ICE Raids at Paramount Home Depot Spark Protests, National Guard Deployment in Los Angeles

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By The General Justice Lawyer, June 7

ICE Raids Paramount, Los Angeles National Guard Deployed

Los Angeles — On June 6, 2025, Los Angeles erupted into chaos as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of raids targeting undocumented migrants, with a high-profile operation at a Home Depot in Paramount, California, sparking widespread protests.

The federal action, which detained 44 day laborers suspected of lacking legal status, ignited immediate backlash from the community, leading to violent clashes and the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops by President Donald Trump the following day. The unrest, rooted in escalating tensions over immigration enforcement, has drawn national attention as local leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom, decry the federal response.

The raids began early on June 6, with ICE agents, backed by the FBI and U.S. Marshal Service, descending on multiple locations across Los Angeles. At the Paramount Home Depot, a known gathering spot for day laborers, agents arrested dozens in what witnesses described as a “military-style” operation.

Federal sources later clarified that the nearby Department of Homeland Security office in Paramount served as a staging area, though the Home Depot parking lot became a focal point for protests. Community members, alerted via social media, quickly mobilized, surrounding ICE vans and blocking federal vehicles in an attempt to halt the detentions. The situation escalated as protesters, chanting for immigrant rights, clashed with agents, who deployed tear gas and flash bangs to disperse the crowd. By evening, the standoff had trapped federal vehicles for hours, with reports of injuries on both sides.

As protests intensified, the White House cited “violent mobs” attacking federal agents as justification for President Trump’s decision to deploy 2,000 National Guard troops on June 7. Tom Homan, Trump’s appointed border czar, defended the move, stating to NBC News, “President Trump is sending the National Guard to assist law enforcement in maintaining public safety.” However, Governor Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the deployment, arguing it was a provocative overreach rather than a response to a genuine public safety crisis. Newsom, in a public statement, called the action a “spectacle” designed to intimidate communities, while Homan warned that local officials obstructing federal efforts could face arrest.Legally, the protesters’ actions carry significant risks.

Those who physically blocked federal vehicles or engaged in violence could face charges such as obstruction of justice or interfering with a federal officer, both federal offenses under 18 U.S.C. § 111, which can carry penalties of up to seven years in prison if bodily injury occurs. Additionally, damaging federal property, such as ICE vans, could lead to charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1361, with potential fines and imprisonment.

ICE Paramount, CA — 🚨 ICE raid in Paramount, CA, on June 7, 2025, near Home Depot on Alondra Blvd sparks chaos. Protesters block streets, clash with agents, & throw rocks, met with tear gas & riot gear. Part of broader LA sweeps, with 44+ detained. National Guard may deploy as… pic.twitter.com/M9fSnQfp8T
— Gen Just Law (@genjustlaw) June 8, 2025

If prosecutors deem the protests a riot, participants could face state charges under California Penal Code § 404.6 for inciting a riot, punishable by up to one year in jail. However, proving intent to obstruct or riot in court may be challenging, especially for protesters acting spontaneously in response to the raids.

The raids themselves were part of a broader immigration enforcement push under Trump’s administration, which has prioritized large-scale deportations. The Home Depot operation targeted day laborers based on intelligence that undocumented workers frequented the site for temporary jobs.

Witnesses reported seeing families separated and workers fleeing as agents swept through, fueling outrage that spread rapidly online.

Posts on X captured the chaos, with videos showing tear gas clouds and protesters chanting, “No one is illegal!”

The community’s anger was compounded by the perception that federal agents targeted vulnerable workers rather than addressing broader immigration policy issues.

Meanwhile, the National Guard’s deployment has raised legal questions about federal authority. Trump’s decision to federalize the California National Guard without invoking the Insurrection Act relies on his executive powers to address domestic unrest.

Legal experts note that under 10 U.S.C. § 12406, the president can call up the National Guard to suppress “unlawful obstructions” or protect federal functions, which the White House argues applies here.

However, Newsom’s opposition highlights tensions over state versus federal control, as California law limits the governor’s ability to resist federalization.

If local officials actively impede Guard operations, they could face charges of obstructing federal authority, though such prosecutions are rare and politically fraught.

The unrest in Los Angeles reflects deeper divisions over immigration policy. Advocates argue the raids dehumanize migrants, while supporters of the operation insist they uphold the rule of law.

As protests continue, the presence of National Guard troops risks further escalation. For now, the city remains on edge, with the legal and social fallout of the raids still unfolding. Protesters, caught in the heat of the moment, may yet face serious consequences, but the broader fight over immigration shows no signs of cooling.