ICE Raids Ignite Widespread U.S. Protests and Alarm
By Riat Uzuh
Los Angeles & Nationwide, July 24, 2025 — A wave of aggressive ICE-led raids in cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Newark has provoked escalating civil unrest and punctuated debates over federal overreach.
In LA, coordinated raids on June 6 saw over 500 arrests in locations such as warehouses and public parking lots, triggering massive demonstrations and local confrontations YouTube+5Wikipedia+5Wikipedia+5. The situation escalated when the National Guard and 700 Marines were deployed following a curfew declaration Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2ABC News+2. Reports described the deployment as “premature” and fueled accusations of authoritarianism Wikipedia.
Similar protests unfolded elsewhere. St. Louis families reported hiding in fear while civic groups mobilized against the intensifying crackdown Wikipedia+6stlpr.org+6Deutsche Welle+6. More than 1,600 protests in solidarity with detained migrants and against enforcement cuts to Medicaid have been logged nationwide ABC News.
Recent polls indicate rising U.S. public support for immigration: a June Gallup survey found 79% of Americans now perceive immigration as beneficial, while backing for mass deportation dropped from 47% to 38% aljazeera.com.
Local authorities are taking legal action: Newark’s mayor was arrested during protests at Delaney Hall, sparking lawsuits against ICE and demonstrations that took place amid resumed operations at the re-opened detention center Wikipedia.
