Protests Against ICE Raids Surge Across U.S. Cities Amid Immigration Crackdown

By WPS News, Staff Reporter

June 9, 2025

A wave of protests against intensified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids has swept through cities across the United States, sparked by the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies. From San Francisco to Minneapolis, Chicago to San Diego, demonstrators have taken to the streets to oppose what they call heavy-handed tactics targeting undocumented immigrants, reflecting a growing national divide over immigration policy.

In San Francisco, protests erupted on June 8, 2025, following ICE raids, resulting in at least 60 arrests and injuries to three police officers during clashes in the city’s downtown area (Al Jazeera, 2025). The demonstrations, marked by chants of “Abolish ICE,” were a show of solidarity with Los Angeles, where similar unrest has led to the deployment of 300 California National Guard members after violent clashes on June 6 and 7 (ABC News, 2025). San Francisco’s status as a sanctuary city fueled the intensity of the protests, with local leaders condemning federal actions as disruptive to community trust.

Minneapolis saw significant unrest on June 3, 2025, when federal agents, including ICE and the Drug Enforcement Administration, raided Las Cuatro Milpas, a local taco restaurant, prompting immediate community backlash (Minnesota Reformer, 2025). Protesters, including Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez, clashed with authorities, attempting to block law enforcement vehicles. Chemical irritants and sirens were used to disperse crowds, highlighting the escalating tensions in sanctuary cities resisting federal immigration policies.

Chicago, another sanctuary city, experienced protests on June 4 and 8, following ICE operations that detained individuals, including six with serious convictions and multiple gang members (NBC News, 2025). On January 25, over 60 advocacy groups marched from Water Tower Place to Trump Tower, protesting not only deportations but also policies targeting birthright citizenship (Wikipedia, 2025a). The city’s commitment to limiting cooperation with ICE has amplified local opposition, with demonstrators chanting slogans like “ICE out of Chicago!”

In San Diego, a February 2 protest drew over 1,000 participants after a raid at Buona Forchetta restaurant, where federal agents used flash-bang grenades to disperse crowds surrounding ICE vehicles (NPR, 2025). The incident, initially mistaken as immigration-related, was later clarified as a criminal investigation, but it underscored the fear and confusion sown by federal operations. Similar protests have been reported in cities like New York, Phoenix, Houston, Detroit, and Grand Rapids, though details remain limited (Wikipedia, 2025b; ExxAlerts, 2025).

The Trump administration’s push for mass deportations, including a goal to arrest 3,000 migrants daily, has polarized communities. While some support the focus on removing undocumented individuals with criminal records, others, including California Senator Alex Padilla, argue these actions create “chaos and fear” and violate constitutional rights (Newsweek, 2025). Local leaders like Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have denounced the raids as sowing “terror” in communities, while federal officials, including Border Czar Tom Homan, defend the operations as necessary for public safety (Los Angeles Times, 2025).

As protests spread, the clash between federal enforcement and local resistance continues to escalate, raising questions about the balance between immigration policy and community trust. For now, cities across the U.S. remain on edge, bracing for further demonstrations.

References
ABC News. (2025, June 8). National Guard troops arrive in Los Angeles after immigration protests turn violent. ABC News.
Al Jazeera. (2025, June 7). Clashes in Los Angeles as protests against immigration raids continue. Al Jazeera.
ExxAlerts. (2025, June 8). Anti-ICE protests have spread to Houston, Texas. X Post.
Los Angeles Times. (2025, June 7). ICE raids across L.A. spark backlash; Trump officials defiant. Los Angeles Times.
Minnesota Reformer. (2025, June 3). Hundreds protest ICE, other federal law enforcement action in Minneapolis. Minnesota Reformer.
NBC News. (2025, January 29). Here’s where the hot spots are for immigration enforcement. NBC News.
Newsweek. (2025, February 3). Map shows states where ICE protests are taking place. Newsweek.
NPR. (2025, June 7). ICE and protesters clash during immigration enforcement. NPR.
Wikipedia. (2025a, June 9). 2025 United States protests against mass deportation. Wikipedia.
Wikipedia. (2025b, February 2). 2025 United States protests against mass deportation. Wikipedia.