by A tense immigration raid at Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park on Monday escalated into a high-profile confrontation between federal agents and Mayor Karen Bass, highlighting growing friction over immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.
Border Patrol agents—some on horseback and joined by military personnel—were met with protesters and city officials demanding an immediate halt to the operation. El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino issued a defiant warning to Bass, declaring that federal agents will operate “anywhere, anytime” in Los Angeles, setting the stage for further political and legal conflict.
The Raid:
- Immigration enforcement operation carried out at MacArthur Park in Los Angeles on Monday.
- Involved U.S. Border Patrol agents, some on horseback, and military personnel.
- Number of arrests/detentions not yet confirmed by authorities.
Karen Bass’s Response:
- LA Mayor Karen Bass quickly arrived at the scene to demand a halt to the operation.
- Bass posted on social media that the “second” she heard about the raid, she went to confront officials.
- The incident reignited debate over immigration enforcement in sanctuary cities.
Border Patrol’s Stance:
- El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino told Fox’s Bill Melugin: “We will go anywhere, anytime we want in Los Angeles. I don’t work for Karen Bass.”
- Bovino also posted: “Illegal aliens had the opportunity to self deport, now we’ll help things along a bit.”
Political Backdrop:
- The raid follows multiple ICE operations in LA earlier in June, which sparked city-wide protests.
- Former President Donald Trump has made mass deportations central to his 2024 campaign.
- Trump has deployed National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles against the wishes of Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Governor Newsom’s Concerns:
- Criticized the use of military personnel, warning it leaves wildfire response units under-resourced.
- California Guard fire crews reportedly operating at just 40% capacity due to troop deployments.
Wider Implications:
- Incident reflects the growing divide between local and federal authorities.
- Raises questions over the constitutionality of military involvement in domestic immigration enforcement.
