10.06.2025 18:22
Residents of the Paramount neighborhood, where reports of deportation raids by ICE officials have spread, spoke out after a clash among a group of activists. A man standing on the fence in front of the National Guard shouted, "You are doing your job, but we are not the enemy," highlighting the prevailing fear in the neighborhood.
BBC went to the Paramount neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, where clashes occurred between a group of protesters gathered after news spread about deportation raids in the area and officers from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
TRUMP SENT 2,000 NATIONAL GUARDS TO THE CITY
Following this incident, President Trump decided to intervene and sent 2,000 National Guards to the city "to restore law and order" after two days of separate protests. California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom stated, "This maneuver will only escalate tensions further." The next day, it seemed likely that hundreds of protesters would block access to downtown Los Angeles, cars would be set on fire, and security forces would use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators.
"YOU'RE DOING YOUR JOB, BUT WE'RE NOT THE ENEMY"
A man standing in front of the National Guards shouted, "You're doing your job, but we're not the enemy." His voice stood out among dozens of people gathered on Sunday to show that they did not want the National Guards there. However, his sentiments were shared by the 51,000 residents of the neighborhood, 80% of whom are of Latin American descent according to census data, and 36% of whom were born outside the United States. One protester said, "There are only hardworking people here because immigrants built this neighborhood," while another waved a Mexican flag, two young people carried banners condemning ICE, and some passing vehicles honked their horns.
THE DEPARTMENT AND ICE DENIED RAIDS
As with every weekend, three immigrants who contributed to Paramount's current state gathered across the street to chat about what was happening. Sitting in their work vehicles in the parking lot of a store where tensions had escalated between protesters and federal officials the previous day, Juan, Rogelio, and Hector's conversation this Sunday was about how the tension had grown. Juan, a 63-year-old Mexican who immigrated to the U.S. from Jalisco at the age of 17, said, "It seems that news of raids spread here. And that led people to come here to protest amid that confusion."
Some protesters threw Molotov cocktails and stones. Windows were broken, and a vehicle was set on fire. Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. Suffering and fear had taken over the neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security and ICE denied that raids took place in the area on Saturday.
IRREGULAR IMMIGRANTS SAY "WE'RE AFRAID"
However, they announced that 118 irregular immigrants were detained in the raids in Los Angeles last week. This was the harshest move since Trump came to power with his promise to "carry out the largest deportation in the country's history" in this "sanctuary city." However, the three friends expressed that they felt comfortable. "We have no problem; we have all our documents," they said, but noted that many irregular immigrants are currently afraid.
"LIFE IS EXPENSIVE AND MY PENSION IS NOT ENOUGH"
Juan, who did not want to disclose his last name, said, "That's why you don't see anyone here today. Usually, you can see 20 to 30 truckloads of workers waiting for jobs, especially on weekdays." One of those who came to find work on Sunday was Pedro, who also did not want to reveal his real name. Written on the window of his old blue vehicle, which was secretly parked in a corner, was "Roofing, repairs, painting." Pedro, who came from El Salvador but has lived in the U.S. for 50 years, said, "Life here is very expensive, and my pension is not enough. I have to come here every day to make ends meet."
"PROTESTS ARE A TURNING POINT"
He is here with the peace of having corrected his immigration status in 2000, but he is saddened by the suffering of his neighbors. These are not the first protests organized in Los Angeles. It was the first city to take to the streets across the country after Trump returned to the White House with his anti-immigrant stance.
However, Pedro describes the recent protests as a "turning point." He said, "There is more anger, more frustration. Most participate in the protests because their parents or previous generations suffered greatly living in the shadows."
"LIVING WITH THIS PRESIDENT IS GETTING HARDER"
Pedro said, "But this will not end here. The raids will continue. Living with this president is getting harder," and he mentioned that he is considering returning to El Salvador. Maria Gutierrez, who participated in the protests in Paramount on Saturday, said, "It was time to stand up. These are my people." Maria, who was born in Mexico, shared that she has lived in the U.S. since childhood while observing the National Guards and Humvee vehicles. "This is LA," she said. "It affects all of us. Someone in everyone's family or someone they know does not have the necessary documents."
"PARAMOUNT HAS REALLY BECOME A VIBRANT AREA OVER THE YEARS"
Some Paramount residents have found peace in the church they attend every Sunday. The Change Chapel is just a few meters away from the Home Depot store where the clashes occurred. About 200 people, mostly of Latin American descent, listen attentively to the sermon. Father Irene Ramirez, one of the church officials, said, "We are seeking unity here and praying for everyone," describing the community as "vibrant, united, and family-oriented." Senior Pastor Bryan Worth also agreed, stating, "Over the years, Paramount has really become a vibrant area," and added, "In the 1980s, Paramount was known as one of the worst small towns in the country. But community leaders, those in the education sector, and we who lead the churches joined forces to transform the community, unite it, and make it generally more peaceful."
"I NEVER THOUGHT WE'D SEE WHAT WE SEE ON TELEVISION"
Dora Sanches, who helps with church activities, said, "I never thought we would see what we see on television. It's all very shocking." Hours after this conversation, tensions rose in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, located 20 kilometers north of Paramount.
TRUMP DID NOT BACK DOWN
The disagreement between the federal government and state governors also grew. The events also forced Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to respond. On Sunday, she stated that she "did not participate" in the raids in the EU and called on her northern neighbor to pass immigration reform.
Meanwhile, despite California Governor's call for the National Guards to withdraw from the streets and other Democratic leaders describing the measures as "an alarming abuse of power," Trump did not back down.
The President stated on his social media platform Truth Social, "Order will be restored, illegal immigrants will be deported, and Los Angeles will be liberated."