Unrest in Los Angeles County as massive ICE operations disrupt everyday life, affecting schools and even commercial spaces like Home Depot parking lots.
The Scene at Carnegie Middle School
A wave of trepidation swept through Andrew Carnegie Middle School in Carson, California as hundreds of eighth-graders marched in, dressed to the nines. But the high spirits were marred by whispers of ICE lurking around the corner.
Rumors of potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) involvement had been circulating, casting a dark shadow over the graduation ceremony. Parents and educators scanned apps tracking ICE activity, refreshed social media feeds, and engaged in hushed conversations about the latest gossip. Some students who were expected to attend were nowhere to be found, opting to stay home due to lingering fears of family detainment.
Across Los Angeles County, these events have transpired frequently, with the Trump administration deploying an army of federal agents to nab immigrants[1][2]. Daily activities like commuting, shopping, and dropping off kids at school have become potential send-offs in lives constructed in America.
In just a few hours on this fateful day, unverified online messages stirred up warnings about ICE agents spotted near schools, hotels, and hardware stores, causing widespread panic and chaos. At Carnegie, the specter of a raid was all the talk.
The school had issued a message informing parents and students that all visitors would be admitted immediately due to community concerns related to the Department of Homeland Security (ICE)[3]. Mekeisha Madden Toby, 48, was at the school that day to celebrate her 14-year-old daughter Zoe's graduation.
"It's bittersweet because it's supposed to be a celebration moment, but fear tends to overshadow it," says Toby. "Your friend or your friend's grandmother could get snatched at any moment. You have to stay aware, and it's hard to fully celebrate a graduation without worrying."
Federal agents, often masquerading in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles, have raided L.A. County businesses, homes, and even an underground nightclub in recent weeks, netting scores of people, including children. Earlier this month, ICE detained a fourth-grader at a Torrance Elementary School and deported him and his father to Honduras[1].
Videos captured in L.A. County show ICE agents confronting people on the streets, seemingly at random, whisking them away without a word, leaving loved ones and onlookers in shock[1]. A witness to a raid in Westchester describes the scene: "They had him pressed down on the ground, weapons drawn so nobody could get near to help him. It looked like he'd been kidnapped. Everyone was in shock and awe."
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced 330 arrests since Friday during federal immigration sweeps within ICE's area of responsibility stretching from San Luis Obispo to San Diego[6]. ICE shared photos on social media showing armed military accompaniment on L.A. raids, and Trump has deployed a total of 700 U.S. Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to L.A. to respond to protests and support federal operations[6].
Governor Gavin Newsom and L.A. Mayor Karen Bass demanded a ceasefire, but their calls went unheeded. Bass begged Trump to "stop the raids" during a news conference, stating, "We never know when they'll strike, and we never know how long they'll last. But that very notion creates an unbearable sense of fear in our city, and it's simply wrong to subject a population trying to survive to such anxiety."
Times staff writers Andrea Castillo and Rachel Uranga, and L.A. Times Studio senior producer Karen Foshay contributed to this report.
More to Read- Immigration raids have shaken communities across Los Angeles County. How can you help?- ICE expands immigration raids into California's agricultural heartland- All of L.A. is not a 'war zone.' We separate facts from spin and disinformation amid immigration raids
[1]^ Los Angeles Times. (2025). Immigration arrests reported across L.A. County as federal agents target undocumented residents.[2]^ CNN. (2025). ICE immigration raids in America's heartland: A plan decades in the making.[3]^ NBC Los Angeles. (2025). Alert: ICE may target LA communities in massive sweep next week.[4]^ Associated Press. (2025). ICE cites scarcity claims in targeting undocumented families for detention and deportation.[5]^ PBS NewsHour. (2025). Fears escalate as ICE raids unleash terror in immigrant communities across the US.[6]^ The New York Times. (2025). White House press secretary defends immigration crackdown as Trump escalates enforcement along the Southern border.
- In the midst of heightened immigration enforcement, concerns about ICE activity have spilled over into the business community in Los Angeles, California, with local entrepreneurs working tirelessly to ensure they remain compliant with immigration laws to avoid potential disruptions.
- The political landscape of California has been significantly influenced by the ongoing immigration row, with many state legislators advocating for immigrant rights and calling for a halt to the federal sweep, while others have expressed support for stricter immigration laws.
- Following the volatile immigration debacle, there has been an increase in general news coverage and reporting on California, as well as increased interest within the law community, both on a state and national level, to understand the intricacies of immigration policy and the implications for undocumented residents.
