Tensions Flare: Immigration Arrests Stir Protests Across Los Angeles

Federal immigration authorities arrested 44 people in Los Angeles, sparking protests and confrontations. Officers executed search warrants at multiple sites, leading to clashes with demonstrators. The raids aim to fulfill President Trump's mass deportation pledge, facing criticism from immigrant advocates and local officials. Arrests continue nationwide.

In a sweeping crackdown, federal immigration authorities arrested 44 individuals across Los Angeles on Friday, igniting widespread protests.

Tensions boiled over as law enforcement used flashbangs to disperse demonstrators furious over the detentions. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers executed search warrants at multiple locations, according to Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson Yasmeen Pitts O'Keefe.

The raids are part of a nationwide enforcement effort to fulfill President Donald Trump's promise of mass deportations, but local officials and immigrant advocates criticize the heavy-handed tactics. Protests erupted in multiple cities, reflecting the divisive nature of the current immigration policies.

(With inputs from agencies.)