More than 100 federal agents sweep through MacArthur Park

More than 100 federal immigration enforcement agents swept through MacArthur Park in the Westlake area Monday, prompting a quick response from dozens of protesters and even Mayor Karen Bass before leaving the area without appearing to make any arrests.

The activity began shortly before 11 a.m., with dozens of vans and military vehicles appearing at the outskirts of the park. An estimated 100 or so federal agents, many wearing vests identifying themelves as U.S. Customs and Border Protection, appeared to be staging outside the park. About a dozen Border Patrol agents were also seen riding horses into the park.

As the federal presence grew and gained attention from local mainstream and social media and activists, protesters quickly moved into the area. Also showing up was Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who was seen walking through the staging area, at one point speaking on a cell phone handed to her by a CBP officer.

Bass, who has repeatedly called for an end to federal immigration raids in the city, told reporters she had spoken on the phone to someone from CBP.

Asked for her reaction to the federal activity, Bass said, "They need to leave and they need to leave right now. They need to leave because this is unacceptable."

Bass was then driven away from the area, en route to a scheduled news conference in Pasadena with Gov. Gavin Newsom to discuss the six-month anniversary of the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

A short time later, the federal agents all appeared to leave the area. Many of the protesters lingered near the park.

The federal show of force comes days after President Trump signed a budget that will provide more than $100 billion to ICE and border enforcement through September 2029. According to the Los Angeles Times, more than 1,600 people have been arrested in Los Angeles between June 6 and 22.

Over the weekend, activists denounced what they called the continued presence of Immigration Customs Enforcement agents and contractors in the lobby of Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital, where a woman was recovering after suffering a medical emergency while being detained.

They identified the woman as Milagro Solis Portillo and said she was injured Thursday during an immigration enforcement operation outside a Sherman Oaks apartment complex.

Activists said in a statement the presence of ICE agents was "creating a hostile and frightening environment for her, other patients, and hospital staff. Their presence is invasive and inappropriate in a medical setting. Milagro Solis Portillo deserves to heal in safety and dignity, free from intimidation and fear."

ICE officials could not be reached for comment or to confirm their agents are waiting for the hospitalized woman.

It was also unclear why the woman was being detained or what caused her medical emergency.

The hospital Monday issued a statement saying, in part, "Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital acknowledges the community's concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and we share a desire to keep our neighbors safe. The hospital cannot legally restrict law enforcement or security personnel from being present in public areas which include the hospital lobby/waiting area."

In Alhambra, activists planned to press City Council members to be more proactive in combating ICE actions in their community.

A 1:30 p.m. rally was scheduled before Monday's Alhambra council meeting, with plans to then go inside to speak in favor of a resolution similar to one adopted in June by Huntington Park's elected officials, which authorizes local law enforcement to seek verification from people acting as immigration enforcement agents.

"As seen on countless social media posts, the police stand by idly as our community is getting kidnapped off the street -- no warrants, no ID, no questions," organizers said.  "... we need action as soon as possible, not more words and affirmations from our legislators."

The rally and council presentation were being coordinated by members of the San Gabriel Progressive Alliance and the Alhambra Community Group.

Under the proposed resolution, Alhambra police would be required to:

• Confirm the identity and legitimacy of individuals claiming to act as federal agents;
• Enforce local laws and statutes accordingly, including issuing citations to agents if they break the law;
• Verify warrants and take note of the scope, dates, person mentioned in the warrant and the signing judge; and
• Restrict unjust unconstitutional searches, seizures and arrests if activities occur without a warrant.

In addition, an "Ice Out of L.A." rally, organized by the Freedom Socialist Party of Los Angeles and a group called the Community Self-Defense Coalition, was scheduled to take place Monday at 4:30 p.m. at the Federal Building on Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Additional reporting by City News Service.