LOS ANGELES ( Residents of Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park neighborhood are still reeling a day after a surprise immigration enforcement operation by federal agents and National Guard troops disrupted the area early Monday.
Héctor Velasquez was playing cards with friends in the park when a man with a megaphone walked by, warning that immigration agents were on their way. Moments later, another man drove past, shouting, “Immigration is coming!” from his car window.
Those without legal immigration status fled. Velasquez, a U.S. citizen originally from El Salvador, stayed behind. Two hours later, federal agents and National Guard troops — some on horseback and others in armored vehicles — descended on the park. By then, the usually busy public space was largely deserted, as news of the operation spread quickly, including through social media.
“They came in like it was a war zone,” said Velasquez, reflecting on the scene as he sat back in the park on Tuesday, this time only with fellow citizens. “Only in war do you see tanks like that.”
The Department of Homeland Security declined to provide details about the purpose of the operation, whether it resulted in any arrests, or why it ended so abruptly. In a statement, the agency said it would not comment on “ongoing enforcement operations.”
However, local officials expressed alarm and condemned the action. At a press conference Tuesday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the city would join a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Trump administration’s immigration tactics.
“They’re testing how much power they can seize and how much fear the public will tolerate,” said Bass. “This wasn’t law enforcement. This was an act of intimidation.”
A Symbolic Heart of Immigrant Life
MacArthur Park, located just two miles west of downtown Los Angeles, is a vibrant cultural hub often described by city leaders as the “Ellis Island of the West Coast.” It's home to large immigrant populations from Mexico, Central America, and beyond. The park features a lake, sports fields, and bustling food stands where families gather daily.
Federal raids had been rumored in recent weeks as immigration arrests increased in areas like car washes, parking lots, and retail spaces. Monday’s action only deepened the anxiety in the community.
Fernando Rodríguez, who owns a variety shop near the park, closed his store on Monday after hearing warnings. “If you look Latino, they take you,” he said. “Even if you show papers, they say they’re fake. What they’re doing is evil.”
On Tuesday, Rodríguez reopened but noted that many neighboring restaurants remained empty and that foot traffic had sharply declined since the recent surge in enforcement.
“This Was Meant to Intimidate”
Activist groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles had been monitoring the area early Monday after hearing rumors of a possible raid. According to spokesperson Jorge-Mario Cabrera, the LA Rapid Response Network had volunteers watching MacArthur Park by 6 a.m., communicating through secure messaging platforms.
Cabrera believes the goal of the operation was not enforcement but psychological impact. “This was a reality show meant to intimidate Los Angeles,” he said. “It was about showing military might, causing chaos, and reminding us who’s in power.”
Over 4,000 California National Guard troops and hundreds of U.S. Marines have been deployed across Los Angeles since June — a move opposed by California Governor Gavin Newsom. While the military announced that around 200 troops would be redirected to help with wildfire efforts, the presence remains heavy.
Fear Spreads Among Immigrant Communities
For many undocumented immigrants, the operation reinforced the feeling that they are under siege. Melisa Doag, a Guatemalan jewelry vendor, said she’s reconsidering her future in the U.S.
“I’ve only been here two years, and they already want to send me back,” she said. “I don’t want to be treated like a criminal. I’d rather leave than be deported.”
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