Former ICE Officer Now Criticizes Brutal SoCal Raids

LOS ANGELES — Recent immigration raids conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across Southern California have ignited a firestorm of controversy, with critics, including former ICE officials and immigration attorneys, condemning the use of deceptive tactics known as “ruses.”

These operations, part of a broader escalation of immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, have raised significant concerns about legality, due process, and their impact on local communities.

Since President Donald Trump’s second term began on January 20, 2025, ICE arrests have surged nationwide, with 23,564 apprehensions reported last month alone, according to a Congressional Report.

In Southern California, raids targeting workplaces like car washes, apparel warehouses, and produce markets have led to the detention of dozens of immigrants, many of whom lack criminal records, despite claims from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that operations focus on “violent undocumented criminals.”

On June 6, 2025, ICE conducted high-profile raids in Los Angeles, detaining approximately 118 individuals over a single weekend, according to DHS statements.

These actions, which included arrests at a Home Depot in Paramount and Ambiance Apparel in the Los Angeles fashion district, prompted protests and clashes with federal agents.

Families and advocates have described these detentions as “kidnappings,” citing a lack of transparency and due process.

Controversial Use of Ruses

A key point of contention is ICE’s use of ruses—deceptive strategies to gain access to individuals or their homes.

According to internal ICE documents made public through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit by the Immigrant Defense Project, ruses involve agents posing as local police, probation officers, or even private entities to lure targets into opening doors or stepping into public spaces.

A 2005 ICE memo explicitly describes these tactics, such as claiming to be looking for someone other than the target or misrepresenting their agency affiliation.

Victor Nieblas, an immigration attorney and adjunct professor at Loyola Law School, has criticized these practices as unlawful.

“They lie to individuals to be able to get into locations where they are not supposed to be, especially at the home,” Nieblas said.

He referenced court rulings that have deemed such tactics unconstitutional, particularly when agents force entry without consent after a door is slightly opened.

Ruben Martinez, a retired ICE deportation officer who left the agency in 2008, echoed these concerns.

“It seems like now, it’s like the gloves are off and they’re doing what they want,” Martinez stated, contrasting current operations with his experience, where agents were required to carry credentials, identify themselves, and target specific individuals based on evidence, not random sweeps.

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Community and Economic Fallout

The raids have had a profound impact on Southern California’s immigrant-heavy communities.

Businesses, particularly in industries reliant on immigrant labor, are reeling. A produce market in downtown Los Angeles has seen employees and customers stay away out of fear, leaving stalls empty.

Child-care providers, many of whom are immigrants, have implemented safety measures like extra locks and canceled outdoor activities to protect children in their care.

Adriana Lorenzo, a Boyle Heights child-care provider, noted, “It’s affecting me mentally and even physically,” as she carries her passport at all times to prove her legal status.

The economic ripple effects are significant.

Rebecca Shi, CEO of the American Business Immigration Coalition, highlighted the disruption to industries like agriculture and hospitality, noting that a brief pause in raids ordered by President Trump last week was quickly reversed, leaving businesses uncertain.

A New Mexico dairy, for example, lost 35 of its 55 workers in a single raid, severely impacting operations.

Immigration attorneys argue that the raids often bypass constitutional protections.

Jean Reisz, co-director of the University of Southern California’s immigration clinic, emphasized that warrantless arrests require reasonable suspicion to detain someone and probable cause for an arrest.

“What we are seeing generally is because of this high volume of people that, you know, quotas of people that need to be arrested, there aren’t warrants,” Reisz said, raising concerns about racial profiling in workplace raids.

Reports of due process violations are widespread.

Families have struggled to locate detained loved ones, with some, like Andrea Velez, a U.S. citizen detained in a downtown Los Angeles raid on June 25, 2025, held for hours without clear charges.

Attorneys from the Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) reported that detainees were held in basements with little food or water, and some were deported to Mexico within hours without access to legal counsel.

In one alarming case, a mother and her two U.S.-citizen children, including a 4-year-old with stage 4 cancer, were deported without access to the child’s medication or legal representation, according to attorney Mich P. González.

Such incidents have fueled accusations of cruelty and disregard for human rights.

Related: Pro Trump Farmers Now Admit They Can’t Find American Workers

Official Responses and Protests

ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons defended the operations, stating, “The entire portfolio of immigration and customs enforcement is open.

We no longer turn a blind eye to someone just here in the country illegally.”

He emphasized cooperation with other federal agencies like the FBI and DEA to bolster ICE’s limited resources.

However, local leaders and advocates have pushed back.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called the raids “chilling,” accusing agents of targeting “hardworking people” rather than violent criminals.

Protests erupted across the city, with hundreds rallying outside federal buildings on June 6, 2025, and some clashing with agents after attempting to block detention vans.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for deploying National Guard troops to quell protests, arguing it oversteps state authority.

Amid the fear, advocates are urging immigrants to understand their rights.

Elsa Martinez, an immigration attorney, advises individuals not to open their doors without seeing a valid warrant and to remain silent if approached by ICE.

She recommends carrying identification and documenting long-term U.S. residency, which could support legal defenses.

The California Attorney General’s office warns against immigration scams, advising individuals to seek legitimate legal aid and avoid signing documents without understanding them.

While some, like Los Angeles-based civil rights attorney David Pivtorak, support the administration’s hardline stance, arguing that interfering with federal agents could lead to prosecution, others see the raids as a betrayal of American values.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, under pressure, announced a $1 million commitment to support affected families, reflecting growing public unease.

As Southern California grapples with the fallout, the debate over ICE’s tactics underscores a broader national divide on immigration policy.

For now, families, businesses, and advocates remain on edge, navigating an uncertain future as enforcement intensifies.

Also Read: Democrats Are Now Pushing to Unmask ICE Agents

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