Los Angeles, CA – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a large-scale operation targeting several garment factories in the city’s Downtown Arts District on Monday, June 9, 2025. The coordinated raids, carried out under the authority of the recently implemented federal Immigration Enforcement Acceleration Directive (IEAD), resulted in the detention of 85 individuals suspected of immigration violations.
The operation, which commenced in the early morning hours, marked the first major enforcement action in Los Angeles under the IEAD since its implementation nationwide on June 1, 2025. Federal officials stated the directive aims to prioritize and expedite enforcement actions against individuals deemed to be in violation of immigration laws, focusing on specific industries or locations identified through intelligence gathering. Garment factories, a significant component of the Downtown Arts District’s economy and character, have long been under scrutiny regarding labor and immigration compliance.
Immediate Public Reaction and Organized Protest
The news of the ICE raids quickly spread throughout the city, igniting immediate and widespread public backlash. Within hours of the enforcement action, thousands of protestors began converging at Pershing Square in downtown Los Angeles. The demonstration was primarily organized by the “LA Immigrant Solidarity Coalition,” an umbrella group representing numerous local immigrant rights and community advocacy organizations.
The coalition had called for swift action following confirmation of the raids, mobilizing supporters through social media and community networks. By mid-afternoon, Pershing Square was filled with a diverse crowd carrying signs, chanting slogans against ICE and the new federal directive, and demanding the release of the detained individuals. Speakers from the LA Immigrant Solidarity Coalition addressed the throng, condemning the raids as disruptive to families and the local economy.
March to City Hall and Confrontation
The large assembly then transitioned into a march, with protestors streaming out of Pershing Square and moving towards City Hall. The procession, stretching several blocks, aimed to directly confront city officials and draw attention to the federal action unfolding within Los Angeles.
As the march neared City Hall, protestors encountered lines of officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Tensions escalated, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and police near the municipal building. While the majority of the march remained peaceful, instances of protestors attempting to breach police lines or engage in acts of civil disobedience occurred.
The clashes resulted in 12 arrests. Authorities stated the arrests were made on misdemeanor charges related to civil disobedience, primarily involving individuals who allegedly failed to disperse or obstructed public thoroughfares after receiving warnings from the LAPD. Those arrested were processed at nearby facilities, and their identities were not immediately released.
Official Response from City Leadership
Late Monday evening, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement addressing the day’s events. Mayor Bass acknowledged the federal enforcement action and its impact on the city’s immigrant communities. She expressed concern over the federal action’s impact on local communities, highlighting the disruption caused by the raids.
While the mayor did not directly criticize the federal government’s authority, her statement underscored the city’s commitment to its diverse population. Mayor Bass also urged all parties involved in the demonstrations to maintain peaceful assembly, emphasizing the importance of de-escalation and public safety during protests.
Context of the IEAD Directive
The Immigration Enforcement Acceleration Directive (IEAD), which became effective on June 1, 2025, represents a shift in federal immigration policy, prioritizing increased speed and volume in enforcement operations. While the full scope and long-term implications of the directive are still being assessed, the Los Angeles raids signal an intent by the federal government to utilize the IEAD to target specific industries and labor sectors across the country.
Coming just over a week after the directive’s implementation, the operation in the Downtown Arts District serves as a clear indicator of how the IEAD is being put into practice on the ground in major urban centers like Los Angeles. The swift and forceful public reaction underscores the potential for such actions to trigger significant social and political responses at the local level.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing discussions about the welfare of the 85 individuals detained and the potential for further protests or legal challenges to the IEAD and the enforcement actions conducted under its authority.
