Crowds clash with federal agents after dozens detained in ICE raids across LA
WESTLAKE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Immigration enforcement agents carried out raids in Los Angeles Friday, prompting gatherings of protesters who at one point clashed with authorities.
At one scene in downtown Los Angeles, a crowd of people tried to prevent authorities from leaving in vans after multiple people were detained.
Protesters could be seen throwing objects at the vehicles, while others tried to block the vans from leaving. One person was nearly run over when they fell to the ground after getting in front of one of the vehicles.
Friday evening, protesters marched in downtown L.A. condemning Friday's immigration raids.
Immigration enforcement agents were spotted at two separate locations in the morning, including a Home Depot store in the Westlake District.
Video posted to the Citizen app showed Department of Homeland Security agents escorting men in handcuffs outside the store on Wilshire Boulevard.
A witness who spoke with Eyewitness News outside the store said several people, including men and women, some of whom are street food vendors, were detained.
"We're a little scared," said the witness in Spanish.
Mayor Karen Bass told Eyewitness News that neither she nor LAPD had any idea these raids were going to happen.
"Frankly, I'm just outraged because what happened is that went ICE went in they just took people away. And we just can't have this in our city, and it happened at multiple places in the city," Bass said. "It sows a sense of terror throughout the community...ICE was literally chasing people down the street."
"I've been really worried about this from the beginning, and as far as I know, this is the first time this has happened in our city like this. We know ICE has been here, but it's been for targeted arrests; this was just mass chaos," Bass added. "It sows a sense of chaos in our city, and a sense of terror, and it's just unacceptable."
The mayor also said that SEIU-USWW President David Huerta was injured and hospitalized after federal agents got on top of him to detain him. The mayor said Huerta was just an observer and a witness as part of a rapid response network to the community when events like these occur.
ABC7 spoke with members of the SEIU who said the union leader wanted to protect his members working at the Ambiance Apparel location at 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue. At some point, there was a scuffle involving federal agents and it appeared Huerta was pushed down and hit his head. One video shows a federal agent pushing Huerta while he has his hands at his hips, after which, he falls to the ground.
Friday evening, Angélica Salas, Executive Director of CHRLA, said Huerta had been released from the hospital but was still being detained by federal authorities.
Meanwhile, FBI agents were also spotted outside the Ambiance store near 9th Street and Towne Avenue in the Fashion District. Dozens of people were seen gathered outside the store.
At around 10 p.m. Friday, federal agents were seen gathering at a parking lot in the on the 700 block of north Hill Street in Chinatown. It was unclear whether they were carrying out an operation or not.
Their presence sparked a confrontation between the agents and a large crowd of residents. Video from AIR7 showed several unmarked vehicles and federal agents trying to clear out the crowd.
A senior DHS spokesperson sent ABC7 a statement Friday, but did not directly address the investigations at both locations.
The statement said in part, "ICE is now following the law and placing these illegal aliens in expedited removal, as they always should have been."
"If they have a valid credible fear claim, they will continue in immigration proceedings, but if no valid claim is found, aliens will be subject to a swift deportation."
Eyewitness News is working to get more information.
Aerial video from AIR7 showed federal agents using a parking lot for their operations near a California Highway Patrol office. According to CHP, the FBI requested to use the lot but did not disclose it would be used as part of immigration enforcement.
"The CHP was informed by the FBI that the request to use the public parking lot was for a federal operation not related to immigration enforcement. Based on that representation, CHP granted access to the parking lot strictly for staging purposes and did not participate in the operation itself," said CHP in a statement. "CHP was not made aware of any involvement by immigration enforcement agencies at the time of the request. If the nature or scope of the operation changed or was broader than initially communicated, that information was not disclosed to CHP prior to the approval."
Friday's raids come as the advocacy group League of United Latin American Citizens calls for an investigation after reports surfaced of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement holding families in detention at a federal building in downtown L.A.
Images shared by LULAC showed several people being detained by authorities.
Swift condemnation from local leaders
California Gov. Gavin Newsom joined the many condemning Friday's immigration raids saying:
"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."
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) echoed the governor's sentiments, calling the raids "extreme" and "cruel." He issued the following statement:
"The ICE raids across Los Angeles today are a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement operations across the country. These indiscriminate raids prove once again that the Trump administration cares about nothing but instilling harm and fear in our communities to drive immigrants into the shadows. It will not work. This fearmongering is not going to change the fact that immigrants are valued members of our communities who contribute to our society and economy, and my office will demand accountability for today's actions."
L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn said:
"The ICE raids across Los Angeles today are chilling. They aren't targeting violent criminals - they are sweeping up hardworking people in our communities just trying to provide for their families. These agents are armed to the teeth and it is clear their goal is to make people afraid and it's working. I understand that during this morning's raids, SEIU California President David Huerta was injured by federal agents and wrongfully detained. I am calling for his immediate release. This is a democracy. People have a right to peacefully protest, to observe law enforcement activity, and to speak out against injustice."
Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath shared the following:
"Today's ICE raids were acts of cruelty and bigotry, targeting our immigrant neighbors and tearing families apart. These actions are designed to instill fear in communities of color-but we will not be intimidated, and we will not be silent. I'm in direct communication with County, State, & community leaders to ensure that all available protections from LA County are activated immediately. We must remain vigilant. We must protect one another. And above all, we will stand together."
Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis issued the following 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. 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."
L.A. City Councilmembers Eunisses Hernandez, Adrin Nazarian, Bob Blumenfield, Nithya Raman, Katy Yaroslavsky, Imelda Padilla, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Heather Hutt, Hugo Soto-Martínez, Ysabel Jurado, and Tim McOsker released the following statement in response to the raids:
"Today, Los Angeles witnessed an egregious escalation from federal immigration agencies as reports of ICE raids and activity occurred throughout the City. This indiscriminate targeting of children and families not only harms the individuals who are directly impacted, but destroys our communities' sense of trust and safety in their own homes.
We condemn this in no uncertain terms: Los Angeles was built by immigrants and it thrives because of immigrants. We will not abide by fear tactics to support extreme political agendas that aim to stoke fear and spread discord in our city. To every immigrant living in our city: we see you, we stand with you, and we will fight for you. Los Angeles will continue to be a place that values and dignifies every human being, no matter who they are or where they come from."
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said:
"I am dismayed by recent immigration enforcement activity occurring near our schools. These actions are causing unnecessary fear, confusion, and trauma for our students and families - many of whom are simply trying to get to and from school and work, and to live with dignity. Our schools must remain safe havens - places where every child can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of being separated from their loved ones. The presence of federal immigration activity near campuses threatens that fundamental right. Children deserve support, not surveillance.
Los Angeles Unified stands with our immigrant families. We will continue to provide resources, support, and information to protect our students and their families - and we will use every tool at our disposal to advocate for their safety and well-being.
We are working with school leaders, safety teams, and community partners to ensure that impacted schools remain a safe, welcoming, and protected environment for all students and families. We are advising families to closely monitor communication from their schools. If any parent or guardian sees immigration activity, please contact your school, utilize the LASAR app, and/or call the Family Hotline at 213-443-1300."
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also issued a statement reminding the public that the department does not participate in any immigration enforcement activities, and urged everyone to remain calm:
"This afternoon, we received several reports of federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department wants to emphasize that we do not participate in any civil immigration enforcement activities or mass deportation sweeps. Immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies not the Sheriff's Department. 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. Our focus and priority remain on enforcing state and local laws to ensure the safety and well-being of our diverse communities throughout Los Angeles County.
We deeply value diversity, inclusion and public trust within our communities and we want our residents to know that when they call for help, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department will respond, investigate, and protect everyone-regardless of a person's legal status. We recognize that these reports have caused fear, anxiety, and concern within our communities. We urge everyone to remain calm and peaceful as we continue to place your safety and well-being at the forefront of our efforts."
