DHS Launches Surprise Immigration Raid in Los Angeles, Arrests 16 Tied to Gang Activity

Los Angeles, CA — In a dramatic early morning operation on Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a targeted immigration enforcement raid in a central Los Angeles neighborhood known for gang violence. The agency confirmed the arrest of 16 undocumented migrants, many of whom are believed to have ties to MS-13-controlled areas.

The operation, codenamed “Operation Trojan Horse,” began around 7 a.m. near a Home Depot store on Wilshire Boulevard, close to MacArthur Park—a location that has become a frequent hotspot for federal enforcement activities. In June, a similar raid at the same location drew national attention and sparked widespread protests.

According to video footage obtained by Fox News LA, federal agents concealed in the back of a Penske moving truck suddenly emerged and sprinted toward a group of individuals gathered near a sidewalk food vendor. The crowd quickly scattered as agents closed in. DHS officials confirmed that 16 individuals were taken into custody.

The detainees are nationals of Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. While DHS has not yet released individual profiles or prior criminal records, a department spokesperson said the arrests were part of a broader effort to curb gang-driven violence in the area.

“This part of the city is under a well-documented MS-13 influence,” said one DHS official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It’s not just about immigration status—this is about restoring public safety in neighborhoods where transnational gangs are operating with impunity.”

Company Caught Off Guard

The use of a Penske rental truck in the operation has drawn scrutiny. A spokesperson for Penske stated that the company had no prior knowledge of its vehicle being used by DHS in this capacity and emphasized that it strictly prohibits the transportation of people in its trucks’ cargo areas.

“Penske is committed to safety and compliance,” the company said in a statement. “We will be contacting DHS directly to ensure our equipment is not misused in future operations.”

Legal Controversy Continues

Wednesday’s enforcement comes amid ongoing legal battles over how federal immigration agents operate in sanctuary jurisdictions like Los Angeles. A recent ruling by a federal judge, appointed during the Biden administration, temporarily restricted DHS from conducting certain types of detentions—particularly those without warrants.

The decision criticized DHS for allegedly engaging in “roving patrols” and detaining individuals based on appearance, language, or occupation rather than concrete evidence of unlawful presence.

The court’s injunction also mandated that immigration detainees be granted access to legal counsel, a requirement some see as a brake on federal enforcement capability. The Justice Department appealed the ruling, but the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals declined to stay the order, meaning the restrictions currently remain in place as the legal battle progresses, potentially heading to the Supreme Court.

Despite these legal constraints, DHS moved forward with Operation Trojan Horse without any court interference.

Federal Officials Stand Firm

U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California Bill Essayli voiced strong support for the operation on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“If anyone thought immigration enforcement in Southern California had ended—they were mistaken,” Essayli wrote. “Federal law is not optional, and no city, no mayor, and no protest is beyond the reach of our authority.”

The raid is the latest sign of the Trump administration’s renewed push against sanctuary policies in major urban areas. With President Trump back in office, DHS has intensified its operations in cities that had previously resisted federal immigration enforcement efforts.

A Repeat of June’s Chaos?

Wednesday’s operation follows a massive enforcement effort in the same area on June 6, during which approximately 100 agents conducted coordinated raids across multiple locations in Los Angeles. That action sparked widespread protests and a public confrontation between federal agents and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who demanded they vacate the scene.

“They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. This is unacceptable,” Bass said at the time, directly challenging the operation.

The protests later turned chaotic. Demonstrators marched downtown, clashing with LAPD officers outside the Royal Federal Building. The Los Angeles Police Department declared an unlawful assembly and activated a citywide tactical alert as tensions escalated.

Aerial footage from that day showed violent confrontations as protesters threw objects at police and vandalized public buildings. Riot officers were seen forming lines to hold back the crowd, while tear gas and pepper spray were deployed to disperse rioters. Some demonstrators used hammers to chip concrete from sidewalks and hurled the debris at law enforcement.

DHS Message: Enforcement Is Back

Despite the legal hurdles and political opposition, DHS has made it clear that immigration enforcement is entering a new chapter under Trump’s leadership.

“This administration is restoring the rule of law,” one senior DHS official said. “No location is off-limits, and no jurisdiction can shield criminal aliens or gang members from federal enforcement.”

For many Angelenos, the events signal a shift in federal-local relations, as sanctuary city policies clash with a more aggressive national enforcement stance. Whether this will lead to further legal showdowns—or more unrest on the streets—remains to be seen.