Shocking Video Shows Trump’s Immigration Raids Unleash Chaos in Los Angeles — Protesters Tear-Gassed, Families Separated

Massive immigration raids promised by Donald Trump have already begun in many large cities across the United States, and one of the most chaotic incidents took place in Los Angeles. Federal immigration officers carried out surprise operations in several parts of the city, including two Home Depot stores and a clothing shop called Ambient Apparel. But the situation quickly got out of control when protestors showed up to oppose the raids.

People began gathering in large numbers to show their anger and concern, and things turned violent when officers reportedly threw smoke bombs and used tear gas to push the crowds back. One video even showed an officer tackling a protester to the ground. As the tension increased, dozens of people were arrested. According to a local immigrant rights group, the Coalition of Humane Immigrant Rights, 45 people were taken into custody, and many of them were arrested without warrants.

Angelica Salas, the director of the group, said that families are being terrorized and torn apart. She explained that the people being targeted are not dangerous criminals, but everyday workers, fathers, and mothers who are simply trying to survive. She called for the raids to stop immediately, saying that communities across the country are being traumatized.

Local leaders in Los Angeles also responded. Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove said she was watching the events closely, especially because one of the raids happened at a Korean-American-owned business in her district. She criticized Trump’s actions, saying that while he claims to be targeting criminals, he is really just hurting families and creating fear in immigrant communities. She reminded people that Los Angeles has always been known as a safe place for immigrants.

Mayor Karen Bass also reacted strongly. She said the city would not accept or tolerate the violence that took place, and that what happened does not reflect the values of Los Angeles.

Images from the scene show smoke and tear gas filling the air near the Los Angeles Federal Building. Protesters were seen falling or being dragged away by police. Some streets were filled with the smell of tear gas as people ran in panic.

These raids are part of Trump’s strict immigration plan, which he pushed forward not long after returning to the White House. Back in January, over 500 people were arrested in a single day before the government began flying some of them out of the country.

Trump also signed a new executive order, which was shared on the White House website. In it, he said the goal was to stop undocumented immigrants from “invading” U.S. communities and draining public resources. As part of the crackdown, a previous rule that had stopped officers from arresting people at sensitive places like schools, churches, and hospitals was removed—meaning now, those locations are no longer off-limits for immigration arrests.

The raids and the harsh new policies have sparked national outrage, with many accusing Trump of creating fear, chaos, and suffering for families who have lived and worked in the U.S. for years.