Trump’s Immigration Agents Ignite Anger and Anxiety Nationwide

• Protesters create a ruckus outside hotel housing ICE agents.
• “No Sleep For ICE” demonstration seeks to disturb the rest of ICE agents.
• Critics criticize immigration agents for concealing their identities with face masks.

As night fell on the outskirts of Los Angeles on Thursday, approximately 50 demonstrators banged metal pots and blew air horns outside a hotel, staging a loud midnight protest directed at U.S. immigration agents.

The “No Sleep For ICE” event highlighted the intensifying frustration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has gained significant attention amid President Donald Trump’s crackdown on immigration.

“They terrorize our community all day long. Why should they get a peaceful night?” shouted Nathanael Landaverde, 23, while striking a metal frying pan during the protest.

Striking photos captured federal agents, often masked and occasionally armed, pursuing migrants and handcuffing them at various locations, including courthouses, farms, and public streets.

ICE officials have detained some American citizens for allegedly interfering with arrests, including a mayoral candidate in New York this week.

This aggressive strategy has instilled fear among immigrant communities and provoked outrage among many Americans, particularly in liberal cities like Los Angeles, which have witnessed large demonstrations against ICE actions this month.

“If they don’t get enough sleep, they won’t do their jobs effectively. They’ll apprehend fewer people,” Landaverde noted, as passing cars honked in solidarity with the nighttime protest.

It remains unclear if ICE agents were actually residing at the three-star hotel, although organizers claimed they had photographic evidence.

A vibrant crowd danced amidst the clamor while holding signs proclaiming “No Rest For ICE” and “Get ICE Out of LA,” as some hotel guests peeked through the curtains.

One woman yelled into a megaphone, while another man donned earmuffs, blasting distorted sounds through a speaker.

“They’re tearing families apart, and it’s devastating to see in my neighborhood. If they’re going to do that here, they shouldn’t be able to sleep,” shared 22-year-old Juliet Austin, who played a small blue accordion.

“Secret Police” Concerns

Trump’s election victory was significantly influenced by his commitment to deport thousands of migrants.

Nonetheless, critics have condemned federal immigration agents for wearing masks to conceal their identities, a practice that, while unusual, is permitted under U.S. law.

“At what point will we, as a nation, wind up with a secret police?” questioned Walter Olson, a senior fellow at the Cato Institute think tank, last month.

“For the Trump administration, making masked raids a standard procedure aligns with a broader effort to avoid accountability for potentially illegal and unconstitutional actions,” he added.

In California, lawmakers have proposed the “No Secret Police Act,” which would limit agents from wearing masks.

Federal representatives have dismissed this criticism by asserting that masks protect agents from potential retaliation.

Meanwhile, ICE frequently publicizes its activities, even showcasing images of detained migrants on social media.

The agency continues to enjoy Trump’s backing, with the president recently praising ICE agents for their “remarkable strength, commitment, and bravery.”

Despite this, resentment towards ICE appears unlikely to dissipate as long as immigration arrests persist, and protesters made it clear on Thursday they would remain steadfast in their stance.

“I believe it feels like a modern-day Gestapo in America,” stated Austin, a dance instructor.

“This city is not one to be trifled with… We’re here to make our voices heard. We’re not backing down,” she asserted.