Federal immigration authorities in Los Angeles recently conducted a weeklong operation that led to the arrest of nearly 100 migrants, with many having criminal histories involving violent crimes and drug offenses. The operation, carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saw 45 arrests on a single day alone, with locations raided including two Home Depot stores, a store in the fashion district, and a doughnut shop. These actions prompted widespread protests that continued throughout the weekend, as community members and labor unions opposed the enforcement efforts. The protests reached a high point when David Huerta, president of SEIU California, a major labor union, was arrested and charged with impeding a federal agent during demonstrations. This incident escalated tensions, leading to further confrontations between protesters and federal agents in riot gear.
In response to the ongoing unrest, President Donald Trump deployed California National Guard troops to the area on Saturday. The decision followed two days of clashes between protesters and federal agents, with some demonstrations turning into violent confrontations. Officials reported that the National Guard’s involvement aimed to restore order in the region, where tensions had reached a boiling point. The presence of the National Guard marked a significant escalation in the situation, reflecting the scale of the resistance against immigration enforcement actions.
Among the migrants apprehended during the raids, several had criminal records that included serious offenses. Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, a 55-year-old from the Philippines, had been convicted of burglary, sexual penetration with a foreign object with force, and assault with intent to commit rape. He was arrested on Saturday and received a notice to appear in court. Similarly, Jose Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, a 42-year-old from Ecuador, had a history of drug trafficking, having been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for conspiracy to possess five kilograms of cocaine on a vessel in Florida. Armando Ordaz, a 44-year-old from Mexico, was identified as an active member of the Bratz 13 gang and had prior charges of sexual battery and receiving stolen property in Los Angeles. Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, a 32-year-old from Mexico, had a history of violent crimes including assault with a deadly weapon and being an alleged member of the Villa Boys gang. His criminal record also included offenses such as obstructing a public officer, with an earlier deportation record in 2017.
The arrests underscored the intersection of immigration enforcement and criminal justice in Los Angeles, as individuals with serious criminal backgrounds were being detained for illegal entry. The operations have drawn significant public attention, with activists and community leaders criticizing the raids as overreach, while officials emphasized the importance of upholding immigration laws. The National Guard’s deployment highlighted the gravity of the situation, as the state and federal authorities continued to navigate the complex legal and social challenges posed by the protests and the enforcement actions.