ICE Raids Are Theater, Not Justice

Trump's attack on immigrants in L.A. are cruel and unjust

As a pragmatic Democrat and proud Californian, I’ve always believed in the rule of law and the need to address violent crime, including targeting gangs and dangerous criminals who threaten our communities. But let’s be clear: the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that have shaken Los Angeles over the past few days under Donald Trump’s direction have nothing to do with public safety. Instead, they are a calculated, inflammatory political stunt designed to sow fear, divide our state, and prop up a failing Republican agenda in California. If Trump thinks cruel ICE attacks here in LA help GOP political prospects in our state, he couldn’t be more wrong. This craven political stunt impacts lives of real people who were attending immigration hearings and following law. California supports immigrants.

Let’s unpack what’s really happening here in Los Angeles. These raids, which began on Friday, June 6th, have targeted workplaces like clothing manufacturers in the Fashion District, Home Depot stores where day laborers gather, and even a doughnut shop. Federal authorities have arrested at least 118 people, including many who were simply going about their daily lives or, worse, attending immigration hearings as required by law. These are not the “hardened criminals” Trump claims to be targeting. These are workers, parents, and community members- people who contribute to the vibrant fabric of our city. Some were detained while complying with legal processes, attending court-ordered immigration hearings to resolve their status. This is not justice; it’s persecution.

The Trump administration’s narrative that these raids are about removing gang members or violent offenders doesn’t hold up. While the Department of Homeland Security claims five of those arrested were gang members, the vast majority were not accused of any criminal activity beyond immigration violations, which are civil, not criminal, offenses. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, has admitted that ICE’s approach doesn’t differentiate between violent criminals and those with minor or no criminal records, stating, “If you’re in the country illegally, you’re not off the table.” This blanket approach has led to scenes of chaos, with federal agents in tactical gear using flash-bang grenades and tear gas against protesters, including at a Home Depot in Paramount, where peaceful demonstrators were met with excessive force.

Even more alarming is Trump’s escalation of these raids into a military operation. Over the weekend, he bypassed Governor Gavin Newsom’s authority and deployed 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles, a move Newsom rightly called “purposefully inflammatory” and designed to “erode public trust.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has threatened to send active-duty Marines from Camp Pendleton, and Trump himself has labeled protesters “insurrectionists,” hinting at invoking the Insurrection Act to justify further federal overreach. Particularly ironic considering Trump’s role in leading the insurrection against the U.S. Capitol and attempted coup of our federal government in 2021. This is not about law enforcement; it’s about manufacturing a crisis to flex political muscle.

Trump’s threats to arrest Governor Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass for opposing these raids are the epitome of authoritarian posturing. Bass, who has called the raids “cruel and chaotic,” visited detained union leader David Huerta in the hospital after he was injured and arrested while documenting a raid- an act of peaceful observation, not obstruction. Newsom, daring Homan to “come after me, arrest me,” has vowed to sue the Trump administration for illegally federalizing the National Guard. These leaders- regardless of my policy differences with Newsom and Bass, which are frequent and real- are standing up for Californians, while Trump and his allies, like Stephen Miller, push a fear-driven agenda that targets vulnerable communities to meet arbitrary deportation quotas.

As someone who served as an advisor to Rick Caruso during his 2022 campaign for L.A. Mayor, I know the importance of fighting crime and supporting law enforcement. Caruso, a politically moderate candidate, ran on a platform of public safety and community strength. But even he has acknowledged that these recent ICE raids are unjust and cruel, targeting hardworking immigrants rather than addressing real threats. There is a profound difference between rounding up dangerous criminals and terrorizing good people who are simply trying to live their lives, contribute to our economy, and follow the legal process. California’s agricultural, construction, and service industries rely on immigrant labor, and these raids undermine the workers who power our state’s economy.

Trump’s actions are not about making Los Angeles safer; they’re about stoking division and appealing to his base. But he’s miscalculated. California is a state that celebrates its diversity and stands with its immigrant communities. These raids have galvanized protests across Los Angeles, Paramount, and Compton, with hundreds chanting “Set them free, let them stay!” outside detention centers. They’ve drawn condemnation from leaders like Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, who called the raids “unconscionable” and part of a “disturbing pattern of extreme and cruel immigration enforcement.” Even the Los Angeles Police Department has distanced itself, with Chief Jim McDonnell clarifying that LAPD is not involved in immigration enforcement and has barred officers from such actions since 1979.

If Trump thinks this cruelty will win over Californians, he’s delusional. Our state has long been a beacon for immigrants, a place where people from all walks of life build better futures. These raids don’t just violate our values; they’re a losing political strategy for the GOP, which continues to alienate voters in a state that overwhelmingly supports humane immigration policies. As Californians, we must stand together, reject this fearmongering, and demand an end to these unjust raids. Our communities deserve better than to be pawns in Trump’s political games.