Tensions in Los Angeles as Protests Continue Over ICE Raids

As of Monday morning UK time, Los Angeles remains gripped by unrest following a weekend of violent protests, dozens of arrests, and the deployment of National Guard troops. The city has become the epicentre of a fierce national debate over immigration enforcement and federal authority, with demonstrators taking to the streets in response to a wave of controversial raids carried out by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Authorities say nearly 40 people have been arrested across the city since Friday, with violent confrontations between protesters and police erupting around key sites, including the 101 freeway and federal buildings downtown.

How the Los Angeles Protests Turned Violent

Initially peaceful, the protests escalated dramatically on Sunday evening. Demonstrators reportedly hurled concrete, bottles, and fireworks at officers, while law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and stun grenades.

Several journalists were caught in the crossfire. Australian television reporter Lauren Tomasi was struck live on air by a rubber bullet, prompting international outcry. A British photojournalist suffered serious injuries requiring emergency medical care.

City officials have described scenes of chaos, with Molotov cocktails being thrown and parts of the city centre barricaded by protest groups. Many of the protesters accuse federal authorities of targeting immigrant communities unfairly, describing the raids as aggressive and discriminatory.

Why ICE Raids Sparked the Outrage

The trigger for the unrest was a series of ICE raids that began early Friday. Officials described the operation as a focused effort to detain undocumented immigrants with outstanding deportation orders or known criminal records. However, numerous witnesses and advocacy groups allege that ICE agents went far beyond this remit, detaining individuals without clear cause and separating families in the process.

Social media videos appeared to show people being stopped in car parks, outside schools, and in residential neighbourhoods. Advocacy groups claim the tactics used were deliberately designed to intimidate and destabilise communities.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced plans to challenge the legality of the raids, calling them "unconstitutional and deeply unethical."

A Divided Political Response

California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken a defiant stance, condemning the federal deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles without his consent.

"This action is unlawful. It undermines our state’s authority and further escalates an already volatile situation," he said on Sunday. Newsom has requested the immediate withdrawal of federal forces and is preparing legal action to challenge the decision.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass voiced similar concerns, stating that the city’s own police force was

"fully capable of handling any necessary public safety response"

without military intervention.

On the other side of the political spectrum, the federal government insists that its actions are both lawful and necessary. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated the deployment is intended to protect federal buildings and personnel from what he described as "violent insurrectionist mobs."

Former President Donald Trump praised the move, declaring that

"Only strong action can restore order when radical left agitators try to control our streets."

The political divide over the events in Los Angeles reflects deeper national disagreements over immigration policy, protest rights, and the extent of federal power.

What is ICE and What Does it Do?

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, commonly known as ICE, is a federal agency under the Department of Homeland Security. It was created in 2003 following the 9/11 attacks, with a broad mandate to enforce immigration laws and protect the country from cross-border threats.

ICE operates two main branches: Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which focuses on transnational crime, and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which handles the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

While the agency argues that it plays a critical role in maintaining law and order, it has long drawn criticism from civil rights groups, who accuse it of using overly aggressive tactics and targeting vulnerable communities. The debate over ICE’s powers and accountability remains one of the most divisive issues in American politics today.

What Happens Next?

The situation in Los Angeles remains tense. National Guard troops continue to patrol key locations, with an additional 500 Marines reportedly on standby at Camp Pendleton in case of further escalation.

Legal battles are now brewing in both federal and state courts, and protests are expected to continue throughout the week. As the city braces for further demonstrations, attention turns to whether the situation will stabilise or deepen the rift between state and federal authorities.