Chaos in LA as ICE Raids Trigger Arrests and Troop Deployment.
Tension boiled over across Los Angeles County this weekend after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers carried out surprise raids in three separate locations on Friday, detaining dozens of people.
The federal operations, which advocates say lacked transparency and due process, quickly ignited a wave of protests that has since morphed into a citywide standoff.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the actions as “chaotic federal sweeps” intended to fulfill an “arbitrary arrest quota,” while pro-immigrant organizations and labor groups flooded the streets in response.
The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department confirmed the operations were “proceeding as planned,” even as demonstrations swelled by the hour.
By Saturday, hundreds had taken to the streets, with large crowds gathering outside federal buildings and detention centers.
Protesters chanted, carried signs, and marched through major neighborhoods including Downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights.
Tensions reached a tipping point when demonstrators blocked the 101 Freeway, prompting police to declare an unlawful assembly.
Law enforcement deployed tear gas, flash-bang grenades, rubber bullets, and pepper spray in an effort to disperse demonstrators.
Footage circulated on social media showed scenes of unrest, including clashes with officers, property damage, and the burning of multiple vehicles, among them an autonomous Waymo car allegedly set on fire by rioters.
Throughout the day, numerous individuals were detained. By Sunday, the LAPD confirmed at least 56 arrests, though independent estimates place the total at over 100 since the protests began.
Injuries have been reported on both sides, including at least three demonstrators, several law enforcement personnel, and six members of the National Guard.
A foreign journalist was also struck by a sponge bullet round while reporting from the scene.
In response to the escalating situation, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles, with approximately 400 arriving by Sunday morning.
He cited the need to restore “law and order,” and warned of a potential “violent insurrection,” suggesting further military action could follow.
The deployment was met with strong opposition from state and local leaders. “What we’re seeing in Los Angeles is chaos that is provoked by the administration.”
“This is about another agenda, this isn’t about public safety.” said Mayor Karen Bass.
Governor Gavin Newsom echoed Mayor Bass’s concerns, announcing his intent to file a lawsuit against the federal government. He described the National Guard deployment as unconstitutional and “deliberately inflammatory.”
Prominent Democratic figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris and Representative Maxine Waters, also criticized the administration’s use of military force in response to civilian demonstrations.
Protests entered a third consecutive day on Monday, with no indication of de-escalation. Organizers have pledged to sustain momentum throughout the week, with planned demonstrations outside ICE field offices, courthouses, and major transportation corridors.
Chants of “Sanctuary Now” and “Abolish ICE” were widely heard as immigrant communities and advocacy groups mobilized to shield vulnerable residents from federal enforcement actions.
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