In recent months, a surge in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the country has reignited a national conversation about immigration enforcement and sparked a wave of protest in major cities. A Washington Post analysis of ICE data shows 94,906 administrative arrests between January 20 and June 11, with an average of nearly 1,000 arrests per day since May 20. Putting daily apprehensions below the Trump’s administration goal of at least 3,000 arrests per day. Increased workplace raids and enforcement operations has led to ICE holding around 59,000 detainees in facilities across the country, topping the previous peak when the first Trump administration held as many as 55,000 individuals in 2019. 

The most visible response to increasing immigration enforcement began in the Los Angeles area, after reports of federal agents apprehending individuals outside a Home Depot started circulating in the community. Demonstrations soon spread to other cities, including Seattle, Atlanta, New York, Dallas, and Austin, calling for a halt to deportation operations and greater transparency in the immigration enforcement efforts. This led to confrontations between protestors and law enforcement when law enforcement presence increased, and the national guard was deployed in multiple cities. 

As protests grew, several local law enforcement leaders, including Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force (LEITF) members, spoke publicly about the importance of protecting First Amendment rights while safeguarding public safety. In Santa Monica, CA, the Chief of Police and LEITF co-chair, Ramon Batista affirmed his department’s commitment to “uphold First Amendment rights while taking swift action against any acts of violence, vandalism, or disruption,” adding his agency does not participate in immigration enforcement. He emphasized his department’s “mission remains focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in our city, regardless of immigration status.”         

Similarly, Chief Robert Rodriguez of the Santa Ana (CA) Police Department released a public advisory recognizing the right to peaceful demonstrations, while condemning the use of “rocks, bottles, mortars, and fireworks” against law enforcement personnel. “I want to reaffirm our department’s commitment to protecting the rights of those who choose to peacefully assemble and exercise their constitutional rights,” Chief Rodriguez said, “while also ensuring the safety and well-being of all community members.” Rodriguez also underscores the department’s ongoing efforts to engage with residents, reminding them why community trust and dialogue are essential. 

In San Antonio, Texas where protests were planned against nationwide ICE apprehensions, Police Chief William McManus echoed these sentiments, stating “we’ve established protocols to ensure demonstrations are managed safely and effectively.” His remarks were delivered at a news conference ahead of the planned protests, where he reassured residents, the department plans to “allow for the free expression of First Amendment rights while reducing risks to public safety.” 

These statements reaffirm recognition among law enforcement leaders that public safety must remain a cornerstone during times of tension. Sheriff Alyshia Dyer of Washtenaw County, Michigan, emphasized “local law enforcement should be focused on public safety, not enforcing immigration law.” She warned that when immigrants are afraid to call 911, “survivors go silent, witnesses disappear. People don’t show up to court,” and communities become less safe overall.  

Many departments have continued their outreach efforts, organizing town hall sessions, and working with communities to clarify the distinction between local law enforcement priorities and federal immigration enforcement. In San Jose, California, Chief Paul Joseph sought to personally speak with residents. “I know there is a lot of concern in the community,” Jospeh stated to San Jose residents, “The fear is out there. The distrust is out there.” Acknowledging the community’s concerns, he added, “We’re not immigration. We don’t get involved in any immigration enforcement.”  

As ICE enforcement continues and public pressure mounts, the role of local law enforcement agencies will remain under scrutiny. The responses from LEITF members illustrate a community-centric approach that respects the right to protest, rejects any kind of violence, and works to build strong relationships among all community members. As Bexar County (TX) Sheriff Javier Salazer noted, “recent protests demonstrated how our community can work together to ensure they express their views with civility.” 

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The LEITF would like to thank Joaquín Villagran-Hernandez, Summer Intern, for his contribution to this blog post.