A tense wave of immigration enforcement swept through Los Angeles last week, pulling more than 100 migrants into federal custody and sparking urgent questions about policy, power, and the price of security. As ICE agents moved through stores, streets, and warehouses—netting both serious criminals and ordinary workers—protests surged across the city. With scenes of arrests, flash protests, and the sudden arrival of National Guard troops, the immigration crackdown turned into a gripping urban drama, leaving behind fear, fury, and fierce debate in its wake.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• ICE arrested more than 100 migrants in Los Angeles during a weeklong enforcement operation.

• Nearly 45 were detained Friday at Home Depot stores, a fashion district warehouse, and a doughnut shop.

• Federal authorities say some arrestees had serious criminal records, including violent offenses and drug trafficking.

• Protests erupted over the weekend, leading to the arrest of SEIU California president David Huerta.

• President Trump deployed California National Guard troops to L.A. after clashes with demonstrators.

• Agents executed a search warrant at a warehouse suspected of using fake documents to employ workers.

• Tensions between immigrant communities and federal officials continue to rise amid ongoing debate.

A sweeping immigration enforcement operation in the Los Angeles area last week has left the city reeling, with over 100 individuals arrested and tensions flaring between federal authorities and community members. The operation, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), targeted several public and private locations, and drew sharp criticism for its execution and aftermath. While federal officials emphasized that some of those arrested had serious criminal histories, local voices questioned the approach and consequences of such broad raids.

In one of the most visible enforcement actions in recent months, ICE agents descended on locations including Home Depot stores, a doughnut shop, and a warehouse in the bustling fashion district. The largest sweep occurred Friday, when nearly 45 people were taken into custody, adding to a weeklong total that surpassed 100 arrests. One man was deported to Mexico the same day he was detained, underscoring the swift nature of some of the removals.

Federal authorities maintained that the actions were part of standard operations aimed at apprehending individuals with unresolved immigration violations, particularly those with prior criminal convictions. Some of the individuals arrested, they noted, had been convicted of serious crimes ranging from drug trafficking to sexual assault.

However, the raids did not go unnoticed. Crowds began to gather outside targeted businesses, and by the weekend, full-scale protests had erupted in several neighbourhoods. Demonstrators decried what they saw as excessive force and unjustified targeting of immigrant workers. Many expressed concern that legitimate workers were being swept up in actions based on profiling or suspicion alone.

One of the more high-profile incidents involved David Huerta, president of SEIU California, a prominent labour union. Huerta was arrested during a protest and later charged with impeding a federal agent. His detention sparked outrage among labour advocates and immigrant rights groups, who say the enforcement operation is part of a broader campaign to intimidate vulnerable communities.

Tensions escalated further on Saturday when President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of California National Guard troops to assist in maintaining order in Los Angeles. The move came after two consecutive days of confrontations between protesters and federal agents, some clad in riot gear. Images of the clashes quickly spread online, fueling a nationwide conversation about the limits of federal authority and the treatment of immigrants in urban centres.

At the heart of the crackdown was a warehouse in the fashion district, where ICE agents executed a search warrant after a judge found probable cause that the employer had been using fraudulent documents to employ unauthorized workers. “This was not a random sweep,” said U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy. “We acted based on evidence reviewed and approved by a federal judge.”

Some of the individual arrests highlighted by ICE have drawn particular attention. Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, 55, a Philippine national, has an extensive criminal background. He was previously convicted of burglary in Ontario, California, and later sentenced to 37 years in prison for sexual penetration with force and assault with intent to commit rape in Pomona. ICE officers took him into custody on Saturday and issued a notice to appear before immigration proceedings.

Another notable arrest involved Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, 42, of Ecuador. He was picked up Friday and subjected to administrative deportation. According to records, Ortiz had served over 11 years in prison for conspiring to distribute large quantities of cocaine aboard a vessel in Tampa, Florida.

While ICE points to these arrests as justification for the broader operation, critics argue that sweeping up large numbers of individuals in public places sends a chilling message to immigrant communities, many of whom are already living under pressure. “Targeting criminals is one thing,” said one protester, “but disrupting entire neighbourhoods, workplaces, and families to do it is another matter entirely.”

As the fallout continues, Los Angeles remains on edge. Federal officials have not confirmed whether additional operations are planned in the coming weeks, but community groups are already mobilizing, offering legal support, holding vigils, and calling for accountability. The debate over how immigration laws are enforced—particularly in sanctuary cities like Los Angeles—appears far from over.