Key Takeaways
• Stephen Miller ordered ICE to triple arrests to 3,000 daily, targeting all undocumented immigrants.
• June 6, 2025 Home Depot raids in LA sparked protests and military deployment.
• California lawsuit challenges National Guard deployment; over 49,000 detainees held by ICE in May 2025.
In late May 2025, a high-stakes meeting in Washington, D.C. set off a chain of events that would shake Los Angeles and much of Southern California. Stephen Miller, a top White House official known for his hardline stance on immigration, called together the heads of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and demanded a dramatic increase in arrests of undocumented immigrants. His instructions were clear and forceful: stop focusing only on those with criminal records and start arresting anyone in the country without legal status. Miller even singled out Home Depot parking lots, where day laborers often gather, as key targets for these operations.
Within weeks, these directives led to sweeping immigration raids, protests, legal battles, and the deployment of military forces to Los Angeles. The fallout has touched families, workers, business owners, and local officials, raising urgent questions about the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
Stephen Miller’s Emergency Meeting: A New Approach to ICE Enforcement
On May 21, 2025, Stephen Miller, serving as White House Deputy Chief of Staff, summoned ICE’s top 50 field leaders to the nation’s capital. The meeting was tense from the start. According to several officials present, Miller criticized ICE for what he saw as low arrest and deportation numbers. He told the group, “You aren’t doing a good job,” and called them “horrible leaders.”
Key directives from Miller included:
- Triple daily arrests: Miller demanded ICE increase arrests to 3,000 people per day, three times the rate from early in President Trump’s first term.
- Wider targeting: He ordered agents to stop focusing only on those with criminal records and instead arrest any undocumented immigrant they encountered.
- Specific locations: Miller told agents to target Home Depot parking lots and 7-Eleven stores, places where day laborers and immigrants often gather for work.
- Aggressive tone: He reportedly claimed he could personally arrest 30 people on the streets of Washington, D.C. with just a few agents.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem attended the meeting as well, supporting the push for more arrests but using a less confrontational approach.
ICE Raids Sweep Los Angeles: Home Depot at the Center
The impact of Miller’s orders was felt almost immediately in Los Angeles and nearby communities. ICE agents, often working with Border Patrol, began a series of high-profile raids.
Timeline of major enforcement actions:
- June 6, 2025: ICE agents arrived at a Home Depot in the Westlake neighborhood, a predominantly Latino area of Los Angeles. The operation sparked immediate protests as videos of arrests spread online.
- June 7, 2025: Border Patrol agents gathered in a gated office park in Paramount, while rumors of more raids at another Home Depot circulated on social media.
- By June 10, 2025: ICE and Border Patrol agents were seen at multiple locations, including:
- A courthouse and library in Whittier
- Home Depots in Huntington Park and Santa Ana
- Businesses in Fountain Valley
- A doughnut shop, warehouse, restaurants, and gyms
Earlier, in April, a similar raid outside a Home Depot in Pomona led to at least 10 arrests, according to the Department of Homeland Security. Immigration advocates believe the real number was closer to 25.
Why Home Depot?
Home Depot parking lots are common gathering spots for day laborers, many of whom are immigrants. By targeting these locations, ICE could quickly find and detain large numbers of undocumented workers. This approach, however, has drawn criticism for its broad sweep and for targeting people simply seeking work.
Military Deployment and Government Response
The scale of the protests and the intensity of the raids led the Trump administration to take extraordinary steps. President Trump signed a memorandum deploying at least 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles. Reports indicate that 500 to 700 Marines were also sent to the area, with another 2,000 National Guard troops mobilized by June 9.
Key statements and actions:
- Border czar Tom Homan declared, “We’re going to keep enforcing law every day in L.A. I don’t care if they like it or not.”
- The military presence was meant to support ICE and local law enforcement, but it also fueled anger and fear among residents and activists.
This show of force is rare in domestic immigration enforcement and has raised concerns about the use of military resources in civilian communities.
Legal Challenges and Political Fallout
The aggressive enforcement actions and military deployment have not gone unchallenged. California Governor Gavin Newsom quickly filed a lawsuit in federal court in San Francisco, arguing that President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard violated state rights. Newsom and other California officials accused the administration of “needlessly escalating unrest.”
Other legal and political developments:
- Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that violent protesters in Los Angeles would face federal charges. At least nine people have been charged so far.
- Stephen Miller and Governor Newsom have exchanged heated words on social media, with Miller accusing California leaders of “siding with insurrectionist mobs” and being “in open rebellion” against the federal government.
These disputes have deepened the divide between the federal government and California, a state with a large immigrant population and a history of resisting federal immigration crackdowns.
The Trump Administration’s Deportation Goals
The recent actions in Los Angeles are part of a broader push by the Trump administration to increase deportations. The administration has set a goal of one million deportations in President Trump’s first year back in office. Miller told Fox News’ Sean Hannity, “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are looking to set a goal of a minimum of 3,000 arrests for ICE every day, and President Trump is going to keep pushing to get that number up higher each and every single day.”
Current ICE detention numbers:
- As of early May 2025, about 49,000 people were being held in ICE custody. This is far above the number Congress has funded, raising questions about overcrowding and the conditions in detention centers.
Funding and legislative efforts:
- Republicans in Congress are working to pass a “big beautiful bill” that would provide an extra $147 billion for immigration enforcement over the next 10 years. The bill passed the House last week and is now under Senate consideration.
For more details on ICE’s enforcement priorities and detention statistics, readers can visit the official ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations page.
Community Impact: Fear, Protests, and Support Networks
The raids and military presence have had a deep impact on local communities, especially in neighborhoods with large immigrant populations.
Reports from the ground:
- Orange County Supervisor Vincent Sarmiento described seeing “videos on social media of people being detained really aggressively by what looked to be both masked and armed ICE agents and others that were in full military gear.”
- Advocacy groups like the Orange County Rapid Response Network have set up hotlines for people to report ICE activity and get legal help.
- Protests began on June 6 and have continued for days, with demonstrators calling for an end to the raids and military deployment.
Local officials have urged protesters to remain peaceful. “Use your energy positively and peacefully so we don’t change the narrative here and make the victims out to be the villains,” one official said.
Impact on families and workers:
- Many families are afraid to leave their homes, worried about being caught up in a raid.
- Day laborers, especially those who gather at places like Home Depot, are staying away from work sites, fearing arrest.
- Some businesses have reported a drop in customers as people avoid public places where ICE might be present.
Legal Rights and Resources for Immigrants
With the increase in enforcement, it’s important for immigrants and their families to know their rights. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, people approached by ICE have the right to remain silent and do not have to open their doors unless agents have a warrant signed by a judge. If you or someone you know is detained, it’s important to ask to speak to a lawyer and not sign any documents without legal advice.
For official information on your rights during an ICE encounter, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Know Your Rights page.
Broader Implications: What’s Next for Immigration Enforcement?
The events in Los Angeles are likely just the beginning of a new phase in U.S. immigration policy. The Trump administration’s focus on large-scale arrests and high-profile raids signals a return to some of the most aggressive tactics seen in recent years.
Potential outcomes and questions:
- Legal battles: The lawsuit filed by Governor Newsom could set important precedents about the limits of federal power in immigration enforcement.
- Community relations: The use of military forces and aggressive raids may further strain relationships between immigrant communities and law enforcement.
- National debate: The situation has reignited debates about the role of states versus the federal government in setting and enforcing immigration policy.
For those affected, the most important steps are to stay informed, know your rights, and seek legal help if needed.
Practical Guidance for Immigrants, Employers, and Advocates
For immigrants:
- Stay informed: Follow updates from trusted sources and local advocacy groups.
- Know your rights: You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or open your door to ICE without a warrant.
- Have a plan: Talk to your family about what to do if someone is detained. Keep important documents and contact information for a lawyer handy.
For employers:
- Understand your responsibilities: Employers should be aware of their obligations under federal law but also know that ICE raids can disrupt business and harm workers.
- Support your workers: Provide information about legal rights and resources.
For advocates and community leaders:
- Offer support: Set up hotlines, legal clinics, and safe spaces for those affected.
- Document enforcement actions: Collect information about raids and share it with legal organizations.
Conclusion: A Community in Crisis and a Nation Debating Its Future
The recent ICE raids in Los Angeles, driven by Stephen Miller’s directives and focused on places like Home Depot, have brought the national debate over immigration to a boiling point. With military forces on the streets, legal battles in the courts, and families living in fear, the stakes could not be higher.
As the situation continues to unfold, it’s clear that the choices made now—by government officials, community leaders, and everyday people—will shape the future of immigration policy in the United States 🇺🇸 for years to come. Staying informed, knowing your rights, and supporting those affected are the most important steps anyone can take in these uncertain times.
Learn Today
Stephen Miller → White House official who directed ICE to intensify undocumented immigrant arrests in 2025.
ICE → Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented immigrants.
National Guard → State military force deployed to support law enforcement during civil unrest or emergencies.
Deportation → Forceful removal of undocumented immigrants from the United States back to their home countries.
Home Depot raids → ICE operations targeting Home Depot parking lots where day laborers typically gather.
This Article in a Nutshell
Stephen Miller’s 2025 directive ordered ICE to massively increase arrests, focusing on Home Depot plazas. This led to militant enforcement and protests in Southern California, challenging immigration policy and raising fears about community impacts and legal battles.
— By VisaVerge.com
