Trump's border czar says protests are making immigration raids more ‘difficult' and ‘dangerous'
White House "border czar" Tom Homan said Tuesday that protests in Los Angeles are complicating immigration raids, making them more "difficult" and more "dangerous."
Homan was asked during an interview with NBC's 'Nightly News' anchor Tom Llamas whether demonstrations had slowed Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations in the city.
"They're making it more difficult," Homan said, adding that federal officers are "going ahead" and making arrests daily.
Watch NBC Nightly News with Tom Llamas tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT for more.
When pressed on the issue, Homan said the protesters were making the situation "more dangerous," and that ICE operations have continued daily throughout the protests.
"We've been running the ICE operation in Los Angeles every single day during this protest, and we're arresting a lot of bad people in that city. We're going to continue to do that," Homan said. "They're not going to stop us. They're not going to slow us down."
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The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
ICE enforcement in LA triggers alarm among school communities
"We are a melting pot of beautiful, incredible people," Enriquez said to the crowd before wiping a tear from his eye. "This incredible community, all of these students, all of these parents, guardians, friends and family, it is because of you that these young people are here ready to go on to that next step - to that high school life, to represent each of us as an incredible member of society." Some families too afraid to attend the graduation out of fear of increased presence of immigration enforcement officials across the city didn't hear the principal's message. They and many other Angeleno immigrants who live in the sanctuary city are foregoing the chance to witness their young loved ones receive diplomas or advance to the next grade at upcoming school graduation ceremonies out of fear of getting deported. "I've spoken with parents who've told me that their daughter would be the first in their family to graduate high school and they're not going to be there to witness it, because they have a fear of the place of graduation being targeted," said Alberto Carvalho, superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, which covers the majority of the city and some surrounding areas of Los Angeles and serves more than a half of a million public school students, during a June 9 news conference. More than one-third of Angelenos are immigrants. ICE detained a Los Angeles fourth grader from Torrance Elementary School and his father in Texas on May 29. They are expected to be deported to Honduras. The young child's deportation has left a wound. "When something like this happens, it shakes all of us in the community," Torrance Elementary PTA volunteer Ria Villanueva told The Los Angeles Times. Homeland security agents attemped to enter two Los Angeles schools in early April, but they were denied entry. Arrests of young people by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are happening nationwide in other targeted American communities, such as Milford, Massachusetts, where an 11th grader's arrest and detention by ICE has heightened anxiety among the area's immigrants, and in New York City, where educations officials say ICE have recently arrested and detained two students. "President Trump is keeping his promise to deport illegal aliens and the law enforcement officers conducting operations do so efficiently and professionally," said Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesperson, in response to a question from USA TODAY about the Trump administration's enforcement on immigration at and around schools. "Individuals, like the violent rioters in LA, who try to obstruct or deter operations put law enforcement officers and law abiding citizens at risk." 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'President Trump is keeping his promise' California Gov. Gavin Newsom has vehemently objected against the immigration raids and deployment of federal guards, even filing a lawsuit against Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth alleging they deployed "members of the California National Guard, without lawful authority, and in violation of the Constitution." "Instead of focusing on undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records and people with final deportation orders - a strategy both parties have long supported - this administration is pushing mass deportations - indiscriminately targeting hardworking, immigrant families regardless of their roots or risk, " Newsom, a Democrat, said in a video posted on Instagram. There's no sign that the immigration raids will end. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on X on June 9 that they will deploy about 700 active duty U.S. Marines to Los Angeles "to restore order." Trump has also threatened to arrest Newsom for challenging the federal government. 700 Marines Heading to LA; Newsom calls move 'deranged fantasy' of Trump Federal immigration activity near school campuses threatens a 'fundamental right' A third-grade elementary school teacher in the district, who asked to remain anonymous because she is worried that her school and her students will be targeted by immigration enforcement officials if she is identified, said she has felt deep fear and constant anxiety in her students about them or their families being detained by ICE officials. She said many kids in her classroom whose parents are undocumented immigrants, some of whom are newcomers from Guatemala, are worried about being deported or separated from their families. Their fears have intensified since immigration raids have occurred close to the school. Attendance was unusually low and many school bus stops were eerily quiet during the last two days of school in her classroom on June 9 and 10, she said. "I try to pretend everything's normal when everything's falling apart outside of the school," she said. Her six-year-old son, who attends the same school where she teaches, found about about the immigration raids through friends and told her, "Mom, I'm glad you have papers so they can't take you." Los Angeles Unified Superintendent Carvlaho said in a statement on June 6 that he is "dismayed" by the recent immigration enforcement activity occurring near district schools. "These actions are causing unnecessary fear, confusion, and trauma for our students and families - many of whom are simply trying to get to and from school and work, and to live with dignity," Carvalho said. The presence of federal immigration activity near school campuses threatens prevents schools from being a "safe haven" where students "can learn, grow, and thrive without fear of being separated from their loved ones," he said. California State Superintendent of Education Tony Thurmond called Trump's military deployment and mass immigration raids "unnecessary," "a betrayal of our American values" and "an assault on all Californians" in a statement on June 9. Thurmond said about half of California kids have at least one immigrant parent. "Innocent children should never be in handcuffs, and families should never be torn apart by our government. Our children deserve to be protected and cared for, not terrified at school or ripped from their families," Thurmond said. "Let's be clear: When the President targets our immigrant families, he harms California's children." California State Superintendent: 'Deeply dangerous for our children' California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Thurmond have called on Trump to end the mass immigration raids and pull back National Guard troops from Los Angeles for the safety of Los Angeles families. "My message to President Trump is very clear: keep your hands off California's kids," Thurmond said on June 9. "The President's unchecked, unnecessary deployment of our nation's military to the city of Los Angeles is deeply dangerous for our children, for our families, and for our country." The officials' sentiments haven't calmed the widespread fear among many of the city's vast immigrant communities. Britt Vaughan, a spokesperson for Los Angeles Unified school district, said that parents and community members have been anxiously calleing into schools to report federal immigration activity in their communities. Enriquez, from Palms Middle School, told students and their families at the commencement ceremony to use the momentum of graduation as an opportunity to stand up to what he called "injustice" against their community. "Be empowered. Injustices exist in the world," he said. "Speak up. Stand up against any injustice anywhere." Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@ Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.
The Herald Scotland
3 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
'Vicious' killer's execution, blocked under Biden, is moving ahead
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When she got back to her car, John Hanson and Victor Miller pulled their guns, then carjacked and kidnapped Bowles. They took her to an isolated area near a dirt pit, according to court records. The owner of the pit, Jerald Thurman, was there and saw the car circling the pit before it drove up to him. Miller got out and shot Thurman four times, including once in the head, as Bowles sat helplessly in the back of the car, court records say. Miller drove a short distance away, during which Bowles asked the men: "Do you have any kids or anyone who loves you?" according to court records, prompting Hanson to punch her. Shortly after, Miller stopped the car, and Hanson forced Bowles out and shot her her at least six times, court records say. Thurman's nephew, who had been on the phone with him just before the attack, found his wounded uncle still alive shortly after the shooting. Thurman died two weeks later. 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Drummond immediately appealed the ruling and on Wednesday, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals overturned it, allowing the execution to proceed. Hanson's attorney, Emma Rolls, said in a statement that the appeals court's ruling "leaves Mr. Hanson at imminent risk of being executed without the constitutional safeguards he's entitled to under law." "No person facing execution should have to plead for mercy in front of a decisionmaker with direct ties to their prosecution," Rolls, said. "We are pursuing all available avenues to ensure that Mr. Hanson receives a fair process before this irreversible punishment is carried out." Contributing: Nolan Clay, The Oklahoman Amanda Lee Myers is a senior crime reporter for USA TODAY. Follow her on X at @amandaleeusat.
The Independent
5 hours ago
- The Independent
Protests over Trump's ICE raids continue spreading to other major cities
Protests that erupted in Los Angeles over President Donald Trump 's Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids have continued to spread to other major cities. The LA protests erupted almost a week ago after federal ICE agents conducted search warrants at multiple locations. Protests against Trump's mass deportations of illegal immigrants have since popped up across the country in cities including New York, Austin, Chicago and Atlanta. The Independent has identified protests in at least 35 U.S. cities since Friday, with the majority occurring on Monday and Tuesday. The protests have been spread across 19 states, with most in California, Texas and Pennsylvania. There are also planned protests in cities including Eugene, Oregon and Raleigh, North Carolina, according to The Washington Post. While most of the protests in LA have been peaceful, police have made hundreds of arrests. More than 200 people were arrested Tuesday, the Post reported, citing authorities. The vast majority were detained for failing to disperse, but there were 17 others who were accused of violating the curfew that officials placed on the downtown area indefinitely. Arrests have also been made in other cities where demonstrations have continued for days. A total of 86 people in New York City were arrested Tuesday after about 200 protesters confronted the cops, abc7NY reported. Of the protesters who were arrested, 34 were charged with crimes including assault, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration. At least 13 protesters were arrested in Austin on Monday, KVUE reported. Police said the arrests were made 'in connection with unlawful activity.' Trump has deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles. The unprecedented move sparked backlash from California officials, with Governor Gavin Newsom suing the Trump administration to stop the order. Texas Governor Greg Abbott deployed the National Guard in his state 'to ensure peace & order,' he wrote on an X post Wednesday. 'Peaceful protest is legal. Harming a person or property is illegal & will lead to arrest. @TexasGuard will use every tool & strategy to help law enforcement maintain order,' Abbott said.
