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“The Trump administration has a zero tolerance policy for criminal behaviour and violence, especially when that violence is aimed at law enforcement officers trying to do their jobs. These criminals will be arrested and swiftly brought to justice,” the statement said.
A woman waves a Mexican flag admid tear gas from law enforcement during a protest in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. Source: AAP / Eric Thayer/AP
California Governor Gavin Newsom called the decision “purposefully inflammatory”.
A first round of protests kicked off on Saturday (Friday night local time) after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted enforcement operations in the city and arrested at least 44 people on alleged immigration violations.
Demonstrators protest outside the Edward R Roybal Federal Building and the Metropolitan Detention Centre in response to ICE raids. Source: Getty / Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times
Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner and the White House deputy chief of staff, wrote on X that the demonstrations were “an insurrection against the laws and sovereignty of the United States.” On Sunday (Saturday local time), he described the day’s protests as a “violent insurrection”.
Immigration crackdown
Trump has pledged to deport record numbers of people in the country illegally and lock down the US-Mexico border, with the White House setting a goal for ICE to arrest at least 3,000 migrants per day.
In a statement on Friday (Saturday local time) about the protests in Paramount, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office said: “It appeared that federal law enforcement officers were in the area, and that members of the public were gathering to protest.”
A protester places debris in a fire as Border Patrol personnel in riot gear and gas masks stand guard outside an industrial park in the Paramount section of Los Angeles. Source: AAP / Eric Thayer/AP
Salas said protesters gathered after an ICE contingent appeared to be using parking lots near a Paramount Home Depot store as a base.
Raids occurred around Home Depots, where street vendors and day labourers were picked up, as well as at a garment factory and a warehouse, Salas said.
Los Angeles County Sheriffs stand in line during a protest in Compton. Source: AAP / Eric Thayer/AP
