Federal Immigration Raid in Los Angeles Sparks Clash With Mayor Bass as Tensions Escalate

A high-profile immigration raid conducted in downtown Los Angeles on Monday has ignited political controversy and public outcry, after federal agents launched a large-scale operation despite vocal opposition from city officials — including an on-site protest by Mayor Karen Bass.

The enforcement action, carried out in the MacArthur Park area, involved hundreds of federal immigration agents, members of the military, and even Border Patrol officers on horseback. The area, long recognized as a hub of immigrant communities and gang activity, including alleged MS-13 presence, was placed on lockdown as agents swept through the neighborhood.

Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin, reporting live from the scene, described the operation as “one of the largest immigration raids we’ve seen in the city,” adding that the show of federal force appeared to be a direct response to Los Angeles’ sanctuary city policies.

“Mayor Bass has demanded these raids stop. Instead, the federal government answered with one of the most significant enforcement actions we’ve seen to date,” Melugin posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Protesters are already arriving, and the atmosphere is highly tense.”

In one widely shared video clip, Mayor Bass was seen confronting federal agents and making a phone call after speaking with a Border Patrol officer. During the call, which was picked up by nearby microphones, she was heard saying, “They have completed their mission here,” followed by, “What’s the timeframe before they leave?”

When approached by a local news reporter for comment, Bass was visibly frustrated. “They need to leave, and they need to leave right now, because this is unacceptable,” she said, before turning away.

The raid follows weeks of growing unrest in Los Angeles over increased federal immigration enforcement. Anti-ICE protests and riots last month led to property damage and multiple arrests, as tensions mounted between federal authorities and local government.

Further inflaming the situation was an incident last month involving U.S. Senator Alex Padilla of California. During a news conference in Los Angeles led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Padilla was forcibly removed by security after he interrupted Noem’s remarks with loud objections to the administration’s immigration policies.

Speaking after the event, Noem downplayed the disruption but emphasized that her department would not be deterred by political opposition.

“These operations will continue in Los Angeles and in every sanctuary city that refuses to comply with federal immigration law,” Noem said. “We’re not going away. We are staying here to liberate this city from failed leadership and restore lawful order.”

Noem further commented on her interaction with Padilla following the incident: “We had a respectful 10- to 15-minute conversation afterward. He admitted he didn’t identify himself before walking up, and unfortunately, the room didn’t know who he was either. It created a lot of confusion.”

In the wake of the Los Angeles raid, Tom Homan, the federal immigration enforcement lead under the Trump administration — often referred to as the “border czar” — reiterated the administration’s hardline stance.

“We’re going to be operating in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago — any sanctuary city that puts its political ideology above public safety,” Homan said at a press conference Monday afternoon.

He emphasized that the goal isn’t to target immigrant communities at large, but to focus on known threats.

“Let’s be clear — this is about removing public safety threats and national security concerns,” he stated. “Every day, sanctuary policies lead to dangerous individuals being released back into the community instead of being turned over to us. That stops now.”

Homan signaled more operations are on the way, particularly in areas where cooperation with federal law enforcement has broken down.

“We’ll flood the zone if we have to,” he continued. “If we can’t apprehend criminals in county jails because local officials won’t hand them over, then we’ll find them at their jobs, in their homes, or wherever they may be.”

He concluded with a message to local leaders resisting cooperation: “If you’re not going to help us protect the community, then step aside — because we are coming, and we will do what needs to be done.”

Despite strong federal rhetoric, the White House has not released a formal statement on the raid, nor has it commented on the public clash between Mayor Bass and immigration authorities.

As the dust settles in Los Angeles, the city remains deeply divided — between those calling for humane immigration policy and those demanding strict enforcement. What’s clear is that the battle between federal power and local resistance is far from over.