(OSV News): Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles called for prayer while urging “restraint and calm” as clashes erupted on June 6, following several raids by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE], part of the Department of Homeland Security.
The raids, which are part of the crackdown on illegal immigration by the administration of Donald Trump, predominantly targeted Latino neighbourhoods in Los Angeles. Protests occurred at the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles and in front of a Home Depot in Paramount, leading the Los Angeles Police Department to make nearly 60 arrests over the weekend of June 7-8.
Ignoring objections from California governor, Gavin Newsom, Trump mobilised at least 2,000 National Guard troops to “temporarily protect ICE and other US government personnel who are performing federal functions, including the enforcement of federal law, and to protect federal property.” An additional deployment of 2,000 troops occurred on June 10, along with the deployment of 700 Marines.
In response, California filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on June 9, requesting a judge to declare the National Guard call-up unconstitutional and to halt future deployments.
State attorney general, Rob Bonta stated, “The National Guard was not necessary. If the National Guard were ever needed, the governor of California could make that decision. But the National Guard wasn’t needed. They are not needed.”
The National Guard was not necessary. If the National Guard were ever needed, the governor of California could make that decision. But the National Guard wasn’t needed. They are not needed.
Rob Bonta, California state attorney general
He emphasised that such a deployment could only be justified by evidence of rebellion, invasion, or an inability of regular forces to enforce the law.
Los Angeles mayor, Karen Bass, asserted that there was “nothing happening in our city” to justify the immigration raids. She remarked, “It makes me feel like our city is a test case,” criticising the federal government’s assumption of authority over local matters and calling the Trump administration’s depiction of Los Angeles as a “migrant invasion” “despicable.”
Protests in solidarity also erupted in other US cities, including Tampa, Boston, Houston, Austin, and Dallas, as reported by the BBC on June 10.
Bass also declared an 8.00pm-9.00am curfew in parts of downtown Los Angeles, impacting only 2.58 square kilometres, to safeguard lives and property.
Media reported that speaking later, Newsom urged protesters to stay peaceful and slammed Trump for “brazen abuse of power”, inflaming a combustible situation and putting people in danger.
…there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.
Archbishop Gomez
The ongoing standoff underscores a significant rift between various state and local authorities and the Trump administration concerning immigration policy, particularly in “sanctuary cities,” where local law enforcement restricts cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.
In his statement, Archbishop Gomez expressed concern over the immigration enforcement raids and called for a more comprehensive solution to immigration issues. He noted, “We all agree that we don’t want undocumented immigrants who are known terrorists or violent criminals in our communities. But there is no need for the government to carry out enforcement actions in a way that provokes fear and anxiety among ordinary, hardworking immigrants and their families.”
The archbishop also noted that “other nations have coherent immigration policies that respect the natural rights of people to emigrate in search of a better life while ensuring control of their borders. America should have one too.”
Catholic social teaching on immigration balances three interconnected principles: the right to migrate to sustain one’s life, a country’s right to regulate its borders, and the duty to do so with justice and mercy.
“May Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to watch over her children and pray for America,” Archbishop Gomez concluded, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding in addressing immigration challenges.
