Federal data shows ICE raids and immigration arrests across Los Angeles and Southern California have slowed in the past month after a judge restricted how agents can conduct enforcement. The shift follows a summer surge tied to a national push for higher arrest numbers.
Homeland Security figures confirm a clear drop since early July. Officials and advocates agree the decline stems from a July 11 temporary restraining order that limits who agents can target and how they can act in public spaces and workplaces.

Latest arrest numbers and trends
- 4,163 arrests in the Los Angeles area from June 6–August 7 (about 68 per day).
- Nearly 1,900 arrests from June 6–June 26 (~88 per day), higher than later weeks.
- Arrests fell to 1,371 from July 8–August 7, down sharply from 2,792 in the previous month.
- Of the nearly 1,900 June arrests, about 60% had no criminal history, despite officials saying they aimed at “the worst of the worst.”
Why arrests slowed
On July 11, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong issued a temporary restraining order restricting federal agents in Southern and Central California from targeting people based on race, language, vocation, or location, unless agents have reasonable suspicion of unlawful presence.
This prevents broad sweeps and location-based tactics—such as staking out day-labor corners or knocking on doors at large apartment complexes—unless specific facts tied to individuals are present.
The order followed weeks of intensified street and workplace operations that ramped up after the White House set a national target of 3,000 arrests per day in late May. The administration also assigned the National Guard and U.S. Marines to support logistics, though those efforts were curbed after the court order.
What officials say
- Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant DHS Secretary for Public Affairs, says the department is focused on removing people with serious criminal records and threats to public safety.
- Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has backed the stepped-up enforcement even with the court limits.
- Inside the White House, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller reportedly drove the daily arrest goal.
- Top border policy advisor Tom Homan supported community raids as a way to bypass local “sanctuary” limits.
How local policies shape enforcement
Los Angeles has long limited cooperation with immigration officers, arguing that trust between immigrants and local police protects everyone. Those local policies pushed federal agents to rely more on street stops and workplace inspections.
Those tactics ran into legal challenges, producing the current court order and a slower pace of arrests. Local governments continue to resist broad sweeps and are watching the lawsuit’s next steps closely.
Community impact on the ground
The early summer surge caused widespread fear among families and workers.
- Parents reported keeping children home from school.
- Small businesses cited missing staff and late openings.
- Data shows a 3.1% drop in private-sector employment in California during the week after raids escalated, indicating short-term economic pain in food service, delivery, and construction.
Advocates say many arrested people had no criminal records, deep roots in the city, and U.S.-citizen children. As reported by VisaVerge.com, families often face sudden loss of a breadwinner, rapid detention transfers, and confusion about legal options within days.
The surge led to immediate fear and economic disruption for immigrant families and the businesses that employ them.
What the current rules require
Under the court order for Southern and Central California:
- Agents must have reasonable suspicion of unlawful presence before making an arrest.
- Agents cannot target people solely based on race, language, vocation, or location.
- Arrests still occur, but with added legal checks and more individualized assessments.
People still face detention, court dates, and potential removal if ordered deported. The slowdown suggests more careful, case-by-case steps rather than large sweep actions.
Legal uncertainty ahead
- The restraining order is temporary; its final fate will be decided through ongoing litigation.
- If the order is upheld, ICE may need to make sustained operational changes in the region.
- If narrowed or overturned, the administration could resume wider street and workplace actions.
- Federal officials could also pursue policy or legislative changes to expand authority, but those would likely face court challenges and local pushback.
For now, large-scale raids appear constrained.
Key numbers at a glance
Metric | Number |
---|---|
Arrests (June 6–Aug 7) | 4,163 |
Average per day (June 6–Aug 7) | 68 |
Arrests (June 6–June 26) | ~1,900 (88/day) |
Arrests (July 8–Aug 7) | 1,371 |
June arrestees with no criminal history | ~60% |
Perspectives from both sides
- Advocates:
- Argue the data undermines claims of a narrow focus on serious criminals.
- Warn of family separation and fear that discourages crime reporting.
- Federal officials:
- Say they target public safety threats and will act against those with a final removal order or other violations when encountered.
- Local leaders:
- Maintain that trust with immigrant communities improves safety.
- Say broad sweeps harm workers and families without enhancing security.
What families can do now
- Know your rights
- You do not have to open the door unless agents show a judicial warrant signed by a judge with your name and address.
- Prepare documents
- Keep IDs, proof of residency, and key phone numbers ready. Create a family plan for childcare and emergency contacts.
- Seek legal help
- Talk to a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative. Avoid notarios who aren’t authorized to give legal advice.
- Check case status
- Attend all hearings and meet deadlines. Missing a hearing can lead to an in-absentia removal order.
- Verify official information
- For current Enforcement and Removal Operations statistics, review ICE’s official data pages.
Potential effects for employers
Employers in construction, hospitality, food processing, and delivery experienced staffing gaps during June’s surge. With arrests now slower, managers should:
- Review I-9 compliance processes.
- Schedule lawful, non-discriminatory audits.
- Avoid singling out workers based on nationality or language.
- Consult legal counsel before interacting with agents or conducting internal enforcement-related actions.
Looking ahead in Los Angeles
Arrests continue but at a reduced pace and with more legal guardrails. The court fight’s outcome will shape how ICE operates this fall. Current data suggests:
- Fewer broad sweeps.
- More targeted actions tied to reasonable suspicion.
This period offers families a window to prepare, meet with attorneys, and gather records.
Where to find official information
- Track official updates and statistics on ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations statistics page.
- For general policy announcements, see the Department of Homeland Security homepage.
Official enforcement statistics and updates: https://www.ice.gov/statistics
Practical takeaway: ICE raids in Los Angeles have slowed since July due to the court order; most June arrestees lacked criminal histories; the slowdown may persist while litigation proceeds, but arrests continue under stricter rules.
This Article in a Nutshell