Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has charged Omar Pulido Bastida, a 41-year-old illegal immigrant with a robbery conviction and previous arrests on murder and assault charges, following an incident in which he spat on an ICE agent during his arrest in Los Angeles. Bastida, who resides in South Central Los Angeles, was arrested after being insulted by him from his balcony before being forced into his home by agents. The altercation occurred amid ongoing tensions and recent anti-ICE protests in the region, with the incident sparking a heated political debate.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaugh, a prominent conservative figure in the Trump administration, criticized the actions of Bastida, labeling him a ‘criminal illegal alien’ who had been previously convicted of robbery and was arrested on murder and assault charges. She accused local officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass, of prioritizing the needs of illegal immigrants over their own citizens. ‘This is the type of criminal illegal alien that rioters are fighting to protect,’ McLaughlin said, urging the public to support ICE’s enforcement efforts.
Newsom and Bass have responded by highlighting the challenges faced by everyday residents, including stories of unmarked federal vehicles appearing near schools and the detention of a pregnant woman. ‘These are not the criminals the administration is targeting,’ Bass stated, emphasizing that the majority of affected individuals are hardworking families. The political fallout comes amid increased ICE operations and the looming threat of mass deportations, as President Donald Trump has called for further crackdowns on illegal immigration, which Newsom has strongly condemned.
Fox News Digital reached out to the Newsom administration for comment, with Bass’s office redirecting the inquiry to a press release. The incident also drew attention to the broader conflict between federal law enforcement and local leaders, with critics accusing ICE of overreach and others defending its role in enforcing immigration laws. The case has underscored the deep political divide over immigration policy in the United States.