Key Takeaways
• On June 6 and 24, 2025, ICE conducted multiple raids in downtown Los Angeles with LAPD present but denied assisting.
• Protests erupted accusing LAPD of collusion with ICE despite their claims of only crowd control during incidents.
• Los Angeles plans to borrow $17.3 million for LAPD overtime caused by protests sparked from these immigration raids.
On June 6, 2025, a series of immigration raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) swept through Southern California, with a particular focus on downtown Los Angeles. These actions, which included detentions at an apparel manufacturing business in the Fashion District and a Home Depot parking lot near downtown, quickly set off a wave of protests and accusations. At the center of the controversy is the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), whose presence at the scenes of these raids has sparked a heated debate about the true nature of their involvement with ICE. While the LAPD insists it did not help ICE, immigrant rights groups and many community members believe otherwise, pointing to video evidence and the visible presence of officers during the arrests.
This article provides a detailed, step-by-step account of the events, explores the official positions of the LAPD and advocacy groups, and examines the broader policy and community impacts of these high-profile incidents in downtown Los Angeles.
What Happened: Key Events in Downtown Los Angeles
Who: ICE agents, LAPD officers, immigrant-rights activists, and local residents
What: Immigration raids, detentions, protests, and accusations of police collaboration
When: June 6, June 24, and June 25, 2025
Where: Downtown Los Angeles, including the Fashion District, Westlake neighborhood, and areas near East 9th Street and South Spring Street
Why: Federal immigration enforcement actions and local sanctuary city policies clashing
How: ICE conducted raids and arrests; LAPD managed crowds and responded to emergency calls
Timeline of Events
- June 6, 2025: ICE agents carried out coordinated raids across Southern California, including downtown Los Angeles. At least two people were seen being loaded into ICE vehicles at an apparel business. Protesters tried to block the detentions, leading to tense confrontations.
- June 24, 2025: ICE arrested a woman near East 9th Street and South Spring Street. LAPD officers were present, standing between ICE agents and a crowd of protesters.
- June 25, 2025: Protests moved to LAPD headquarters, with immigrant-rights groups accusing the LAPD of helping ICE and demanding accountability.
The LAPD’s Official Position
The LAPD has firmly denied any direct assistance to ICE during these immigration raids. According to the department, officers were only present in response to a 911 call about a possible kidnapping or unlawful detention near 9th and Spring streets. The LAPD says its officers did not participate in any immigration enforcement actions but were there to keep the peace and separate federal agents from angry crowds.
Key points from the LAPD:
– Officers responded to emergency calls, not to help ICE.
– Their main goal was to maintain public safety and prevent violence.
– LAPD policies prohibit direct involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
The department’s statements reflect Los Angeles’s status as a sanctuary city, which means local police are supposed to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Immigrant Rights Groups Disagree
Despite the LAPD’s denials, immigrant-rights groups like Unión del Barrio argue that the police department’s actions amount to collaboration with ICE. They point to video footage showing LAPD officers forming a barrier between ICE agents and protesters, which, in their view, allowed ICE to complete arrests without interference.
According to Unión del Barrio:
– LAPD “completely protected the ICE operation that kidnapped our people.”
– The presence of police, even if not directly involved in arrests, enables ICE to carry out raids more easily.
– This undermines the trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement.
Protesters have been vocal in their demands, calling for an end to both ICE raids and what they see as LAPD complicity. Many say these actions create fear and trauma in communities already worried about deportation.
What Is a Sanctuary City?
A sanctuary city is a city that has policies limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. The goal is to make undocumented immigrants feel safer reporting crimes or seeking help from police without fear of being turned over to ICE.
In Los Angeles, these policies have been in place since 2013. The LAPD is not supposed to help ICE with immigration enforcement, except in rare cases involving serious crimes. However, the visible presence of LAPD officers during ICE operations has led many to question whether these policies are being followed in practice.
For more information on sanctuary city policies and how they work, you can visit the official U.S. Department of Justice sanctuary jurisdictions page.
Step-by-Step: What Happened on June 24
To help readers understand exactly what took place, here is a step-by-step breakdown of the June 24 incident near East 9th Street and South Spring Street:
- A 911 call was made reporting a possible kidnapping or unlawful detention.
- LAPD officers arrived at the scene in response to the emergency call.
- ICE agents were present and arrested a woman at the location.
- LAPD officers stood between the ICE agents and a crowd of protesters, aiming to keep the situation from escalating.
- The woman was taken away by ICE agents.
- Protesters later gathered at LAPD headquarters, accusing the police of helping ICE.
This sequence of events is at the heart of the current debate. While the LAPD says it was only there to keep the peace, immigrant-rights groups argue that their presence made it possible for ICE to carry out the arrest without interference.
The Numbers: How Many People and How Much Money?
- June 6 raids: Multiple locations in downtown Los Angeles and Southern California. At least two people were seen being detained at the apparel business.
- June 24 arrest: One woman was taken into custody by ICE near 9th and Spring streets, with LAPD officers present.
- Protests: Hundreds of people have participated in demonstrations, some of which have led to confrontations with police and property damage.
- Financial impact: The City of Los Angeles plans to borrow $17.3 million to pay for LAPD overtime related to the protests sparked by the ICE raids.
Why This Matters: Implications for Stakeholders
For Immigrants and Their Families
- Fear and trauma: The presence of both ICE and LAPD during raids increases fear in immigrant communities, making people less likely to report crimes or seek help.
- Trust issues: Many immigrants feel they cannot trust local police, even in a sanctuary city, if officers are seen at ICE operations.
- Legal risks: Detentions and deportations can separate families and disrupt lives.
For the LAPD
- Public trust: The department faces criticism from both immigrant-rights groups and some city officials, who worry that any appearance of cooperation with ICE undermines community trust.
- Policy pressure: There may be calls for clearer policies or new guidelines to prevent similar controversies in the future.
- Financial strain: Overtime costs for managing protests put pressure on the city’s budget.
For ICE
- Operational challenges: Protests and community resistance can make it harder for ICE to carry out enforcement actions.
- Public image: High-profile raids and accusations of targeting vulnerable communities can lead to negative publicity.
For the City of Los Angeles
- Budget impact: The need to borrow millions for police overtime highlights the financial costs of managing the fallout from federal immigration actions.
- Political tension: City leaders must balance federal law, local policies, and the concerns of diverse communities.
What Do the Experts Say?
Immigration rights advocates argue that even if LAPD officers are not directly involved in making arrests, their presence helps ICE by keeping protesters away and allowing federal agents to do their work without interruption. They say this goes against the spirit of sanctuary city policies and makes immigrants feel unsafe.
Law enforcement experts, on the other hand, point out that police departments often face tough choices. They have to respond to emergency calls and keep the peace, even when federal agencies are involved. Sometimes, this means being present at controversial events without actually taking part in them.
Some analysts suggest that the LAPD’s denials may be technically correct—if officers did not help with arrests, they did not break sanctuary city rules. However, their presence can still have the effect of making ICE operations easier.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these kinds of situations are becoming more common in cities with sanctuary policies, as federal and local priorities clash.
Historical Context: Why Is This Happening Now?
Los Angeles has a long history of tension between immigrant communities, local police, and federal immigration authorities. Since becoming a sanctuary city in 2013, the city has tried to protect undocumented immigrants from deportation by limiting cooperation with ICE. However, federal immigration enforcement has continued, sometimes leading to high-profile raids and protests.
The June 2025 raids are some of the most visible in recent years, bringing old debates back to the surface. Many community members remember past incidents where police and ICE were seen working together, and they worry that history is repeating itself.
What Happens Next?
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing protests and public debate. Here’s what to watch for in the coming weeks and months:
- Continued protests: Immigrant-rights groups are likely to keep organizing demonstrations and calling for stronger protections.
- Policy changes: The LAPD and city officials may face pressure to issue clearer rules about police conduct during federal immigration actions.
- Budget concerns: The city will need to manage the financial impact of police overtime and other costs related to protests.
- Federal response: ICE may adjust its strategies in response to local resistance and changing political dynamics.
What Should Community Members Do?
If you are concerned about immigration enforcement actions in your area, here are some practical steps:
- Know your rights: Learn what to do if you or someone you know is approached by ICE. Many advocacy groups offer free resources and legal help.
- Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted sources, including local news, advocacy organizations, and official city websites.
- Contact officials: If you have concerns about police or ICE actions, you can contact the LAPD, your city council member, or local advocacy groups.
- Participate safely: If you choose to join protests or demonstrations, be aware of your surroundings and follow safety guidelines.
For official information about ICE and its operations, you can visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.
Contact Information
- LAPD: www.lapdonline.org, Non-emergency: (877) ASK-LAPD (275-5273)
- Unión del Barrio: www.uniondelbarrio.org
- ICE: www.ice.gov
Conclusion: The Ongoing Debate
The recent ICE raids in downtown Los Angeles and the LAPD’s role have reignited a long-standing debate about immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities. While the LAPD insists it did not help ICE, many community members and advocacy groups remain unconvinced. The visible presence of police at the scene of federal immigration actions, even if only for crowd control, raises important questions about the real meaning of sanctuary policies and the trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
As Los Angeles continues to grapple with these issues, the voices of immigrants, activists, police, and city officials will all play a role in shaping the future of immigration enforcement in the city. The outcome will have lasting effects not only for those directly involved but for the entire community.
For more analysis and updates on immigration policy and enforcement, analysis from VisaVerge.com suggests that these local-federal clashes are likely to continue as long as national and local priorities remain at odds. Staying informed and engaged is the best way for community members to protect their rights and shape the policies that affect their lives.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal agency enforcing immigration laws and conducting raids.
LAPD → Los Angeles Police Department, responsible for local law enforcement and public safety in Los Angeles.
Sanctuary city → A city with policies limiting local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement to protect undocumented immigrants.
Detention → The act of holding someone in custody, often used in immigration enforcement contexts.
Overtime → Extra work hours performed by police, often requiring additional city budget expenditures.
This Article in a Nutshell
Multiple ICE raids in downtown LA sparked protests and controversy over LAPD’s role. LAPD denies help but faces accusations from immigrant groups. The city confronts policy and budget challenges amid ongoing community tensions around sanctuary enforcement and policing.
— By VisaVerge.com
