No Warrants, No Chill

Diya Ravi

June 13, 2025

On Friday morning, Los Angeles erupted in protest after Federal Agents launched a sweeping series of coordinated raids, arresting dozens and triggering accusations of excessive force and civil rights violations.  These raids were executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). These raids targeted suspects of “immigration violations and the use of fraudulent documents”. 

Confirmed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and many legal observers, these arrests were carried out without judicial warrants, which drew immediate and legal public backlash. According to ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, 44 individuals were taken into “administrative custody” for civil immigration violations. However, immigration advocacy groups believe that between 70 to 80 people have been detained. Reports suggest detainees were denied proper legal access, with only three lawyers allowed into the legal processing center. 

Raids were carried out in various locations, including places like Home Depot, donut shops, and Ambiance Apparel’s warehouse in the Fashion District. Heavily armed agents in tactical gear blocked off streets, used drones for surveillance, and agents arrived in unmarked SUVs and armoured vehicles. These measures are more associated with counterterrorism operations than civil enforcement. 

The ACLU described the show of force as an “oppressive and vile preliminary operation”. According to civil liberty groups, the tactics used created panic in local communities and may have violated protocols for civil immigration enforcement. 

As news of the raids spread, hundreds of protestors gathered outside the Edward R Roybal Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles, where detainees were being processed. Demonstrators blocked entrances, chanted against ICE, and demanded the release of those arrested. Some of them even attempted to physically block ICE vehicles, which led to confrontations with law enforcement. In response, LAPD officers, though not involved in the raids themselves, declared the protest an “unlawful assembly,” deploying tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. 

By nightfall, media and rights groups reported that hundreds of detainees, including children, were held overnight in a basement without access to beds, blankets, and adequate food and water. ICE denied these claims, stating that the agency takes its custodial responsibilities seriously.

Local leaders were swift with their condemnation. Mayor Karen Bass called these raids “terrifying and disruptive,” while Governor Gavin Newsom labeled them “cruel” and “chaotic,” suggesting they were driven by an arbitrary arrest quota. All 15 members of the LA city council jointly denounced the raids. In contrast, some Trump Administration officials defended the operation, accusing local leaders of undermining federal law. 

The full scope of detentions and the conditions of those arrested remain unclear. As the city reels from the events, questions about legality, ethics, and the future of such enforcement tactics continue to mount.