Federal law enforcement agencies are preparing for a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Los Angeles by the end of the month, according to confidential documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times.
The planned operation, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will target individuals without legal status and those with pending removal orders. Multiple federal agencies are being called in to provide additional personnel support.
Sources familiar with the preparations indicate that agents from the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles offices will assist ICE during the operation. "They needed more bodies," said one federal law enforcement official who requested anonymity.
The exact date remains undisclosed, and plans could shift due to administrative changes. Some resistance is expected from within agencies tasked with supporting ICE's efforts.
ICE's recent enforcement activities in Los Angeles have focused on various cases, including arrests of individuals with serious criminal convictions. The agency has been publicly sharing information about these arrests through social media.
Multiple federal agencies have already been supporting immigration operations in the region since January, including the DEA and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The DEA's Los Angeles office confirmed its involvement in immigration enforcement actions, stating they will "review capabilities and shift resources as necessary."
Los Angeles County, which houses approximately 800,000 undocumented residents according to USC's Equity Research Institute, has not been a primary target for major ICE operations until now. This planned action marks a notable shift in enforcement focus to the region.
Federal agencies have maintained operational security by limiting detailed information about the upcoming enforcement activities. The FBI acknowledged its ongoing assistance in immigration operations since late January, while ATF confirmed its support of Department of Homeland Security efforts in Southern California.