(LOS ANGELES) Federal immigration authorities will intensify immigration raids in Los Angeles and other sanctuary cities, President Trump’s border advisor Tom Homan said on Thursday, setting the stage for a new wave of arrests, legal clashes, and protests that have already defined the summer of 2025. Homan told reporters on August 28, 2025 that operations in Los Angeles will continue to grow, while Chicago is likely the next major focus, alongside New York, Portland, and Seattle. The Department of Homeland Security has reported hundreds of arrests week after week since June, despite a court order limiting some enforcement tactics.
Recent enforcement numbers and visible changes on the ground
- DHS data show that by August 8, ICE and Border Patrol agents had arrested 2,792 undocumented immigrants in the Los Angeles area since the start of the summer push.
- Actions have included both targeted and “roving” operations, reshaping parts of the city physically and socially:
- An 8‑foot‑tall metal security fence now surrounds the federal Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in downtown Los Angeles.
- DHS officers are regularly stationed near the facility.
- An “Occupy ICE LA” encampment has maintained a round-the-clock presence for more than a month.
Impact on daily life and community response
The raids have become especially common around places where day laborers gather, including Home Depot parking lots, according to community accounts. For many mixed-status families, daily routines—school drop-offs, grocery runs, even walking to work—have become calculated choices weighed against the risk of arrest.
Community responses include:
- Neighborhood rapid response networks relaying updates about vans and checkpoints.
- Immigrant rights organizations setting up legal aid hotlines and training volunteers to document encounters.
- Emergency funds expanded to help families cover rent when a primary earner is detained.
Warning: Organizers report that people are avoiding hospitals, shelters, and sometimes 911, creating public-safety and public-health concerns.
Federal rationale and legal pushback
Federal officials argue these operations are necessary to enforce immigration law in sanctuary cities — a broad term covering local policies that limit cooperation with ICE. Homan described the strategy bluntly: “You’re going to see a ramp up of operations in New York; you’re going to see a ramp up of operations continue in L.A., Portland, Seattle, all these sanctuary cities that refuse to work with ICE.”
Legal experts note:
- There is no single legal definition of a “sanctuary city,” so federal-state tensions and litigation vary by jurisdiction.
- The lack of a uniform definition means each legal fight can hinge on local ordinances, police practices, and specific facts.
Timeline highlights and court limits
The summer has seen surges of enforcement, public protest, and judicial interventions:
- June 6 — ICE raids across Los Angeles prompted large demonstrations; some turned violent. The White House federalized the California National Guard in response.
- Early June — Administration sent in 700 Marines and later 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles; more troops were suggested if unrest spread.
- June (later) — A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring federal agents from targeting people solely because of race, language, vocation, or location.
- July — Arrests declined after the order but did not stop.
- August 1 — The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the administration’s request to lift the restraining order; ICE continued raids under court limits.
These judicial actions have periodically slowed certain tactics (for example, blanket “roving” sweeps) but have not halted enforcement entirely.
Political pushback from state and city officials
- Governor Gavin Newsom sued to challenge the federalization of the National Guard, calling the troop deployments “premature, inflammatory, for political gain, and authoritarian.”
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass argued federal operations should not endanger local public safety or push immigrants into the shadows.
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson disputed claims used to justify increased enforcement, pointing to year-to-date drops in major crime categories.
Federal officials counter that military and Guard personnel are assigned to protect federal property and support DHS logistics — not to make arrests — though the presence of uniformed troops near detention centers has become a flashpoint for protesters.
The human and economic toll
- Workers in day-labor sectors report changed routines: fewer people lining up for jobs, missed shifts, and household income instability.
- Employers — including construction firms and small contractors — face sudden labor shortages, potential project delays, and higher costs.
- Teachers and social workers report increased stress among students in neighborhoods where vans have been seen.
- Community groups run rapid response hotlines and mutual-aid funds to cover rent or groceries during detentions.
Key figure: DHS reported 2,792 arrests in the Los Angeles area as of August 8.
Operational planning beyond Los Angeles
Federal planners are looking to expand operations:
- Homan has named Chicago as a likely next focus; New York, Portland, and Seattle are also on the list.
- Officials have considered using a naval base north of Chicago as a staging hub, though no timeline has been announced.
- Mayors in those cities are preparing legal defenses, messaging campaigns, and resources for residents’ rights and services.
Legal battleground and likely next moves
The fight is unfolding on three main fronts:
- Streets: Continued immigration raids in retail parking lots and residential areas, with federal officials focusing on targets while protesters maintain constant watch.
- Courts: The temporary restraining order remains in place and the 9th Circuit’s August ruling weighs against broad tactics; more litigation is expected.
- Politics: From the White House to city halls, leaders will press competing claims about public safety, community trust, and the scope of enforcement.
Legal experts expect future suits to be highly fact-specific — meaning outcomes will vary city by city because sanctuary policies and local practices differ.
The symbolic core: MDC, the fence, and Occupy ICE LA
- The 8‑foot fence around MDC and the presence of Guard and DHS personnel have become highly visible symbols of the conflict.
- The Occupy ICE LA encampment serves as a hub for families, legal intake, and continuous monitoring.
- Legal teams and volunteers staff the camp around the clock to provide quick communication, meals, phone charging, and emotional support.
Organizers say the fence complicates their routines, but they plan to remain as long as raids continue.
Community strategies and resources
Communities are responding with a mix of legal, logistical, and outreach strategies:
- Rapid response hotlines for reporting vans and checkpoints.
- Legal aid clinics and volunteer training to document encounters.
- Expanded emergency funds to help families with rent and basic needs.
- City-funded legal-defense programs in some jurisdictions.
For official updates on enforcement priorities and agency statements, residents can consult U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bottom line and stakes going forward
- Homan’s August 28 remarks signaled a clear plan: more raids, more resources, and more pressure on cities that refuse to cooperate with ICE.
- Courts constrain some tactics, but enforcement continues and may expand to other sanctuary jurisdictions.
- The practical effects are felt at the curb: parents choosing whether to drive to work, students missing school, and businesses scrambling for labor.
Takeaway: The combination of arrests (thousands reported in Southern California), visible barriers and troop presence, and an active legal fight has made this summer’s enforcement cycle both intense and unpredictable. Cities like Chicago, Portland, and Seattle could soon experience a similar pattern of early-morning raids, emergency filings, and rolling protests — with the courts and public opinion continuing to shape what tactics are permitted.
For further information and official agency updates, see U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
