Immigration Raids Intensify in L.A. as Federal Tactics Shift

Arrests happen 'as fast as 30 seconds' as activists reconsider their approach to monitoring ICE operations

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:15pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Federal immigration enforcement tactics have fluctuated in Los Angeles over the last nine months, with a recent intensification of efforts to locate and deport immigrants suspected of living in the country illegally. Activists have had to adjust their monitoring and de-escalation tactics in response to the changes, which have included the use of children as bait, door-to-door operations, and in some cases, the fatal shooting of U.S. citizens protesting the raids.

Why it matters

The shift in immigration enforcement tactics in Los Angeles has left local communities on edge, with daily operations being documented across the city. The aggressive actions by federal agents have sparked a growing backlash and forced activists to reconsider their approach to monitoring and responding to the raids.

The details

Federal law enforcement officers have been using more aggressive tactics, including going door-to-door, forcibly storming into people's homes without warrants, and using children as bait. Activists say the arrests are happening 'as fast as 30 seconds,' leaving no time for them to relay 'Know Your Rights' information or get the detainee's name. While the overall number of arrests appears to be down compared to last summer, daily operations are still being documented across the city.

  • The immigration crackdown began in Los Angeles last summer and has continued in the region even after the national focus shifted to Chicago and now Minneapolis.
  • On January 20, exactly one year into the Trump administration's second term, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said about 70% of people whom the agency has arrested have been convicted or charged with a crime in the United States.
  • Between June and October of last year, the number of arrests has fluctuated significantly, peaking in June with 2,500 people apprehended and then dropping to fewer than 500 in October.

The players

Joseline Garcia

The Community Defense director for City Council District 1, who spoke at a training session for immigration activists in Los Angeles.

Juan Pablo Orjuela-Parra

A labor justice organizer with the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, who has noticed a change in immigration agents' tactics.

Maribel C.

The associate director of Órale, a Long Beach-based immigrant advocacy group, who said rapid response volunteers have reported similar tactics by immigration agents.

Gregory Bovino

The Border Patrol commander who led and participated in highly visible immigration operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, N.C., and Minneapolis, which sparked outrage and mass demonstrations.

Tom Homan

The border advisor who is taking Bovino's place in Minnesota after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“What we would do when it came to de-escalation is we'd tell people their rights, try to get their information and try to reason with the ICE agents and pressure them to leave.”

— Joseline Garcia, Community Defense director for City Council District 1 (Los Angeles Times)

“Things have changed a ton in the past two months, so that's not something we're willing to put you all at risk to do. There is risk here and we are always encouraging people to stay safe and please constantly be assessing the risks.”

— Joseline Garcia, Community Defense director for City Council District 1 (Los Angeles Times)

“What we're seeing now are large numbers of officers to grab anywhere from one to five people, not necessarily questioning them, and then moving out as quickly as possible.”

— Juan Pablo Orjuela-Parra, Labor justice organizer, National Day Laborer Organizing Network (Los Angeles Times)

“In as fast as 30 seconds' a target can be 'literally taken off the streets' by federal agents, leaving no time for a rapid response volunteer to relay 'Know Your Rights' information or get the detainee's name.”

— Maribel C., Associate director, Órale (Los Angeles Times)

“I think what's happened in Minnesota is terrifying for everyone in the country because those tactics that are being implemented in Minnesota are going to be the same tactics that are going to be implemented elsewhere.”

— Maribel C., Associate director, Órale (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

After the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers in Minnesota, the Trump administration is moving to scale back its presence in Minneapolis and replace the Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino with border advisor Tom Homan.

The takeaway

The shift in immigration enforcement tactics in Los Angeles has left local communities on edge, with activists forced to reconsider their approach to monitoring and responding to the raids. The aggressive actions by federal agents, including the use of children as bait and the fatal shooting of U.S. citizens, have sparked a growing backlash and raised concerns about the future implementation of these tactics in other parts of the country.