Los Angeles— Federal immigration officers raided three places around the city on Friday, officials said, in a “chaotic” action that prompted quick censure from local lawmakers and a distant response from Los Angeles law enforcement.
Homeland Security Investigations issued a statement stating that four federal search warrants were executed at three locations in central Los Angeles today by ICE officers and partner law enforcement agencies.
As federal officials broke into buildings, frequently wearing camouflage and bulletproof vests with their faces covered, demonstrators and supporters quickly arrived, causing heated scenes around the city.
Witnesses said that tear gas was used in at least one of the places to clear the way for federal agents to take in their prisoners.
According to the HSI statement, “approximately 44 people” were administratively arrested, and one was arrested for obstruction.
Governor Gavin Newsom harshly condemned the raids.
“Continued chaotic federal sweeps, across California, to meet an arbitrary arrest quota are as reckless as they are cruel,” the governor said in a statement. “Donald Trump’s chaos is eroding trust, tearing families apart, and undermining the workers and industries that power America’s economy.”
Among those jailed was SEIU California President David Huerta, who represents an estimated 750,000 service workers in the state. According to Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California based in Los Angeles, he was arrested by federal agents at the scene of one of the raids.
“David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,” he told X on Friday night. “He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday.”
The trade union claimed Huerta was released from a hospital Friday afternoon after being transported for unexplained reasons. According to the statement, he remained in prison as of early Friday evening. According to the union, he was “exercising his First Amendment right to observe and document law enforcement activity” when he was arrested.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass paid Huerta a visit in the hospital and spoke with NBC Los Angeles afterwards.
“He is doing OK physically, but I know what really impacted him the most was the emotional trauma of watching parents and kids being separated,” she told me.
Ambiance Apparel, a clothes maker, importer, and wholesaler in Los Angeles’ Fashion District, was among the sites targeted by federal officials, according to Essayli.
The authorities executed a search warrant in search of “fictitious employee documents,” according to Essayli.
A spokesperson from Ambiance Apparel could not be reached for comment on Friday.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., described the ICE move as “a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement.”
“These indiscriminate raids prove once again that the Trump administration cares about nothing but instilling harm and fear in our communities to drive immigrants into the shadows,” Padilla, a Los Angeles native and son of Mexican immigrants, said in a statement.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell and Sheriff Robert Luna were eager to assert that their officers had no involvement in the federal operation.
“Today, the LAPD became aware that ICE was conducting operations in the city of Los Angeles,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I’m aware that these actions cause anxiety for many Angelenos, so I want to make it clear: the LAPD is not involved in civil immigration enforcement.”
People’s City Council released a video on social media showing LAPD cops outside the Ambiance Apparel business. The department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Luna recognized the raids had “caused fear,” but urged people to “remain calm and peaceful as we continue to prioritize your safety and well-being in our efforts.”
