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AAPI leaders denounce ICE raids in LA protest
About 1.6 million AAPI people live in Los Angeles County, reflecting roughly 16 percent of the population.
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Staff Reporter - Fri, 27, Jun 2025
- 01:23 EDT
- 31
AAPI leaders stood in protest at Little Tokyo, LA, against the ICE actions. / Courtesy photo
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) leaders protested against the ongoing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Los Angeles (LA) on June 26 in Little Tokyo, LA.
AAPI leaders declared solidarity with "the Latino community, who have borne the brunt of these kidnappings", as per Manjusha Kulkarni, executive director of AAPI Equity Alliance.
The community leaders stood together in Little Tokyo to denounce the Federal immigration actions.
Additionally, a press conference was organized and the leaders appealed to the citizens of LA to "remain vigilant and to report any ICE activity in their neighborhoods, workplaces and communities to the Rapid Response hotline at 888-624-4752".
ICE, in recent times, has intensified raids, targeting undocumented immigrants in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, focusing on workplaces and public spaces.
ALSO READ: AAPI leaders demand end to ICE raids in Los Angeles
These operations, often involving other federal agencies, have sparked protests and concerns over civil liberties due to aggressive tactics and the detention of non-criminal migrants. With incidents of often violent indiscriminate detainment of immigrants, multiple immigrant rights groups have spoken out against the federal government's policies and actions.
Describing the ongoing ICE raids, Kulkarni said, “Men in masks, refusing to identify themselves, snatching up street vendors, chasing down innocent people, raiding businesses, disrupting graduation ceremonies, all under the guise of keeping us safe."
She added, "Well, my question is – does Los Angeles feel safer to you now? The answer is no. Entire neighborhoods have been homebound as people live in fear. People are struggling, scared to go to work, to even go grocery shopping or to their religious services out of fear of being targeted by ICE.”
Oscar Zarate, director of external affairs for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), thanked AAPI leaders for their support and solidarity and shared his organization’s rallying cry against federal immigration actions.
As per a statement issued by AAPI Equity Alliance, he said, “Today as we stand together, I want to repeat CHIRLA’s key demands: Stop the warrantless illegal raids, free our families from cruel detention and end the military takeover of our communities. Let's keep showing up for each other."
According to the AAPI Equity Alliance, 1.6 million AAPI people live in Los Angeles County, reflecting roughly 16% of the population.
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