Los Angeles, CA – June 9, 2025
A series of immigration enforcement operations conducted last week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Los Angeles has led to the arrest of nearly 45 undocumented migrants, many of whom have serious criminal records, including sex offenses, drug trafficking, and gang activity.
ICE agents carried out the coordinated raids on Friday at two Home Depot locations, a business in the fashion district, and a local doughnut shop. The operations, which sparked widespread protests and riots over the weekend, have drawn sharp criticism from local and state officials.
Among those arrested was Rolando Veneracion-Enriquez, 55, a Philippine national with a lengthy criminal history, including a 37-year sentence for sexual penetration with a foreign object using force and assault with intent to commit rape in Pomona, California. He had also served four years in prison for burglary in Ontario, Canada.
Another detainee, José Gregorio Medranda Ortiz, 42, from Ecuador, had previously been sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine while aboard a vessel near Tampa, Florida.
ICE also arrested known gang members, such as Armando Ordaz, 44, of Mexico, who is allegedly affiliated with the Bratz 13 gang. His convictions include sexual battery, possession of stolen property, and petty theft.
Victor Mendoza-Aguilar, 32, a Mexican national and alleged member of the Villa Boys gang, was apprehended with a criminal background involving drug possession, assault with a deadly weapon, and obstruction of a public officer. He had previously been deported in 2017.
Further arrests include:
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Delfino Aguilar-Martínez, 51 (Mexico): Convicted of assault with a deadly weapon causing great bodily injury.
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Jesús Alan Hernández-Morales, 26 (Mexico): Sentenced in Las Cruces, NM, to 239 days for conspiracy to transport an illegal migrant; deported Saturday.
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Lionel Sánchez-Laguna, 55 (Mexico): Convictions in Orange County include discharging a firearm at an inhabited dwelling, domestic battery, child cruelty, DUI, and assault with a semi-automatic firearm.
The crackdown has ignited political backlash. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass condemned the raids, stating that ICE’s tactics “sow terror in our communities and undermine the principles of safety in our city.” California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to restore order, calling the move “deliberately inflammatory.”
Despite the criticism, ICE defended the operation, citing public safety concerns and the criminal records of those arrested. The agency emphasized that enforcement actions target individuals who pose serious threats to the community.
As protests continue across Southern California, the raids have reignited debate over immigration policy, enforcement priorities, and the role of local authorities in cooperating with federal immigration efforts.
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