As President Donald Trump marks six months into his second term, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass shared her concerns about the administration's aggressive immigration policies during an interview with ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz. Bass highlighted that the ongoing immigration crackdown has not only ignited protests but also instilled a profound sense of fear among the city’s diverse population. “Los Angeles is a city of immigrants -- 3.8 million people, and about 50% of our population is Latino. And so when the raids started, fear spread,” Bass explained.
The recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids that began in early June have led to widespread demonstrations, some of which have turned violent. Originally, Trump’s deportation efforts were framed as targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records. However, an analysis by ABC News revealed a concerning trend: an increasing number of migrants with no criminal convictions are being arrested. This shift has left many residents, including farmers and business owners, afraid to leave their homes due to the threat of deportation, thereby negatively affecting the workforce, food supply, and the vibrant culture of Los Angeles.
During the interview, Bass pointed out that the restaurant where they were speaking, located in the predominantly Latino Boyle Heights neighborhood, used to be bustling with activity. Now, she noted, it feels almost deserted. “It's not just the deportation. It's the fear that sets in when raids occur, when people are snatched off the street,” she said. This climate of fear extends even to legal residents and U.S. citizens who have faced detention while attending their annual immigration appointments.
Bass did not hold back in criticizing ICE’s tactics, describing agents who executed enforcement operations in unmarked vehicles with no visible identification. “Masked men in unmarked cars, no license plate, no real uniforms, jumping out of cars with rifles, and snatching people off the street, leading a lot of people to think maybe kidnappings were taking place,” she remarked. She further questioned how such masked officials could claim to be federal agents without proper identification.
Raddatz highlighted that the administration justified these tactics due to threats and doxing incidents. However, Bass argued that local law enforcement, such as the Los Angeles Police Department, operates without masks and engages with the community. “The masked men parachute in, stay here for a while, and leave,” Bass stated. She emphasized that professionals in law enforcement should not operate under such anonymity.
The presence of federal troops in Los Angeles has also been a point of contention. Following protests in early June, Trump deployed the National Guard and active-duty Marines to the city after violent clashes occurred. While some protestors engaged in aggressive actions against police, Bass argued that the military intervention was unwarranted. “It did not warrant the Marines coming into our city with basically no real mission, but just to show a force,” she expressed.
Despite a reduction in the number of National Guard members on the ground, Bass contended that their continued presence is unnecessary. “If you drive by our two federal buildings, you will see them standing out there. But there's nothing going on in those federal buildings. So in my opinion, we are misusing taxpayers' dollars and misusing our troops,” she said.
While Bass is critical of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda, she acknowledged the federal support during the devastating wildfires in January. “Well, I will heap praise on the administration for the first six months in Los Angeles with the fires. If you ask me, is there anything that they have done good in terms of immigration? I don't know. I don't think so,” she stated. She believes the administration’s viewpoint has been punitive, aimed at making life more difficult for immigrants.
Looking ahead, Bass expressed hope for a return to normalcy in Los Angeles, especially with major events like the Olympics and World Cup on the horizon. “Well, I am just hoping that this reign of terror ends. I'm hoping that the military leaves, because they were never needed here to begin with. I'm hoping that we can get back to normal,” she concluded. She envisions a time when local businesses can thrive again, free from the overshadowing fear of deportation and violence.
