‘Large scale’ immigration enforcement coming to Los Angeles: Report

• Agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement are reportedly planning a “large-scale” operation in the Los Angeles area before March. The operation will target individuals living illegally in the U.S. and those with pending removal orders.
• The operation will involve assistance from the FBI, DEA and other federal agencies, although some local agencies, like the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, have stated they will not participate.
• Protests have developed in response to Trump’s mass deportation strategy, with incidents of violence occurring during demonstrations.

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Federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement are set to carry out a “large scale” enforcement in the Los Angeles area before the end of February. The operation will focus on people who are illegally living in the United States and those who already have pending order of removal. 

Since President Donald Trump assumed office, no sweeping immigration action has happened in L.A, according to the Los Angeles Times. President Trump had repeatedly criticized the city during his presidential campaign. 

ICE has not made any comment on any upcoming plans in L.A. An anonymous source who spoke with the LA Times said agents with the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency are being called in. 

A different anonymous source the LA Times spoke to said they’d been informed about recent preparations in the area. Neither of the officials knew an exact time frame for the actions. 

One of the sources said plans could change since they expected some pushback from some of the agencies that will be required to aid ICE.

“Just because certain information is being given doesn’t mean it’s the administration’s plan, because they know some agents are going to be resistant,” the official told the LA Times. 

Has there been a response from the local community?

Protesters have demonstrated in downtown Los Angeles following Trump’s mass deportation strategy. 

Demonstrators briefly blocked the 101 Freeway on Sunday, Feb. 2. A teen was also stabbed during a fight at a protest in L.A. on Friday, Feb. 7. 

Who are assisting ICE?

The FBI, DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are all assisting ICE around the country in President Trump’s mass deportation plan. 

Many local agencies are also assisting ICE agents. On Tuesday, Feb. 4, the Nassau County Police Department in New York, announced it would work directly with ICE to carry out operations. 

However, some other local agencies have said they would not help ICE. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, just outside of L.A. County, said they will not make any immigration-related arrests. 

“Let me make this perfectly clear. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office and your deputies have not, are not and will not engage in any type of immigration enforcement. That is the sole responsibility of the federal government,” Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said.