Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles have reportedly expanded to target individuals without criminal histories. Officials claimed the broadening of enforcement has sparked fear throughout the community, causing residents to stay indoors and avoid public spaces. Mayor Karen Bass expressed concern over the raids, stating they have created a chilling effect that is affecting families and causing a decline in workforce participation.

A NPR/PBS News/Marist poll published in July found 52% of Americans disapprove of Trump’s current approach to immigration enforcement, a shift from earlier support for stricter policies. In contrast, a Gallup poll in 2024 showed 55% of Americans wanted less immigration.

The raids have drawn criticism from local advocacy groups, who argue they disrupt communities and undermine trust in law enforcement. Federal officials, however, defend the actions as necessary to enforce immigration laws and prioritize public safety. The increased enforcement comes amid ongoing national debates over immigration policy and border security.

Bass said, “Los Angeles is a city of immigrants — 3.8 million people and about 50% of our population is Latino. So when the raids started, fear spread. The masked men in unmarked cars, no license plate, no real uniforms, jumping out of cars with rifles and snatching people off the street.”

Local farmers have reported declines in activity due to the expanded ICE raids. Bass criticized agents’ use of masks and unmarked vehicles, saying it fuels fears of kidnappings.

Bass stated that ICE’s tactics are “leading a lot of people to think maybe kidnappings were taking place. How do you have masked men who then say, well, we are federal officials with no identification?”

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Bass stated, “Let me tell you, we have a Los Angeles Police Department that has to deal with crime in this city every single day, and they’re not masked, they stay here. The masked men parachute in, stay here for a while and leave. So you enter a profession like policing, like law enforcement, I’m sorry, I don’t think you have a right to have a mask and snatch people off the street.”

Bass added, “It’s not just the deportation. It’s the fear that sets in when raids occur, when people are snatched off the street. Even people who are here legally, even people who are U.S. citizens, have been detained. Immigrants who have their papers and were showing up for their annual immigration appointment were detained when they showed up doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/trump-suffers-blow-as-poll-reveals-disapproval/ss-AA1JMJWO