Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in Democratic-run cities, including Los Angeles

KABC
Last updated: Tuesday, June 17, 2025 5:54AM GMT
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- President Trump is calling for even more expanded deportation operations in several major cities across the country, including Los Angeles.

Trump in a social media posting called on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials "to do all in their power to achieve the very important goal of delivering the single largest Mass Deportation Program in History."

The moves comes after large protests erupted in L.A. and other major cities against the Trump administration's immigration policies.

So far, it's not known how exactly that will impact L.A. But Sunday, at the president's directions, the Department of Homeland Security said it would pause most raids on farms, restaurants and hotels.

The Trump administration has continued widespread immigration enforcement activities -- with a reported goal of up to 3,000 deportations per day.

The Los Angeles Police Department has arrested 575 people related to protest activity since they started earlier this month, police said Sunday, including 14 for looting.

Last week, President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 California National Guard troops and 700 Marines to tamp down the disruptive demonstrations while the immigration raids continue.

A federal court hearing is set for Tuesday to determine whether Trump or California Gov. Gavin Newsom will control future National Guard activity going forward. Newsom challenged Trump's decision to federalize the Guard, an action U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in San Francisco said in a ruling last week did not follow congressionally mandated procedure.

His ruling was stayed by a three-judge appellate panel of the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in response to a Trump administration notice of appeal, temporarily keeping the National Guard troops under federal control, at least through Tuesday.

City News Service contributed to this report.

ABCNews
Jun 12, 2025, 3:22 AM GMT

Curfew in downtown LA in effect for second night

For the second night, a curfew is in effect for a part of downtown Los Angeles that has been the site of protests and marches that have seen some clashes with authorities.

The curfew lasts until 6 a.m.

Protesters are loaded onto Los Angeles Police Department buses during a protest on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Protesters are loaded onto Los Angeles Police Department buses during a protest on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said the nightly curfew, which first went into Tuesday, would likely remain in effect for multiple nights.

About a half hour before the curfew went into effect on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Police Department said a large demonstration at Grand Park in front of LA City Hall had splintered and was blocking streets in the Civic Center area.

Earlier, police said some protesters in a demonstration marching on Hill Street in downtown L.A. were throwing fireworks and rocks at officers.

ByJAKE OFFENHARTZ, AP
Jun 12, 2025, 2:22 AM GMT

Hundreds march through downtown LA demanding ICE, the National Guard and Marines leave the city

The mood was exuberant and festive, with demonstrators pausing in front of City Hall for a Mexican line dance, backed by trumpet players, drummers and loud truck speakers.

"This is not a war zone," said Yaneth Bonilla, a 50-year-old lifelong resident of Los Angeles, whose parents immigrated from Mexico. Members of her family were afraid to leave the house, she said, fearful they would be picked by ICE.

"We have to realize Trump is going after innocent, hardworking people," she added. "That's why we're here."

The curfew for a section of downtown Los Angeles will begin for a second night at 8 p.m. PDT.

AIR7 flew above downtown L.A. on Wednesday afternoon, where folklorico dancers were seen performing on the steps of City Hall.
Jun 12, 2025, 6:42 AM GMT

ICE agents let man go after community members intervene during raid in Downey

Masked ICE agents attempted to arrest a man in Downey during one of three reported raids Wednesday morning, but they let him go after community members intervened.

In a video obtained by Eyewitness News, the man is seen on the ground next to his bike surrounded by federal police.

Community members filmed the attempted arrest and after calling out the federal agents, the man was let go.

According to Downey councilman Mario Trujillo, the man was working when he noticed ICE was at his job. He immediately started riding his bike toward the apartments.

That's when one of the agents stopped him by grabbing one of the tires, causing him to fall to the ground.

People began shouting for the agents to leave him alone and told the man not to sign anything.

Moments later, the agents let the man go and left.

READ MORE HERE

Masked ICE agents attempted to arrest a man in Downey during one of three reported raids Wednesday morning, but they let him go after community members intervened.
ABCNews
Jun 12, 2025, 12:45 AM GMT

Timeline: How ICE raids sparked LA protests

As demonstrations continue in Los Angeles and spread to other cities across California and the nation, watch the video for a timeline on how the conflict has unfolded.

With migrant communities already living in fear amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, ICE raids in downtown Los Angeles sparked days of protests.