Federal Agents Begin Military-Style Immigration Raids in Los Angeles

Federal officers from multiple agencies, dressed, equipped and in some cases armed similar to soldiers going into battle, began a series of military-style raids at workplaces without judicial warrants to detain immigrants.

They used unmarked black SUVs and armoured vehicles. The raids closed off streets around targeted buildings. Surveillance was done via drones. Methods generally resembled counterterrorism or drug bust operations with a high threat level.

Agents were with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security (especially Homeland Security Investigations, which is trained in complex investigations and not for this type of detention work), Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Los Angeles Police Department did not participate in the raids. LAPD was called in police protests that sprang up in response. In Los Angeles, protests centered on the Edward R Roybal Federal Building downtown where detainees were processed, and protests were mostly non-violent. Around 19:00 local time, LAPD declared the protest an unlawful assembly and ordered the crowd to disperse. An hour later police had the route to the detention center blocked.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and all 15 City Council members issued statements condemning the raids and the way they were done.

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Click here for a CBS visual timeline of unrest over the weekend.