Immigrant Roundups in Los Angeles County: Intense Pursuit of Immigration Enforcement Operations
Tales from L.A.'s Streets: The relentless chase for ICE
The city of angels is under siege, as residents find themselves engrossed in a grim pursuit, tracking down the shadows of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. In recent days, the immigrant-heavy neighborhoods of South L.A. have witnessed a surge of federal raids, turning everyday routines into a nerve-wracking dance of caution and concern.
Fed by sodas and snacks picked up at Northgate Market, Connor Sheets, a 28-year-old Mexican American U.S. citizen, spends up to ten hours a day following Instagram alerts through South L.A.'s immigrant-rich districts. Armed with a large Mexican flag flying out of his sunroof and a crew of friends in a white Grand Cherokee, he's been on this quest for six days, in the hopes of catching ICE agents red-handed during a street detention.
However, so far, his results have been disappointing. "I keep doing this because they’re messing with my people," Sheets confessed. "It's no longer about immigration. Trump’s no longer targeting criminals; he's targeting Latinos."
This Sisyphean chase has become all too familiar in the Southern half of L.A. County, where anger against viral videos showing swift and violent apprehensions grows with each passing day. A Los Angeles Times reporter and photographer crisscrossed the region, witnessing the relentless pursuit of federal agents who always seem to remain one step ahead.
Monitoring ICE activity has become a grim pastime for many Angelenos. Apps dedicated to the purpose combine with Citizen, Nextdoor, X, and other platforms to create a constant stream of user-generated information about federal movements and operations. But keeping up with this torrent of unverified information can be both exhausting and frustrating, as reports often turn out to be false or ICE agents strike and depart with quick precision, leaving the public little opportunity to respond.
California has recently been bracing for multiple anti-Trump protests, with at least a dozen groups planning demonstrations across the city on Saturdays. Whether amidst the protests or the constant chase for ICE, a palpable sense of anxiety pervades the city, as residents and communities struggle to maintain a semblance of normalcy under the looming threat of federal raids.
And it’s not just Southern L.A. where the fear runs deep. The flower seller apprehension in South Gate is just one piece of the puzzle, as raids have extended to other areas such as homes, parks, and businesses—ranging from car washes to grocery stores. Families huddle in fear at middle school graduations, while workers at a Fashion Nova clothing warehouse in Vernon hear whispers of ICE trucks lurking nearby. Even the life of a candle-making business owner in Vernon is disrupted, as the fear generated by the raids and protests sows devastation for his company and other small businesses.
As the weeks pass, the situation seems only to escalate, with disaster striking where it least expected. Teenagers Emmanuel Segura and Jessy Villa take to the streets of South Gate, hoisting anti-ICE posters and waving flags in protest. "It's kind of scary," Segura admits. "They're taking anyone at this point."
The chilling effect of the raids is not limited to the undocumented immigrants; rather, it extends to the entire community, leading to mistrust and a breakdown in normal social and economic activity. Local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, have called for an end to the raids, citing the unnecessary trauma inflicted on immigrant communities. As the situation unfolds, it seems the citizens of Los Angeles will have to persevere in their pursuit, hoping to find peace amidst the shadows of uncertainty.
Tidbits:
- ICE raids have been conducted in neighborhoods such as Carson, Torrance, Gardena, Compton, Bell Gardens, and Long Beach, in addition to South Los Angeles.
- The Trump administration has deployed additional forces, including 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops, to support federal operations and respond to protests in the region.
- The raids are disrupting community life beyond just immigrants, affecting family gatherings, educational milestones, and businesses.
- The escalating ICE raids have extended beyond South Los Angeles, reaching neighborhoods like Carson, Torrance, Gardena, Compton, Bell Gardens, and Long Beach.
- In the midst of this ongoing chase for ICE, businesses in California are also feeling the impact, with a candle-making business owner in Vernon expressing concerns for his company due to the generated fear.
- The General News has been dominated by tales of ICE raids, sparking widespread protests against the Trump administration's policies. California has seen at least a dozen groups planning demonstrations across the city on Saturdays.
- The threats of ICE raids have disrupted community life, affecting family gatherings and educational milestones, such as middle school graduations, where families huddle in fear.
- In the realm of politics, Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have spoken out against the ICE raids, citing the unnecessary trauma inflicted on immigrant communities.
