Anxiety over Trump's troopers heightens following insurrection

In the heart of Greater Los Angeles lies Paramount – a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Its broken streets are lined with modest houses, where folks grapple with numerous issues, minimal income, and frequently, questionable legal papers. Over the weekend, a wave of fear swept through its predominantly Latin American community, fueled by unfounded rumors of a massive raid orchestrated by the Trump administration. These rumors sparked a riot that made international headlines as part of the ongoing West Coast metropolis unrest.

Flashback to Saturday, when many locals were off work, engaging in DIY projects at the local hardware store nestled beside the Los Angeles River (more of a trickle, confined within a highway-wide concrete basin these days). Next to the store's exit, day laborers waited on a lawn strip, ready to lend a hand for cash. However, something was off that day. The industrial park opposite the store, home to a battery store and a supplements store, saw the unusual presence of several US Border Patrol vehicles. This was an anomaly for Paramount and its troubled neighbor, Compton.

Internet rumors ran rampant about a raid at the hardware store, reminiscent of the countless undercover operation videos circulating across the US. The area filled with angry protesters, and soon, chaos ensued: a car was set on fire, Molotov cocktails were tossed, and the vehicles of the supposed ICE agents were pelted with stones. The police responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Later, the Department of Homeland Security debunked the rumors: there was no raid. However, the violence fueled Trump's controversial decision to send 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles – and also to Paramount. Many saw this as a provocation or an attempt at intimidation.

Fast forward to today: the hardware store's parking lot appears normal, but nothing seems quite right in this town. A young man, decked out in a local baseball cap and a Nirvana T-shirt, leans against an old pickup with faded paint. He introduces himself as Joe, the only one willing to speak openly about the recent events.

"People are locked down. They're not working because the area's still tense. I'm sure there are informants everywhere," he warns,论坛言论Departing from his truck, he reflects the paranoia that grips the town. A stranger is met with suspicion, and Joe, a Latin American resident of Compton, struggles to recognize his neighborhood these days.

He denies defending the weekend's violence but emphasizes that people react emotionally when they sense injustice. "The law enforcement can't be contained by the courts fast enough. They're using Gestapo methods," he argues, referencing America's guarantee of opportunities for all people.

In this context, millions of people without valid residence status have lived in the US for decades, primarily hailing from Mexico, Central America, Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean. They arrived as migrant workers, refugees, or expired-visa holders. Today, roughly 10 to 11 million people live without papers in the US, with nearly a million alone in Los Angeles. They work predominantly in sectors such as agriculture, construction, care, and hospitality – often under precarious conditions. They pay taxes but are excluded from many public services. Politically, they are caught between calls for isolation and promises of reform, but socially, they are considered a part of American life.

Joe understands the frustrations in Paramount and across the US. "We're supposed to be a free country with all these rights. But in reality, you never know. People feel so powerless,” he laments. He fears this is a model for how people are treated worldwide, looking at his smartphone with a clenched fist: "Okay, call me, brother. I gotta go." He melts into the hardware store crowd.

Just a few steps away, on the other side of the street, the gate to the industrial park stands open. Soldiers stand guard with weapons at the ready, having patrolled the area since Sunday morning at the president's orders. Media reports suggest it's a temporary command center for future raids. The reporter is allowed to take photos but met with silence when asking questions, as the soldier explains he must protect something. The nature of his protection remains a mystery.

The recent unrest in Paramount, fueled by rumors of a raid, has sparked discussions about economic and social policy, as well as crime and justice, in the ongoing West Coast metropolis unrest.
The controversies surrounding the Trump administration's immigration policies, such as the deployment of National Guard troops to border towns, have been a mainstay in general news and politics.
The events in Paramount, including the riot and the subsequent deployment of troops, raise questions about policy-and-legislation related to immigration and border control.
The hardship faced by many locals in Paramount, including those without valid residence papers, has been exacerbated by the fear and tension caused by war-and-conflicts and accidents, such as the riot and the subsequent military presence.