Protests Erupt In Los Angeles After 44 Arrested In Immigration Raids, Smoke Bombs Hurled | Video

Last Updated:June 07, 2025, 10:19 IST

Protests erupted after US immigration authorities arrested at least 44 people across Los Angeles. Law enforcement hurled smoke bombs and tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

Protests erupted across Los Angeles, California, after federal immigration authorities arrested at least 44 people in the city, prompting law enforcement to hurl smoke bombs and flash bangs to disperse the crowd that voiced their opposition on the streets against the detentions.

According to Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and agents executed search warrants at three locations. “Approximately 44 people were administratively arrested, and one arrest for obstruction. The investigation remains ongoing, updates will follow as appropriate,” O’Keefe said.

However, immigrant advocacy groups claimed there were arrests in seven locations, including two Home Depots, a warehouse in the fashion district and a doughnut shop.

US Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ciaran McEvoy confirmed that agents served a search warrant at a business suspected of using fictitious documents to employ workers illegally. This operation is part of the Trump administration’s nationwide push to arrest undocumented workers and enforce immigration laws.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside a federal detention centre in Los Angeles, where they believed those arrested had been taken, chanting, “Set them free, let them stay!” Other protesters held signs that said “ICE out of LA!” while others led chants and shouted from megaphones.

Smoke Bombs, Tear Gas Canisters Hurled

The crowd continued to move throughout the night, prompting LAPD officers to issue a dispersal order as unlawful assembly was declared, according to CBS News. Police said demonstrators threw “large pieces of concrete” at officers

There were reports that protesters and other activists protesting against the detentions had attempted to enter the detention centre and even attacked FBI agents. In response, officers used tear gas canisters and smoke bombs to disperse the crowd.

Officers wearing helmets and holding batons then forced the protesters away from the building by forming a line and walking slowly down the street. Aerial footage showed officers throwing smoke bombs or flash bangs on the street to disperse the people so they could drive away in SUVs, vans and military-style vehicles.

Soon enough, hundreds of protesters faced off against ICE agents to protest the detentions. Traffic in the area was also impacted as both police and demonstrators crowded the streets.

Los Angeles Mayor Criticises Arrests

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticised the immigration raids and arrests. “As Mayor of a proud city of immigrants, who contribute to our city in so many ways, I am deeply angered by what has taken place. These tactics sow terror in our communities and disrupt basic principles of safety in our city,” she said in a statement on Friday.

Democratic Senator Alex Padilla of California also condemned the operations in a statement, saying that “the ICE raids across Los Angeles today are a continuation of a disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement operations across the country.”

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, or CHIRLA, a nonprofit immigrant rights advocacy group, estimated that at least 45 people had been taken into custody. “Our community is under attack and is being terrorised. These are workers, these are fathers, these are mothers, and this has to stop. Immigration enforcement that is terrorising our families throughout this country and picking up our people that we love must stop now,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA.

Trump’s aggressive campaign to arrest undocumented immigrants and carry out mass deportations has stirred significant controversy, with critics accusing ICE agents of using overly forceful tactics. Protests had erupted recently following immigration enforcement actions at a restaurant in San Diego and in Minneapolis.

(with AP inputs)

Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international…Read More

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master’s in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international… Read More

Location :

Los Angeles, United States of America (USA)

First Published: