Live Updates: Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles Amidst Immigration Protest Unrest

On Saturday, Los Angeles faced chaos as federal agents, dressed in camouflage, stormed the garment district looking for undocumented workers. Protesters quickly gathered, chanting and throwing eggs. The situation escalated when authorities used pepper spray and nonlethal bullets to disperse the crowd.

This event was a shocking highlight of the ongoing immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, but it wasn’t a one-off. Just the day before, immigration agents raided a student housing site in Tallahassee, loading migrants onto buses. Similar actions unfolded in New Orleans and even upscale areas like Martha’s Vineyard. In all these spots, locals confronted federal agents, voicing their anger over the crackdown.

The recent raids signal a new phase in the administration’s immigration strategy, with a notable shift towards workplaces. Thomas Homan, the White House border czar, emphasized that we should “expect more work site enforcement than ever before.” This marks a departure from earlier policies focusing on detaining hardened criminals and international students.

But how far will this enforcement go? Experts note that raids could target key industries like construction, agriculture, and hospitality—areas that heavily rely on undocumented labor. According to estimates from Goldman Sachs, over 4% of the U.S. workforce—about 7 million people—are undocumented immigrants. This gives federal agents plenty of potential targets.

Recently, immigrant arrests skyrocketed. Tricia McLaughlin from Homeland Security noted that daily arrests surged from around 600 to 2,000 in just a week. This uptick is worrying for many workers and business owners who depend on immigrant labor. In fact, undocumented individuals make up 19% of landscaping, 17% of farm, and 13% of construction workers. Without access to these skilled laborers, industries could face serious disruptions.

Many employers express concern about the potential fallout from these raids. Gus Hoyas, a construction firm owner, points out that his industry relies on skilled workers, saying, “You get rid of these folks, and it’s going to kill us in the construction arena.” It’s clear that a sustained crackdown could threaten the workforce in crucial sectors.

The system enabling this shadow workforce goes back to 1986, under President Reagan, who granted amnesty to almost three million undocumented immigrants. However, this also enforced stricter penalties for hiring undocumented workers, requiring businesses to verify employee authorization. Over the years, enforcement has varied widely, often focusing on large-scale operations rather than individual employers.

Recent research by the Migration Policy Institute shows that because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many undocumented workers received temporary legal statuses. This has made it harder for immigration enforcement to keep pace with changing dynamics in the labor market, where foreign-born workers are increasingly essential.

As employers navigate these new regulations, they face a dual challenge: verifying worker status while avoiding accusations of discrimination. Eric Welsh, an immigration attorney, notes, “If you’ve done your due diligence, your own doubt isn’t enough to justify firing someone.” This uncertainty is reflected in comments from restaurant owner Greg Casten, who expresses the difficulty of maintaining a workforce while ensuring compliance with the law.

In light of these ongoing changes, Miriam, a mother of five and an undocumented worker in Los Angeles, shares her fears about job security. Following recent crackdowns, she lost her job, saying, “Many people have lost their jobs overnight.” This sentiment echoes across various industries, highlighting the widespread anxiety among workers and employers alike.

The landscape of employment in America is shifting, and the implications of these policies will likely continue to unfold in the months to come.

Source link

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (US),Demonstrations, Protests and Riots,Los Angeles County (Calif)