Over 100 arrested in Los Angeles immigration protests
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Over 100 arrested in Los Angeles as ICE raids spark unrest as California's governor condemns Trump’s National Guard deployment to the city.
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A Los Angeles police officers arrest a protester in downtown Los Angeles on Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP
Over 100 people were arrested in downtown Los Angeles overnight as demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement descended into unrest, according to city officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed the arrests during an interview with ABC News affiliate KABC, noting that the situation had deteriorated despite a majority of daytime demonstrators remaining peaceful.
“What we’re seeing downtown is just horrible,” Bass said. “But you know that the majority of people that attended the protest this afternoon were peaceful. It’s my understanding that over 100 people have been arrested tonight, the majority of them for unlawful assembly.”
Bass blamed the violence on "fringe groups," distancing the unrest from immigrant rights advocates. The protests erupted following a June 7 raid by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which aimed to identify and detain undocumented immigrants in the downtown area.
Federal crackdown triggers political fallout
California Governor Gavin Newsom responded strongly to the federal operation and subsequent troop deployment. In a sharp rebuke, he warned that California might halt federal tax payments if the Trump administration proceeded with major cuts to federal funding for the state.
On June 8, the White House ordered the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid rising tensions and growing crowds.
Governor Newsom officially objected to the decision, accusing the Trump administration of inciting unrest rather than calming it. “There were no issues before the President decided to intervene,” Newsom stated. “The situation was manageable at the state and city level.”
As protests continue into a second week, the confrontation between state leaders and federal authorities appears far from over. Civil rights groups and local officials have called for restraint and dialogue, warning that further escalation could deepen political divisions and inflame tensions on the ground.
ICE raids plunge LA into chaos
On June 7, a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation targeting undocumented immigrants in downtown Los Angeles spiraled into violent confrontations with demonstrators.
Authorities asserted that the operations focused on apprehending undocumented immigrants and alleged gang affiliates, while community members argue that the actions carry political undertones and appear intentionally provocative in a city widely regarded as one of the nation's most progressive strongholds.
On the same day, Newsom warned that California might withhold federal tax payments in retaliation against potential large-scale funding cuts by the Trump administration. Washington deployed 2,000 National Guard troops amid the protests.
Tensions flared as President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard sparked violent clashes with police and fueled public anger, especially in communities with significant Latino residents. For a third straight day, protesters battled law enforcement officers in response to immigration crackdowns that have led to numerous detentions.
