LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Federal agents took an unknown number of people — presumably suspected immigration law violators — into custody at multiple locations near downtown Los Angeles Friday, sparking impromptu gatherings of protesters who clashed with authorities at several scenes.
On Friday morning, agents from what appeared to be multiple federal law enforcement agencies could be seen escorting men in handcuffs into vehicles outside a Home Depot at 1675 Wilshire Blvd. in the Westlake District.
People often gather at such stores looking for temporary work, and agents may have taken the opportunity to confront them in accordance with President Donald Trump’s unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration. He has vowed to wage the most extensive deportation effort in U.S. history.
The Los Angeles Police Department issued a statement saying it was not involved in any immigration enforcement operation in the area, following a policy in effect since 1979. It did respond to an assault with a deadly weapon report in the Westlake District about 9 a.m., but quickly cleared the scene after finding no evidence of an assault.
Later Friday morning, another raid took place at an Ambiance clothing store on Towne Avenue in the Fashion District near downtown Los Angeles. A crowd of people and some protesters gathered outside the store as the operation was being carried out, most of them taking photos or videos with cellphones. Several people wearing FBI vests were seen standing by outside the store.
In response to a query from City News Service, an FBI spokeswoman said specific details about immigration operations and arrests must come from Homeland Security Investigations as the lead agency, but she offered the following statement on the FBI’s posture regarding immigration arrests:
“The FBI is supporting our partners at the Department of Homeland Security in their immigration operations all over the country, as directed by the attorney general. The FBI is accustomed to providing investigative and technical assistance to our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners on a regular basis.
“As we have been asked to do, we are sending agents to participate in these immigration enforcement efforts. That includes assisting in cities where major operations are already underway and where we have special agents embedded on operational teams with DHS. Our help may vary depending on what DHS needs, such as SWAT operators, who can support high risk arrest operations, and other resources such as intelligence analysts and technical support working from command posts.”
Several hours after the raid began, what appeared to be at least two dozen people were led out of the Fashion District building in handcuffs and loaded into white vans and driven away, escorted by federal law enforcement personnel in the street in tactical gear. Some spectators could be seen throwing objects at the vans, while others ran into the street.
At one point, a protester placed his hands on a white SUV that was being driven from the scene and tried to maneuver in front of the vehicle, but fell to the ground and was nearly run over. The driver of the SUV came to a quick stop, then backed up and sped away.
The person on the ground stood up a short time later and did not appear to be seriously injured.
Early Friday afternoon, a throng of federal agents amassed at what appeared to be an Ambiance clothing warehouse or corporate headquarters building near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in South Los Angeles area. One person wearing a Drug Enforcement Administration vest was seen at that location.
Dozens of protesters also gathered at that location, and at one point, federal agents had to shove protesters out of the path of a van that was being driven into the building’s parking lot. At least one protester was taken to the ground and arrested as the crowd gathered, prompting more shoving by agents to keep the group at bay.
The unidentified person was later seen being given medical treatment, apparently having been pepper-sprayed in the eyes.
Around 12:25 p.m., LAPD officers responded to a report from “another agency” of a man with a knife in the 2400 block of East 15th Street — the location of the Ambiance warehouse — but no arrests were made, a department spokesman said.
LAPD officers also could be seen establishing a skirmish line at the location due to the number of protesters gathered in the area.
There were also reports of additional raids being carried out Friday in areas such as Pico-Union and Cypress Park. Angélica Salas, the executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said there were at least seven immigration raids held across the region Friday, many of them at workplaces, including a doughnut shop. She said 45 people were detained in the various operations.
Salas said the raids were “random sweeps” conducted without warrants, and those arrested were simply racially profiled.
The Service Employees International Union California issued a statement saying the union’s president, David Huerta, was “injured and detained” during the immigration actions.
“SEIU California members call for the immediate release of our president, David Huerta, who was injured and detained at the site of one of today’s ICE raids in Los Angeles,” the union’s executive director, Tia Orr, said in a statement.
“He is now receiving medical attention while in custody. We are proud of President Huerta’s righteous participation as a community observer, in keeping with his long history of advocating for immigrant workers and with the highest values of our movement: standing up to injustice, regardless of personal risk or the power of those perpetrating it.”
Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, issued a statement early Friday evening saying “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.”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, D-Los Angeles, said in a statement that Huerta was arrested at the Roybal Federal Building downtown.
“Huerta was Tased and brutalized for attempting to visit his union members — asylum applicants going through the immigration process legally who have been unjustly, indefinitely detained and are being held in inhumane conditions,” Kamlager-Dove said.
Early Friday evening, Huerta issued a statement through the union saying, “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.”
On Friday afternoon, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell issued a statement in response to the raids.
“Today, 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,” McDonnell said. “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 that 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 call for service. 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,” Luna said in a statement.
“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,” he added.
There was no immediate comment from Immigrations and Customs Enforcement about the operations. Homeland Security Investigations spokeswoman Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe told the Los Angeles Times that search warrants were served regarding illegal immigrants and anyone harboring them.
At the end of Friday’s Los Angeles City Council meeting, Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez said her office had received reports throughout the morning “about swift and aggressive immigration raids and enforcement.”
“My team and I have been in contact with community members and rapid response organizers since early this morning in my district,” Hernandez said. “… L.A. is a sanctuary city, and we’ve made it clear that we will not cooperate and use our resources for ICE and federal immigration enforcement, but that doesn’t stop them from showing up. Now we’re seeing their tactics quickly escalate.
“They’re swooping in fast, without warning and leaving just as quickly. They don’t hang around because they know we mobilize. Our resistance is working, and that’s exactly why they have elevated their approach and changed their approach, colleagues.”
She urged residents to be prepared and know their rights if they are contacted by law enforcement or federal agents.
“This is not new, and we cannot act like they are not going to kidnap and take our people from our neighborhood because they’re actively doing it,” Hernandez said. “So, please plug in with your communities. Please educate yourselves.”
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying she was “deeply angered” by the raids.
“This morning, we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles,” Bass said. “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. 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.”
Bass indicated she will hold a meeting Monday with local immigrant- rights organizations to discuss the raids.
Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, homeland security advisor and a graduate of Santa Monica High School, wrote on social media in response to Bass’ comment, “You have no say in this at all. Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis called the actions “deeply disturbing.”
“The individuals detained are hardworking Angelenos who contribute to our local economy and labor force every day,” Solis said in a statement. “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.”
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the federal building in downtown Los Angeles Friday evening and began a march through the area to denounce the raids.
The Metropolitan Detention Center was sprayed with graffiti by protesters.
California Highway Patrol vehicles blocked the Alameda Street on-ramp to the Hollywood (101) Freeway adjacent to the Federal Detention Center in an attempt to keep protesters from walking onto the freeway, according to broadcast reports.
Around 7 p.m., the LAPD declared an unlawful assembly on Alameda Street between Aliso and Temple streets, warning that individuals who remain in the area were subject to arrest. Alameda Street was closed between Temple and Commercial streets, police said.
A small group of individuals threw “large pieces of concrete” in the area near the Metropolitan Detention Center, according to the LAPD. The use of less lethal munitions was authorized by the incident commander, the LAPD reported.
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