Federal agents remain stationed at government buildings as immigration protests spotlight tensions between enforcement, local authority, and Latino communities.
Los Angeles, CA — On January 31, 2026, President Donald Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to engage in protests in Democratic-led cities unless local officials formally request federal assistance — a policy shift framed by the administration as deferring to local authority amid nationwide tensions over immigration enforcement.
Trump’s directive, posted on social media, instructs DHS and its components — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection — to only intervene defensively to protect federal property and to avoid broader protest engagements unless explicitly invited by city or state leaders. Critics contend the order is largely symbolic, since federal agents have already deployed across multiple cities in recent months.
Thousands Rally in “ICE Out” National Day of Action
The announcement came on the heels of a major “ICE Out” demonstration in downtown Los Angeles, part of a broader “National Shutdown” day of action against federal immigration enforcement. Organizers called for work, school, and consumer walkouts as protests unfolded Friday and continued Saturday, drawing thousands downtown.
In Highland Park, Café de Leche closed regular service to host community members preparing for the rally, reflecting how small businesses participated in the movement.
In downtown L.A., largely peaceful marches transitioned into clashes outside the Metropolitan Detention Center and Edward R. Roybal Federal Building as some demonstrators confronted federal officers guarding the site. Los Angeles Police issued tactical alerts, and authorities used pepper balls and issued dispersal orders after objects were thrown at officers, according to local reporting.
The protests in Los Angeles mirror a wave of anti-ICE actions nationwide, including vigils, marches, and planned events in more than 300 cities this weekend, fueled in part by public outrage over recent deadly immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
In California, the political response includes efforts to document and address federal enforcement actions. State legislators have introduced measures — such as the proposed “No Kings Act” — aimed at making it easier to hold federal personnel accountable for civil rights violations, and officials launched online reporting portals for incidents involving federal agents. (Local advocacy officials, statements)
For many Latino families and small business owners in Los Angeles, the protests reflect personal stakes in immigration policy and enforcement. While some demonstrators emphasized peaceful advocacy and community solidarity, law enforcement responses underscored ongoing tensions between federal priorities and local civic authority.
A majority of Americans now favor abolishing ICE over keeping it.
