(KTLA) — On Saturday morning, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out a raid in the California city of Paramount, following federal agents’ actions at various locations around Los Angeles the previous day.
Large groups of protesters quickly assembled near the sites of the raids on both Friday and Saturday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed to KTLA just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday that federal authorities were active in the 6400 block of Alondra Boulevard. They clarified that they were not present to assist with the enforcement.
“As deputies arrived, it appeared that federal law enforcement officers were in the area, and that members of the public were gathering to protest,” LASD stated. “The sheriff’s department was not involved in any federal law enforcement operations or actions and responded solely for traffic and crowd control management.”
United States Attorney Bill Essayli stated on social media that federal law enforcement operations are “proceeding as planned this weekend in Los Angeles County” and advised that anyone who tries to interfere with their enforcement will be arrested and prosecuted.
Early Saturday afternoon, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem put out a similar warning.
“A message to the LA rioters: you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Noem said.
Protests continued in the area for hours with demonstrators throwing projectiles and lighting a pallet on fire in the middle of the road. LASD deputies were attempting to control some of the crowds as air units circled overhead.
The sheriff’s department does not participate in any immigration enforcement activity, as those operations are the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies. LASD does not enforce civil immigration laws.
