Federal Immigration Raid in LA Sparks Outrage from Mayor Karen Bass, Gov. Newsom

Mounted Border Patrol and military vehicles draw protests and political fire in immigrant-heavy neighborhood

Federal Agents Target LA Neighborhood in Immigration Sweep

Federal immigration authorities conducted a surprise enforcement operation Monday near Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park—prompting swift condemnation from Mayor Karen Bass and igniting public unrest in the surrounding community.

U.S. Border Patrol agents, some on horseback, swept through the Westlake district, an area known for its dense immigrant population and gang activity, particularly MS-13. Heavily armed law enforcement and military-style vehicles were stationed throughout the park, alarming residents and disrupting daily life.

No arrests were reported during the operation, according to local news station Fox Los Angeles.

Mayor Bass Confronts Federal Agents at the Scene

Mayor Karen Bass, a longtime critic of immigration raids, quickly arrived at the park to confront officials and demand an end to the operation.

“They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. This is unacceptable!” Bass told reporters and bystanders. She later confirmed speaking directly with Border Patrol leadership, including Chief Gregory Bovino.

Bovino pushed back on Bass’s demands, telling Fox News, “I don’t work for Karen Bass… Get used to us now, because this is going to be normal very soon. We will go anywhere, anytime we want in Los Angeles.”

Children Forced Indoors as Park Transforms Into Military Zone

Bass, clearly rattled by what she described as a militarized presence in a public playground, later posted a scathing statement on X (formerly Twitter).

“Minutes before, there were more than 20 kids playing — then, the MILITARY comes through,” she wrote. “There is no plan other than fear, chaos, and politics.”

According to the mayor, the children—many of whom were attending a summer day camp—were rushed indoors for safety as uniformed federal agents advanced through the park.

“What happened to the criminals, the drug dealers, the violent individuals?” she added. “What I saw in that park were children. Now they have no activities. No summer camp. Just fear.”

Bass said she later met with some of the children affected by the raid, describing the emotional toll the operation had on local families.

Protests Erupt, Vehicles Vandalized in Wake of Raid

The sudden federal presence sparked community outrage. Protesters began arriving in the neighborhood shortly after news of the operation spread. Local reports indicated that at least one federal vehicle had its tire slashed, and objects were thrown at government vehicles.

This marks a continuation of growing public unrest in Los Angeles tied to immigration enforcement. Just last month, protests erupted across the city, some escalating into violent clashes with law enforcement. Those demonstrations were largely in response to increased federal raids and perceived overreach by ICE and Border Patrol.

Gov. Newsom Blames Trump Administration, Backs Bass

California Governor Gavin Newsom also weighed in, sharply criticizing the federal government’s actions and linking the operation to former President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda.

“This is a message from the polluted heart of Donald Trump,” Newsom said during a press conference marking the six-month anniversary of Los Angeles’ wildfires. “We have your back. We will continue to protect our diverse communities and push back against this cruelty.”

Newsom, along with Bass, has consistently denounced the deployment of federal agents without coordination from state or city officials. He joined other leaders in calling for a halt to what they view as politically motivated and fear-driven immigration enforcement.

“This Is Not Normal,” Says Bass, Urging End to Raids

In a follow-up post on Sunday, Bass warned that these actions are part of a dangerous normalization of federal overreach in urban centers.

“It is not normal to send in the National Guard without a request from the governor,” she wrote. “It is not normal to conduct indiscriminate raids on our immigrant population. Let LA return to normal. Get the National Guard out.”

DHS Remains Silent, Community Tensions Escalate

A senior official with the Department of Homeland Security told Fox News Digital they could not comment on ongoing operations. ICE also declined to respond to media inquiries.

Meanwhile, local advocacy groups and community leaders accuse immigration authorities of ramping up aggressive tactics—such as appearing at elementary school graduations, raiding courthouses, and targeting immigrant-owned businesses.

These incidents, widely reported in Los Angeles media, have fueled further demonstrations and added to growing tensions between federal agencies and local leaders.

A City on Edge

With no formal arrests announced and no stated objectives shared publicly, the purpose of Monday’s raid remains unclear. For now, Los Angeles officials, including Bass and Newsom, are demanding answers—and calling for immediate changes.

As summer programs are disrupted and federal agents increase their visibility, residents in some of LA’s most vulnerable communities are left feeling shaken, fearful, and uncertain about what comes next.