Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on Thursday that federal immigration enforcement efforts will continue in Los Angeles and Southern California.
During a news conference in West Los Angeles, Noem emphasized that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have been actively engaged in operations to arrest criminals who she claims have lingered on city streets for too long.
Noem promised an increase in these federal operations, asserting, “We are not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and that this mayor placed on this country and what they have tried to insert into this city.”
She was referring to the state and city’s sanctuary policies that limit the use of local resources for federal immigration enforcement, claiming that millions of individuals in Los Angeles are undocumented and that ICE has been targeting tens of thousands since November.
Speaking on the protests occurring in the city, Noem stated that anyone who incites violence would face legal consequences. She warned that federal law enforcement agencies, such as the Department of Justice and the FBI, alongside the Internal Revenue Service, have been collaborating under DHS’ Incident Command Center to prosecute individuals allegedly funding violence during protests.
“Masked thugs are assaulting police officers. They’re setting vehicles on fire. They’re waving foreign flags on American soil while burning American flags and they damaged public property and destroyed private businesses,” Noem asserted, labeling the protests as “un-American.”
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons reiterated that the focus of their immigration enforcement initiatives is on violent criminals, such as gang members, human traffickers, and drug dealers. He dismissed accusations regarding warrant-less arrests made by ICE agents, stating, “Yet the city turned against us, and we had violent protesters, and that just won’t happen because the men and women of ICE won’t be deterred by this.”
The FBI’s Akil Davis also provided insights into the federal investigation into violence surrounding the protests, including assaults on law enforcement and civilian populations, looting, arson, and vandalism.
Davis revealed that the FBI is seeking help in locating Elpidio Reyna, who allegedly assaulted a federal officer during demonstrations in Paramount. A previous reward of $50,000 has been offered for information leading to Reyna’s capture.
Additionally, Davis announced the arrest of Alejandro Orellana, who is accused of supplying masks to protesters engaged in violent acts.
Following a series of immigration enforcement raids conducted by ICE last Friday, protests have erupted daily in downtown Los Angeles. These initial demonstrations were reportedly peaceful but later escalated into violent encounters, with reports of vandalism and assaults, including damage to California Highway Patrol vehicles and the burning of Waymo cars.
Elected officials in the city have voiced their discontent regarding the recent actions taken by the federal government. California National Guard troops and U.S. Marines have been deployed to protect federal facilities, a move Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom have criticized as inappropriate military escalation.
Bass declared, “Last Thursday, there was nothing happening in this town that called for the raids that took place Friday. Nothing was happening. Nothing warranted the raids,” emphasizing her disbelief that federal enforcement strategies were justified.
While Bass and other leaders condemned certain criminal behaviors, they asserted that those who vandalize and loot do not represent the interests of legitimate protesters advocating for immigrant rights. Bass remarked, “Let me be clear: Anyone who vandalized downtown or looted stores does not care about our immigrant communities. You will be held accountable.”
In response to the violence and property damage, city officials have implemented a curfew in downtown Los Angeles, which is expected to remain in place for several days.
Furthermore, Bass and other Southern California mayors have urged a cessation of federal raids while specifically addressing President Donald Trump, blaming the administration for escalating tensions. Bass criticized the Trump Administration for conducting raids in vulnerable locations, including near day labor centers and schools.
She suggested that the actions of federal forces—described as armored caravans—were designed to incite fear rather than to keep communities safe, stating, “When you run armored caravans through our streets, you’re not trying to keep anyone safe; you’re trying to cause fear and panic.”
This tension surrounding immigration and civil liberties continues to unfold in Los Angeles as local leaders urge for a re-evaluation of federal approaches to enforcement and community safety.
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