Los Angeles (California) [US], June 11 (ANI): Federal immigration raids conducted across Los Angeles have ignited widespread protests and deepened tensions between city leaders and federal authorities, CNN reported. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) insists it notified local officials, but top Los Angeles leaders dispute that claim.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated on Monday that the city was not informed about the timing or location of the raids. “We do not know where and when the next raids will be. That is the concern,” she told CNN.
Echoing her concern, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said the department lacked sufficient notice to prepare for the resulting unrest. However, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin refuted the claim, stating, “FALSE. The Los Angeles Police Department was notified two days before the ICE operation began in LA.”
Despite this, both Mayor Bass and Chief McDonnell stood firm. “Per Chief McDonnell, the Department was not notified,” an LAPD spokesperson told CNN. On Tuesday, Bass reiterated, “I talked to the chief an hour ago. No, we’re not notified of anything.”
The raids targeted locations such as the Fashion District and a Home Depot in Paramount, sparking several days of protests. Demonstrators clashed with law enforcement, blocked highways, and caused property damage. ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons criticized the LAPD’s delayed response, alleging the department took over two hours to arrive at the scenes. McDonnell countered that LAPD responded within 38 minutes.
CNN noted that experts and former federal officials view such federal-local miscommunication as a serious safety risk. “You’ve really got to make sure that your state and local partners know when you are doing a large operation just to avoid any potential issues or confusion,” said John Sandweg, former acting ICE director during the Obama administration.
The controversy underscores ongoing friction between California’s sanctuary state laws and federal immigration enforcement. Unlike states such as Texas, Florida, and Tennessee, California prohibits local law enforcement from assisting ICE in most cases and has no formal agreements with the agency. (ANI)
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