Standoff and Protests Erupt at Paramount Home Depot Over ICE Raids

Standoff and Protests Erupt at Paramount Home Depot Over ICE Raids

A tense and chaotic standoff unfolded Saturday at the Home Depot on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, California, as hundreds of protesters confronted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a wave of federal immigration raids across Los Angeles County. The confrontation began after reports circulated that ICE officers were targeting day laborers at the Home Depot—a common gathering spot for workers in the predominantly Latino city[1][2].

The protests were set off by a series of synchronized, military-style immigration enforcement operations that took place Friday, resulting in at least 44 arrests for suspected immigration violations and one for obstructing justice[1][6]. News of these raids, which reportedly involved agents from ICE, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the DEA, sparked outrage and fear among local residents and advocates, who decried what they described as "terror tactics" and a lack of judicial warrants for the arrests[6].

By Saturday morning, the scene outside Home Depot had escalated dramatically. Protesters—some chanting "Fuera ICE" ("ICE, get out")—blocked roads, set fires, and attempted to prevent federal vehicles from leaving the area[1][2]. At least one person was reported injured, and ABC-7 footage captured the use of flash-bang grenades to disperse the crowd, though it was unclear which side deployed them[1][2]. Protesters also burned an American flag and placed large concrete blocks on the boulevard[2].

Law Enforcement Response

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the unrest:

- **U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)** and **U.S. Marshals Service**: Led the federal operation and made multiple arrests for obstruction[1][2].

- **Customs and Border Protection (CBP)**: Agents in riot gear were present and engaged with protesters, some of whom threw rocks and other objects at officers[3].

- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Confirmed arrests and warned more would follow for those obstructing operations[1][2].

- **Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD)**: Deployed over 100 deputies to maintain order and declared the protest an unlawful assembly after violence and property destruction escalated[5]. LASD stated their initial role was to maintain order, not to engage in arrests, but they intervened as the situation deteriorated[4][5].

- **National Guard**: President Trump ordered 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to support federal law enforcement amid the clashes[1][3][4].

Authorities used tear gas, flash-bangs, and declared the assembly unlawful after protesters failed to disperse and violence increased[5]. The exact number of people taken into custody remains unclear as of Saturday evening[5].

Rights During ICE Raids and Protests

**Rights During ICE Raids:**

- Individuals have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer questions about their immigration status or provide documents unless presented with a judicial warrant.

- ICE agents must have a judicial warrant signed by a judge to enter a home without consent. Administrative ICE warrants do not grant this authority[6].

- People have the right to refuse entry to their home if agents do not present a judicial warrant. Residents can ask agents to slip the warrant under the door for inspection.

- Everyone has the right to speak to a lawyer and not sign any documents without legal advice.

**How to Protect Rights During Raids:**

- Do not open the door unless agents show a judicial warrant.

- Remain calm, do not resist physically, and document the encounter if possible.

- Ask for legal representation and avoid signing any paperwork without counsel[6].

**Protesters’ Rights and Protection:**

- The First Amendment protects the right to peacefully assemble and protest.

- Protesters should remain nonviolent and comply with lawful orders from law enforcement, especially if an assembly is declared unlawful[5].

- To protect themselves, protesters should:

  - Know their rights regarding search, seizure, and arrest.

  - Record interactions with law enforcement if safe to do so.

  - Have legal support contacts available and avoid carrying items that could be construed as weapons.

  - Disperse peacefully if ordered to do so to avoid arrest for unlawful assembly or obstruction[5].

Local leaders and advocates emphasized the importance of peaceful protest and knowing one's rights. U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán urged protesters to "stay safe, protest peacefully, and KNOW YOUR RIGHTS," while city and state officials condemned the federal actions and called for de-escalation[1][2][5].

The situation in Paramount remains fluid, with law enforcement maintaining a heavy presence and federal officials warning of further arrests for those interfering with ongoing immigration operations[1][2][5].

[1] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-07/paramount-home-depot

[2] https://www.yahoo.com/news/chaos-erupts-paramount-home-depot-203421231.html

[3] https://www.fox9.com/news/paramount-los-angeles-ice-protests-day-2

[4] https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/paramount-california-home-depot-protest-rcna211650

[5] https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/lasd-over-100-deputies-dispatched-to-paramount-as-protest-declared-unlawful/3718062/

[6] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/7/ice-launches-military-style-raids-in-los-angeles-what-we-know

[7] https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/protesters-rights

[8] https://www.aclu-nj.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-protest-rights

[9] https://campusfreespeechguide.pen.org/resource/how-to-plan-a-peaceful-protest/

[10] https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/los-angeles-immigration-protests-surprise-ice-operation/

[11] https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/la-protests-ice-raids-stephen-miller-insurrection-b2765792.html

[12] https://abcnews.go.com/US/protests-erupt-immigration-raids-los-angeles/story?id=122604723

[13] https://nypost.com/2025/06/07/us-news/dhs-claims-lapd-waited-2-hours-to-respond-to-protests-over-immigration-raids/

[14] https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-06-07/immigration-raids-roil-l-a-what-you-need-to-know

[15] https://www.aclupa.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-protest

[16] https://www.acluaz.org/en/rights-protesters

[17] https://www.aclu-il.org/en/know-your-rights/know-your-rights-protesting

[18] https://abc7.com/post/protesters-federal-agents-clash-ice-raid-paramount-watch-live/16688818/

[19] https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

[20] https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/protesters-clash-with-federal-agents-near-a-home-depot-in-paramount/3717994/

[21] https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/06/07/tebb-j07.html

[22] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-8ZOxfCsO4

[23] https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20250608-trump-sends-national-guard-to-los-angeles-over-immigration-raids-protests

[24] https://immigrantjustice.org/for-immigrants/know-your-rights/ice-encounter/

[25] https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/know-your-rights-with-ice/

[26] https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/protect-yourself/civil-rights/immigrants-rights/

[27] https://www.amnesty.org/en/what-we-do/freedom-of-expression/protest/

[28] https://www.justiceinitiative.org/publications/principles-and-guidelines-on-protest-and-the-right-to-information

[29] https://www.naacpldf.org/protecting-protest-from-police-violence/

[30] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spep6Zi7kss

[31] https://stopaapihate.org/2025/03/21/know-your-rights-with-ice/

[32] https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/250224-ice-is-knocking-practical-steps

[33] https://www.jeelani-law.com/rights-as-an-immigrant/

[34] https://www.wilneroreilly.com/understanding-your-rights-in-the-wake-of-ice-raids/

[35] https://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/38581/Right_to_protest_principles_final.pdf