LA archbishop appeals for calm after immigration raid protests

In his statement, Archbishop José Gomez called on Congress to fix the country’s ‘broken’ immigration system.

Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles called for “restraint and calm” as tensions in the city escalated over the weekend after protests against US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests of unauthorised immigrants turned violent.

“I am troubled by today’s immigration enforcement raids in Los Angeles, and I am praying for our community,” Gomez said in a statement issued on 6 June.

“We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities. But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.”

In his statement, Gomez called on Congress to fix the country’s “broken” immigration system. His diocese, the largest Catholic community in the US, includes a large immigrant population.

The unrest, which began on 6 June in response to ICE raids at multiple work sites, escalated after the arrest of David Huerta, president of the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union, who allegedly blocked the path of ICE vehicles.

Videos showed crowds surrounding vans, chanting, and growing in number as the protests extended into the night. Demonstrations intensified on Saturday, with protesters gathering outside the detention facility where Huerta was being held after his release from the hospital, where he was treated for injuries sustained during his arrest.

On Sunday, the situation worsened as California Highway Patrol used flash-bang grenades to clear Highway 101 after protesters blocked the roadway, throwing debris, including tree branches and fireworks, at police vehicles below.

Sunday night saw further unrest, with protesters setting multiple Waymo driverless taxis on fire, throwing rocks at officers, and defacing neighbourhoods with anti-ICE graffiti.

A candlelight interfaith prayer vigil scheduled for Sunday evening at Los Angeles City Hall, organised by the archdiocese’s Immigration Task Force and groups including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, the Central American Resource Centre and LA Voice, was postponed due to the escalating violence.

The groups issued a statement reaffirming their call for nonviolence and pledged to reschedule the vigil when conditions stabilise.

President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard on Saturday night, citing local leaders’ failure to control the situation. Governor Gavin Newsom fiercely opposed the move, calling it a breach of state sovereignty. On Monday, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging its decision to federalise the California National Guard.

‘Romeros for today’ must oppose US deportations

Where have all the ‘illegal’ migrants to the US gone?

Stay updated — add us as a preferred news source on Google: