ICE says it ‘isn’t going anywhere’ after Mayor Bass demands agents leave LA

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has pushed back against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass after she called for federal immigration authorities to “go home.” The mayor made these comments in response to the Department of Justice’s lawsuit against the city’s sanctuary policies.

“We would like for the ICE raids to stop. We would like the array of federal officials or civilians dressed as federal officials to go home,” Mayor Bass said at a news conference on Tuesday. When asked about the possibility of a deal between ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, she reiterated her stance that federal immigration authorities should leave the city.

In response to Mayor Bass’s remarks, ICE asserted that they will continue their operations in Los Angeles and the surrounding region. Emily Covington, assistant director of the ICE Office of Public Affairs, emphasized that ICE is committed to protecting the citizens of Los Angeles, a responsibility that Mayor Bass has allegedly failed to fulfill.

The exchange between Mayor Bass and ICE comes amidst heightened tensions in the city, with protests and riots erupting over ICE’s immigration enforcement actions. President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to assist in maintaining order, prompting criticism from Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass. The mayor accused ICE and the National Guard of exacerbating civil unrest and targeting American citizens.

Mayor Bass’s comments have drawn attention to her handling of recent crises in Los Angeles, including a controversial trip to Ghana during a period of heightened fire risk in the city. She has faced criticism for her decision to travel abroad while wildfires ravaged Los Angeles, leading to destruction in the Pacific Palisades community. Bass later expressed regret over the timing of her trip, acknowledging that it was a mistake to be away during such a critical time.

As tensions continue to simmer in Los Angeles, Mayor Bass remains at the center of the storm, grappling with the fallout from ICE’s actions and the deployment of federal forces in the city. The clash between local and federal authorities underscores the complex challenges facing policymakers in addressing immigration enforcement and maintaining public safety.