Anti-ICE protests erupt across LA - as officials vow to continue deportation operations

President Donald Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said he plans to send the National Guard to Los Angeles to combat protests against ICE.

“We are making Los Angeles safer. Mayor Bass should be thanking us. She says they are going to mobilize—guess what? We are already mobilizing. We are going to bring the National Guard in tonight,” Homan said on Saturday.

A series of coordinated immigration raids across Los Angeles on Friday led to dozens of arrests of individuals suspected of "immigration violations", igniting widespread protests and sparking condemnation by locals and Californian state officials.

The coordinated raids were carried out in a military-style operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Individuals suspected of “immigration violations and the use of fraudulent documents” were arrested.

According to an ICE spokesperson, as many as 118 arrests have been made in L.A. this week, which includes 44 in those operations on Friday.

As word of the raids spread, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Edward R Royal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where those arrested were being processed.

Read More: Seriously ill girl ordered to leave US and return to Mexico granted year's reprieve after warning she could die within days

Read More: FBI makes arrest after man died while blowing up California fertility clinic in ‘act of terrorism’

Protesters blocked entrances and exits to the building, chanted slogans and demanded the release of those arrested. Several protesters attempted to physically stop ICE vehicles, leading to confrontations with law enforcement.

Shortly after 7pm local time on Friday, the Los Angeles Police Department declared the protests to be an “unlawful assembly”, meaning that protestors who refused to leave the area could be subject to arrest.

US media outlets and rights groups reported that hundreds of detainees, including children, were held overnight in the basement of the federal building without access to beds, blankets or adequate food and water.

However, an ICE spokesperson told CBS News that the agency “categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."

ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) reported the “administrative arrest” of 44 individuals for immigration-related offences. An administrative arrest refers to detention for civil immigration violations, which include overstaying a visa or holding legal immigration status. These arrests can result in detention, deportation, temporary re-entry bans and denial of future immigration requests.

United States Attorney Bill Essayli said federal law enforcement operations would proceed as planned in Los Angeles County this weekend.

"I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution," he said.

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said in a statement on Saturday, "The brave men and women of ICE were in Los Angeles arresting criminal illegal aliens including gang members, drug traffickers and those with a history of assault, cruelty to children, domestic violence, robbery, and smuggling."

Lyons said that the "violent rioters will be held accountable" and vowed that ICE will continue to make arrests.

The raids were part of a broader initiative under the Trump administration’s intensified immigration policies.

Local and state officials condemned the raids and the manner in which they were conducted.

In a statement shared on X on Friday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said such operations “sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city”.

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement describing the operations as “cruel” and “chaotic”, adding that they are an attempt “to meet an arbitrary arrest quota”. All 15 members of the Los Angeles City Council issued a joint statement denouncing the raids.

Some Trump administration officials, on the other hand, defended the actions and criticised local leaders for pushing back.

US Secretary Kristi Noem said in a post on X: "A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down," stating that ICE will "continue to enforce the law."

The status of all individuals detained remains unclear.