Los Angeles has become a focal point for protests against U.S. immigration policies, particularly following President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown in 2025, due to its large and diverse immigrant population, significant undocumented community, and historical role as a sanctuary city. Here’s why LA is a hotbed for these protests, with context drawn from recent events:
- Large Undocumented Population: Los Angeles County is home to approximately 900,000 undocumented immigrants, many of whom have lived in the U.S. for over a decade, according to a 2020 University of Southern California study. Nearly one in five residents lives in mixed-status households, where at least one family member is undocumented. This significant population creates a strong community stake in immigration policies, fueling protests when enforcement actions like ICE raids occur.
- Ethnic and Demographic Diversity: LA County’s population of nearly 10 million is 27% of California’s total, with a third being foreign-born. The city of Los Angeles has 3.9 million residents, over 35% of whom were born outside the U.S. The county includes 1.8 million Hispanic or Latino residents, alongside sizable Asian, Native Hawaiian, and multiracial communities. This diversity, particularly in areas like Paramount (82% Hispanic, 36% foreign-born), makes the region sensitive to immigration enforcement, as raids often target Latino-heavy neighborhoods.
- History of Immigration Activism: LA has a long history of immigrant rights activism, exemplified by the 2006 “La Gran Marcha,” where over 500,000 people protested against proposed harsh immigration laws. This legacy continues to inspire large-scale, organized responses to federal immigration actions, with groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and SEIU mobilizing thousands.
- Sanctuary City Status: As a sanctuary city, Los Angeles limits cooperation with federal immigration authorities, creating tension with the Trump administration’s policies. Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom have openly criticized ICE raids and National Guard deployments, amplifying local resistance and encouraging protests. For example, Bass condemned raids as sowing “terror” in communities, and Newsom called the Guard deployment “unlawful” and “inflammatory.”
- Recent ICE Raids and Militarized Response: Protests erupted on June 6, 2025, after ICE conducted raids across LA, arresting at least 45 people, including at businesses like Home Depot and Ambiance Apparel. These raids, part of Trump’s pledge to deport millions and arrest 3,000 migrants daily, triggered immediate backlash. Demonstrations grew violent, with protesters clashing with police, blocking the 101 Freeway, and setting Waymo vehicles on fire. The deployment of 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines, ordered by Trump despite local objections, escalated tensions, drawing larger crowds chanting slogans like “ICE out of LA” and “Set them free, let them stay.”
- Community and Workplace Targeting: ICE’s focus on workplaces, such as Home Depot in Paramount where day laborers gather, hits at the heart of LA’s working-class immigrant communities. These areas, described as “Latino suburbs” with a growing middle class, feel under siege, prompting spontaneous and organized protests. The raids’ impact on both undocumented and legal residents, including some with permanent status, has broadened the protest base.
- Social Media and Grassroots Organizing: Protests have been fueled by rapid information sharing on platforms like TikTok, where news of raids spreads quickly. Organic demonstrations, like those at Olvera Street or Placita Olvera, a historic Mexican cultural site, draw thousands, blending cultural pride (e.g., Mexican flags, traditional music) with political resistance.
Current Sentiment and Challenges: Protests, ongoing since February 2025, have intensified, with a curfew imposed by Mayor Bass on June 10 after vandalism and looting. While many demonstrations remain peaceful, clashes involving tear gas, flash-bang grenades, and non-lethal munitions have injured protesters, journalists, and officers. Critics, including Newsom and Democratic leaders, argue Trump’s militarized response is a political stunt, while supporters like House Speaker Mike Johnson defend it as necessary for public safety. Posts on X reflect polarized views, with some decrying “chaos” under Bass and others condemning the raids as inhumane.
In summary, LA’s role as a protest hotbed stems from its demographic makeup, historical activism, and recent federal actions perceived as targeting its immigrant communities. The situation remains volatile, with legal challenges and public demonstrations likely to continue.