federal courthouse in the afternoon near 300 N. Los Angeles Street and the crowd then began pushing toward the detention center in the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, ABC 7 reports.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has since declared an unlawful assembly near Alameda and Temple streets in the city’s downtown.

“Officers are reporting that a small group of violent individuals are throwing large pieces of concrete. Once again, an UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY has been declared. You must leave the area. The use of less lethal munitions has been authorized by the Incident Commander,” LAPD warned in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

Taking to X on Friday, Mayor Karen Bass posted a statement, saying, “This morning we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles.”

“As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place,” Bass said. “These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city. My office is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations. We will not stand for this.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom also took to social media reacting to the reported raids and a post that Service Employees International Union President David Huerta had been injured and detained observing one of them.

“David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,” Newsom posted on X.

In response to an email, Newsom’s office referred Newsweek to a post on X from his office: “>>@CAGovernor Gavin Newsom on recent chaotic & reckless immigration raids: Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel. Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that 44 people were administratively arrested on Friday—with an additional detainment stemming from an obstruction accusation—citing Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations.

Earlier this week, ICE agents were surrounded after carrying out operations at restaurants in San Diego, California. Protesters shouted “shame” at the agents who administered the criminal search warrants.

What People Are Saying

Huerta, in a statement on Friday: “What happened to me is not about me; This is about something much bigger. 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. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.”

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli for the Central District of California posted to X on Friday: “Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a 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.”

Update 6/6/25, 11:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.