On June 4, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services, together with US Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) announced a plan to ramp up the review and enforcement of immigration records. Under the direction of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, the plan targets visa overstays, which the Trump administration claims have increased due to what they call the Biden administration’s weak immigration policies. Since the announcement, as a result of immigration enforcement campaigns carried out by ICE there have been numerous immigration protests beginning in Los Angeles and spanning the country to the East Coast.
What Sparked This?
The crackdown follows a violent attack on June 1 in Boulder, Colorado. During a peaceful event hosted by Run for Their Lives, a group raising awareness for Israeli hostages in Gaza, 45-year-old Mohammed Sabry Soliman allegedly set several people on fire. Soliman, an Egyptian national, entered the US on a tourist visa and later filed for asylum. While his visa expired in 2023, his asylum application allowed him to remain in the country legally as it was being processed.
Trump’s Immediate Response
Just days after the attack, President Trump signed a Proclamation on June 9 that restricts or blocks entry from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia. Seven more countries face partial travel restrictions, including Venezuela and Cuba. The administration cited high rates of visa overstays, weak security cooperation, and links to terrorism as reasons for the expanded travel bans.
Escalation in Los Angeles
ICE has dramatically increased their arrest quotas, from 1,000 to 3,000 per day, putting cities with high immigrant populations like Los Angeles in the spotlight. LA, known as a sanctuary city, saw over 40 immigrants arrested on June 6 in raids targeting day laborers and garment workers. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids, saying, “We will not stand for this.”
That same weekend, on June 7 Trump bypassed Governor Gavin Newsom and ordered 2,000 National Guard troops into LA County, followed by the deployment of US Marines on June 11. This move triggered widespread backlash and ignited a national debate over the use of military force within US cities.
Nationwide Protests Grow
In response to the immigration sweeps and military deployments, protests have erupted nationwide. Over the weekend of June 13–15, people in all 50 states joined "No Kings" demonstrations, criticizing what many view as President Trump’s authoritarian actions.
Stay Informed
As ICE operations continue and protests grow, we’ll keep you updated on major developments. This is a fast-moving situation, and keeping our community informed is a priority.