Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the activity was meant to “sow terror” in the nation’s second-largest city.
In a statement, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons chided Bass for the city’s response to protests.
“Mayor Bass took the side of chaos and lawlessness over law enforcement,” Lyons said. “Make no mistake, ICE will continue to enforce our nation’s immigration laws and arrest criminal illegal aliens.”
Protesters gathered late on Friday outside a federal detention centre in Los Angeles where lawyers said those arrested had been taken, chanting, “Set them free, let them stay!”
A protester throws a rock amidst a cloud of tear gas released by law enforcement.Credit: AP
Some held signs that said, “ICE out of LA!” or scrawled graffiti on the building.
Federal agents carried out the search warrants at three locations including the fashion district warehouse after a judge found probable cause that the employer was using fictitious documents for some of its workers, according to representatives for Homeland Security Investigations and the US Attorney’s Office.
Advocates for immigrant rights say people were detained by immigration authorities outside Home Depot stores and a doughnut shop.
AP
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