Immigration and Customs Control Service (ICE) agents have conducted targeted operations in East Los Angeles over the past 45 days, sparking widespread concern and anxiety in the community. The operations, which have been launched from the parking lot of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Patrol Station, have resulted in ICE agents entering Belvedere Park to apprehend immigrants.
The operation in the East of Los Angeles is subject to specific guidelines, as indicated by the lack of LASD restrictions at the building's entrance, in accordance with the "ICE Free Zones" order, which was approved by the Supervisory Board in January.
A public parking lot located adjacent to Third Street in Belvedere Park does not display any signage related to immigration law enforcement activities. However, a visible sign clearly indicates that the parking area is designated for public use.
Escalating Violence Goes Unchecked: A Pattern of Impunity. In recent years, a disturbing trend has emerged, where perpetrators of violent crimes have largely escaped accountability, leaving victims and their families without justice. This lack of consequences has created a culture of impunity, where individuals feel emboldened to commit increasingly heinous acts without fear of retribution. The devastating impact of this phenomenon is evident in the rising number of violent incidents, with a significant proportion of cases going unsolved or resulting in lenient sentences. The consequences of this trend are far-reaching, perpetuating a cycle of violence and undermining trust in the justice system.
The County's "Sensitive Places" Policy, as outlined in Junta Policy 3.175, limits the enforcement of migration laws and investigations within County-owned facilities and properties, to the extent allowed by law. This policy designates all County-owned, rented, or controlled properties as "sensitive places".
Activists from the Boyle Heights Community Service Organization's CSO Center, a community-based organization advocating for immigrant rights, social justice, public education, and police accountability, have documented five arrests in Belvedere Park.
Multiple eyewitness accounts and videos shared on social media have detailed the activities and apprehensions of individuals visiting the Belvedere Park, situated between 4801 and 4837 in eastern Los Angeles.
On August 3, one individual was apprehended by authorities. Two days later, agents made another arrest. A further incident occurred on October 8, at approximately 10:20 a.m., when a widely circulated video captured by the Union of the Quarter showed at least two ICE agents detaining a person near Belvedere Park, situated between Mednik and Third Streets.
Eastern Los Angeles activist Anthony expressed concerns that an individual within the sheriff's department is allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to park on county property, despite the ICE Free Zone County Ordinance.
The newly approved policy by the five supervisors includes key provisions that restrict Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from utilizing county properties for various purposes related to enforcing civil immigration laws.
Protesters marched from the park's amphitheater to the ELALASD offices, located on the other side of the Belvedere park, while being remotely monitored by police patrols stationed nearby, mirroring the presence of ICE agents in the area.
Community members gathered in East Los Angeles to protest against alleged abductions of undocumented immigrants by the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. According to reports, individuals from the local undocumented community have been taken from a community park in the area.
Reports have emerged of individuals being forcibly taken from public areas in Los Angeles, including parks and bus stops, in what appears to be ICE-related kidnappings. This disturbing trend has raised concerns about the city's status as a self-proclaimed sanctuary, as the state of California is also designated as such.
Derek Mejia, chairman of the Police Accounts Committee at Centre CSO, a Community Service Organization, stated that community control over law enforcement could be a key factor in reducing violence by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Mejia suggested that if communities had greater authority, they could directly address sheriffs and express opposition to any collaboration with ICE, including the use of their facilities, such as parking areas.
The individual clarified that they lack the necessary authority or jurisdiction to seek an appeal to Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna.
Protesters breached the security barrier surrounding the ELALASD building, comprised of a yellow plastic "forbidden entry" sign, and attempted to gain unauthorized access. The incident was further marked by verbal insults directed at individuals inside the offices, as well as attempts to strike the glass doors with their hands.
Following their departure from the lawn, several units from the wardrobe division arrived to provide security for their colleagues who remained inside the premises. The patrols took a defensive stance and did not engage in any confrontations with individuals. No arrests were made during the incident.
Residents in Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles were alerted to be vigilant and report any signs of suspicious activity in their area, with instructions to contact the Boyle Heights Rapid Response Network at (323) 805-1049.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis expressed concern over reports of federal immigration agents operating at the Sheriff's station parking lot in East Los Angeles, adjacent to the East Los Angeles Civic Center. This development is particularly problematic given the County's policy prohibiting its facilities from being used as a base for immigration control activities.
Solís stated that as a co-author of the motion to establish 'ICE Free Zones,' she played a role in implementing protections for individuals in such areas. She expressed appreciation for the efforts of County departments to reinforce the policy through signage, and has requested that County Counsel ensure the policy's full implementation and adherence to its requirements.
Throughout Los Angeles County, families are living in a state of fear due to aggressive immigration raids, racial profiling and unlawful detentions, which pose a significant threat to their civil rights and basic human dignity.
Residents of Los Angeles are advised to remain vigilant due to intensified migration control operations in the area. Many individuals affected by these operations are American citizens. The situation has raised concerns that the increased activity may be intended to intimidate eligible voters and discourage them from participating in elections. To ensure public safety and facilitate reporting of any suspicious activity, residents are encouraged to document meetings whenever possible and contact the Los Angeles Rapid Response Network at (888) 624-4752 or other local quick response networks.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna addressed concerns raised by The Opinion regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the East Station parking lot in the city.
The East Los Angeles Sheriff Station has been criticized for allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to utilize Los Angeles County properties as a staging area prior to conducting immigration enforcement activities in the vicinity of Belvedere Park, which has a high concentration of Latin American immigrants. Specifically, ICE agents have been permitted to park their vehicles on county properties in preparation for operations targeting individuals in the surrounding area.
The East Los Angeles Sheriff Station has clarified that its staff did not participate in any federal immigration control activities. Additionally, agents from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are not utilizing secure facilities linked to the station to coordinate or initiate operations. Notably, ICE agents failed to notify the East Los Angeles station prior to the recent arrests of two individuals in Belvedere Park, which is adjacent to the station. In two previous instances, ICE agents conducted operations from public parking spaces associated with Belvedere Park.
Authorities at the East Los Angeles Sheriff Station have faced questions regarding their response to a series of arrests and detainments that took place in a park, with many inquiring why measures were not taken to intervene or prevent the incidents as they unfolded.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has clarified its role in relation to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations. The department's agents are not authorized to interfere with or obstruct ICE agents as they carry out their duties, which fall under federal jurisdiction. As a separate entity, the Sheriff's Department operates independently and does not participate in federal immigration control efforts.
The recent arrests have raised questions about potential conflicts with California's Sanctuary Law, which aims to protect certain individuals from deportation by limiting state and local cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Two individuals were arrested outside the East Los Angeles Sheriff's Department after being released from custody, contrary to standard protocol. The department's East Los Angeles station failed to notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the impending release or arrange for the individuals to be transferred into ICE custody.
The recent arrests have raised questions about potential non-compliance with the Los Angeles County Supervisory Board's ICE-Free Zones order.
Belvedere Park's public parking lot, located adjacent to 3rd Street, is exempt from signage related to civil immigration law enforcement activities. This exemption is in accordance with the County's "Sensitive Places" Policy, specifically outlined in Junta Policy 3.175. The policy restricts the enforcement of migration laws and investigations within County-owned facilities and properties, to the extent permitted by law, and designates these locations as "sensitive places.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna addressed concerns surrounding recent enforcement activities at the East Los Angeles Station parking lot. In a statement, he aimed to inform residents living near Belvedere Park and other parks in Los Angeles County about the ongoing efforts to maintain public safety and order.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department prioritizes the safety and well-being of all community members, irrespective of their immigration status. Acknowledging the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement, the department seeks to balance law enforcement with compassion, ensuring that every individual within the county is treated with dignity and respect.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reaffirms its commitment to upholding its core responsibilities, which include enforcing state and local laws to maintain public safety and well-being. The Department does not engage in civil immigration law enforcement activities, as this is the purview of federal agencies. In responding to service calls, deputies do not investigate individuals' immigration status or enforce civil laws related to migration offenses. Instead, the Department prioritizes serving and protecting the diverse communities of Los Angeles County, fostering a culture of diversity, inclusion, and public trust. Residents can rely on the Sheriff's Department to respond to their needs, investigate incidents, and provide protection without regard to their immigration status.
