Federal immigration enforcement officers in body armor and masks blocked the driveway of a Los Angeles hospital emergency room early Saturday, detaining two individuals in an operation that unfolded as President Donald Trump suggested a softer immigration stance following the Republican midterm losses.
Masked ICE agents in body armor assembled outside Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center, where a detainee had been brought for medical treatment, according to Bill Essayli, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California. Two people were arrested for assaulting federal agents during the operation, though the Department of Homeland Security declined to provide further details on the arrests or the detainee’s identity.
The enforcement action occurred in a predominantly Latino neighborhood and drew approximately 30 residents and passersby, some of whom recorded the scene. Footage reviewed by reporters showed officers pinning an individual to the ground while protesters shouted nearby. The hospital issued a statement affirming it does not participate in immigration enforcement and would not allow such activities to compromise patient care.
Deportations proceed despite Trump’s remarks
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin stated enforcement would continue without pause, including on holidays, in a post published the day after the midterm elections. "Deportations will continue," Mullin wrote. "This includes on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Election Day."
Earlier on Friday, Trump told CBS’s 60 Minutes that his administration’s immigration crackdown may have been "too tough" and expressed openness to bipartisan negotiations. Hours later, he appointed Stephen Miller, architect of the administration’s hardline immigration policies, as his new chief of staff.
Widespread arrests reported across multiple states
Advocacy groups reported arrests in California, Alabama, Florida, Michigan, and Massachusetts in the days following the election. In central Alabama, twin 19-year-old brothers from Venezuela were detained while driving back to college. In South Florida, María Bilbao, a coordinator with the American Friends Service Committee, said her organization has received daily calls about detentions since the election, including arrests at ICE’s Miami office during routine check-ins and detentions at supermarkets, pharmacies, and gas stations.
The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed federal immigration officers were present but did not intervene in the operation. The Department of Homeland Security reiterated in a statement that ICE does not target hospitals, schools, or places of worship, though it did not address why armed agents were stationed outside the hospital entrance.
Policy shifts and political responses
Trump’s comments on a potential shift in immigration policy followed Democratic gains in the midterms, which gave the party control of the next Congress. His appointment of Miller, a vocal advocate for restrictive immigration measures, signaled no immediate change in enforcement strategy. Mullin’s post reinforced that stance, stating ICE operations operate continuously regardless of holidays or political developments.
Community advocates and local officials continue to express concern over the visible presence of armed immigration officers in public spaces. The hospital’s statement emphasized its commitment to patient safety and non-involvement in immigration enforcement, while local residents described the scene as unprecedented and unsettling.
The operation in Los Angeles marks one of several high-profile enforcement actions reported in the wake of the midterms, raising questions about the administration’s priorities amid shifting political dynamics.