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California Is Fighting Back: State Leaders and Community Activists Resist Stepped-Up Immigration Raids

July 17, 2025

Federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, particularly a July 7 operation at MacArthur Park involving approximately 90 armed agents, have prompted strong opposition from California officials including Mayor Karen Bass and Governor Gavin Newsom. Both leaders have denounced the raids as unconstitutional and harmful to immigrant communities, with Bass issuing Executive Directive No. 12 to prohibit city resources being used for immigration enforcement and to support affected families.

Who is affected

  • Immigrant communities in Los Angeles and across California
  • Families being "torn apart" by immigration enforcement operations
  • Children and residents deterred from attending school, church, seeking city services, accessing healthcare, and going to work
  • Black migrants who face deportation at higher rates per capita than other immigrant populations
  • The 11 million immigrants in California, including those who have been in the country for decades
  • Business owners and the local economy disrupted by the raids
  • Children who play at MacArthur Park

What action is being taken

  • The City of Los Angeles, along with the County and other organizations, is taking legal action against the federal administration
  • Mayor Karen Bass has issued Executive Directive No. 12 prohibiting use of city resources for immigration enforcement and expanding resources for affected families
  • A U.S. District Judge has ruled that ICE agents must have reasonable suspicion before stops and cannot rely on racial profiling
  • Community activists are organizing protests, including a planned boycott of Home Depot and a general strike scheduled for August 12
  • Black Women for Wellness and partner organizations are holding press conferences to show solidarity with immigrant communities
  • The California Legislative Latino Caucus is publicly opposing the immigration raids

Why it matters

  • The raids are viewed as unconstitutional and "un-American" by local officials
  • Immigration enforcement operations have created fear and disrupted daily life across communities
  • California's economy and workforce rely heavily on immigrants, who comprise one-third of the state's workforce, account for 40.3% of entrepreneurs, and contributed $61.8 billion in state and local taxes in 2023
  • Almost half of all Californian children have at least one immigrant parent
  • The enforcement tactics are seen as reflecting the same patterns of "violence, surveillance, displacement, racism and over-policing" that have historically targeted Black communities
  • The raids are creating tensions between local and federal authorities regarding jurisdiction and constitutional rights

What's next

  • A boycott of Home Depot is being organized by activists with the Community Self-Defense Coalition
  • A general strike is planned for August 12 by community activists
  • The city will seek records from federal agencies about the reasons for detained individuals' arrests and associated costs of federal activity

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint