ICE raids continue in Southern California despite protests

LOS ANGELES - Two weeks into President Donald Trump’s second term and his efforts to crack down on illegal immigration, federal officers continue to make arrests across the U.S., including in Southern California.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents began targeting major sanctuary cities immediately after Trump's inauguration Monday, including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta. The following day, Trump lifted longtime guidelines that restricted ICE from operating at "sensitive locations" such as schools, churches or hospitals.

SUGGESTED: ICE raids reported across Southern California

Since then, protests and demonstrations opposing the president's immigration policies have taken place across the U.S. 

In Los Angeles, protesters have gathered in downtown LA, Riverside, Santa Ana, San Diego, and other major cities to show their support for keeping California safe for immigrants.

Protests have been held in downtown LA for four days in a row, with people blocking traffic on busy freeways and major intersections. Students across the region staged a walkout Tuesday also in support of immigrant rights.

SUGGESTED: Students walkout in LA to protest ICE raids in schools

Here are some of the known ICE operations and arrests as of Wednesday, Feb. 5:

LA County

On Tuesday, ERO Los Angeles said officers arrested a 47-year-old non-citizen who was convicted of DUI. 

"This noncitizen had previously been arrested for driving without a license and evading a peace officer," officials said.

On Monday, officers arrested a non-citizen member of the "Venezuelan Tren de Aragua" gang. He is in ICE custody pending "removal proceedings."

The same day, the DEA arrested a Taiwanese man who according to Taiwan National Police is a "child predator with DUI offenses that killed two."

Las Vegas/Reno

Earlier this week, authorities arrested a man with a "3 prior removal" who was convicted of aggravated felony and battery, in addition to spousal abuse. He is in ICE custody awaiting removal to Mexico.

Also in Reno, the DEA arrested an alleged Sureno Gang set member with multiple DUI convictions. He is in ICE custody pending removal to Mexico.

DEA agents also arrested a suspect for narcotics violations.

Trump's immigration policies 

Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has acted on his campaign promise to increase deportations, with ICE conducting raids in major cities. Immigration was a major focal point of his campaign, with Trump vowing to conduct mass deportations, expelling people in the country illegally -- particularly those charged or convicted of crimes. He vowed to deploy the military as part of that effort.

In an interview last month, Trump called illegal immigration "an invasion of our country," and vowed to carry out his deportation plans regardless of cost.

SUGGESTED: LA city officials introduce legislation protecting immigrants

"It's not a question of a price tag," Trump said. "It's not -- really, we have no choice. When people have killed and murdered, when drug lords have destroyed countries, and now they're going to go back to those countries because they're not staying here. There is no price tag."

Trump insisted that voters- including Latinos- support his call for legal immigration only.

"They want to have borders," Trump said. "And they like people coming in, but they have to come in with love for the country. They have to come in legally."

According to Reuters, despite Trump's strong stance on immigration and deportations, his first presidential administration saw fewer people deported than during the term of his Democratic predecessor, Barack Obama. More people were deported under President Joe Biden in 2024 than during any single year of Trump's first presidency.

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