Since the beginning of June 2025, undercover immigration raids have been reported in multiple communities in Southern California, particularly in Los Angeles, Pasadena and Ventura County, and these operations, carried out by suspected Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, have generated widespread concern among local leaders and civil rights advocates, who denounce the presence of masked men without visible badges or official identification.
Outrage grew when videos on social networks showed individuals getting out of unmarked vehicles, dressed in civilian clothes and hooded, arresting residents without explaining their motives or presenting credentials. In one of the most shocking cases, seven men beat a veteran gardener before taking him away in a van without local license plates.
Concern among local leaders
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly expressed her concern:
“We don’t know who these men are. They are armed, masked, and do not identify themselves. This is not normal in a country with the rule of law.”
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also weighed in.
Supervisor Holly Mitchell criticized the use of balaclava-type masks in the middle of summer.
While Kathryn Barger recounted an incident in which an attendee’s godson was intercepted by unidentified subjects with intimidating comments.
Legislative initiatives underway
In response, State Senator Sasha Renée Perez and Pasadena Mayor Victor M. Gordo are pushing SB 805, also known as the “No Vigilantes Act.”
This legislation requires any federal ICE agent participating in immigration raids in California to be clearly identified by displaying his or her name or badge number.
Perez explained at a press conference:
“Residents have the right to know whether they are being wiretapped by real government agents or dangerous imposters.”
This legislation is vital
The proposal comes in parallel to SB 627, which seeks to prohibit any law enforcement officer from covering his or her face during operations in the state.
Alarming recent cases
Buzzy
In Huntington Park, masked agents raided the home of a pregnant woman with four children, looking for an alleged undocumented immigrant.
In Pico Rivera, a U.S. citizen was beaten and arrested without charges.
In Pasadena, men wearing vests with the word “policía” on them stopped two people while they were buying tamales.
In Ventura County, farm workers were arrested during the early morning hours.
These incidents have generated widespread fear and the suspension of public activities, such as swimming lessons in municipal parks, due to the possibility of ICE raids in open spaces.
Recommendations for the Hispanic community:
1. Always ask for the agent’s official identification
2. Document any incident with photos or videos
3. Consult with immigration attorneys if you are a witness or victim.
For more information, visit QuéOnnda.com.
