On Monday, July 7, 2025, a dramatic scene unfolded at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles' Westlake neighborhood, a vibrant immigrant hub often called the "Ellis Island of the West Coast." Roughly 100 federal immigration-enforcement agents, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, descended on the park in a show of force that quickly drew the attention of local residents, activists, and city officials alike.
The operation began shortly before 11 a.m., with dozens of vans, armored vehicles, and even military-style Humvees converging on the historic park. About a dozen Border Patrol agents were seen riding horses as they swept through the park’s soccer fields and open spaces. Simultaneously, approximately 90 members of the California National Guard were deployed to the area, tasked with protecting immigration officers during the raid. The military presence included 17 Humvees, four tactical vehicles, two ambulances, and a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) helicopter circling overhead.
The scale and spectacle of the operation were striking. Mayor Karen Bass, who has been a vocal critic of federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, arrived at the park around 11 a.m. She confronted the federal agents, demanding they leave immediately. Speaking to reporters, Bass said, "They need to leave and they need to leave right now. They need to leave because this is unacceptable." She later posted on social media, "Minutes before, there were more than 20 kids playing—then, the MILITARY comes through. The SECOND I heard about this, I went to the park to speak to the person in charge to tell them it needed to end NOW. Absolutely outrageous."
Bass described the scene as resembling "a city under siege, under armed occupation." She recounted that children attending a summer camp at the park—ages 5 to 12—were quickly ushered inside to avoid witnessing the armed troops and agents. An 8-year-old boy told her he was "fearful of ICE," highlighting the chilling effect the operation had on the community. Bass also shared video footage showing officers on horseback sweeping across an empty soccer field, underscoring the militarized nature of the raid.
Despite the heavy presence and tense atmosphere, no arrests were publicly confirmed during the roughly hour-long operation. Federal agents and National Guard troops departed the area by about 11:30 a.m., leaving behind a small crowd of protesters and media. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the ongoing enforcement operation.
The raid is part of a broader escalation in immigration enforcement in Los Angeles under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has deployed thousands of California National Guard members and active-duty Marines to the city since June 2025. These deployments have occurred despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials, who argue that such measures sow fear and disrupt communities rather than target dangerous criminals.
Governor Newsom called the events at MacArthur Park "a spectacle," stating, "This is not about going after dangerous criminals. This is about destroying the fabric of this state." Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson criticized the operation as well, saying, "This morning looked like a staging for a TikTok video," and called on Border Patrol to apply for film permits if they wanted to film in the city instead of frightening residents.
Activists and community groups have decried the raids as invasive and harmful. Over the preceding weekend, protesters condemned the presence of ICE agents at Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital, where a woman named Milagro Solis Portillo was recovering after a medical emergency that occurred during an immigration enforcement operation outside a Sherman Oaks apartment complex. Activists said the agents' presence in the hospital lobby created a "hostile and frightening environment" for patients and staff, calling for her to be allowed to heal "in safety and dignity, free from intimidation and fear." The hospital stated it cannot legally restrict law enforcement from public areas like the lobby.
In nearby Alhambra, community members organized a rally and planned to press city council members to adopt resolutions similar to one passed in Huntington Park. Such resolutions would require local police to verify the identity and legitimacy of individuals claiming to be federal immigration agents, enforce local laws, and restrict unconstitutional searches and arrests without warrants. Organizers emphasized the need for swift action, citing widespread reports of people being taken off the streets without warrants or identification.
The federal government has also encouraged undocumented individuals to self-deport through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Home App, which offers travel assistance and a $1,000 "exit bonus" to eligible people who notify CBP of their intent to leave the country voluntarily. Homeland Security officials warned that those who do not take this option risk arrest and deportation without a chance to return legally.
Los Angeles County is home to about 3.5 million immigrants, roughly 35% of its population, with approximately 809,000 undocumented residents, according to a 2024 report by the USC Dornsife research institute. California overall hosts 10.6 million immigrants, the largest immigrant population of any U.S. state. Nationwide, more than 55,000 migrants have been taken into ICE custody over the past six months, with about 28% having criminal convictions, 25% with pending charges, and 47% classified as "other immigration violators." The administration has highlighted arrests involving individuals with violent crime convictions.
Despite the federal government's efforts, local leaders and activists continue to push back, emphasizing the social and economic harm caused by aggressive immigration raids. Mayor Bass vowed to defend Los Angeles' sanctuary city policies, which have come under legal challenge by the Trump administration. As the community grapples with the ongoing enforcement actions, the events at MacArthur Park serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions and tensions surrounding immigration policy in one of America's most diverse cities.
