Mass immigration raids sweep Los Angeles and New York

(Web Desk): Hooded and armed federal agents carried out large-scale raids in Los Angeles to arrest immigrants, while others detained undocumented foreigners from the grounds of a courthouse in New York as part of a crackdown.

According to international news agency AFP, in two of the world’s most diverse cities, federal agents handcuffed and loaded immigrants into vehicles, from courthouses to hardware store parking lots.

Agents used extreme tactics and conducted unusual raids in at least three areas of Los Angeles to detain dozens of individuals.

Less than two miles from Los Angeles City Hall, agents threw flashbang grenades to disperse an angry crowd who had gathered alongside a convoy of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles. Protesters had reportedly thrown eggs at the agents.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement saying, “As the mayor of a proud city of immigrants, I am deeply outraged by what happened. Immigrants have played a vital role in our city.”

She added that such tactics spread fear in communities and undermine the basic principles of safety in the city.

In response, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller wrote on social media platform X that Karen Bass “will not be heard” on this matter.

He added, “Federal law is supreme and it will be enforced.”

According to media reports, David Huerta, a leader of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), was briefly detained in Los Angeles for recording one of the raids.

In a statement after his release, Huerta said, “Hardworking people, our families, and members of our community are being treated like criminals.”

Yasmeen Pitts O’Keefe, a spokesperson for Homeland Security Investigations, told the Los Angeles Times that federal agents were executing search warrants related to the unlawful harboring of individuals in the country.

Broadcast outlet ABC 7 reported that hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Los Angeles demanding the release of the detained individuals.

The largely peaceful rally was later dispersed by police, with some violent clashes reported between protesters and law enforcement.