On June 6, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted large-scale raids across Los Angeles, targeting workplaces including Home Depot stores and clothing factories. Federal agents detained at least 60 individuals for immigration violations, with unverified reports suggesting higher numbers. The operations are part of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement strategy, focusing on increased deportations and interior enforcement. Civil rights organizations and local officials criticized the raids for aggressive tactics, including warrantless entries, and for disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities.
Protests Escalate Into Clashes with Law Enforcement
Protests erupted in downtown Los Angeles following the June 6, 2025, ICE raids, with over 1,000 demonstrators rallying outside federal buildings like the Edward R. Roybal Federal Building. The initially peaceful gatherings turned violent as some protesters hurled rocks, bricks, and fireworks at federal agents, set a trash bag ablaze on Alondra Boulevard, and vandalized a courthouse with anti-ICE graffiti. Clashes intensified as federal agents deployed flash-bangs and tear gas to disperse crowds, while the LAPD assisted with crowd control. The unrest led to at least seven injured officers, multiple arrests, and widespread disruption, with Mayor Karen Bass condemning the raids and resulting chaos as “inhumane and destabilizing.”
National Guard Deployment
On June 7, 2025, Tom Homan, former ICE Director and current senior advisor, confirmed the deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles County to support immigration enforcement and manage civil unrest. A leaked Department of Homeland Security (DHS) memo detailed the Guard’s roles, including riot control, border interdiction in rural areas, and logistical support at detention facilities. The administration has requested up to 25,000 National Guard troops nationwide for immigration operations, prompting widespread legal and ethical concerns. California Governor Gavin Newsom called the deployment “an unprecedented overreach” and vowed to challenge it legally.
Ethics
From an ethical standpoint, the deployment of the National Guard can be justified as a necessary measure to uphold law and order amid escalating civil unrest and to support lawful immigration enforcement if the Mayor refuses to assist. The federal government has a duty to enforce immigration laws uniformly, and using National Guard troops in support, not direct enforcement, roles helps balance public safety with legal boundaries, particularly when local authorities resist cooperation.
