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By Khaleda Rahman
National Correspondent
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Protests against actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement erupted in several cities across the United States on Monday after clashes between protesters and authorities intensified in Los Angeles over the weekend.
Demonstrators gathered in major cities including New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Tampa, San Francisco against ICE raids and in solidarity with the protesters in Los Angeles.
Why It Matters
The protests have highlighted ongoing divisions over U.S. immigration policy and its impact on communities across the country.
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Protests against ICE erupted in Los Angeles on Friday, as federal authorities arrested immigrants in several locations throughout the city. Tensions escalated Sunday as thousands took to the streets in response to President Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard. Trump and other administration officials have seized on the images of burning cars, graffiti and Mexican flags to bolster their cause, while California sued the Trump administration over the deployment of National Guard troops.
Los Angeles
Clashes escalated in Los Angeles over the weekend after federal immigration authorities arrested more than 40 people across the city, in areas including the Fashion District and a Home Depot parking lot.
On Sunday, demonstrators blocked a major freeway and set self-driving cars on fire as law enforcement responded with tear gas, rubber bullets and flash-bang grenades.
Thousands peacefully attended a rally at City Hall on Monday, while hundreds protested outside a federal complex that includes a detention center where some immigrants are being held, The Associated Press reported.
ICE denied these allegations, a spokesperson previously telling Newsweek the agency "categorically refutes the assertions made by immigration activists in Los Angeles."
Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops into the city as well as 700 Marines, which California Governor Gavin Newsom has blasted as "reckless" and "disrespectful to our troops."
Austin
Demonstrators gathered at the Texas Capitol on Monday evening in solidarity with those protesting ICE actions in Los Angeles. Law enforcement used tear gas and pepper spray against protesters and at least two people were arrested, KXAN reported.
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Chicago
Protesters gathered in Daley Plaza on Monday to demonstrate against ICE raids in Chicago and Los Angeles, ABC7 reported. On Monday evening, protesters also gathered outside the Chicago Police Department's headquarters, accusing the department of helping ICE with crowd control, which the department denies.
Dallas
Dozens of protesters gathered on Monday evening to protest the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, according to Fox4.
The demonstration began on the Margaret Hunt Hill bridge before moving to the streets. Officers used pepper balls to disperse protesters and at least one person was arrested, said Fox News reporter Brooke Taylor on X.
New York City
At least 20 people were arrested after protesters occupied Trump Tower on Monday, demanding the return of migrants who were sent to the CECOT prison in El Salvador.
Rise and Resist, the group that organized the protest, said the demonstrators "went to Trump Tower to protest the illegal kidnappings and deportations of immigrants with due process. We are demanding the Trump regime halt these deportations and bring everyone home who was sent to CECOT."
Video posted on social media showed police officers placing demonstrators in zip ties and escorting them from the building.
Tampa
Hundreds of people gathered outside Tampa City Hall on Monday to demand an end to ICE raids across the country. There were some heated moments between anti-ICE protesters and counter-protesters, but no violence was reported, according to Fox13.
Other Cities
There were also reports of anti-ICE demonstrations in Seattle, Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans and other cities.
More than 30 protests were planned for Monday across the country in support of David Huerta, the president of the Service Employees International Union of California (SEIU) after he was detained during a series of ICE raids in Los Angeles on Friday. He was released on Monday.
What People Are Saying
April Verrett, president of the SEIU, said in a statement on Monday: "We are relieved that David is free and reunited with his family and we are deeply grateful to the hundreds of elected officials, civil rights leaders, labor partners and allies from across the nation who stood in solidarity and demanded David's release.
"But this struggle is about much more than just one man. Thousands of workers remain unjustly detained and separated from their families. At this very moment, immigrant communities are being terrorized by heavily militarized armed forces. The Trump regime calling in the National Guard is a dangerous escalation to target people who disagree with them. It is a threat to our democracy. The federal government should never be used as a weapon against people who disagree with them."
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X late Monday: "Stop the raids. There is a real fear in Los Angeles right now. Parents, workers, grandparents, young people scared to go about their daily lives. We are a city of immigrants. Washington is attacking our people, our neighborhoods and our economy."
California Governor Gavin Newsom said on X that the president "is trying to provoke chaos by sending 4,000 soldiers onto American soil. Foolish agitators who take advantage of Trump's chaos will be held accountable. Stay safe. Stay calm. Look out for one another."
President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social on Monday: "We made a great decision in sending the National Guard to deal with the violent, instigated riots in California. If we had not done so, Los Angeles would have been completely obliterated."
What Happens Next
Demonstrations against ICE actions are expected to continue in Los Angeles and other major cities in the coming days.
Coordinated nationwide protests against Trump and his administration's policies are also planned to take place in cities in all 50 states on the president's birthday on June 14.
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