Hundreds in LA Protest ICE Raids as Mayor Says ‘We Will Not Stand for This’

Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of downtown Los Angeles on Friday after reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids swept through the city earlier in the day.

Newsweek reached out to ICE and Governor Gavin Newsom’s office via email Friday night for comment.

Why It Matters

Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar within the administration.

Trump last month utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was originally blocked in federal court and sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth.

The president also campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Tom Homan as his administration’s border czar to execute his agenda.

What To Know

According to ABC 7 News Los Angeles, hundreds of protesters have gathered on downtown streets in resistance to the reported raids. The network added that the raids struck three separate sites on Friday.

The protest began outside the federal courthouse in the afternoon near 300 N. Los Angeles Street and the crowd then began pushing toward the detention center in the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building, ABC 7 reports.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter on Friday, Mayor Karen Bass posted a statement, saying, “This morning we received reports of federal immigration enforcement actions in multiple locations in Los Angeles.”

“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,” Bass said. “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.”

Newsom also took to social media reacting to the reported raids and a post that Service Employees International Union President David Huerta had been injured and detained observing one of them.

“David Huerta is a respected leader, a patriot, and an advocate for working people. No one should ever be harmed for witnessing government action,” Newsom posted on X.

This is a developing story that will be updated with additional information.