ICE plans large-scale enforcement operation in Los Angeles

In early 2025, federal agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are preparing to execute a significant operation in the Los Angeles area, targeting individuals living in the United States illegally and those with existing orders of removal. This planned enforcement action marks the first sweeping immigration maneuver in the region since President Donald Trump took office, despite criticisms from local authorities and community groups. While ICE has remained largely silent about the specifics, involvement from other federal agencies such as the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) indicates the operation's extensiveness. However, some local law enforcement, notably the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, has publicly stated they will not cooperate with ICE's efforts, asserting that immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility, not theirs. Community backlash has been significant, with protests occurring in downtown Los Angeles. Demonstrators have opposed Trump's immigration policies, which are perceived as punitive towards undocumented residents. These protests have escalated in intensity, culminating in incidents of violence, such as stabbings at rallies. In parallel, the Department of Homeland Security seeks to broaden its enforcement capacity by deputizing Internal Revenue Service agents, leveraging their resources for immigration checks and human trafficking investigations. This prominent move represents a shift in resource allocation within federal agencies to bolster immigration enforcement capabilities, further amplifying the already heated immigration debate in the United States and raising concerns about civil liberties and the role of tax enforcement in immigration matters.