Rising Concerns: Experiences of Racial Profiling in LA Raids Against the Hispanic Community

On June 19, 2025, Emma de Paz was selling breakfast outside a Home Depot in Los Angeles when immigration agents arrived. Many were chased through the parking lot, and de Paz was handcuffed and taken to a detention center. “They didn’t even ask if she had papers,” her brother, Carlos Barrera, said. “They just grabbed her.” Though undocumented, it’s likely the agents didn’t know her status beforehand, highlighting issues of racial profiling.

This incident reflects a larger trend. Advocates claim agents are conducting daily sweeps in Latino communities without proper justification. Immigrant rights groups like the ACLU report that these acts often rely on assumptions about appearance and location rather than actual evidence of illegal status. They recently filed a class-action lawsuit targeting the methods used by immigration agents, stating that raids often violate rights by acting on racial biases.

Eva Bitran, from the ACLU, emphasized, “It feels like open season on immigrants.” Agents arrest people before verifying their status, often handcuffing them even when they’re U.S. citizens. In fact, a recent survey indicated that over 60% of individuals in communities experiencing these raids knew someone who felt targeted based on their ethnicity.

On June 12, a U.S. citizen named Javier Ramirez was detained at a junkyard in Montebello. He shouted that he had his passport as he was forcefully taken by agents. His brother, Abimael Dominguez, recalled the event as traumatic, stating, “They walked in and said, ‘you and you.’” This suggests a systemic issue of racial profiling, as all those present were citizens. Ramirez was eventually released but charged with assaulting a federal officer during the incident.

Legal experts have raised concerns about the legality of such conduct. According to the Fourth Amendment, agents cannot arrest individuals without “reasonable suspicion” derived from clear evidence. Jean Reisz, a professor of immigration law, stressed that suspicion must not be based simply on racial appearance.

In response, Homeland Security denies any claims of racial profiling, asserting that their operations are well-planned and targeted. Despite this, many community members express feeling unsafe and unsettled, fearing disproportionate actions based on their ethnicity.

The current climate raises questions about the treatment of immigrants and citizens alike. Communities are increasingly vocal, organizing protests to showcase their solidarity and demand fair treatment. These events reflect a growing frustration with immigration policies that seem to favor force over understanding.

For those affected, each raid serves as a reminder of their vulnerability. Families are caught in a cycle of fear, illustrating the urgent need for reform in how immigration laws are enforced.

As the conversation surrounding immigration evolves, it’s clear that the impact resonates far beyond legalities, affecting the lives, livelihoods, and humanity of those involved.

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