On June 6th, federal law enforcement officers carried out operations at various locations near downtown Los Angeles, arresting several individuals suspected of violating immigration laws. This action led to spontaneous gatherings of protesters who clashed with law enforcement at multiple sites.
According to reports from the city’s news agencies, in the early morning of June 6th, personnel from different federal law enforcement agencies were seen at the entrance of Home Depot located at 1675 Wilshire Blvd. in the Westlake area, loading handcuffed individuals into vehicles.
These home improvement store entrances often attract many temporary workers, providing law enforcement officials with an opportunity to conduct operations in support of President Trump’s unprecedented crackdown on illegal immigration. President Trump has vowed to initiate the most extensive deportation operation in U.S. history.
The Los Angeles Police Department stated that they did not participate in any immigration enforcement actions in the area. However, around 9 a.m., the police received a report of a “lethal weapon attack” in the Westlake area, but upon investigation, no evidence of an attack was found, and the police quickly left the scene.
Later in the morning, law enforcement officers conducted a raid at the Ambiance clothing store in the Fashion District on Towne Avenue. As law enforcement officers took action, a crowd of onlookers and some protesters gathered outside the store, many taking photos or videos with their mobile phones, showing several individuals wearing FBI vests standing outside.
An FBI spokeswoman told the city news agency that specific details regarding immigration actions and arrests would be announced by the Homeland Security Investigations unit (HSI) as they are the leading agency. However, she made a statement regarding the FBI’s role in such operations:
“The FBI is supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in immigration actions across the U.S. as per the Attorney General’s directive. We regularly provide investigative and technical assistance to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners.”
“As requested, we deploy agents for these operations, including in cities where large-scale operations are underway, with agents joining DHS task forces. Our support varies based on DHS needs, such as providing SWAT team support for high-risk arrest operations or assigning intelligence analysts and technical support to command centers.”
Several hours later, at least a dozen individuals were seen exiting a building in the Fashion District, handcuffed, and taken away in white van, with troops in tactical gear guarding the surrounding streets. Some onlookers threw items at the vehicle, and a few individuals ran into the street.
At one point, a protester placed their hands on a white SUV preparing to leave the scene, attempting to block its path, and ended up falling to the ground, nearly being run over. The driver of the SUV slammed on the brakes, reversed, and quickly drove away. The individual who fell later stood up, appearing to have not sustained serious injuries.
In the afternoon, a large group of federal agents gathered in front of a building suspected to be an Ambiance warehouse or headquarters near 15th Street and Santa Fe Avenue in South Los Angeles. One individual wearing a DEA vest was also present at the scene.
Dozens of protesters also assembled at the location, with federal agents momentarily pushing the protesters aside to allow a van to enter the parking lot. One person fell and was arrested on the spot, leading to a tense situation, prompting agents to disperse the crowd.
Around 12:25 p.m., the LAPD received a report from “another agency” indicating that a man with a knife was located at 2400 15th Street, but no arrests were made by the police.
LAPD established a cordon at the site to handle the gathering of protesting individuals.
In the afternoon of June 6th, Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell released a statement, saying, “Today, LAPD learned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is conducting operations within the city of Los Angeles. I understand that such actions can make many Angelenos anxious, so I want to make it clear: LAPD is not participating in any civil immigration enforcement actions.” He stated, “We will continue to maintain a police presence in all communities to ensure public safety, but we will not assist or engage in any form of large-scale deportations or attempt to ascertain individual immigration status.”
“Since 1979, our policy has prohibited officers from taking proactive action solely to ascertain immigration status. Our focus is on reducing crime, increasing public safety, and improving the quality of life for all residents. I want every resident, including immigrant communities, to feel confident in reporting incidents when needed and knowing that LAPD will provide assistance impartially.”
According to the Los Angeles Times, ICE has not commented on the operations yet. Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe revealed that search warrants targeting illegal immigrants and those harboring them were executed in this operation.
At the end of the day’s Los Angeles City Council meeting, Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez stated that her office had received ongoing reports of “rapid and aggressive immigration sweeps and enforcement” since the morning.
“Los Angeles is a sanctuary city, and we have made it clear that we will not cooperate with ICE or federal immigration enforcement using our resources, but that does not stop them from acting. Now we see their tactics rapidly escalating,” Hernandez said. “They swiftly sweep in, give no warnings, and quickly leave. They do not stay for long because they know that we will mobilize. Our resistance is having an impact, and as a result, they are escalating and changing their tactics, colleagues.”
She urged residents to be prepared and understand their rights if contacted by law enforcement officers. Hernandez stated, “Stay connected with your community, and know your rights.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass later expressed anger in a statement about the raids. “These actions create fear in our communities and undermine the fundamental principles of city safety. My office is closely coordinating with immigrant rights organizations. We will not tolerate such actions,” she said.
A member of the Union del Barrio, an immigrant rights group, told the Los Angeles Times that their office received numerous calls about immigration raids in Los Angeles and Orange County. “ICE agents are at Home Depot in Cypress, on Wilshire Blvd. and Union Ave., at a construction site in North Hollywood, and in South Los Angeles, their presence is everywhere.”