Increasingly aggressive immigration raids by masked federal agents are creating problems for local law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles. Police have little insight into where the federal enforcement actions take place, often dealing with the aftermath of protests and questions from residents about what happened. The lack of clarity is eroding trust between immigrant communities and local police.
In recent weeks, immigration raids have been carried out by masked agents in predominantly Latino communities, sparking chaos and confusion. In one incident, a man stepped out of an unmarked vehicle at an intersection, pointing his gun at pedestrians before speeding off. The Pasadena Police Department reviewed surveillance footage and determined that the individual was likely an ICE agent, but the police chief acknowledged that there is no way to verify this.
The lack of transparency from federal agents is causing concern among local officials. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that masked agents showing up without uniforms or ID are a “big question mark.” She asked why they don’t identify themselves as federal officials. The city’s mayor, Victor Gordo, hopes that the federal government will acknowledge the incidents and provide clarity.
As more immigration sweeps happen, local police are worried about accidental shootings or being caught in the middle if unidentified federal agents pull out their guns in public. Fontana Police Chief Michael Dorsey said that the lack of clarity is making it harder for his officers to do their job safely. In one instance, undercover officers were confronted by protesters who thought they were conducting surveillance for an immigration sweep.
To address this issue, Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores plans to introduce a motion to direct local police to ask federal agents to identify themselves if they attempt to carry out an immigration operation in the city. He believes that local officials must be prepared to hold these agencies accountable for their actions to prevent tragedies from happening.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-24/masked-immigration-agents-local-law-enforcement-tension