Over 30 Southern California mayors, led by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, stood united this Wednesday to demand an end to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have expanded beyond downtown Los Angeles into multiple counties, stirring concern across communities.
Mayor Bass recalled that just a week ago, cities across the region were peaceful, but the enforcement operations by ICE and other federal agencies have since triggered significant unrest. She accused U.S. President Donald Trump's political ambitions of instigating the crackdown, declaring, “This was provoked by the White House.”
“When you raid Home Depots and workplaces, when you tear parents and children apart, and when you run armored caravans through our streets, you're not trying to keep anyone safe. You're trying to cause fear and panic,” Bass said, urging the withdrawal of federalized National Guard troops and Marines from the streets.
According to Los Angeles Police Department reports, the region reached over 400 arrests by Wednesday. On Tuesday alone, officers detained 225 people—203 for failing to disperse and 17 for curfew violations. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed that ICE had detained 330 immigrants since Friday, with 157 facing assault and obstruction charges.
Federal prosecutors also announced charges against two men, Emiliano Garduno Galvez, 23, of Paramount, and Wrackkie Quiogue, 27, of Long Beach, after they allegedly attempted to throw Molotov cocktails at law enforcement. Both face up to 10 years in federal prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device.
The tensions reached a dramatic peak in Los Angeles' Boyle Heights neighborhood on Wednesday morning when federal agents rammed a white sedan with two unmarked SUVs before extracting the driver at gunpoint. The LAPD is investigating the collision as a possible hit-and-run, noting that immigration officers reportedly vacated the scene immediately after.
The mayors' coalition is calling on federal authorities to de-escalate enforcement tactics and respect community safety. As local leaders press their demands, residents and activists alike are watching to see if the federal government will respond to growing calls for a more humane approach to immigration policy.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
