Police use tear gas, make arrests as Los Angeles anti-ICE protest turns violent

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles police arrested at least five people Friday night after a protest against federal immigration policies turned violent outside a federal detention center.

Thousands of demonstrators initially gathered for a peaceful rally at City Hall before a group marched toward the downtown detention facility.

The situation escalated when some protesters used a large construction dumpster to block the building’s entrance. Authorities said individuals then threw bottles, rocks, and metal objects at officers.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) issued a dispersal order and deployed tear gas and pepper balls to control the crowd. Mayor Karen Bass confirmed that at least five people were taken into custody for failing to comply with the order to leave.

The demonstration was part of the national “ICE Out Everywhere” movement, sparked by a recent shooting involving federal agents in Minneapolis.

Mayor Bass urged protesters to remain peaceful, stating that violence is counterproductive and serves the goals of the Trump administration. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters was also present at the rally to show support for the demonstrators.

The unrest in Los Angeles is far more than an isolated flashpoint; it is a stark manifestation of the deepening political fracture in the United States, particularly regarding the Trump administration’s hardline immigration agenda. These widening protests signal the emergence of an organized and increasingly defiant resistance movement against federal policy.

The rhetoric from Mayor Karen Bass is particularly telling. By condemning the violence while simultaneously warning that such disruptions provide a convenient pretext for federal escalation—potentially including the deployment of military assets—Bass has highlighted a dangerous trajectory. Her assessment points to an intensifying state of political brinkmanship, where local and federal authorities are testing the constitutional limits of their respective powers.

Furthermore, by linking the situation to the recent arrest of journalist Don Lemon, Mayor Bass has expanded the scope of this confrontation. What began as a dispute over immigration enforcement has evolved into a broader battle over fundamental American tenets: free speech, the right to protest, and the independence of the judiciary. For major Democratic-led cities, the administration's maneuvers are increasingly viewed not as routine law enforcement, but as a direct assault on democratic norms.

Protests against ICE and hardline immigration policies have exposed a deep-seated generational divide within the Vietnamese-American community. While younger generations often stand in solidarity with these movements, many older, more conservative members—who prioritize "law and order" and the hard-won stability of enclaves like Little Saigon—view such public disruptions with skepticism. Beyond the political rhetoric, the Trump-era crackdowns sparked a very real anxiety for families caught in the crosshairs of complex immigration status issues. Whether it is the uncertainty surrounding F2B family reunions, H-1B professional visas, or the persistent threat of deportation orders, these issues hit home for everyone from phở restaurant owners to nail salon workers. For a community built on the hope of legal residency and the ability to support loved ones through remittances, the shift toward aggressive enforcement remains a source of profound concern.