Paramount, Calif., witnessed a tense and fiery confrontation on the morning of June 7, 2025, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducted a raid near a Home Depot on Alondra Boulevard, just east of the 710 Freeway. The operation, part of a broader crackdown across Los Angeles County, sparked protests and clashes between federal agents and demonstrators, highlighting the deep divisions and heightened emotions surrounding immigration enforcement in the region.
The scene quickly escalated after federal agents, including Border Patrol personnel clad in riot gear and gas masks, deployed tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered along medians and across the street. Demonstrators responded by overturning bright orange Home Depot shopping carts and lighting bonfires in the middle of the boulevard, creating a chaotic atmosphere filled with smoke and shouts of “Fuera ICE,” Spanish for “ICE, get out.”
Witnesses reported that at least one protester suffered a head injury, seen bleeding on a grassy area as fellow demonstrators rushed to provide aid. Another man was reportedly knocked unconscious amid the turmoil, with some projectiles—flash bangs and pepper balls—striking members of the crowd. An attorney present at the scene, Nico Thompson-Lleras of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, described the injuries and the volatile environment, noting, “There were some individuals around him throwing bricks. One of the windows got shattered and he was knocked unconscious. He seemed in a pretty bad state.”
Protesters wielded megaphones to denounce ICE’s presence, chanting, “ICE out of Paramount. We see you for what you are. You are not welcome here,” while signs declaring “No Human Being is Illegal” were held high. The crowd also expressed their dissent by burning an American flag and waving Mexican flags, with some lining the boulevard with large cement bricks, signaling the intensity of their opposition.
Despite widespread rumors, an official clarified that no ICE raid took place inside the Home Depot itself. Rather, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains a nearby office in Paramount, which was used as a staging area for the enforcement activities. Fox News correspondent Bill Melugin reported that while ICE did not conduct a raid at the store, “a handful of agitators have already been arrested today for allegedly interfering with federal agents.” Melugin further explained that ICE was conducting targeted enforcement across Los Angeles, serving criminal judicial warrants and enforcing final orders of removal or deportation. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Border Patrol were brought in to provide security and additional personnel for the operations.
The raid in Paramount followed a day of similar enforcement actions on June 6, 2025, when federal agents arrested 44 people on immigration violations across multiple locations in Los Angeles. The president of SEIU California, a significant labor union, was among those arrested and charged with impeding a federal agent during protests. Videos from that day showed tense scenes outside a federal detention center, where officers in riot gear deployed tear gas to disperse crowds demanding detainees’ release.
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized the seriousness of the enforcement efforts on social media, stating, “Federal law enforcement operations are proceeding as planned this weekend in Los Angeles County. I urge the public to refrain from interfering with these lawful actions. Anyone who obstructs federal agents will face arrest and prosecution.” Echoing this stance, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem warned protesters, “ICE will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) played a limited role during the Paramount incident, responding solely for traffic and crowd control management. Deputies arrived around 11 a.m. upon reports of a large group blocking traffic near the 6400 block of Alondra Boulevard. LASD clarified that it was not involved in any federal immigration enforcement operations, underscoring their focus on ensuring public safety for all individuals present, including demonstrators, residents, and bystanders.
Paramount Mayor Peggy Lemons, who was present at the scene, expressed concern over the lack of communication from federal authorities regarding the raids. She noted that the Department of Homeland Security appeared to be targeting Home Depot locations across the county, places where many undocumented residents and day laborers commonly gather. “We don’t know what was happening, or what their target was,” Lemons said. “To think that there would be no heightening of fear and no consequences from the community doesn’t sound like good preparation to me.” She urged calm to avoid further violence but acknowledged the palpable fear and chaos that had gripped the city.
Helicopter footage captured law enforcement vehicles blocking access and closing roads, with Border Patrol agents lined up in formation. Sheriff’s deputies set off flash-bangs to clear a freeway exit of protesters. In one dramatic moment, a U.S. Marshals Service bus exiting the freeway was surrounded by a crowd that kicked and pushed the vehicle. Federal agents responded with tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Political leaders weighed in on the situation as well. U.S. Representative Nanette D. Barragán, whose district includes Paramount, condemned the federal tactics, posting on social media, “ICE has brought their terror tactics and masked agents to #Paramount this morning — in my district. This is unacceptable. We will demand answers and accountability. For those out there — please stay safe, protest peacefully, and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.” California Assembly member José Luis Solache Jr., who witnessed the clashes firsthand, described the agents’ aggressive response, recounting how he was forced to run through smoke after agents began shooting canisters in the crowd’s direction. He lamented the targeting of hardworking families rather than criminals, highlighting the community’s distress.
The atmosphere in Paramount on June 7 was a vivid illustration of the broader national debate on immigration enforcement. Federal authorities, under the Trump administration’s directives, have ramped up efforts to deport individuals with final removal orders or criminal convictions, averaging about 1,600 arrests per day nationwide, according to ICE head Todd Lyons. Yet, these efforts have sparked fierce resistance from communities and activists who view such raids as acts of terror and disruption that tear families apart.
FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino underscored the government’s determination to maintain order, stating on social media, “Multiple arrests have already been made for obstructing our operations. More are coming. We are pouring through the videos for more perpetrators. You bring chaos, and we’ll bring handcuffs.”
As protests continued for hours, with demonstrators throwing projectiles and igniting pallets in the streets, the standoff in Paramount reflected not only the immediate conflict between federal law enforcement and local communities but also the ongoing struggle over immigration policy in America’s urban centers. The events on Alondra Boulevard serve as a reminder of the human stories caught in the crossfire of enforcement and resistance, with residents, officials, and activists all grappling with the consequences.
Whether this latest chapter will lead to changes in tactics, policy, or community relations remains to be seen. For now, the streets of Paramount bear the scars of a day marked by confrontation, fear, and fervent calls for justice.
