Dozens of individuals have been arrested in Los Angeles following days of violent protests that erupted in response to recent immigration raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The unrest, which began on June 6, has seen vehicles set on fire and reports of looting in several areas of the city.
The protests were triggered after ICE officers reportedly conducted raids in neighborhoods with significant Latino populations, including the Westlake district and Paramount, which has a predominantly Hispanic community. These actions follow a surge in immigration enforcement after President Donald Trump vowed to intensify his crackdown on illegal immigration upon returning to the White House.
ICE confirmed that 44 individuals were arrested in a single operation at a job site in Paramount on June 6, with an additional 77 arrests made throughout the greater Los Angeles area. However, reports of an ICE raid at a Home Depot location in Paramount were later debunked by officials.
In response to the escalating protests, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles on June 7, marking the first time since 1965 that the National Guard has been sent to the city without a request from the state governor. The move has sparked controversy, with California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemning the deployment. Both officials expressed confidence that local law enforcement could manage the situation without federal intervention.
The protests, which have largely remained confined to downtown Los Angeles, have led to the area being declared an “unlawful assembly” by police. Authorities are working to restore order as the demonstrations continue to unfold.
The recent ICE operations are part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to carry out what the president has called the “biggest deportation operation” in U.S. history. Los Angeles, home to a large immigrant population, has been a focal point of these efforts.
In an unexpected development, self-driving vehicles operated by Google’s Waymo were set on fire by protesters in the area between Arcadia and Alameda Streets. It remains unclear whether the cars were targeted deliberately or if the attack was a spontaneous act of vandalism. Some speculate that the act may reflect broader frustrations with autonomous technology, with concerns over job displacement and the social impact of driverless vehicles. The situation in Los Angeles continues to evolve as tensions remain high, with both immigration enforcement and protests at the forefront of national debate.
Amid ongoing protests in Los Angeles, the Mexican flag has become a prominent and potent symbol of resistance, with demonstrators waving it as a sign of solidarity and defiance. The flag has gained significance in the wake of recent immigration raids and the Trump administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
Officials from the Trump administration have criticized the protesters, with some labeling them as “insurrectionists” for their actions. However, many demonstrators see the Mexican flag as a symbol of cultural pride and resistance against what they view as unjust immigration policies.
