Protests surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities have reached a boiling point in the largest cities of New York and Los Angeles this weekend, drawing intense public scrutiny and opposition.
In Lower Manhattan, tensions escalated sharply on Saturday as demonstrators confronted federal officers detaining immigrants during immigration hearings at 26 Federal Plaza.
Protesters attempted to obstruct ICE vehicles from leaving the facility, prompting the New York Police Department (NYPD) to respond.
The situation led to clashes between activists and law enforcement, with some videos circulating online showing officers using pepper spray, resulting in injuries to both protesters and at least one police officer.
In contrast, Los Angeles witnessed even fiercer demonstrations.
Hundreds rallied in the Paramount neighborhood against recent ICE raids.
Protestors accused agents of abducting individuals without provocation, leading to scenes of chaos as heavily armed ICE agents deployed non-lethal measures, including flash-bang grenades, to disperse the crowd.
While the Los Angeles Police Department reported that the situation was under control and claimed the protest was nonviolent, President Donald Trump made the decision to mobilize the California National Guard in response to the unrest.
On Saturday, President Trump issued a memo declaring the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops for an initial 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, without specifying particular locations for their deployment.
In the memo, Trump cited “credible threats of continued violence” as justification for calling up the National Guard under 10 U.S.C. 12406 to ensure the protection of ICE and federal personnel engaged in official duties.
This decision marks a notable contrast to the administration’s response during the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, where Trump refrained from deploying the National Guard.
In light of these escalating tensions, New York City mayoral candidate and former Governor Andrew Cuomo publicly criticized ICE’s tactics as cruel and unnecessary.
Cuomo stated, “The recent ICE crackdowns in Los Angeles and New York City are a deeply troubling escalation in immigration enforcement tactics that undermine community trust and the principles of due process.”
He added, “I believe in upholding the rule of law and maintaining secure borders, but these operations—marked by military-style raids, the use of flash-bang grenades, and the detention of individuals—cross a line into cruelty and unnecessary fear mongering.”
Additionally, ABC 7 Los Angeles reported the arrest of David Huerta, a local union leader and president of the Service Employees International Union California (SEIU).
Huerta was present at the scene to document law enforcement activities when he was apprehended amid a confrontation with federal agents.
Congress Member and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) condemned Huerta’s arrest as “unacceptable” and called for the immediate dismissal of all charges against him.
Jeffries stated, “The Trump administration has repeatedly broken the law while deporting American citizens, including children, without the due process protections guaranteed by the Constitution.”
He emphasized that Americans have the right to lawfully and peacefully protest these actions, referring to President Trump as a “wannabe dictator.”
“This is the United States of America, and we will not be intimidated by a wannabe dictator in the executive branch,” he asserted.
Jeffries pledged continued support to David Huerta until the charges are dropped and called for a thorough investigation into what he termed “rogue federal actions.”
Senator Chuck Schumer from New York echoed Jeffries’ concerns, labeling Huerta’s arrest indicative of a “disturbing pattern” of detaining Americans for exercising their free speech rights.
Schumer remarked, “The Trump administration’s disturbing pattern of arresting and detaining American citizens for exercising their right to free speech and protest is not only sickening, it’s a blatant abuse of power and a stain on our democracy.”
He urged for Huerta’s immediate release.
In further developments, City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate Adrienne Adams expressed her condemnation on social media regarding the recent reported detainment of a school student by ICE.
Adams stated, “Trump’s ICE has detained another NYC public school student while at a routine immigration hearing.
Taking children away from their families and education spreads fear, undermines public safety, and hurts our city.
This high schooler should be with his classmates and family.”
Fellow mayoral candidate and current New York Comptroller Brad Lander previously showed support for families facing similar disruptions caused by ICE raids.
The unfolding events on both coasts signal a growing national debate surrounding immigration enforcement practices and their impact on communities.
image source from：https://www.amny.com/new-york/ice-protests-new-york-los-angeles-immigrants-06082025/
